The normally good road to Darwin had been made open to 4WD's only as the river had flooded and the road had some pretty muddy sections in it. I was a bit nervous checking the crossing as this was salt water croc. country and hoped the advice that they don't like fast running water and noise was correct as I waded across. Got through alright and even turned around again to wash more of the mud off the car only to have even more sprayed on later down the road.

Keeping a look out for Crocs while checking depths

After Darwin it was out towards Kakadu N.P to go on a river cruise on the Adelaide river where the crocs. jump up out of the water to feed on meat that they hold up. A memory I will never forget as they can get themselves up to the back legs vertically out of the water using only their tail. These are wild crocs. and anyone can go in their boat up this river and many do in small tin boats to go fishing! After seeing one croc measuring 5 1/2 metres ( 18 feet ) long, you wouldn't catch me in there in a fit!

Jumping Crocs on the Adelaide River

Had a good camp site at Leaning Tree Lagoon before heading off down a 4WD track that would link us back up with the Stuart Hwy with some more rivers to drive through. We spotted some wild Water Buffalo next to the track at one of the swamps we drove through.

Leaning Tree Lagoon camp site and some wild Buffalo

Heading south we went to Douglas Hot Springs which we had to ourselves for a good camp and a soak in the water. You have to make sure you swim below where the spring water and the river mix as it comes out at 60°C or 140°F out of the spring and then it was onto Umbrawarra Gorge for another short hike.

Umbrawarra Gorge

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