Day 16 07/08/11
Hooked up the campers and then headed to see off the Varity Club drivers this morning, what a great sight. About 25 cars involved, 2 of our favourites were one which was dressed up as a complete Camel & the other a Western Wagon right down to the detail on the exhausts being double shot rifles! Everyone was also dressed up to suit their theme! Fantastic imaginations! Soon on the road and heading for Katherine today. Arrived in Katherine early afternoon, enjoyed Red Rooster for lunch under the shady trees – it’s hot! And we are told chucking it down with rain at home  ………..headed to Woolworths for some supplies then it was off to Katherine Gorge our home for the next couple of nights. Checked in at the Visitor Centre for a couple of Powered sites, we managed to pick a good shady spot, right opposite the pool …. Bonus! So of course once we had set up to was time to hop in for a dip. Great relaxing way to end the day!
Day 17 08/08/11
Today we explore Katherine Gorge! Toby & Ron promised Billy that he would see Crocodiles today, a ride out with Dad on a hired Canoe was the plan! But we arrived to book the Canoe to be informed that children had to be 5 years or Older!! ………… Bottom lipped dropped, but lucky they sold ice poles and I was lucky enough to soften the blow with one of them - $3 is a small price to pay! So Ron & Toby headed out for a 1 hour Canoe adventure! Billy and I took a short walk back to the visitor’s centre and took a look at the displays to help pass the time. Carol was back at the camper enjoying her book! Billy and I returned to the Canoe hire area and awaited Dad’s return, Billy was excited to see them paddling back in! Only spotted 2 Crocodiles, and that was on the way back opposite the Canoe Hire, but very happy they had found some and proudly shared the photo moments with Billy. Popped back to the campers and enjoyed another dip in the pool before lunch and our afternoon cruise! Cruise was spectacular ……. 2 hours and some amazing Rock formations and bonus a Crocodile!! Another animal sighting to cross of Billy’s list! If you looked very closely there was alos a baby crocodile sunning himself on a log. Guide informed us that he is from last season & there were once 8 in total. By the way these are Fresh water Crocodiles, so being near them is harmless, not that I would get too close!! After our Cruise we had decided to take the 900m hike up to a lookout over part of the gorge, packed up some goodies for fiveeses………….. it was a hike up & up over some steep rocks but we all made it. Toby had to carry Billy most of the way, until he decided to walk the last 5 meters down the Lookout ramp. Memorable Fiveeses! Once returning to campers it was still quite warm so a great reason to jump back in the pool again. I should mention the wildlife round camp – Millions of Bats in the trees, Wallabies roaming around looking for food, we even had Mum & baby one night and amazing birdlife for all those avid birdwatchers out there.