Wauchope

Posted on May 25, 2016 by kathy

There aren’t a lot of options for somewhere to stay overnight through the middle of the Northern Territory, we fortunately found an oasis in the desert. Not far from the Devils Marbles is the tiny settlement of Wauchope, 375km north of Alice Springs. The hotel opened in 1930 to serve the needs of the local miners and cattle workers.

1.Devils Marbles Hotel

The accommodation wasn’t five star luxury

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but it was clean, comfortable and cosy

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and I liked the sentiment found on the wall above the bed.

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The garden was immaculate

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with a couple of quirky features

and a great spot to relax with a beverage

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by the pool.

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The locals were very friendly

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and eager for a game of football.

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Adjacent to the dining room,

the winery offered a wide selection to choose from

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to accompany our sumptuous meals.

Before leaving the next morning, we had a closer look at the rusted wrecks garaged at the front of the hotel under the harsh desert sun.

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We were observed from on high by this magnificent creature.

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I hope he found a tasty morsel for breakfast.

down the track

Posted on April 28, 2016 by kathy

We left Katherine early with a long day’s drive ahead of us. Our first break was Mataranka Homestead. Built in 1916 to serve the original sheep station, the homestead borders Elsey National Park and is situated between two rivers, the Waterhouse river and the Little Roper river.

1.Mataranka Homestead circa 1916 2.peacock

The early morning sun bathed us as we walked to the thermal pool.

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The thermal pool is spring fed, bubbling at a constant 34ºC. The dappled light on the surface of the water adds to the relaxing atmosphere.

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The river was so peaceful and still

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and the return walk was hugged by majestic palm trees.

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In the early 1980s, a movie based on Jeannie Gunn’s “We of the Never Never” was shot around Mataranka. A replica of the old Elsey Homestead was erected for the film and still stands at Mataranka Homestead.

12.We of the Never Never

200km along the track we stopped at Daly Waters. The name was given to a series of natural springs by John McDouall Stuart, after the new Governor of South Australia, Sir Dominick Daly.

There was some interesting signage in the town.

The famous pub is decorated with memorabilia left by visitors from all over the globe. Rumour has it that it started in the 1980s with a drinking bet between a coach driver and his female passengers.

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The beer garden was delightfully rustic

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and the signage theme continued.

We lunched a bit further on at the roadhouse at Dunmarra, a small settlement on the historic Overland Telegraph Line. We were joined by a group of apostlebirds, named after the apostles because they travel in groups of 12.

I like to know how places get their names and this one is quite convoluted. Dan O’Mara, an Overland Telegraph linesman, disappeared in the region in the early 1900s. Drover Noel Healy established a cattle station in the 1930s and discovered O’Mara’s skeleton in the bush. The local Aboriginal people couldn’t pronounce O’Mara and their attempts sounded more like Dunmarra and so, the station was named.

Katherine Gorge

Posted on April 13, 2016 by kathy

The Katherine River has carved a deep gorge through ancient sandstone, beginning at Kakadu. The thirteen gorges and surrounding landscape have great ceremonial significance to the local Jawoyn people. Nitmiluk means “place of the cicada dreaming” in Jawoyn language.

1.Nitmiluk Gorge

These amazing creatures were hanging around

2.bats

the walkway leading to the boat.

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We spent a glorious morning cruising along the river surrounded by awe inspiring scenery.

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During the dry season, the gorges become separated.

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We enjoyed the walk between them

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and a closer look at the rock formations and aboriginal rock art.

The spectacle continued through the second and third gorges.

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This rock looks like a dog sniffing the fresh air.

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We pulled into the bank and walked to a stunning waterhole.

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Some took the opportunity to cool down, we sat in the shade and admired the majestic waterfall.

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Back on board, we continued homeward in time for lunch.

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This magnificent blue-winged kookaburra was quite comfortable with the attention she was receiving,

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perhaps waiting for some lunch herself?

awesome aves

Posted on March 12, 2016 by kathy

Being surrounded by forest means we are visited by a multitude of creatures, some of the most fascinating are the birds. The yellow-tailed black cockatoos usually stop by for a drink at the stock trough.

I don’t know how she was hanging on but this one found the bark of a tea tree very tasty.

I love their mournful call, unlike the hair raising screech of their sulphur-crested cousins.

One of my favourites is the kookaburra, they have so many different sounds.

Returning from the forest with Poppy one afternoon, she found this young fella in a predicament.

10.kookie in fence

He must have dived for a tasty morsel and ended up with his head stuck in the fence. It was a rare occasion when Michael wasn’t around. I ran home and grabbed the wire cutters (and my camera) and cut him free. He was unable to fly so I made him comfortable in the possum trap

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and called a friend experienced in wildlife rescue. She took him home for a couple of days while he recovered from exhaustion and dehydration, then, because kookaburras are territorial, he came home to be released.

The superb blue wrens continually bob around the garden

and are handsome even in their eclipse phase.

The New Holland honeyeaters,

18.new holland honeyeater

eastern spinebills

and black-headed honeyeaters

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enjoy feasting on the flowers. These three were deep in conversation.

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Bath time is always a delight to watch.

The scarlet robins are gorgeous. It’s always nice to see them and to know winter is on the way.

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This pair moved in last year, I hope they return.

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The green rosella is a regular guest

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but herons are rarely seen. This pair may have been staking out the fish pond.

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Masked lapwings are a common sight. Often mistakenly referred to as plovers, they are much prettier. Notorious for nesting in the open and being very protective parents, I was privileged to approach this nest in our paddock without being attacked.

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Here is my reward.

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This cheeky chap joined me in the sunroom the other day.

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The starlings are a bit of a nuisance but they look good in silhouette.

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It’s not easy photographing birds, but I shall keep trying.

Territory Wildlife Park

Posted on February 19, 2016 by kathy

On a perfect winters day in Darwin, we set off to discover Territory Wildlife Park, situated about 60km south on 400 hectares of natural bushland. We spent a few hours wandering through woodland, wetland and monsoon habitats.

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Along the Monsoon Vine Forest Walk is one of the largest domed walk-through aviaries in the southern hemisphere.

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Birds weren’t the only creatures in the aviary.

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The surroundings were stunning

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with the occasional surprise at ground level.

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Some of the trees had created fascinating designs of their own.

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The Park is well set out with a shuttle train continuously travelling the 4km loop, a welcome service as the temperature rises. Each exhibit entrance is adorned with cute critters and clever decorations.