3 Day 4WD Dragonfly Dreaming Top End Safari Accommodated
Day 1
You will be collected from your Darwin accommodation for the short journey to Litchfield National Park. Explore the waterfalls, spring-fed streams and rugged sandstone
escarpments of Litchfield National Park.Discover intriguing cathedral and magnetic termite mounds and swim, hike and explore Florence and Wangi Falls* and enjoy a picnic lunch.
After lunch we leave the highway behind and hit the dirt travelling along the Marrakai Road before joining the Old Jim Jim Road taking us deep into Kakadu National Park.
Travelling past billabongs and traversing water crossings bringing ample opportunity for wildlife spotting.
Arrive at our private campsite at Cooinda, enjoy dinner with your group before retiring to your comfortable airconditioned lodge accommodation.
Day 2
Awake for breakfast this morning before joining an iconic Yellow Waters Cruise. A must do activity within Kakadu National Park, the award winning Yellow Waters cruise is Aboriginal owned and centres around a spectacular billabong system that is home to some remarkable and diverse wildlife.
Spotting crocodiles is only one of the many wildlife spotting opportunities on this unique water system. Departing camp we travel to nearby Nourlangie Rock.
Here you can see how local Aboriginal people lived in this area through changing times. Environmental and social changes are reflected in the rock art and in the ground, where archaeologists have uncovered over 20,000 years of Aboriginal occupation. After lunch visit the Bowali Visitor Centre, a Gun-djeihmi name for the local area and creek, on land owned by the Mirarr clan.
See the audio-visual presentations and Marrawuddi Gallery showcasing Aboriginal art by artists from within Kakadu and the wider region. Later this afternoon we arrive at the culturally significant Aboriginal art site of Ubirr, located within the East Alligator region of the park.
Here you will view a wide range of ancient Aboriginal art which will be interpreted by your guide. Learn the story of the Rainbow Serpent and climb the Nadab Lookout for panoramic views over the floodplain and beyond into Arnhem Land.
After learning about the area, it’s time to pick out a quiet spot to sit while we watch the sun set over the Kakadu escarpment before making the short journey to our private campsite for the night where you will stay in comfortable air-conditioned lodge accommodation.
Day 3
Today the jewels of Kakadu National Park await. Departing early we travel to Twin and Jim Jim Falls. Explore Twin Falls Gorge which is accessed by 4-wheel drive track, a boat shuttle service and a rocky walking track and boardwalk. Once there relax on the sandy banks and admire the falls.
There’s more 4-wheel driving as we make our way to Jim Jim Falls where a walk through monsoon forest and over boulders takes us to the waterfall and plunge pool which are surrounded by 150 metre cliffs. Spend the afternoon taking in the sheer beauty of your spectacular surrounds before relaxing as we make our way back to Darwin and your accommodation after three magical days of adventure, wildlife, rich in cultural history and natural beauty.
Saturday 23 rd of July 2016 and my alarm went off at 05:25 and they called from the reception a few minutes before 6 o'clock.
- You had asked for a wake-up call
- And you call me 30 minutes late- We have called you several times!Yeah-yeah, blah-blah, same as with the internet password. I just don't want to have any more discussion with the staff at Palms City Resort, obviously not hiring the most expensive staff. Never mind, I went for breakfast and they came to pick me up with a bang a few minutes later.
The van was obviously higher than the driver had expected and he drove right in to the roof over the parking so the wood was flying around outside the reception.
Yeah, the tour started with commotion and the driver had to back out from the hotel. So he needed to remove the wagon used for out luggage before he could back out again. There were 8
passengers on board and we were going to pick up 8 more passengers for the tour. I was disappointed as it was kind of comfortable as it was now.Turned out that every seat in the van was full and that's even though one of the passengers were sitting up front. The son of the French couple in front of me. The last passengers were a family of 6 Danish people and that gave us 8 Danish passengers.
