Mataranka

Day 26. On Friday we went to Tudor Manor to see Barramundi feeding. I got to feed one of the barrumundis with a fishing line. They went BANG when they grabbed the fish. Brock got to have a go too. We got learn some information about Cane Toads and we got to hold one. We saw our camping friends - Will & Daisy, Lynae, Max & Mia in the hot springs with us. We went in the hot springs again and had a good as time - we went in there for about 3 hours. The weather was lovely and warm the temperature that day was 28 degrees. At night we had a campfire with Amanda & Stew, Lynae, Max & Mia.

Mataranka

Day 25. On Thursday we stayed at Homestead camp ground. We went for a bike ride and explored the area. We saw a small brown snake. We went to the hot springs and stayed there for over two hours. The hot springs were very warm they were 32 degrees.

Day 29 - June 14th

This morning we left Katherine and on the way to Adelaide River we pulled over at Edith Falls. While dad went for a ride on his bike, Mum, Adam and Me went for a swim at a little waterhole area right next to Edith Falls. After our swim we went for a bushwalk and on the way we stopped and had an icecream because it was 31 degrees.When we finished our icecreams we had got to the camper and had lunch. After luch we kept on driving and then we reached Adelaide River where we stayed at the Showgrounds and met our friends Tony & Gloria McHarg and had a BBQ dinner with them. Today I was sad that Mark Webber came fifth in his F1 race in the Canadian Grand Prix.

Day 28 - June 13th

This morning we went to Katherine Gorge which is a big river near Katherine. At Katherine Gorge we went for a bushwalk and saw some amazing views of the river. At the gorge we also saw a lot of BATS (which mum really hates). There were a lot of bats hanging in the trees.We also went to the Katherine Museum and saw a film about the 1998 floods which destroyed a lot of the town. When we got back to the camper Adam and I rode around on our bikes and had a swim. That night at 6.30 we went to the Springvale Homestead and went Croc-spottingOn the way we saw a couple of little crocodiles in the water with our torches. Then when we arrived at our dinner camp we saw a little croc called Apprentice we knew his name because the tour guide sees this croc a lot and gave him a name. Apprentice is about 1.2metres long and was about 18 years old. A couple of minutes later after we saw apprentice a 3 metre crocodile turned up called Mouse, they call him mouse because he is very quiet. After we had met Apprentice & Mouse the crocs we had steak & sausages for dinner and some billy tea prepared by our guide Neal. When we finished tea me and Adam were each given some pieces of meat and we both fed the crocodiles. We got very close (1 metre) away from the freshwater crocs. We also saw a bunch of turtles and catfish, they were swimming next to the crocs trying to get food but mouse & apprentice didn't really take any notice.

Day 27 - June 12th

Today we stayed at Katherine Big 4 Caravan Park where we met Max the musician. That day we went for a bike ride into town and on the way we saw a freshwater crocodile resting on the opposite side of the riverbank to us. (the croc was about 3 metres in length)

Day 26 - June 11th

On June 11th in the morning we saw Barramundi feeding and I got to feed a barramundi with a rod. We also got told information about Cane Toads. Later on we went for another swim in the thermal pools and had a lot of fun. That night we had a camp fire with another family.

Day 25 - June 10th

Day 25 - June 10th Today we decided to stay 2 nights at Mataranka, it is really cool here because today we went for a swim in a thermal pool which is like a heated waterhole only it's a hot springs pool. When we got back from the swim my family went for a ride to look at some other springs while I had a sleep on the couch.

Day 24 - June 9th

DAY 24-JUNE 9th on day 24 we left Banka Banka and arrived at Daly waters. that day we went for a bike ride to the stuart tree and an old airfeild that was used in world war 2. when we finished the bike ride we went for dive in the pool and it was very refreshing, and after the swim I sun-baked and had a lemon squash. at night we went to the caravan parks own pub where had dinner and a entertainment show.

Day 22 - 23 - June 7th & 8th

DAY 22-JUNE 7th today we arrived at Banka Banka station, Banka Banka is a cattle station with a camp ground ($21 a night). later that day we went for a bike ride down to the waterhole and it was just beutifuL, I recommend it.
DAY 23-JUNE 8th In the morning Adam cooked a choclate cake with mum, and I made chocolate chip cookies. Later on we went down to the waterhole and went for a swim. It was very fun, we went snorkelling, we rode on our boogy boards,and I tried to catch some fish,(I was unsucsessful). that night we saw a slide show about the history of Banka Banka.

Day 20 - 21 - June 5 & 6th

DAY 20-JUNE 5th on day 20 we left Alice springs and arived at devils marbles which has lots and lots of big rocks everywhere. that day we went rock climbing on the devils marbles and it was very fun. Later on that night we collected some fire wood and me and Adam made our own little fires each. 3938km.
DAY 21-JUNE 6th This morning we went for a bike ride on the road out to the stuart high-way, when we got back we went rock climbing and climbed the bigest rock were there was a mini waterhole at the top and the veiw was just great that night we had another fire but with 2 other familys. ps we cooked damper on the fire.

Day 19 - June 4th

DAY 19-JUNE 4th Today we went on a bike ride at Simpsons gap, we rode a total of 20km on a really good bike/walking track. On the way my family (but not me) saw a 50cm long snake right in the middle of the track.(Adam nearly ran over the snake on his bike). that night I went up on stage and played the didgeridoo for the 2nd time on this trip. ps I won a cd for playing the didgeridoo.

Daly Waters

Day 24. On Wednesday we went to Daly Waters, it was 312 km. We went for a bike ride to the Stuart Tree. Stuart was the explorer that travelled from Adelaide to Darwin first. It took him 6 goes to do it.We went to an old hangar on our bikes and we went up a runway that was not used any more. We went to the Daly Waters Pool which is near the pub and had a swim.

