Camper Van - Day 1 (Jabiru)
Jackamy
Paul & Derry Harper
Thu 7 Oct 2010 04:31
|
Thursday 7th October
Day 1 - Jabiru
We decided to hire a campervan for 5
days to get out and explore the outback, and Miss Tippy and Blue Magic had the
same idea so we had ourselves a convoy! After a planned start of 10:00 on
Thursday we eventually got underway at midday. The delay was due to the men
having to watch safety videos about each van and also because Paul complained
about the state of ours. It was, however, worth the wait as our
van was fairly new and also a 5 berth as opposed to a 3 berth. Bonus! There
was one drawback though, there were only 2 seats in the front!
 We built a seat in the middle
but gave up on it and took it in turns to sit in the back
After stopping off en route for food we were
eventually properly on our way around 15:00 and beginning the 256km journey to
Jabiru in Kakadu National Park.
 The vans on a pit stop for
information leaflets
World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park,
covering over 19,000 square kilometres, is a landscape of contrasts. Beneath
waters dotted with lotus flowers, Saltwater crocodiles lurk. Kakadu is shaped by
water, being the catchment area for the South Alligator, East Alligator,
Katherine, Roper and Daily Rivers. From November to May, the wet season,
waterfalls are at their most spectacular and the lowlands are
flooded.
Nature's way tourism drive is said to be a
great way to explore the park. In fact, one description is "One the Territory's
most interesting drives, encompassing World Heritage-listed Kakadu National
Park, is Nature's Way, a 550 kilometre drive. Nature's Way is a drive many could
only dream about". Now, I think Paul, Mark and Brian would certainly disagree
with that, as it was one of the most boring drives they have ever done with
roads stretching as far as the eye can see with the trees at the roadside all
looking remarkably similar.
 Long
straight roads!
To make matters worse, soon into the journey
the rain started! We were beginning to think our holiday was doomed. But we made
it to Jabiru, the main township in Kakadu, set up camp and the rain
subsided.
  Rain rain go
away!.................A well deserved beer at the Tippys
|