We drove for 45 minutes or so before we made our first stop, at a service station with a bathroom. While they were at the bathroom I went to take pictures of a Straw-necked ibis
(Threskiornis spinicollis) on the green field next to the service station.I also saw a few of the peewees. They have a different name for the Peewee depending where you are from in Australia.
The Magpie-lark (Grallina cyanoleuca) also known as the mudlark in Victoria and Western Australia, the Murray Magpie in South Australia, and as the peewee in New South Wales and Queensland. Anyway, I never got any good pictures of the Peewee, but there will
hopefully be more opportunities during our tour. I just finished taking the pictures when it was time to leave.
Straw-necked ibis (Threskiornis spinicollis)
Straw-necked ibis (Threskiornis spinicollis)
Straw-necked ibis (Threskiornis spinicollis)
Straw-necked ibis (Threskiornis spinicollis)
Straw-necked ibis (Threskiornis spinicollis)
Straw-necked ibis (Threskiornis spinicollis)
Straw-necked ibis (Threskiornis spinicollis)
We were on our way to our first stop, well, this bathroom stop don't count (Even though I was very happy to have seen the Straw-necked ibis). First stop will be at the Wangi Falls in the Litchfield National Park. There will be an opportunity to swim in the lake.
They had WIFI at the Wangi Falls so I took a picture of the crocodile warning and the lake for swimming and I lined it to my friend that had been asking about crocodiles. I was not going to swim as I wanted to look for birds, especially the Sulphur-crested cockatoo famous from the TV show Baretta. Of course, it is only us ol' folks remember that TV show.
Baretta
is an American detective television series which ran on ABC from 1975 to 1978. The show was a revised milder version of a 1973–74 ABC series, Toma, starring Tony Musante as chameleon-like, real-life New Jersey police officer David Toma. When Musante left the series after a single season, the concept was retooled as Baretta, with Robert Blake in the title role.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
I had seen 3 Cockatoos from the bus so I was having good hopes to see one in the park. Took us some 30 minutes or so to reach the Wangi Falls and we would stop here for about 45 minutes. We would meet back at the van after 45 minutes and I took off to look for Baretta's bird.
Stop 1
Wangi Falls
We park our 4WD van
Crocodile warning before we ...
... reach the swimming lake
I walk down towards the lake and I spot an Emerald Dove, but I don't wanted to follow the bird as there might me snakes lurking in the grass. I saw two other birds and a lady from Melbourne told me that it was the Great bowerbird (Chlamydera nuchalis) and the Mudlark.
So this is actually the lady that thought me the name of the Peewee and she was obviously from Victoria as she called the bird for Mudlark. But I still had a few hours before I would hear the name Peewee for the first time.
I had seen the Emerald Dove in India, a beautiful bird. And I had seen the Great Bowerbird at Mareeba. But just a very short glimpse. But we remember the nest the bird had built with all the colourful stuff at the entrance. Anyway, yet again, no pictures that I was satisfied with of the Peewee. But by now I'm pretty sure that I will see the bird again as it seems to be every where
Great bowerbird (Chlamydera nuchalis)
Great bowerbird (Chlamydera nuchalis)
Great bowerbird (Chlamydera nuchalis)
Great bowerbird (Chlamydera nuchalis)
Sulphur-crested cockatoo (Cacatua galerita)
Sulphur-crested cockatoo (Cacatua galerita)
We left the Wangi Falls and next stop would be at the Florence Falls, also located in the Litchfield National Park. Florence Falls was just a few minutes away from the Wangi Falls.
We were going to make a longer stop here and we would swim in the pool under the water fall. To reach the pool we had to walk down 135 steps or something like that. We would go back via the Shady Creek Walk. About 1 km of walk through the Monsoon Forest and the Savanna Woodland.
I would skip the swim and I would walk slowly on the Shady Creek Walk keeping my eyes out for birds. But I was soon realising that it was like Disneyland here and there were a lot of people. So I needed a lot of luck if I was to see any birds.
