>Sydney has the Opera House. Melbourne the ecclectic european feel know for good restaurants and nights out as well as being close to the Great Ocean road. Adelaide is used all but as a hub between Melbourne, Perth or Alice Springs. Cairns the Barrier Reef. And Darwin? Well, Darwin has some spectacular national parks and a tropical climate to match. Two of these national parks are Litchfield and Kakadu, with other smaller parks around such as the Mary River National park.

Day one (Litchfield) Florence falls; Buley rock pools; Mary River Cruise

Day one of this 3 day tour we headed for Litchfield. Situated only 1.5 hours drive away from Darwin it is within easy reach. Stopping in a place named Rum Jungle, so called apparently after a consignment of Rum broke down near by. Instead of fixing the cart and delivering the Rum the couriers spent several days taking full advantage of their cargo. Not sure how much truth is in this story, but it’s a colourful way to name a town.

After our break here we headed for the rock pools of Florence Waterfall. Here There are eight freshwater pools to basque in and cool off, surrounded by stunning fauna and trees, providing pockets of shade to seek refuge from the cloudless sky and thus the intense rays of the sun. From here we headed 10 minutes up the road to Buley pluge pool. Part of the same system as the Florence Falls, it offers a bigger body of water in which to relax with more great views of the surrounding landscape.

Towards the afternoon we head to the Mary River for a 2 hour cruise in one of the many billabongs, in search of ‘Salties’ and ‘Freshies’ – the two Crocodiles that inhabit this region. We were not dissapointed either. These animals are as intimidating as they are magestic when taking to the water.

Camp for the night was near a former arbatoire, just outside Kakadu National park. Our entertainment was a lightshow from nature; the build up to the wet season which is upon the ‘Top End’. Then at 4:30am the fruits of the earlier lightshow bore with a very tropical storm and yet more lightening. At one point it was as if nature had turned on the light.

Day two (Kakadu) Jim Jim falls; Ubirr rock art; Arnhem land corssing; view over kakadu out to Arnhem land; Arnhem escarpment.

Day two begun with the scent of a post-storm blow out. Cooler after the rain the air was still heaving with moisture. We left camp heading for Ubirr, where traditional Aboriginee rock art can be found in abundance. On route we made a stop at one of the crossings in to Arnhem Land, a large piece of land handed back to the indigenous people in the 70’s (?). To enter a permit must be obtained from the Aboriginal people who now own the land.

Reaching the rock art some of the art depicts first encounters with European settlers, one with a man smoking a pipe – I kid you not! A short walk up some rocks brings you to what feels like the top of Kakadu. With views out over the wetlands to oneside and Arnhem land border the other, it affords some of the most spectacular views over Kakadu.

Leaving behind Ubirr we head for Jim Jim falls, a jewel of Kakadu and another opportunity to take advantage of a huge freshwater pool to cool off. To get there requires a 4×4, following the Arnham escarpment for the most part. From the car park there is about a 40 minute walk to reach the pool. Surrounded by towering walls of rockface at least a hundred meters high, and circular in shape it is an idylic spot to chill out and once again take in the marvels of its making.

The night was spent at a resort – a free upgrade couresty of our Guide, Al, so we’d be near the mornings offerings of Kakadu – Barrimundi Gorge.

Day three (Kakadu) Barrimundi Gorge

Day three and Barrimundi rock pool/water fall. At every rock pool and waterfall from Florence to Jim Jim you think you have found your piece of paradise, but still there is something more to amaze you. Barrimundi, whilst not as big as Buley or Jim Jim (least not the pools which are designated safe for swimming!), are perched atop a cliff face overlooking a much larger pool below. A series of 3 pools, the larger of which has its own mini gorge up which you can swim and find a small yet beautiful and very much so relaxing waterfall as you sit beneath its endless flowing fresh-water; a hydro-therapy pool at its best and in style.

Three days gives only the taste of some of the best Litchfield and kakadu have to offer. It is entirely possible to spend weeks exploring their bodies and discovering the souls. A treasure that offers amazing views in all seasons, sometimes temporarily taking away some of its attractions in the wet season to re-reveal them in the dry as the water recedes, in all their glory and more.

And thus concludes 13 days of touring from Adelaide to Darwin, travesing this vast country from its southern border via the centre to its north. I am here for another week owing to my loss of time and booking my onward flight a week later than I intended. Not to worry. Not all is lost. Whilst I am here there is still much to do, and many friends who left Adelaide some time ago to catch up with.