After having breakfast on the balcony of our hotel room at a temperature of already 20°C, we set off towards Kakadu National Park.
Shortly before the city limits of Darwin we were stopped for a general drug and alcohol check. There were at least 10 police cars and a corresponding number of police officers on the side of the road. Each car was waved over and the driver had to blow into a breathalyzer. Of course there was nothing wrong with us and we were allowed to drive on. But it is astonishing that such a check is carried out at 9 a.m.
Our journey took us eastwards, first along the Steward Highway and then along the Arnhem Highway. Road trains kept passing us by. Welcome to Crocodile Land Bushfire on the roadside
Shortly before noon we reached the Mamukale Wetlands. There was a viewpoint from which we could observe the water birds. We also had a picnic lunch.
Mamukale Wetlands Our next stop was at the Bowali Visitor Center, where a friendly ranger marked all the points of interest on the park map and also gave us the relevant information brochures. Before we set off to explore further, we checked in at the Anbiri Kakadu Lodge, where we would be staying overnight. The lodge has bungalow-like houses, but one has an outside bathroom. Wet room behind the house Crocodil Hotel in Jarubi - the slightly too expensive alternative Since there was also a fully equipped kitchen, we immediately got everything we needed for dinner. Then we drove to Ubirr Rock. At the Bardedjilidji Walk we were greeted with warning signs, which immediately caused our youngest to have a mild panic attack. The Krolodil warnings are not nonsense A short stretch of the path led down to the East Alligator River. There we saw our first crocodile - it was swimming on the other side of the river. The actual trail led through sandstone formations. Due to temperatures of over 30°C, we were sweating through despite the relatively short distance. At Ubirr Rock we walked the trail past the Aboriginal rock art to the lookout point. From there we had a great view over the wetlands.
We had actually considered staying here until sunset, but since it was only 5 p.m. and the sun wasn't due to set until shortly after 7 p.m., we decided to drive back and go to the pool instead. On the way, a kangaroo hopped across the road in front of us. And here, too, there were a few bush fires along the road. Smoke plumes from bushfires The hotel pool was a welcome way to cool off before dinner. For statistics:
