yes - oops - a bit of a restful night with an induced headache
dawn a long time coming but it's arrival welcomed and into it
a healthy breakfast conjured and consumed seated in campchairs
departure soon after with a mental note for a future return to cooinda
the facilities on offer here ideal for a more intense 4wd expedition
today there is a simmering urge to plunge into some pristine water
days of 30+ degrees and a head needing a fix forcing the issue
we have determined maguk gorge is the first stop for the day
it sits at the end of an unsealed road notionally for 4wd vehicles
but we have been encouraged to take it on and it is only 10km
there's also a campsight at road's end so technically it is legal
our rental contract in mind with the agreed driving restrictions
hanging a left off kakadu highway and we hit the red dirt road
the corrugations start instantly - driving at speed kind of works
but when it doesn't our whole vehicle shudders and complains
so the mode of operation then a slow pace camped well in the left
which leaves plenty of room for the 4wd posers to power past us
no issue - we're enjoying the view of red road, greenery and blue sky
halfway along we manipulate our way through a now dry floodway
clearly we should not be here but we push on - and on - it's a long 10km
just as we consider a u-turn a sign indicates the campground is close
and then finally we enter the car-park dominated by 4wd vehicles
we play photographer for a bunch of seriously geared-up hikers
then with a backpack loaded with food and water we hit the trail
a sign advises it is a 90 minute round trip to the plunge pool
an easy start through a mini rainforest of nz like conditions
though warnings of crocodiles reminding us where we are
the path winds it's way along a stream of the clearest water
it's quite rough going at times and concentration is required
easy to lose footage with water or sand on large smooth rocks
and then - a clearing - a few people - and a stunning sight
we gape at a huge pool surrounded by rocky cliffs on 3 sides
green bush at our end and a 50 metre waterfall at the other end
we find a isolated spot on a large rock and plunge into the pool
it is refreshingly cool and we work our way to the waterfall
it is also very long and deep with no bottom in sight at times
even duck-diving with goggles on just reveals a blackness
there's something special about being pounded by a waterfall
possibly the best headache (hangover) cure known to this man
we work our way back to base camp and indulge in a snack
and exchange friendly greetings with other in-awe visitors
another swim taken as a full circumference of the pool
and then the return journey with a promise to return
the dirt road back out now seems an easier negotiate
though a good feeling to get back on kakadu highway
we have decided to now head to litchfield national park
a stopover taken at the historic railway town of pine creek
hot, hot, hot - and a beating sun with lunch under shade
then back on the stuart highway due north to hayes creek
a classic roadhouse with a caravan park down the hill
pull in, set up and take an advised wander to the creek
then beyond to butterfly gap - a clearing in the rocky cliffs
as we enter we are engulfed by a swarm of - yes - butterflies
there must be thousands of them as we work our way up
we agree it feels like the scene from some fantasy film
quite surreal really and a totally unexpected surprise
back to the campervan and a meal consumed outside
another superb day - and tomorrow - litchfield park...
