Kakadu National Park

For years Kakadu has been on our Bucket List. A "Tick in the Box" location all Australians need to see.

For 5 days we have been based in Jabiru. We have seen rock art, wetlands, gorges, clambered over rocks to visit waterfalls and amazing cliff structures. The geological features have been incredible.

As a bonus "Jim Jim Falls" were opened just prior to our departure. While it is later in the season and the falls are not at their best it is still the jewel in the Kakadu crown, but a visit is not for the faint hearted. 45klms of dirt road then 10klms of 4x4 high clearance vehicle only track followed by 1klm of boulders (photos below, we do not lie), to clamber over to get to the falls and plunge pool. Right up there with the Kings Canyon as the most challenging physical activity of our trip so far.

Enjoy the photos. They don't do this magnificent place justice.

Mamukala Wetlands

Mamukala Wetlands

Duck....

You lookin at Me...

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Nourlangie

Nourlangie

Nourlangie Rock Art.

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Jim Jim Falls

The start of our trek into Jim Jim Falls.

Now where was that sign post

They promised us they had caught them all. No-one home in this one.

First glimpse of Jim Jim Falls

After 50mins rock climb in we can still smile. Only another 15 to go.

What is a 200mtr high torrent in the Wet Season now down to a stream.

The pool below. 70mts deep the size of 6 football fields (my guess). And bloody cold.

It even has it's own beach

Swim done. Now the hike out.

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Maguk Falls

A glimpse of what was to come

Maguk Falls and plunge pool

Leonie plus "noodle" first in..

Sartorial elegance

Obligatory scalp massage. I should accept it's not coming back.

Tom Hanks/Castaway - Get it?????

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That's all for now folks. Thanks for following.

Sunset Wetlands Cruise

After the fog of the Sunrise Cruise yesterday we were a little apprehensive but the weather had cleared to lay on a brilliant evening cruise. There is a lot of burning off taking place up here at the moment but even the smoke was in the right place to add to the sunset.

I suppose it's a little superfluous but the number and diversity of wildlife in these wetlands (the largest wetland area in Aus.) is mind boggling. On this trip we were especially lucky to see Jabiru and the White-bellied Sea Eagle. Oh, and the odd Croc or two :)

Whistling Kites... There's a million of them

Australian Darter Bird. Feeds by spearing fish. Watching them get them off their beak is hilarious

Sometimes the stars align. Close to my favourite photo of the trip so far.

One minute you see them and then you don't. (video below)

And the Jabiru. This one just had some success. Note the fish in beak.

"Jacana" or "Jesus Bird" so named because it looks like they walk on water.

White-Bellied Sea Eagle. As Raptors go second only in size to the Wedge-Tail Eagle in Aus.

Stretching my lens here but I hope the size of the Jabiru nest comes across.

I'm not standing in the water to take this photo. It's our sister ship.

Managed to catch the birds flying across the sunset. Lucky.

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Next stop Jabiru (the place not the bird)

Sunrise Wetland Cruise

5.30am start to catch our mini-bus to Corroboree Billabong and Mary River. Heavy fog impacted the morning but still great to see the birdlife, crocs and plant life. We still find it hard to comprehend the amount of water up here.

5.30. start. It's too early..

Fog that would not go away

The Mary River has the highest concentration of Saltwater Crocs in the world.

Title of this photo - "Bird living dangerously"

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We are going to do a sunset cruise later in the week but first there is a trip to the "Purple Mango Brewery" this afternoon :)