Day 29 – Darwin to Jabiru
Packed up and headed to shops at Humpty Doo to stock up.
Drove towards Jabiru. Stopped at Mamukala bird hide. A short walk lead us to the actual hide. Lots of information about the birds and the seasons recognised by the local indigenous people was available. Had a good view of the wetlands and some of the birds active in the middle of the day.

We continued our drive to Jabiru. Checked into Kakadu Lodge caravan park and picked our own site, near pool, bar and bistro, amenities block and two BBQs. Set up the van. Had a late lunch. Drove out to Bowali Visitor Info Centre. Looked through the extensive interpretation display. Saw our niece, Brooke’s art work in the joint Warrandyte/ Jabiru mural.

When we returned to Jabiru we did a quick orientation drive around the town before returning to the caravan park and cooked a BBQ for dinner. Attended a ranger slide show and talk in the pool garden. Early night.

Day 30 – Day trip from Jabiru
Early 5:15 start. Made some toast quickly then drove down to Cooinda carpark. From there we took a minibus to the wharf where we boarded our boat, one of three plus a smaller fishing boat, to do the Yellow Water sunrise cruise. Started with a fantastic sunrise,

followed by wonderful reflections,

lots of birds

and crocodiles.

Just a wonderful way to begin our day in Kakadu National Park. Having avoided being a crocodile’s breakfast we enjoyed a delicious buffet breakfast at Cooinda Lodge afterwards. After filling up we drove down the highway to the turnoff to Maguk.

The trip in was our first venture onto unsealed road with the Hilux and it included some very corrugated, bulldusty gravel road. It was a lovely walk into a waterhole

but a noisy school group was swimming there.

So after a brief rest we walked back out again. The return trip to the main road was a fun, challenging drive. As we drove back up to our next destination, Burrungkuy (Nourlangie), we noticed these strikingly beautiful flowers along the edge of the highway

so we stopped for a closer look. They were a Grevillea but we aren’t sure which one. Finally we came to the turnoff. This time the road in was sealed.

Signage was a bit confusing so at first we ended up at a wetlands area.

Finally we found the carpark for Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) where we did a combination rock art and lookout walk. It included two lookout points and three rock art galleries. It was a hot day for walking but mostly shaded fortunately. 

Here are a few photos of the rock art

and the views were quite spectacular too.

After that we managed to head back to Jabiru Lodge for a very late lunch! However it had been a tourist attraction packed day. After lunch we came out of our caravan to find friends, Phil and Cheryl, we had met earlier in our trip parked opposite us! To cool down we had a swim in the pool and a chat with them. After showering and changing we had another barbecue for dinner followed by a quiet evening catching up on emails, Instagram and diary entries.