Sleepy Sunday , up at 7:30 and had an easy morning , before deciding where & what to do for the day . That decision made , ute packed , and off we go - first stop - Darwin River Dam - only about 15 klms away . Lyn drove us through groves of mangoes - the fruit starting to form , half grown , and yet to form , there were also peach trees , but apart from that , it was mainly native bushland .
Arriving at the dam , we drove up to the viewing & picnic area , croc warning signs to be seen around the place - just to keep you thinking straight !! We parked and wandered to the wall , there was nothing stopping us from going for a stroll across it , so we did .
It is about 850m across to the spillway and a boat ramp , and at the boat ramp there was a mind jogger , for those that have forgotten about the crocs - a croc cage a mere 20m from the end of the boat ramp - It looked like it was set - if that doesn’t jog your memory , nothing will - stay clear of the water .
We walked back to the ute and drove out past the picnic area , the Darwin River was at it’s edge , which seems to be a bit of a contradiction - refer to previous warning !!!
On the way out we crossed over the Darwin River , which gave us a great view & reflections .
Second stop - we headed out Cox Peninsular Rd , thinking we’ll have a look at Dundee Beach , according to our map it was about 40 klms away - easy !!
Driving away , we found the trees thinning out a bit and a whole world of palm trees emerging , there were several different varieties , random burning off has been done beside the road , all done at different times in a controlled fashion . Anyone who is against burning off , should see the results - vibrant green palms , shrubs & grass regrowing from the ashes , the higher trees not bothered by it at all . There were also more termite mounds here , up to 5m tall !! . Then there was the surprise of the day , we found some of the magnetic termite mounds - yes you read correctly , magnetic - they face east west and point north south - they are termites with attitude - the only ones that build a mohawk mound - it looks like a mohawk hair cut that’s had hair gel applied !! They were about 2.5m tall and about the same lenghtways . Lyn’s description - an indian head dress .
Onwards we go , not much further up the road we get to Dundee Beach Rd , the sign says 65klms - a little puzzling as our map says about 15 klms , we kept driving up toward Wagait Beach instead . On checking another map and the GPS , Dundee Beach was in fact 65 klms away , the map we have been looking at , has Dundee Beach where Bynoe Harbour is - good proof reading before going to print !!!
The palms were outnumbering the gum trees now , I guess you’ve got to expect that when you are in the tropics !!
Upon arriving at Mandorah Jetty , we went for a walk to check it out . There are many sets of stairs leading to steel decks , so that you can get on or off the ferry , no matter what stage the tide is at - it rises & falls 7m !! The views across the water to Darwin were better than being up the coast , you get a much better view from this side . Many people commute to the city from here judging by the amount of cars in the carpark , and the lack of people in sight of us .
The cliffs we were looking at yesterday , are here as well , with multi colour rocks littering the beach .
From here we drove around to Wagait Beach - only a few kilometres - and found somewhere for lunch . There aren’t too many roads here , but they do have a supermarket and the Cox Country Club - pretty much a bar under a large pergola . We had a walk along the beach before having some lunch .
Back down the road toward Berry Springs , we decide that Dundee Beach will be on the agenda when we visit next , like many things we haven’t seen this trip - they will wait untill next time .
We pull in at Berry Springs to go for a swim , the carpark was full , but cars were leaving as we entered , so we figured , if they’re going , we’ll fit in okay !! The carpark wasn’t completely full and we parked easily before heading down for a swim in the main pool . There were stacks of people having picnics and playing games in the picnic areas .
Jumping in , the water was refreshing , but not cold , many people were there , but we swam up to the rocks we sat on the other day and stayed there , going for the odd swim , it was quieter and pleasant , till the yobbo’s turned up . Something about up here in NT , you have to be having a beer or can of spirit while you are swimming around ! With that we got out and dripped off before heading back to the ute , we have some decorum - we have a beer back at the RV , much more upmarket !!!
And that ends our day out !! another day in the low 30's!!
Todays map link :- won't load today - I'll put it it tomorrow hopefully .
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