154 - Katherine NT

Cough, cough, wheeze, splatter, sniff was the morning greeting that was bellowed out of the RetroLiner on the morning of our departure from Mataranka. We did the usual pack up in record time for us, and the other joy was only a 105km run into Katherine.

How long we stay in Katherine will determine seeing a medico for both of us. A minimum of two days I guess, depending on Medicos. So it was "on the road again."

The bride at this stage, and rightly so, was ready to tear anything and everything apart that even look like red dirt, so we ventured out of the dust bowl of the Homstead CP and hit the black top for what should be a leisurely 105km run into Katherine.

The run into Katherine was uneventful again, however the bride was "not well." Once we hit the outskirts of Katherine, we came across our first set of traffic lights, and what seemed on first impression a neato town. We made our way to the info centre of which we missed the turn off first time around. Once there we noticed a very modern info centre which was extremely busy looking after all us Geriatric Gypsies. Although we were advised by others that the best park in Katherine, was the BIG 4 Low Level park, however for what ever reason, we endered up at another park Top Tourist  Lakeview, which was about four or five kms out of the town on the Victoria Highway, which is the main drag to WA.

Why there.............instead of the Low Level....well the bride was still barking and wheezing so we just had to get our feet on the ground quickly and get medicos sorted. So we pulled in and got our Top Four discount....and guess what........every site was red dust, no grass, and the sites were as tight as a fishes arse, however there was a good amount of shade. The sites were so tight that every time someone came in close to us, every body had to move their cars, cause there was no where to turn or manoeuvre. I recon this park was designed 40 years ago, the days when, Morris Minors were pulling 12 foot tear drop plywood caravans.  Try to put a twenty something foot caravan, with a fourby is just a joke, let alone the Val with a turning circle like a Mac Truck.

Anyway we settled in, however couldn't get any satellite TV reception, because of the trees. Now this made the bride even more crankier.....so one broke out an ice cold "Pure Blonde", and wandered off to the camp kitchen..........................say no more.

The bride about to head to the Katherine Hot Springs

A'h very invigorating

Can you help an old lady out please mister

A couple of back scratchers hang'n out in the pools

 Anyway we ended up staying for three nights, mainly because of the time needed for medicos. We did the sights of Katherine, and visited the hot springs, which incidentally was right behind the park. Of course the tour of Katherine Gorge was high on the agenda. My final impression of Katherine, a nice town, however the locals seem to rule the roost and add a bit of tension, if you get my drift.

Our cruise boat for the Katherine Gorge cruise

The Katherine Gorge was spectacular

We have a thousand photos of Katherine Gorge, however will only post a couple.

Just awesome

A croc trap...now that's scary

Wow!!!!!!

I can scratch Katherine Gorge off my bucket list now

Sunset @ Katherine NT

After three nights we have "been there done that." Saw the medicos, did the Gorge, checked out the park we should have stayed at, bought over priced booze, saw the locals at their worst......Mmmmmmmmmmm.

Next stop Adelaide River. Stay toooooooned