The Dry Todd River ..... just coarse brown sand and gum trees in the Dry. The Todd River catchment above Alice Springs covers an area of 445 km2 and is located in the geographical centre of Australia. Flowing in basically a southerly direction, the mainstream length of the Todd River is approximately 50 km. The climate of the catchment is typically arid continental with large daily temperature variations. Rain, which falls infrequently may occur at any time of the year and is often due to thunderstorm activity caused by convective processes. The mean annual rainfall is about 260 mm and the average monthly rainfalls range from 40 mm in February to 9 mm in September. The summer months have the higher average rainfalls.

The maximum catchment elevation exceeds 900 m and the streams are generally very wide and shallow with a sandy bed. The upper northern part of the catchment is composed of fairly flat red soil plains and the catchment boundary in this area is difficult to determine. The Arunta Complex hills form the north-eastern and central part of the catchment above Alice Springs. This area is made up of rolling, occasionally steep, rocky hills into which the river and other drainage channels have cut steep-sided rocky gorges. The ground surface is mostly broken, angular, granite-gneiss rock with exposed rock outcrops and occasional sandy flats. The vegetation cover is highly dependant on the amount of rainfall seasonally and annually, but is generally sparse.

Vegetation in the catchment area ranges from grasses and scrubs (Acacia) to low shrublands and woodlands. Landuse in the catchment are primarily Pastoral (grazing) Lease and National Park Reserves (Telegraph Station and Simpson’s Gap). The only significant urban region is Alice Springs. Tourism is a significant local industry. See the website: www.bom.gov.au/hydro/wr/unesco/friend/todd/todd.shtml
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Lassetters Casino and Hotel. The dry McDonald Ranges in the background. 4 star ... Set against the McDonnell Ranges and adjoining one of the world's best dessert golf courses, the Lasseters Hotel Casino Alice Springs offers accommodation of high standards comprising of 127 spacious guestrooms and 13 elegantly appointed suites each fitted with stylish and comfortable furnishings. All rooms and suites boast a private balcony or courtyard with magnificent views of the McDonnell Ranges... See the website: www.lassetershotelcasino.com.au/

Novotel Hotel where we stayed for three Nights. Located in the foothills of the MacDonnell Ranges, Novotel Outback Alice Springs is close to many tourist attractions of the city such as West MacDonnell, Anzac hill, Desert Park, Botanical gardens and racecourse. The hotel's 138 guestrooms provide modern comfort, a unique feeling of spaciousness and contemporary decor for both business and leisure travel. See the website: www.bcl.com.au/Darwin/alicehotels.htm

KATHERINE GORGE stop off ..... A Whistle Stop Tour between Darwin and Alice Springs.

We all piled into two big flat bottomed boats and cruised for two hours up the Katherine River. The river was 20 metres deep in the Dry Time of the Year.

More cruising up the Katherine River. Sandstone Cliffs in layers rose 50 - 100 metres on either side of us .... majestic!!

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Gunlom: We walked into the falls for a swim (no crocodiles at last!) …. It was very cold water but very refreshing! I took the above photos and did the environmental journalling in the morning before we left the area. It was just pure natural beauty and not manmade cultivated beauty as we found in Europe (England and Italy) as in previous trips overseas. Vegetation on the left hand of the pool consists of small trees to ten metres high of a dry rainforest consistency with close dark green leaves ….. trees angle up the cliffs in a series of three rock terraces and grade into the surrounding woodland forest. On the right hand of the pool, the dry woodland forest comes down to the waters edge. It then changes into a paperbark forest (Melaleuca Forest) ….. the trees grow to 30 metres high with single trees then spreading out into the gravel beach …… the gravel has been piled up against the trunks from the wet season flooding. The water around the plunge pool on this side is edged with river pandanus …. the spiky sedgelike tops grow to three metres in height ….. the river pandanus forms a continuous five metre wide banding around the entire pool edge on the right hand side of the water. See the photo above of the little creek outlet. This species type is commonly seen growing on beach fronts and headlands in an Eastern Coastal setting, but here in Kakadu National Park, there is particular species of river pandanus which grows right in fresh water. Gunlom Falls, Creek and Plunge Pool …. Falls Overall …. Water falls in a series of broken cascades from 100 metre high falls in a five metre wide curtain of water …… the water falls off the sheer sandstone escarpment above the level where I am …… The cliffs of the escarpment encircle the space of the falls in sheer falling cliffs to 400 metres around. _____________________________ COur camper van in another locality ….. totally self contained with a gas stove and with 12 volt for lighting and small refrigerator. See the website: http://www.drivenow.com.au/details/australia/ campervans/lastMinute/nt-darwin/any/apollo- australia-on-request-cheapa-campa-cheapa-cam. Entry to the Park …. was by travelling 40 kms on an unsealed loose gravel road …. All at a bone-shaking 20 - 30 kms. / hr. for 1.45 hours. We just followed the map of the area with a description of a waterfall with a plunge pool at the end of the road. We passed through dry eucalyptus woodland for kilometre after kilometre ….. Many times we wondered if it was worth it. Right at the very end we suddenly came into this green valley with high cliffs and a waterfall plunging off the escarpment. It was a small green – grassed oasis with big sprinklers going on of mown lawn under shady eucalypt trees which Park Ranger kept in order. We made camp in the camping area with our camper van. There were hot showers run from solar heating. _______________________

Nourlangie Rock Art Site: The walls of the Nourlangie Rock Art Site, in World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park, have served as a shelter and canvas for thousands of years, providing windows to a rich spiritual tradition. Paintings such as Namarrgon,lightening man, explore the relationship of the people to their country and beliefs. The paintings at the base can be reached by the circular one and a half kilometre Nourlangie Rock Art Walk. During the months of April until October, Park Rangers invite visitors to join them and share their knowledge of this ancient gallery. There is a lookout that is well worth the climb for sweeping views of the escarpment. For the more adventurous, there is also a moderately steep climb to Gunwarddehwardde lookout which provides impressive views of both Kakadus escarpment and Nourlangie Rock. Facilities: BBQ Facilities Car park Coach Parking Access Without Assistance for the Disabled Parking for the Disabled Toilet facilities for the Disabled Guide Picnic Area Public Toilet __________________________

Bowali Visitors Centre: see the website:http://www.travelnt.com .... enter the search function and enter 'Browali' ..... to get to the information on the Bowali Visitors Centre.

Bowali Visitor Centre ..... Before you start exploring Kakadu National Park, get familiarised by exploring the Bowali Visitor Centre. Spend an hour at the interpretive centre where you can watch a 25 minute audio visual presentation to help you gain a greater understanding of Kakadu's landscape and moods, then take a walk through the interpretive displays. Videos are shown on the half hour giving different perspectives on Kakadu and its international significance. The habitat based display and library gives you detailed information about the park and how much there is to see and do. Take a look at The Marrawuddi Gallery for Aboriginal arts and crafts, books and gifts, and then enjoy a coffee at the cafe.

Facilities:

Bicycle Path
Bicycle Rack
Cafe
Car park
Coach Parking
Access Without Assistance for the Disabled
Toilet facilities for the Disabled
Interpretive Centre
Public Telephone
Public Toilet
Shaded Area
Shop
Visitor Information Centre

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