Cyclone Yasi in the Centre...

We just caught the tail of Cyclone Yasi at Yulara last week..

The winds were up to 110 km p/hour. Not much rain but a LOT of humidity - and it is still damn hot. The local talk is that 2011 may bring a long cold winter --- but when ??

No sign of it yet. Here is what the Centre looked like this week.

Red Centre Touring...Christmas approaching

The landscape is looking stunning at the moment -- see for yourself, here are some images from the last tours.

Crocodile Traps...

No more swimming in Territory billabongs-do so at your own risk.

These large traps are placed along the banks of waterways to trap any huge "Salties" that may be lurking nearby.

And believe me folks, these traps are huge. Although they may look flimsy, they do the job quite nicely!

Mataranka thermal pool

Crystal clear waters of thermal pool at Mataranka

A stunning hidden oasis surrounded by tall palms & lush vegetation

A perfect spot to rest & revive after an exploration of Kakudu

Kakudu - Ubir - An evocative landscape

Endless lush green plains as far as the eye can see...

Massive outcrops of hanging boulders...

Ancient rock art ablaze in the afternoon sun - the stunning natural beauty of Ubir

in the National Park of Kakudu

Nourlangie Rock - Kakudu National Park

Nourlangie Rock - a place of great significance to the local Bininj ("bin-ing") & Mungguy ("mun-goy") people who sought protection from the shelter of the rock during the wet season when the low plains flooded.

Fine examples of tribal rock art are featured on the visible flat rock surfaces - evidence of long past camp life. One can even see where rocks have been worn smooth from perpetual grinding of stones creating vessels within the great stones themselves.

Here seeds, berries & soft rock was ground to produce foodstuffs & powdered dyes for rock painting.

Narrow pathways wind between the massive overhanging rocks - small protected caves & crevices offer shelter for life. Bird-life is abundant & vocal. Delicate flora blooms.

The entire area evokes a reverent mysticism & feeling of spirit. It is a very special place of peace.

Click below for more images of Nourlangie -Kakudu

April 25th tour - Kakudu

1. &2. Group shots

3. A warm greeting at the "Culture Camp"

4. & 5. Traditional owners performing the park "welcome" ceremony

6. Traditional women's dance

Mindil Beach Markets

The "dry" season has officially arrived but it still feels like the "wet" in Darwin! Relentless humidity & high temperatures has made the last 2 weeks a bit uncomfortable...the nights are the worst with minimum temps of 28-30 degrees.

What better way to beat the heat than to head down to the beach for a cool drink & a good "noshy" meal. Mindil Beach Markets opened their 2010 season tonight & it seemed like the entire population of Darwin was there! The sunset was, as per usual, superlative....enjoy these.

Exploring Kakadu...

After settling into day-to-day life in Darwin & attempting to aclimatise to this god-awful humidity & heat, I set off on an exploratory "famil" tour before I get stuck into real work again....this is sort of like a little holiday for me.

This is what I saw on my first outing.

Only one little "freshie" lurking around the river bank...too early in the season but by June the waterways will be full of them!

Darwin here we come... Daly Waters Pub & Katherine

A well earned lunch stop at the infamous Daly Waters Pub

The delicious "Barra" burger & "Ute" burger

Time for a game of skittles & then a fuel-up

A cold ale at the "bra" bar while we wait for lunch

A young Boab tree & the famous Stuart tree

Landscape north of Alice

Further north, greener pastures & huge cattle stations...lush & green after the wet

Northern Territory road signs

Hot days....41 in, 41 out

The most boring drive of the trip so far is the first day after Alice...really not much to see however the further north we drive, the greener the landscape becomes.

We begin to see the massive cattle stations this territory is famous for with stock happily grazing beside full dams & flowing creeks. The grass is long & lush. Suddenly it is hot & humid- 41 degrees inside & outside, clouds hover on the horizon...we are hoping for rain.

A stop at Daly Waters, an iconic typical aussie outback pub; for a chance to refresh & revive ourselves with some local delicacies- a "Barra" burger & schooner of cold "draught".

We arrive just as a large coach full of older German tourists is dis-embarking. We enjoy a beer while they individually order their lunch...all 30 of them! Apparently this pub has featured heavily on German T.V & they are all "chuffed" to be here; altho they look decidedly out of place.

At last lunch arrives...WOW! Two magnificent & healthy burgers on the freshest sour-dough rolls...the mighty pure beef "Ute" burger & the delicate "Barra" fillet burger; these will be the benchmark for burgers forever! The pub is worth a visit for this alone! A chat with publican Lindsey is informative & funny as he fills us in on the history & character of the place.

Katherine is actually a very pretty town; its streets are neat & lined with tropical trees, frangipani & palms-very green. An excellent visitors centre gives a respite from the heat as we collect all manner of interesting brochures & reading material. A stop at the shopping complex & supermarket to purchase supplies for the last day of travel to Darwin, we will arrive later in the afternoon. *remember in Katherine (as in Alice), you will need photo ID to purchase take-away alcohol...N.T. law for these 2 towns-Darwin is different.

Our journey is nearing its end...