Enroute to Litchfield NP we noticed an increase in burning-off along the sides of the roads. A great prevention technique for the dry season ahead for the Territory. At one stage (as you will see in our photos) the smoke got thicker, and thicker until our visibility was nearly zero, and this was all in seconds. Like a really heavy fog but not gradual, it was immediate. Next thing we knew we could see a 4WD and van heading straight for us on our side of the road and huge flames spreading out over the right hand side of the road. Talk about adrenaline rush! The oncoming car veered back to its side and it was only as we got closer we saw this car had little option as the flames were really high and the heat was so intense even for us on the other side of the road! My heart had never beat so fast. Luckily for all involved it was just a scare, Mark kept his cool and it was good to get out of the car at Adelaide River and get some fresh air!
Had to stop for a beer at the Adelaide River Inn and see 'Charlie', he was the water buffalo out of the original Crocodile Dundee movie. The barman told us he was about 30 years old when he died back in 2000 and he was a local to the Adelaide River area and patrons had to watch their beers at the bar as Charlie would come in and polish them off if they weren't looking. (Not sure how you would miss seeing a water buffalo make its way into a bar!)
We stayed at the Litchfield Tourist Park and spent the next day exploring the Litchfield NP. Some area were still closed due to the recent wet season, but we got to see the main attractions.
- The magnetic termite mounds - Gotta love those termites! We have been seeing termite mounds since Exmouth, but these mounds up in NT are massive! They can be up to 2m high and look like tombs in an ancient burial ground. Termites are such smart little insects. They build their mounds using an ingenious design to regulate the amount of sunshine on their home, so the interior temperature and humidity remain constant throughout the year. Termite mounds aren't built of mud but they are made of termite poo mixed with dirt and saliva! Ewww! Termites are actually on the same diet as cows, they eat plants and grasses, and in order to digest their food they need the same organism in their gut as ruminant animals do, and (you'll love this!) they also have the same flatulence (farting) problem as cattle, producing large amounts for their size of methane gas. Bet you never knew that! (Rory had a bit of an issue with knowing this information and refused to stand next to the termite mound initially for a photo because he didnt want the termites 'farting' on him!! He he!) Termites have one queen who can live for many years. She is basically an egg laying machine who can lay thousands of eggs at a time. If an animal comes in and eats some of the termite population the queen can wave her magic wand and change a worker into another queen who will start laying eggs to boost the population again. Once the laying is done she organises for one of the workers to 'knock her off' (melbourne mafia eat your heart out!) and becomes the sole reign of the termite mound once again.
- The Buley Rockholes - these are a series of cascading waterfalls that tumble their way into rock pools of different depths, so pretty and Mark enjoyed having a swim here.(The kids and I didn't bring our bathers so it was like seeing a big scrumptious ice cream in front of our noses but we couldn't lick it!)
- Florence Falls - These are twin falls that cascade down in a 20m curtain into the rockhole below. So pretty set among the monsoon forest, but it got so busy here you felt like you were in Bourke St. Definitely a spot to visit early morning when not many other tourists about! (funny how we dont feel like a tourist but everyone else is!!)
- Wangi falls - Closed for swimming (they haven't made sure it is croc free yet) but magnificent to see and the most popular attraction in Litchfield.
- Tolmer Falls - This is home of the rare Ghost Bat (a cannibal bat!) and just a lookout but very pretty.
Funny thing about what people tell you along the way. The crazy old woman and man we met at Karijini who we awarded "most irritating couple of the trip" told us "the gorges at Litchfield were so much better and deeper than at Karijini" must have really been losing a few marbles because their was absolutely no similarities between the two National Parks, Litchfield has some amazing waterfalls but doesn't have the incredible gorge formation that Karijini has. So lesson 1, take peoples advice in one ear, and voice no opinion until you has seen it with your own eyes!
Darwin here we come!
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