Stop 2
Florence Falls
There is a look out on the way to the Florence Falls
We can see Florence Falls from the lookout platform
We can see Florence Falls from the lookout platform
Plenty steps to reach the Florence Falls
Plenty steps to reach the Florence Falls
Down at the creek, but no Kingfishers
And yes, it was like Disneyland and no chance to see any wildlife so I left after 30 seconds
Shady Creek Walk
No Kingfishers
The Green Oriole or Australasian yellow oriole, Oriolus flavocinctus
No Kingfishers
Silver-crowned Friarbird (Philemon argenticeps)
Silver-crowned Friarbird (Philemon argenticeps)
Silver-crowned Friarbird (Philemon argenticeps)
Silver-crowned Friarbird (Philemon argenticeps)
Silver-crowned Friarbird (Philemon argenticeps)
Silver-crowned Friarbird (Philemon argenticeps)
Some kind of nest
I'm back at the parking lot
I saw an Olive-backed oriole when I walked back on the Shady Creek Walk, but there were so much people so I didn't expect anything. I also saw a little lizard. When I left the monsoon forest and got in to the Savanna woodlands I spotted a Silver-crowned Friarbird in one of the trees.
As I stood there a Australian family passed me and the guy was a dedicated bird watcher so we chatted about birds and it was interesting as he knew a lot about Australian birds.
I was thirsty and hungry when I was back at the parking lot. I was surprised to see flags with ice cream and tea cups so I looked around for the coffee shop. Turned out that it was a van selling snacks and refreshments. I was drooling while ordering, but she didn't accept any cards and I only had 5$ 50¢ in cash. 5 $ for a bottle of water, that was what I could afford.
Yeah, not easy to be the king with no money. I was sitting in the shade when the rest of my group came back and we could take off to our next stop, the termite mounds.
Stop 3
The Termite mounds
The Termite mounds
The Termite mounds
Our transportation
The air condition in the van had broken down and it was a terrible noise. It was like living on Suvarnabhumi’s runway. I could hear the air conditioner all the way down to the termite mounds. A
lot of noise and no, well, it was blowing air but it was not any cold air coming out from the overhead ducts.It was hot like Bangkok on a mid-day with blue sky. Our Guide tried to fix the air condition. And as we're in the middle of nowhere there were no network so he could not call anyone.
The rest of the passengers wanted to have the AC running as it was very hot even though it was a terrible noise. I didn't told them that there wasn't any cold air coming out from the AC. It was just a lot of noise and nothing more.
We were outside the van discussing this and they decided to go with the AC on, next stop was for lunch an hour or so away. I was standing some 10 to 15 meters away recording the sound while they were discussing.
We can hear the AC from more than 10 meters away
Inside the car and we can hear the French couple next to me trying to talk (screaming to each other)
And no, it is not e jet fighter taking off, I'm shitting you not! The recordings above are authentic sound recording I made with my phone. And as you can imagine, it was hot and noisy so not many happy faces in the bus. We will stop at Banyan Tree Caravan Park on the Litchfield Park Road.
We left Litchfield National Park behind and our lunch stop was the only stop between the Litchfield National Park and Kakadu National Park. We passed Rum Jungle and our Guide/ Driver told us the story on how the place got its name.
When they started the mining in the area there was a few miners in Batchelor that send some of the young boys to Darwin to buy alcohol. They took the wagon and a horse or two and they left for Darwin, back then a long trip.
The bought the alcohol, and we're not talking a case of vodka. They had bought barrels of rum. Anyway, on the way back to Batchelor they got stuck in the mud. They could not get the wagon out
from the mud and they came up with the idea to lighten the load to be able to pull the wagon out of the mud.And they did, people coming by helped them to lighten the load. The miners back in Batchelor started to wonder where their rum was and they went to look for the alcohol. They found them just outside of Batchelor and they only thing the people trying to get the wagon out of the mud could say was “rum jungle rum jungle”
It was so nice to get out of the van and it was actually cooler outside than inside the van. As I said, the AC was just making a lot of noise. We were going to eat sandwiches under the Banyan Tree. But I wanted to have real food and I asked the German guy if he had lunch.