Banka Banka

Day 22.On Monday we went to Banka Banka Station. Wilson (soccerball) watched us doing our schooling on the way. We went from Devil's Marbles to Banka Banka Station. It was 221km. We stopped at Tennant Creek for some fuel and some groceries. We stopped for lunch at Lake Mary Ann. At Banka Banka Station did got bitten by a dog. At Banka Banka station there was a waterhole. Wilson went with us to the waterhole the first time we went there.

Day 23.On Tuesday at Banka Banka Station in the morning we made chocolate chip cookies and chocolate cake. We went to the waterhole without Wilson (soccerball) We took our boogyboards with us, it was fun as. We also took our flippers and snorkels. We went snorkelling. Brock tried to catch fish but he didn't. I played with a boy called Will. We watched a slide show.

Devil's Marbles

Day 20.On Saturday we went from Alice Springs to the Devil's Marble. That is 423km. We stopped at the John McDougall Stuart Memorial for lunch and Wilson (my soccer ball) almost got run over. At Devil's Marbles I climbed the big rocks. We had a fire and got to have dinner at the fire. We looked for the star constellations and saw the Southern Cross.

Day 21. On Sunday we went for a bike ride from the campground to the Stuart highway and back. On the way there we climbed the big rocks. I decided that we could bring Wilson. We had so much fun. Brock, Dad and me climbed the the biggest rock. Dad Brock and Me also collected firewood. When we had the fire some other families came over. There were 4 grown ups and 6 kids and us.We cooked damper on the campfire.

Alice Springs

Day 19. On Friday we went on a bike ride from Simpsons Gap to the 10km mark so that = 20 km. We also saw a snake, a lot of birds two BIG spiders and a lot of crickets.When we saw the snake I almost run over it. The snake was 50cm long.

Alice Springs

Day 18. On Thursday we hired the Go-Karts again. We also went for a bike ride to the national transport (old truck) museum. I also went very fast when I rode to the jumping thing. I also rode to the BMX track. I had so much fun.

Day 18 - June 3rd

This morning we hired the buggys again. Adam hired the same buggy as last time but I chose a 3 wheeler wobbly one seater (have to lean to steer it). Later on in the day we went for a bike ride to the National Transport Museum where we saw all the olden day trucks and some Kenworth trucks.

Day 17 - June 2nd

On the Second of June we went to the desert park and saw lots of reptiles, kangaroos, nocturnal animals, and birds of prey. (I filmed the birds of prey). I loved the desert park.

Day 16 - June 1st

Today we hired some of the buggys to ride around the caravan park, it was really good because the caravan park was like a mini town. We also went on the jumping pillow and it was really fun doing front flips. Today we also rode our bikes around a lot.

Day 15 - May 31st

Today we have reached one of our main destinations: Alice Springs. We stayed at the Big 4 MacDonnell Range Caravan Park where there was over 300 sites. It was really cool because they had 3 pools, a big jumping pillow, and some pedal buggys.We are staying here for 5 nights.

Day 14 - May 30th

On day 14 we went on a 6km walk around Kings Canyon. It was very tiring and very exciting because you got to stand close to the cliff-face. After the walk we went for a swim in the pool which was freezing.

Day 13 - May 29th

Today we stayed at a resort at Kings Canyon, there was also a playground and a pool there and later in the day we went for a ride and saw some helicopters.That night we went out and saw the Roadies show and I wnet up on stage and played the didgeridoo. Ps. We saw 2 dingos wandering around the campsite at night.

Alice Springs

Day 15.
On Monday we went to Alice Springs. It was 6 hours to get from Kings Canyon to Alice Springs. It was a 487km drive. We stopped at Erldunda Roadhouse for lunch. We arrived at Alice Springs at 3pm. We are staying at the MacDonnell Range Caravan Park. It has a big playground and very big jumping thing. It also has buggies. I played on the jumping thing once (jumping pillow).
Day 16.
On Tuesday we hired the buggies but now we call them Go-Karts. We had so much fun with the Go-Karts. Brock got hurt. I was still fun when I got off the Go-Kart because I go on the jumping thing and met my new friends. It was the funnest day so far.
Day 17.
On Wednesday I played on the jumping thing again. I was having a great time. We went to the Alice Springs Desert Park. It was fun as well. I was a fun day I saw three thorny devils adn I also saw the birds of prey show.

Kings Canyon

Day 13.
On Saturday we went to the Kings Canyon. We were staying at the Kings Canyon Resort. We rode our bikes. We also saw helicoptors - They were awesome. We rided our bikes back and saw the Roadies show and I was on stage so was Brock. (big brother.) On the way to the Roadies show we saw two dingos. But they were harmless. At the roadies I played a cool instrument.
Day 14.
On Sunday we went to the Kings Canyon it was a big climb. We walked around the Kings Canyon. That was 6km after that we had a swim and a rest. We made Rumballs to eat later on. The End.

Hi to everyone from Alice Springs

Hi everyone,
We have been having a great time in Alice Springs - It has been nice to be in the one place for 5 days. We have explored the town and the tourist attractions and have been bike riding everyday.
Today we are taking our bikes to Simpsons gap - 17 km out of town for a ride. The weather has been clear but very cold (1-3 deg.) at night.
Hi to Mum and family hope everything is OK at home.
Hi to the Castagnas sorry we missed your call and thanks for your comments on the blog.

Hello to everyone at work - sorry to hear about Henriettas - what a tragedy for Alan & Meg, their staff and the town.

Thanks to our friends, schoolmates and followers on the blog - we appreciate your comments.

We leave Alice tomorrow so will be without internet for a while - we plan to reach Darwin around 15 June. Love to everyone and take care xxx Deb & family.