Saturday 5th July 2014 (Day 10)
We are going to Katherine Gorge
Today we took off early to the Nitmiluk National Park. Thinking getting there about 9am was reasonable only to find that the centre opens at 6.30am for a valid reason...gets hot out there. I wasn't aware that Katherine Gorge was made up of 13 different gorges and waterholes so asking at the counter which was a reasonable walk with a nice view were told to head toward Butterfly Gorge.
Off we trek out the other door of the visitors centre with a full camelback and a few muesli type bars. The first thing we encounter was the screeching noise of what sounded like bats, thinking nah could be, was confirmed as we walked under thousands of bats all hanging from the trees that lined the banks of the Katherine River. Eerie! not for those who have bat phobia's that's for sure. We proceeded up a fairly steep incline to reach the lookout which provided a birds eye scan of the river. Just lovely with the morning sun glistening on the water, lush canopy at its banks and sheer cliff faces that stood guard over it all.
The walk continued and we saw some wildflowers worthy of photographing some of them scorched from the routine back burning done some time ago. Having lost track of our bearings we seemed to have found ourselves almost back at the beginning having completed the first loop, oopsy! missing the turn off to Butterfly Gorge. Back up 'heart attack hill' we retraced our steps and found ourselves back on track and a nasty track it was. The guide suggested it would be a medium walk (on a gauge of easy to difficult) and take about 4hrs return. Well, the track surface varied from powdery sand and dirt and uneven rugged stones and we spent more time look down to ensure our footing was right rather that being about to enjoy the surrounding. The path wide too varied from about 2 meters wide to a narrow path. Our reward was at the end a mass of clear pristine water with cliffs that bordered the gorge. Without further ado, it was time for a dip. There was little bank or shore line and the loose dirt had become muddy and slippery with people coming in and out. A very not so graceful entry into the cool water followed by a plunge got the blood pumping not to mention the vision of Nathan climbing the opposing cliff face with the intent to jump off. Brave fellow he is! as are the others that were also enjoying the challenge.
Having refreshed ourselves and being mindful of the time, we about faced for the return walk back. Knowing what we were in for did not make for a very enthusiastic return. It was mentally and physically exhausting and we had not packed enough food for sustaining such a trek, thank goodness the NP provided several water taps along the way to refill our camelback. We calculated that all up we walked about 16km (including our wrong turn) in 5hrs. Wow! at one stage there I didn't think we'd make it back. Interestingly though there were people still trekking in on our way out, thought I'd leave the surprise for them.
The visitors centre was a welcome relief and we went straight to the car for our salad rolls that I had packed earlier in the day. Once refuelled, we popped back into the centre for a wander around and a well deserved icy pole. It is a well run centre that offers facilities for campers, retail, education and a restaurant open from 6.30am-5.30pm. Unfortunately we didn't have time to see Edith Falls but it is definitely on the cards for our return trip.
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