After leaving the Top End we pointed the Rock Truck southward and headed off. It's was a strange concept heading south. It was a pivotal moment, kind of like when we knew we weren't really heading West anymore.
This was in someway the halfway point in our trip. We were essentially now working our way back home. But it was still going to be a long glorious road home.
After a short jaunt across to Pine Creek (waving to the Racecourse we stayed at on the way up) we met the highway and headed towards Katherine. We had already decided we'd make a pit stop at Leilyn NP. Formerly known as Edith Falls, we were recommended by the Butchers to take the time to call in here. And we're bloody glad we did.
An amazing place and probably my favourite 'falls' of the trip so far.
I loved the highly detailed walking map provided at the start of the journey. We decided that we'd take the full loop walk all the way round. I'm glad the falls are at the mid point as it certainly was warm enough for a dip by the time we got there!
A lookout along the way... I think perhaps the trees were a little shorter when the walk was created? We didn't really see much!
It was a pretty tough track in sections, and the crew, including James, left me in their dust. But it was a brilliant walk, with some spectacular sites and scenery.
Our first view of the spectacular falls, it was one of those places that looks awesome from afar, but just as good up close.
The falls themselves are actually part of a larger lake and fall system. But the main 'part' is the setion above. It does drop down another set of falls where the water disappears on the right of shot, but this was the 'centrepiece' of the attraction.
With pools galore and brilliant sunshine, it was understandably popular. However, it still had the size and magnitude to easily accommodate us all.
One of those places that it was almost impossible to take a bad shot. I went a bit 'pano' mad, as every angle seemed to offer amazing views.
The main part of the falls. I swam over to them and took the customary 'shower' under the water, and it was amazing trying to swim against the current as you got closer. I had to send Sam back at one point as it was just too strong, but it wasn't for want of trying!
Downstream of the upper falls section where we were swimming was just as attractive but alas the topography doesn't lend itselft to tourists too well..
On the walk back the Eastern side, looking back at the falls from a lookout. No trees blocking this one.
We got there with little to no issue and on a recommendation from the McGuirks previously, we checked in to Bitter Springs on the northern part of town. Parking up, we walked down to the Bitter Springs NP to see what all the fuss was about.
Thi is what the fuss was about. Warm thermal springs that bubble up out of the ground and create one of the most amazing little stretches of water. Warm and absolutely crystal clear, is was like Zebedee Springs but without the hordes of people and less 'warm bath' feeling.
You basically grab your pool noodle and float about 300m downstream watching just watching the world go by and trying to spot turtles in the clear water. When you reach the end, there's a set of steps and you climb up and take the short-cut walk back the 150m to the start and do it all again. I reckon I could have kept going around and around if it wasn't for that pesky thing called daylight fading on us...
Water clearer than you could ever imagine in a natural creek bed.
It's hard to think Sam's a foot or so underwater here....
It was a fantastic day and considering it included our big walk at Leilyn, 260km with the van and the Bitter Springs swimming, it's safe to say we were all happy to crawl into bed. Sometimes it amazes me how much we can cram into a day when everyone is happy and we remain in an adventurous mood.
We thought about staying another day, but the Red Centre was calling, so it was only for a short time, and the Top End will have to wait until we most definitely return one day.
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