- Are you on the Way out back tour?
- Yes
- Your Guide have food for you
- I want real food, do you serve lunch here?
- Your Guide have food for you
And it went on and on and I had to ask him if he was retarded. I don't want to eat any sandwich, but I was hungry so I had to buy Snickers and I brought three big bottles of water. 52$ and my
first card was declined. My second and third was also declined. I never bothered to try my fourth card as I have forgotten the pin number for that card.Of course, it was nothing wrong with my cards, I think the German guy ducked up and I had to go out and have a sandwich under the Banyan Tree. As I had spent my last cash at the Florence Fall I had nothing to drink with my sandwich.
I walked around the Banyan Tree looking up to see if there was any birds. I discovered two new birds, the Olive-backed oriole and the Blue-faced Honeyeater.
Stop 4
Lunch stop
Banyan Tree Caravan Park
The Green Oriole or Australasian yellow oriole, Oriolus flavocinctus
The Green Oriole or Australasian yellow oriole, Oriolus flavocinctus
The Green Oriole or Australasian yellow oriole, Oriolus flavocinctus
The Green Oriole or Australasian yellow oriole, Oriolus flavocinctus
Blue-faced Honeyeater (Entomyzon cyanotis)
Blue-faced Honeyeater (Entomyzon cyanotis)
Blue-faced Honeyeater (Entomyzon cyanotis)
We left the Banyan Tree Caravan Park and our Guide told us that he had fixed the AC, well, he opened the windows forward and this was supposed to give a draft through the van. It was darn hot, but I was in a good mood as I had got two sandwiches and I was hungry when we arrived to the Banyan Tree Caravan Park.
I was also happy to have seen two birds, the Blue-faced Honeyeater, a new bird for me. The Olive-backed oriole, I checked my pictures and that is the bird I saw back at the Shady Creek
Walk. I was dozing off in my seat and when I woke up it was still very hot.But I think I had heard something about swapping the bus. I was not sure, I might have dreamt it.
I was worried about my cards so I hope we stop so I can check them. And we got it confirmed, we will stop at a service station and we will swap van with one group going back to Darwin. This was good news, but the best news was that my cards are working. I started by buying two bottles of water.
Not like back at the wanker twat, I filled the whole table with stuff and I had to put them all
back. But I could use my card and I went to get more supplies and I paid it all with my card. I also asked for an ATM actually expecting a “Sorry we don't have any ATM out here in the bush” answer.But the girl pointed to an ATM and I was soon having my valet full of cash. And now I was so
happy, exactly how fun would it be to stay here in the middle of nowhere without any cash.I was not turning cartwheels out from the service station, but almost. My good mood was turning in to NOT SO GOOD when I had finished all the chocolate bars. But I was soon happy again. I left my bag of water outside the bus and I went to look for birds while we were waiting for the new bus to come
Stop 5 Uncheduled stop
At a service station to change our van
Little corella (Cacatua sanguinea)
Also known as the bare-eyed cockatoo, blood-stained cockatoo, short-billed corella, little cockatoo and blue-eyed cockatoo
Little corella (Cacatua sanguinea)
Also known as the bare-eyed cockatoo, blood-stained cockatoo, short-billed corella, little cockatoo and blue-eyed cockatoo
Little corella (Cacatua sanguinea)
Also known as the bare-eyed cockatoo, blood-stained cockatoo, short-billed corella, little cockatoo and blue-eyed cockatoo
Little corella (Cacatua sanguinea)
Also known as the bare-eyed cockatoo, blood-stained cockatoo, short-billed corella, little cockatoo and blue-eyed cockatoo
Little corella (Cacatua sanguinea)
Also known as the bare-eyed cockatoo, blood-stained cockatoo, short-billed corella, little cockatoo and blue-eyed cockatoo
Little corella (Cacatua sanguinea)
