Day 19.
Return Darwin: (via Litchfield National Park-cancelled).
Off on the road again and the plan was that we were going to take in another National Park, Litchfield, on the way back to Darwin. The drive from Coolinda via Litchfield back to Darwin is a 4hr+drive.
After covering two and a half hours we sensibly decided not to venture into Litchfield Park. To add a further 3 hours seemed a stretch too far. Rachel was doing the driving and she was game initially, then decided against Litchfield. That was to prove a good decision.
Adelaide River Railway Heritage Precinct. The few places of civilisation, mainly a World War 2 Railway and Train tourist spot was closed. EASTER MONDAY! Very little was open.
Fortunately the toilets were open! We climbed over the barrier, found the toilets and as I was about to leave the cubicle I read the sign on the inside of the toilet door – Please close the toilet lid; beware snakes going into toilet bowls.
The lid had been up when I went in and I had checked to see how clean the toilet bowl was, it but the snakes comment made me rush out and fasten my shorts properly outside.
A little supermarket/tourist information place was open after we’d been on the drive back for two hours.
We had intended visiting Florence Falls in Lichfield National Park IF the road was free from floods.
It is a 250 metres of steps down to said Florence Falls where you can swim. As the very helpful man from the Supermarket/Tourist Office, who reminded me of the actor Walter Brennan with a long wispy beard, said ‘It is also a 250 metre of steps climb back up-and no swim!’
I said to him that I wasn’t going to do the Waterfall Challenge. I knew my limitations; it was 38° and humid.
He then told me that a lady had to be air-lifted yesterday out of the Waterfall ascent due to heart problems. I expect she maybe had a heart attack. I don’t know what people think they are doing behaving foolishly like that.
I then told him that I could possibly get away with it but had no intention of testing!
Anyway, Rachel decided that actually the drive back was still considerable and going 50kms into Park and returning those 50kms out was not really necessary. Relaxing in Darwin for a couple of hours seemed a better option.
I didn’t argue.
Kangaroo.
Yippee very lucky to witness my first Joey whilst driving today. I finally saw a wild kangaroo running along the road. They are not easy to spot at all in the wild. Another Tick. ( Sadly I didn’t take this photo).
Tonight we stayed in the Palm City Resort, Darwin and it offered reasonable self catering should that be desirable. A lovely pool and easy access for bars and restaurants. ( Last time I got blisters walking in the heat).
Dinner was at Rorkes in Darwin: very nice- trendy and well run. Enjoyable night.
Unfortunately Rachel was fairly unwell in the middle of the night. Vomiting and very dizzy.
So just as well we decided against the Waterfall. Dehydration creeps up on you and is most certainly an issue here. We kept being told that if you are out in the heat for an hour you must drink at least a litre. And if you go out for much longer- 3 -4 litres.
Locals appreciate this. Good old common sense. Surprisingly not everyone is blessed with it. And with regard to swimming in Waterholes which are deemed safe, swimming is still at the individuals own risk!
Day 20.
Back to Sydney.
Rachel was fairly seedy and took it very easy. She managed a little breakfast so I do think it was dehydration rather than a bug. The dizziness alarmed her bit. Strangely she didn’t seem to feel nauseous when dizzy.
Anyway I was finally able to drive the rather lovely 4 wheel drive around Darwin to view the sights. This Darwin beach on the North of Australia is calm and tranquil, and certainly the beaches by Sydney are surfing beaches. Odd that I haven’t ventured in to the sea during this holiday. And I must have been tired or distracted with Rachel because I didn’t take a photo of Darwin Beach. This too is borrowed.
I then drove to the airport and the flight took off bang on time. Tom came to collect us and that was The Girl’s Road Trip ended.