On days 4, 5 and 6 of Cloud 9 is the descent from Darwin and Alice Springs. 1500 km distance to travel on the only road that separates the two cities.
The day starts early as all days during the tours. The special 4 × 4 bus driven by the New Zealand guide was replaced by a bus, driven by an Australian. I found several of my companions of the previous days will be going on this same tour as me for the next few days and also new companions on board – an American, a Dane, a local couple and an English couple. After getting everyone from all over the world, the bus takes on the long road that lies ahead which is full of history.
The first stop was at the Adelaide River Inn, a motel lot used during the discovery of gold at Pine Creek, a nearby hamlet and is now known for hosting the bull ( now stuffed) who participated in the filming of Crocodile Dundee. Before heading back, we went swimming in the natural pools of the Adelaide River.
The bull from Crocodile Dundee
The bush around Adelaide River
Small waterfall in Adelaide River
By early afternoon, we arrived at Katherine Gorge. Katherine Gorge is the series of 13 gorges containing waterfalls and rapids of the Katherine River which originates from Kakadu National Park. From the parking lot, we took a trail that goes up steep before revealing an incredible view of the magnificent gorges. Then the road descends to reach a small platform from which we took a boat that goes up the first two gorges. The boat can not continue further because of the fierce flow of the river current. On arrival, a path through the gorge and the rapids for those who want a second boat is available to continue further. I chose to stay in the rapids with a few people instead of taking the second boat to come back.
Katherine Gorge
Geometric rocks in one of the gorges