We have just spent two night as the stunning Gunlom campsite and wow! The Northern Territory just keeps kicking goals. Everyone says on the lap of Oz Tassie and the Kimberly’s are the highlights. With the Kimberly’s still to come I suppose we’ll have to wait and see but gee the N.T. is just smashing it right now.
We left Katherine this morning and drove straight up to Kakadu. With a quick stop at the first information centre we continued on to the turn off for Gunlom and let the tries down. An hour and a half of unsealed, dusty and corrugated roads (bringing back memories of Cape York) and we arrived at a busy but spacious and well set, (showers and toilets), camp.
Lulu was due a sleep and lunch for all and by then it was getting late but we were determined to head up the range to the top of the Gunlom falls and see this spectacular natural infinity pool. The track was graded difficult and with a toddler, it certainly was challenging in places, but oh so worth it.
We arrived on sunset. Too cold for me to swim but Ken and the girls braved it and the view and colours of the sunset were spectacular. A vast vista framed with dramatic red / orange granite and glassy pools of green water. The sounds of tumbling water, chatter of evening birds and the knowing that this is a special place to the Jawoyn aboriginal people, who belong to this country, makes it feel spiritual.
Bula the most important Jawoyn creation ancestor created this. They are happy to share it with us, but want us to know its an important place and we must do no wrong. If Bula is disturbed he could cause disaster. When Bula passed through he bought Bulong, the rainbow serpent and its believed he still resides in the plunge pool below. Kakadu was handed back the the aboriginal people and it feels like a privilege to be on there land.
Being conscious of the fading light and the tricky decent we made our way down before the colours of sunset faded. The girls did great and the head torches came in as it was indeed dark by the time we got over the scrambling section and on to the path. The head torches also provided the girls with much entertainment as they were able to spot all the reflective eyes of the little spider all over the grass and bush. Less afraid and more fascinated was the feeling which was great as Charlotte is easily spooked by our 8 legged friends.
The next morning we had decided to postpone school in order to get an earlish start up the track and have more time enjoying the upper pools of Gunlom. Lulu and the girls love the scrambling but its always easier when Lulu is fresh and happy. We had a wonderful morning and the girls played with a number of the kids all getting totally engaged in a number of creative games.
Ken enjoyed a brief swim but capturing as much of the magic on his camera kept him busy. A brief snack with the best views, a final swim and play on the massive pool noodle nature provided, in the form of a tree trunk and we’d had the most wonderful morning. We descended for lunch and a rest before an evening visit to the plunge pool at the bottom of the water fall.
No crocs to worry about up top but there are a couple of local freshies, (freshwater cros) here in the plunge pool. The girls were hesitant but after seeing the shallow sandy clear waters and all the other swimmers they were soon frolicking and having a total blast with a couple of kids. In the end everyone had left. With just the six kids laughing and playing and us parents peacefully sitting watching them play, create and ooze fun and joy. As if that wasn’t magic enough the backdrop behind them was epic! Magic memories right there.
Our visit at Gunlom was completed with an early morning walk with the ranger. Wanting to get on the road to visit Maguk Falls a little up the road we stayed with the group for the plunge pool part then headed back to camp to finish pack up and get on the road.
A brilliant adventure thank you to the Jawoyn for sharing and caring for this country.