We picked up the van from Kununurra after the Kimberley trek and headed for the WA/NT border. Along the way we stayed our last night in WA at Lake Argyle. The Ord River scheme is massive with this large body of water its centre piece. After travelling through this dry state for the last five or so months it was ironic that we left WA where water is so abundant. The Walsh family certainly had a great time in WA and it was everything we had envisaged –the isolation, the red dirt, the turquoise water, and sunsets you never grow tired of. In a way we finally got to see the ‘real’ Australia.

“Thanks WA”

Welcome to the Northern Territory. The scenery was now starting to change and it was not long before we would start smelling smoke – controlled burns are the way up here. After spending the night in Timber Creek we travelled along the scenic Victoria River before spending the night just north of Katherine. Wendy and Chris spent almost 10 weeks in NT 10 years ago and this time around we would visit places and sites we had not seen before. Importantly, we were going catch up with Nanny and Uncle Pete who were coming to see us in Darwin. We could not resist taking the long way to Darwin and revisiting the famous Kakadu National Park. This is a park often overlooked, or not liked by the grey nomads. Many travellers like easy access and everything close by so they can ‘tick the box’. However, we loved its solitude, its rugged beauty and probably most of all its cultural significance. The connection between the land and indigenous people here is very strong and wonderful to experience.

After Kakadu we headed off to Darwin and spent a couple of days catching up with the Stenhouse and Martin families at Howard Springs. It was washing time, restocking food supplies, catching up on travelling stories and giving the kids a play together, before heading into the ‘big smoke’. Although we had been here before Darwin is a great city, laid back and easy to get around. This time we got to live it in style and the weather was gorgeous. Nanny shouted us all five nights in a beautiful apartment at Cullen Bay Marina – sublime!! The kids got spoilt with their in-ground pool, Dad got to enjoy hanging out and not doing too much, while Mum enjoyed the facilities – not having to shower with her thongs on was great bonus. Best of all it was great to spend time with Nanny and Pete. Thanks for the recharge guys before we head across to the east.