Part 4: Northern Territories

DAY 7

Our final stop before we left WA and crossed into the Northern Territories was Lake Argyle. This is Australia’s second largest man-made freshwater dam and approximately 18 times the size of Sydney Harbour. Located just 70km south of Kununurra, it’s an amazing piece of engineering. Lake Argyle is also home 26 species of fish, rock wallabies, 35,000 fresh water crocodiles and a third of all bird species in Australia and has been designated as a wetland area of International Significance.

It is also an amazing source of renewable energy for the area, suppling hydroelectricity to the East Kimberley and reducing diesel fuel consumption by about 60million litres per year! We took a cruise on the lake to spot some crocs and after a quick swim we drove over the Ord River Dam, and headed back to Lake Argyle resort and caravan park to take a dip in the infamous (and crocodile free) infinity pool.

Lake Argyle

Baby Croc

Daddy Croc

Ord River Dam

Infinity Pool with a view!

And that was it for WA. Day 7 on the road and over 1200km, we crossed over into the Northern Territories. We drove over the Victoria River to spend the night in Katherine.

DAY 8

Often referred to as the “crossroads of the outback” Katherine is a small town (population 6000) situated on the Katherine River and is the fourth largest settlement in the Territory. It started as an outpost established with the Australian Overland Telegraph Line and has grown through mining and defence industries, as well as tourism – Katherine is the gateway to Nitmiluk National Park. I wish we’d had longer to explore Nitmiluk as there are huge gorges, numerous waterfalls and breathtaking views and wildlife. However, with only a few hours we headed to Edith Falls, a popular swimming hole within the park. The pool at the base of the falls is fringed with paperbark and pandanus and makes for a lovely swim in the NT heat. Post swim we drove to Adelaide River and had a drink in the inn to celebrate making it through our adventure. Of course no visit to this Inn would be complete without meeting “Charlie” the buffalo from Crocodile Dundee. Charlie was an Adelaide River resident and after passing away in 2000, he was stuffed and now proudly guards the bar.

Crossing the border

Edith Falls

And then that was really it, we reached Darwin and the end of the road for this adventure. And I got to see the first sunset over the ocean since moving to Australia before catching my flight back to Sydney.