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| 2020 |
2021 |
2022
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| 1.
Mallee & Mt. Gambier |
2.
The Flood
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3. Cultured Out! |
I
am a sucker for a discount. After a vaguely
planned walking trip to the Blue Mountains
was abandoned due to many of the tracks
being closed (a result of bushfire and
flood), I saw in the paper an advertisement
for an "Outback Spirit" tour from Gove to
Darwin, across the huge Aboriginal reserve
of Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory, at
a very substantial discount. Presumably
because it left relatively soon and wasn't
full yet. I was sucked in.
Though I have no regrets about being sucked
in. From all accounts it should be an
excellent trip; and as winter approaches in
Castlemaine, it is starting to get very
cold. Lighting the fire sort of weather. So
a couple of weeks up in a warm climate is
very attractive.
We began with a flight to Cairns, and a
couple of nights in the excellent
"Travellers Oasis" hostel we stayed in last
year. Cairns was very familiar to us; we
just spent the day mooching around town and
recovering from the hecticness of the past
few days.
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 Then
it was back to the airport for our flight to
Nhulumbuy. We landed there and were met by
our tour guide, Ian. And since then? So
easy; no need to worry about food or
accommodation, seeing a lot of places and
things; and finding out that we're not
becoming teetotallers this trip, as we'd
thought we would be; all drinks are
included. Whatever you want. So we're not
being abstinent.
After two days in the formerly mining
town of Gove - now the town of Nhulumbuy, a
town with a mine - though it still
looks to a large degree like a mining town -
it was time for our eight-hour + bus trip on
to Ramingining. But there was a problem -
after all the rain a few weeks ago, the road
was not open; so we had to fly instead. (I
don't think anyone was disappointed with
this change). So we were split into 2 groups
and had an hour's flight instead. As well as
less travel time we had spectacular views
over the country; especially Alison, who was
given the co-pilot's seat. (luckily she
never needed to take control of the
aircraft.)
Now we're staying in "glamping" tents
overlooking the Arafura Swamp - the largest
wooded wetlands in Australia. We are
supplied with three types of insect
repellent but really haven't need to use
any. We are being fed excellent food, worthy
of being in a very good restaurant, seeing a
lot, and having a good amount of spare time
as well.
Tomorrow we have to fly the next leg as well
- though it is much shorter.
Simon's
Journal
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