Day 28. Litchfield N.P 31.7.23

We departed by 8am and the drive was very thick with smoke in places. 

The area where we were camping last night.

A burnt out car wreck in the bush.

Looking over the top of the waterfall.  The sign at the bottom asked people not to swim here because it is a sacred Aboriginal site. We didn't swim.

We are staying at the Pandanus on Litchfield caravan park. For $18 per night per person for a powered site we are very happy. We can cool the van down, wash our dusty clothes, have a swim and sit in the shade of the numerous mango trees.

Today we travelled 130kms.

For our grand daughter, Haylee, who was asking where we are and where we've been.

Day 27. Charlotte 30.7.23

I messed up with the dates and we have a free day today. We've decided to go back to the Berry Springs Nature Park for the day and enjoy the water.

Today we are having an eat, swim and repeat day.

Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea were had by the van as we had a shady spot.

It's a very popular spot, particularly as the temperature got to 35.3°

We found a spot to free camp on Wikicamps. Off we headed after nearly 6 hours at Berry Springs. It was just a large open area in a bushy area. There were a few others set up already. We'd set up and just finished afternoon tea when I jumped out of the chair saying holy mackerel (or something similar) there was a wall of flames heading our way.

The local fire crews were back burning and were unaware that any one was camping in the area. Apparently the land was part of a mining lease and we were not meant to be there. There were no signs anywhere. We were asked to move to a more open spot, which we did. Then 2 minutes later we were told to leave the area all together. 

The drive out was a little daunting and confusing. 1 fireman offered for us all to park at his property, which we attempted to do but with firies driving around everywhere it got a bit hectic and we just headed out of the area for about 10kms.

Camped roughly 10kms away and the smoke and ash was everywhere. 

Today we travelled 115kms. 

Day 26. Wagait Beach, NT. 29.7.23

Moved on from Darwin this morning.  First stop was in Humpty Doo to meet up with Carmel and Glen. 

All our rigs together. 

Enjoyed morning tea at the Tavern before we headed to Berry Springs Nature Park for a dip in the refreshing water. Carmel and Glen continued on to Darwin. 

We floated down stream on our noodles and paddled back up.

We drove another ~70kms to Wagait Beach to a free camp that no longer existed 🤷‍♀️

Had a wander on the beach anyway. 

We moved around to the Mandorah jetty/ferry terminal. Lots of people fishing for Mackerel. We saw squillions of little bait fish, Mackerel and Garfish.

More beautiful rocks.

Ships passing. 

Little fish everywhere. 

Darwin is visible on the other side of the bay.

Checked out the B24 Liberator wreck site. It was a 3km dirt walk.

⬇️

We ended up bush camping near the above plane wreckage and had a couple of drinks, lots of laughs, listening to music as the sunset and the moon and stars came out.

Today we travelled 144kms and the weather was very warm, 33°.