The Jatbula Trail is located on the edge of the Arnhem Land plateau.
It is about 300kms south-east of Darwin and lies just to the north-east of the town called Katherine.
The hike was long (65kms). And arduous (65kms carrying 15+kg on the back).
Day 1
Some drops of rain as we drove to Nitmitluk Centre to start our walk.
The average rainfall in this area in July is 0, so we took this highly unusual rain as a positive.
The average rainfall in this area in July is 0, so we took this highly unusual rain as a positive.
And sure enough, a beautiful rainbow emerged with the dawn.
We were briefed about the track. Follow the trail. Keep walking. Be careful if a buffalo charges, they don't take Mastercard or Visa, climb the nearest tree.
A surprise meeting with a Sydney-based past student and client at the coffee shop inside the Nitmitluk Centre.
Ferried across the river and we start our walk.
Ferried across the river and we start our walk.
Zach's bounding enthusiasm is curbed by a minor sprained ankle obtained as he rolled his foot on stones of an empty river-bed.
At the end of a long hot hike, we dive with delirious pleasure into the water playground of Biddlecombe Falls.
Day 2
The trail starts out through a swamp at the top of Biddlecombe Falls.
The track becomes long, hot, dry and dusty until we see an incongruous toilet block with a sign promising facilities for those on wheelchairs. Really?
A campsite right beside cascading falls. We avoid a more shady, quiet spot upstream that appears to be much favoured by snakes if the number of shed skins are anything to go by.
We discover that the green ants have an awesome citrusy taste and we can understand why the Aboriginals would eat them.
Sleeping on a large flat rock in the river, warmed by the heat emanating from the rock.
Day 3
A major feature is the Aboriginal rock art that we see on various rock mounds.
We explore an area called The Amphitheatre which is in a deep crevice and features a hidden world of tropical trees and vines about a stream - and lots of rock art.
We ford the stream above Cascade Falls, then longish day on dry trails.
A major feature is the Aboriginal rock art that we see on various rock mounds.We explore an area called The Amphitheatre which is in a deep crevice and features a hidden world of tropical trees and vines about a stream - and lots of rock art.
Arrive along an escarpment cliff, get a great view of Seventeen Mile Falls and hike down and set up camp.
A day spent playing in a series of beautiful big rock pools.
Day 4
A day of amazing terrain through flowering grevillea, barren pools and lush bush.
Walking into a grove of dry trees, the smell of honey is apparent. We determine that it is nectar gathered on a golden grevillea - and it tastes fantastic.
A stop for lunch and swim at Edith River, then on to Sandy Pool, a beautiful campsite on sand by an enormous billabong.
Told that the eyes of the small, freshwater crocodiles can be seen at night, although we don't see any.
We're walking out today along a string of pools beginning with Sweetwater Pool.
Zach has had enough, and equipped with money and the keys for the car, hikes to the kiosk at the end while the rest of us hike a slight extension that takes in the very pretty Top Pool which features a waterfall that we can swim underneath.
Buffalo burgers and sodas at the kiosk, before a drive back to Darwin in readiness for a flight out that night.
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