12. Winter Wonderland of Waterfalls, Wonders, Wanders and Wadings

Wayfaring into Berry Springs, an hour's drive south of Darwin, we reminisced how this was Don's Uncle George's favourite R&R location during the war years when he was stationed in Darwin.  We could see why it would have been such a great contrast in getting away from the war for a while.
A sign at the springs confirmed that this was favorite spot for the servicemen.

Berry Springs.  Beautiful could have been added to the name.  Berry Beautiful Springs.  Crystal clear water

Now she is afraid to come out of the water 
And I wonder what she's gonna do,
'Cause she's afraid to come out of the water.
And now the poor little girl's turning blue. 
Two, three, four, tell the people what she wore!

We could imagine this full of servicemen on R&R during the war. 

Persongo orchard in the Berry Springs area.
 Note:  Due to gender neutrality we have changed the fruit name Mango to Persongo

Litchfield National Park is totally different to Kakadu and features many great waterfalls and swimming areas.  Litchfield is run by the Northern Territory Government whilst Kadadu is run by the Federal Government.  Kakadu required a payment for a pass at $40 per adult/2 weeks, plus $12/night unpowered site.  Litchfield was free entry and $6.60/night per adult.

Protected Diamond Head Pythons are a road traffic hazard in Litchfield.

It is surprising the effort some males go to in order to impress a bird.
Don't flowers always work;  as well as being far easier?

Note the viewing perch in the top left of photos

Wangi Falls, no relation to Wangi Wangi, was our home for several days.
It is also pronounced Wang-eye and not Wonj-ee.

Our backyard pool for 4 days, just 100m from our camp.
The expectation was for the flow to cease at sundown to coincide with tourist viewing, however the flow continued
throughout the night. 

When I survey the awesome splendour.

There is a natural Jacuzzi to the right of the waterfall where the heads and shoulders of 2 people can be seen.
The Jacuzzi is about 1.8m in diameter and very deep.  The water is heated as it flows over the rocks. 

Daniel, a lone Ranger from the Northern Territory National Parks, gave us an informative tour of the Bamboo Creek Tin Mine which is within the NP.

A lone Ranger named Daniel

The Lone Ranger is never named.

Bamboo Creek Tin Mine operated between the years 1906 and mid 50s.
What a hard life they endured.  For the miner, the major issue was dust which eventually killed most who worked within the mine, as well as those involved in the processing of the tin.

If this was anywhere other than the NT, the mine would have been filled with concrete, plus have a barbed wire fence around.
NT motto must be Caveat Emptor.

 Chimney from the tin house ruins.
Note the bullet holes in the chimney.
Must have had problems with either possums or Santa Claus.

Processing shed.  Note the tin sheeting.

Three possibly lesser known points of interest.
1. The chemical symbol "Sn" for tin was not derived from the side effects. Sn: Seriously Nasily.
2. The miners did not have a pet dingo called Rin Tin Tin. (This is a rumour which has only just been started.)
3. The actual Sn comes from the Latin origin of Tin, "Stannum".  Incidentally, Don celebrated his eighth birthday when staying overnight at the Stannum Guest House in Tenterfield, NSW.   The mansion Stannum was built by a rich dude who made his money mining tin in the local area.  Sir Henry Parkes, Banjo Paterson and Dame Nellie Melba also stayed at the Stannum, but not on the same night as Don and his family (5 adults, 3 kids, no seat belts in a Falcon sedan travelling from Sydney to Brisbane) .



Walker Creek trek entailed a 1.5km stroll, covering 35 staircases by the fitbit and a temperature of 38C.  Summer would be unbearable.
The track ending rewarded us with a picture postcard setting stream and small waterfall offering a chance for a dip in the luke warm water.

Fantastic infinity edge pools

The thermometer told us 38C walking up here.
Imagine the heat in summer. 

2/chimneys, 1/ drop, no waiting.
This was perched out in the bush as if it had been dropped by a bird.

The final plunge pool rewarding a warm walk.

Always travel with a noodle.
Great for fighting fires, fending off magpies and crocodiles, as a roller if building pyramids, dyke plug if in Holland and general conversation starter.

After a 30km drive to an advertised informative talk with a Ranger at the main Termite site, a number of travellers as well as a group of school kiddies were initially left disappointed when the ranger failed to show.  When we suggested the teacher for the school kids give us all a talk, a parent travelling with the group stepped up and introduced himself.  He is a Senior Research Scientist with the CSIRO in the Northern Territory, and has studied and written extensively about the Northern Australian landscapes, vegetation, back burning and termites for 30 years. We couldn't have wished for more.
It surprises us how things just fall into place when we least expect them to.

Perspective of size

Nature's Dominoes.
Termites have it all worked out and we should take heed.
Their homes are made of partly digested plant material,  saliva and excrement.  All readily available, cheap and durable.

When the termites said they were hosting a party, they probably didn't have in mind an invasion party

And now for a nature exclusive update.

Flocks of Bittern Penguins from Antarctica fly into Litchfield NP for the Queen's Birthday long weekend celebrations each June. They are secretive birds so little is recorded about them. 
Revealing this information is a world first.

Note the insulated socks normally worn by penguins are removed for the weekend.

Mosquitoes as seen around eye and head target others apart from Carrol.

Waterfalls in abundance.

Incredible Tolmer Falls 

Tolmer Falls Lookout and Ferry Terminal.
The ferry terminal is in readiness for a sea level rise of 120m.

Bronze Aussies at Buley Rockhole having lost swimmers.

Bronze Aussie in Darwin having lost mates and battles, but won wars and respect.

Florence Falls

Florence Falls zoomed in.
Holding nose due to atmospheric air pressure difference in descending from a considerable height; so often experienced during flights.

Our home pool, Wangi Falls

And finally, more great advice when choosing something from the menu.

We are continuing to meet some fantastic fellow travellers, Rangers, shop keepers, CSIRO scientists; and chance upon unplanned events as we go.

Drive slow and enjoy the scenery!
Drive fast and become part of the scenery!!

Wishing all the best.
Happy travels, God bless,
Don and Carrol.