Also known as the bare-eyed cockatoo, blood-stained cockatoo, short-billed corella, little cockatoo and blue-eyed cockatoo
Little corella (Cacatua sanguinea)
Also known as the bare-eyed cockatoo, blood-stained cockatoo, short-billed corella, little cockatoo and blue-eyed cockatoo
Little corella (Cacatua sanguinea)
Also known as the bare-eyed cockatoo, blood-stained cockatoo, short-billed corella, little cockatoo and blue-eyed cockatoo
Little corella (Cacatua sanguinea)
Also known as the bare-eyed cockatoo, blood-stained cockatoo, short-billed corella, little cockatoo and blue-eyed cockatoo
Little corella (Cacatua sanguinea)
Also known as the bare-eyed cockatoo, blood-stained cockatoo, short-billed corella, little cockatoo and blue-eyed cockatoo
Magpie-lark (Grallina cyanoleuca)
Also known as the mudlark in Victoria and Western Australia, the Murray Magpie
in South Australia, and as the peewee in New South Wales and Queensland.
in South Australia, and as the peewee in New South Wales and Queensland.
Magpie-lark (Grallina cyanoleuca)
Also known as the mudlark in Victoria and Western Australia, the Murray Magpie
in South Australia, and as the peewee in New South Wales and Queensland.
in South Australia, and as the peewee in New South Wales and Queensland.
Magpie-lark (Grallina cyanoleuca)
Also known as the mudlark in Victoria and Western Australia, the Murray Magpie
in South Australia, and as the peewee in New South Wales and Queensland.
in South Australia, and as the peewee in New South Wales and Queensland.
Magpie-lark (Grallina cyanoleuca)
Also known as the mudlark in Victoria and Western Australia, the Murray Magpie
in South Australia, and as the peewee in New South Wales and Queensland.
in South Australia, and as the peewee in New South Wales and Queensland.
Forest Kingfisher (Todiramphus macleayii), also known as the Macleay's or blue kingfisher
Forest Kingfisher (Todiramphus macleayii), also known as the Macleay's or blue kingfisher
Forest Kingfisher (Todiramphus macleayii), also known as the Macleay's or blue kingfisher
Forest Kingfisher (Todiramphus macleayii), also known as the Macleay's or blue kingfisher
Forest Kingfisher (Todiramphus macleayii), also known as the Macleay's or blue kingfisher
And I kept myself busy with the birds, Parrots and a Forest Kingfisher. I was sitting down at a table waiting for us to be able to leave. I saw something blue flying by and it was a Forest Kingfisher. I told my new birding pal about the Kingfisher and she got her camera. She is from South of Australia and she also like birds and she was happy to see the forest Kingfisher.
The new van came and I almost forgot my back pack because of the Kingfisher action. It was so nice with the new van and the atmosphere in the group was totally changed. Now everyone was very happy and the Guide was cracking jokes.
But the “Travelling past billabongs and traversing water crossings bringing ample opportunity for wildlife spotting” comes to shame. We were travel in an almost supersonic speed and it was impossible to enjoy the sights from the van. And when we turned in to the dirt trach shooting us through the wilderness in to the Kakadu National Park it went from bad to very bad.
Sometimes we were flying through the air with the van and trailer. I don't know, maybe we're trying to break a record here.
We're flying over the dirt track
We're crossing the Alligator River
We're crossing the Alligator River
Sun is setting over Kakadu National Park
Sun is setting over Kakadu National Park
Are we on the road with no end?
My lodge at Cooinda Lodge Kakadu
My lodge at Cooinda Lodge Kakadu
My room at Cooinda Lodge Kakadu
My room at Cooinda Lodge Kakadu
We arrived to the Cooinda Camping Ground and I left the group and I went to my lodge at Cooinda Lodge Kakadu. The group continued to the camping side 100 meters or so away and they will come to pick me up tomorrow morning at 8 thirty. I was pleasantly surprised by my room.
