Day 34. A day fishing on the MacArthur River which flows into the Gulf of Carpenteria. We have become honorary members of the King Ash Bay Fishing Club which runs a great camp ground, bar and bistro. An unusual collection of huts, humpies, shacks and vans all along the river, all focused on the magnificent fishing in the Gulf. We have made contact with local Brett and his mate Chris who are taking us for 2 days fishing in Brett's big boat. Out to the islands cha...

Day 33. Up early at the Daly Waters Outback Pub and onto the Carpenteria Highway heading east to the Gulf. First we checked out the old WW2 airstrip and hangar at Daly Waters. During the war it was Australia's last line of defence against the Japanese and saw many Hudson bombers and spitfires, even General MacArthur paid a visit. Over 400 km today bitumen mainly single lane and reached 34 degrees. Stopped lunch of toasted sandwiches at Cape Crawford Roadhouse, do...

Day 32. Cooked our breakfast of oats and honey at the Bitter Springs campsite, then short drive into Mataranka to Elsey National Park. Looks like a rainforest here with its giant paperbarks and Livingstona palms along the Roper River which has a permanent flow into the Gulf of Carpenteria from springs. The old Mataranka Homestead circa 1916 has been turned into a lovely garden, cafe and hot springs leading into the National Park. Onto the site of the old Elsey Ho...

Day 31. Breakfast of pancakes and honey put on by Nitmiluk for the tired travellers doing it tough! Back into Katherine, Sunday morning pretty quiet even though the Country Muster and Festival are on. Lots of brothers sitting about in the shady parks. Coffee with our friends at their van park, they cannot leave Katherine until at least Tuesday when their replacement shockies arrive on the road train from Darwin. Checked the maps and Ross and I will move on west ...

Day 30. Our breakfast deal included pancakes with honey and cream. What a yummy treat for some rugged, dusty, tired bushmen! A gorge cruise through the beautiful Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge today, a special place owned by the Jawoyn people. Dave was our captain and guide, he was also the country music singer the night before, a lovely bloke. Magnificent views of the gorge and escarpment. I would like to see it again in the wet season. Lunch of rock melon from the...