Sat 10 Aug 2013 – Travel to Pine Creek and Kakadu

Swim for the road then off to Pine Creek which is the junction of the Stuart and Kakadu Highways.  At last we have made it to Kakadu.  It so nice to be able to chat to other travellers and ask their advice re spots to see and road conditions. 

The first recommendation was Gunlom (Waterfall Creek).  

Just arrived at the camping ground and chatting to our neighbours Richard and Rachel and their 3 children, when a car and trailer arrived making very sick noises and pulled up next to us.  Richard, an ex truckie and bush mechanic, soon diagnosed the problem – the trailer brake callipers had snapped and were grinding on the edge of the disk (pad had long since fallen off.  He sorted out that problem and then found the trailer wheel hubs had tons of slack which meant taking off the wheel checking and repacking the bearings.  The couple had 3 very small children (3,2,1) and she was pregnant again.  The fellow had little idea of fixing the trailer so we were glad the he broke down right opposite Richard.  Richard also found out that he had changed a trailer wheel but put the wheel nuts on backwards.  After taking off all the brake gear from the trailer, the guy would be able to get to Katherine for repairs.

After this drama we were off for a swim at the plunge pool at the bottom of the water fall (not much flowing over it) and we were a bit nervous about crocs – so only a quick dip near the edge.

Good slide show at 7:30 by the ranger on Kakadu’s bush tucker – Mel asleep again half-way through – last slide show I will take her too!