It looked very nice for being at a camping, and there is a restaurant where I had kangaroo steak for dinner with tea. They will serve breakfast here from 06:30 so I have plenty time to have breakfast and to continue organise my bird pictures before taking off to the Yellow Water Cruise at 8 thirty.
Waking up, breakfast, Yellow Water Cruises and adventure, just click HERE to find out how this is working out. I'm really looking forward to the cruise through the wetland.
OK, it has come to my knowledge that we have senior citizens visiting my web page. How hard can it 
be? So it's not very easy for them to see the blue coloured links to the next page.
noun [in SING.] informal a moment: we'll be back in a jiffy.
ORIGIN late 18th cent.: of unknown origin.
So as you understand, in a jiff pretty much depends on your internet.
So I put a “Next” button here and I hope that there isn't any problem to understand how to use that one. So just CLICK the “Next” button on your left hand side and you will be on the next page in a jiff!
Marunong ka mag-tagalog? Walang problema! Magpunta sa kabilang pahina pindutin ang “NEXT” button sa itaas
Faites vous parlez le français? Pas de problème! Pour arriver à la page suivante faites s'il vous plaît un déclic le bouton “Next” ci-dessus!
Haga usted dice el español? No hay problema! Ver la siguiente página sólo hacer clic el botón “Next” encima!
Farla parla l'italiano? Non problemi! Per vedere la prossima pagina lo scatto per favore giusto Il bottone “Next” sopra
Sprechen sie Deutsch! Kein problem! Wenn Sie die folgende Seite sehen wollen gerade klicken der Knopf “Next” oben!
คุณพูดภาษาไทยได้ไหม ไม่มีปัญหา ถ้าคุณต้องการไปหน้าถัดไป ให้กดปุ่ม “Next”
ข้างบนนี้
Вы говорите по-русски? NJET PROBLEMA! Просто нажмите синюю кнопку "Next" с левой стороны и Вы моментально переместитесь на следующую страницу!
E ni Svenskar och inte förstår Engelska så ska ni skämmas. J och Björn, med det menar jag inte att alla mina stavfel ska ältas varje gång vi träffas.
Well, the flag of Skåne, just a BONUS flag.
be? So it's not very easy for them to see the blue coloured links to the next page. Jiffy (also jiff)
noun [in SING.] informal a moment: we'll be back in a jiffy.
ORIGIN late 18th cent.: of unknown origin.
So as you understand, in a jiff pretty much depends on your internet.
Marunong ka mag-tagalog? Walang problema! Magpunta sa kabilang pahina pindutin ang “NEXT” button sa itaasFaites vous parlez le français? Pas de problème! Pour arriver à la page suivante faites s'il vous plaît un déclic le bouton “Next” ci-dessus!Haga usted dice el español? No hay problema! Ver la siguiente página sólo hacer clic el botón “Next” encima!Farla parla l'italiano? Non problemi! Per vedere la prossima pagina lo scatto per favore giusto Il bottone “Next” sopraSprechen sie Deutsch! Kein problem! Wenn Sie die folgende Seite sehen wollen gerade klicken der Knopf “Next” oben! คุณพูดภาษาไทยได้ไหม ไม่มีปัญหา ถ้าคุณต้องการไปหน้าถัดไป ให้กดปุ่ม “Next”
ข้างบนนี้
Вы говорите по-русски? NJET PROBLEMA! Просто нажмите синюю кнопку "Next" с левой стороны и Вы моментально переместитесь на следующую страницу!
E ni Svenskar och inte förstår Engelska så ska ni skämmas. J och Björn, med det menar jag inte att alla mina stavfel ska ältas varje gång vi träffas.Well, the flag of Skåne, just a BONUS flag.
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