Pearls On Wheels

We stayed at Nitmiluk the homeland of the Jawoyn people. The Katherine river runs through this area and has 13 gorges. It is the dry season and the river levels are low. Our river trip included three of the gorges. We walked over the rocky weirs at the lowest points. Boats were waiting in each section of the river. At the first landing we saw some Aboriginal rock drawings.  The Jawoyn people were able to establish  their long association with this area through the extensive rock paintings of their ancestors when they were making land claims to the government.  We are happy to have Mark's company again. Radioman  is going to ride with us for a while.  There are fresh water crocodiles in the river. The saltwater crocs that come during the wet season floods are trapped and returned to the northern rivers. The katherine river is deemed safe for swimming and kayaking.. The fresh water crocodile has a long narrow ...

The serene scenes are our reward for our early morning ride from Jabiru to Cooinda, Yellow Waters. Come on the boat with us and watch the birds among the wetlands of floating buffalo grass, pandanus, lotus flowers and water lilies. A basking saltwater croc. The lumps on his back - highly vascularised osteoderms -  are his solar panels. Brolgas in the distance, egrets, and whistling ducks in this bird sanctuary. The cormorant and the sea eagle are having better luck fishing than the men on the boat. This sea eagle is airborne with his catch. The men have a remote controlled electric outboard at the front. Apparently it is so quiet the fish can't hear it. We are surprised to see fishing in this national park - but it is legit so long as they use a lure. Barramundi daily catch is limited to 5 fish with a minimum length of 55cm. Barter bird drying out after his fishing. The Indigenous flag. Indigenous people from variou...