Will not have the time to update this forum as I usually do, I have just spent time updating the blog and anyone interested in my adventures can access it via the signature link.
Currently the van is having the water pump fixed and I am using a hot spot that is costing me so I am looking to economise.
Tuesday and the water pump was fitted promptly but there was a small problem the noise was still there and it had to be the alternator. Then parts number and the VIN number were given to Repco who supplied the wrong alternator. After much discussion they had the correct one in another branch and their area manager brought it out to Batchelor in time for the mechanic to fit it by closing time. The water pump was moving too easily and it probably wouldnt have worked for very long, anyway I now have a new alternator and water pump so I should be fine for a few thousand kms. We camped on the common ground opposite the servo again and were ready to set off back to Litchfield by 8am Wednesday morning. We went to the furthest site so that we could work our way back. Walkers Creek has a trail walk by tent camp grounds around 3.5 kms with a great rock pool and waterfall next to the camp ground 6 where we swam and walked back to the van. The next site was the Cascades, Lower and Upper plus a 3km loop walk to take you out to see the falls and back to the carpark. After doing the first two sites we went to our nominated camp site at Wangi Falls, set up for camping and Steven cooked up a pasta lunch before we took in the Wangi Falls. Very spectacular, two falls dropping water into a huge freshwater rock pool and a 1.6km loop walk through the monsoonal rainforest bringing you back hot and ready for a swim. Had an excellent day and there is a slide night tonight at 7pm to 8pm near the visitor information centre put on by the ranger. Very good facilities here with toilets, hot showers, camp kitchen with good washing up areas, all for a reasonable $6.20 per person per night. John
Thursday and we set off to Greenant Creek and took the round loop walk to Tjaetaba Falls where we were able to swim in a rock pool at the top of the falls, there is no access to the bottom of the falls because it is a sacred site for the local aborigines. Then on to Tolmer falls very spectacular high dual falls and again took the loop walk this time there was no swimming permitted and again the bottom of the falls was out of access this time because this is the home to several colonies of rare and protected bat species. Ghost bats and Orange Horseshoe Bats. That was the end of our Litchfield Tour and we have been on every available walk although some were closed due to being just at the end of the wet season and unable to be tracked. and seen all except those areas only accessible by 4WD. We left Litchfield and have moved on to a free camp spot just after the turnoff to Fogg Dam on the Arnheim Highway. We plan to take a Jumping Crocodile Cruise tomorrow, then off to Darwin. John
Hi John, thank you again for your great travel blog and wonderful photos. I have Litchfield on my to do list, and it is every thing that I imagined it to be, beautiful....Looking forward to reading more about your travels. Great to hear your van is going well for you now.. Happy and safe travels Cheers Bronnie
