Well the trip is done and dusted, although the red dirt stains remain. Fortunately the overriding joy of this recent experience lives on in our memories. Travelling from Darwin and back, and visiting the National Parks of Kakadu, Nitmiluk and Litchfield was certainly most worthwhile.

Perhaps in hindsight it could have been better to have arrived slightly earlier (for example, late May rather than late June) to appreciate more of what the preceding wet season provides, but then again, it is hard to predict in advance the best time to visit. Arrive too early and access roads or key tourist attractions may be closed. Alternatively, later in the dry season usually assures access but less water to see cascading down falls, and less birds around in the drying wetlands, and so on.

In any case, Kakadu National Park for me was the best, with Ubirr and its spectacular scenery, the cruise on Yellow Waters (near Cooinda) at sunrise, and the visits to Jim Jim Falls and Maguk special highlights. Litchfield being in close proximity to Darwin is a very practical place to visit and has most accessible and beautiful places to swim as well as plenty of scenery too. Nitmiluk had the gorge and that was a worthwhile trip, although that would be my third favourite. Of course, there were many other places we did not visit, so we have only had an introduction to the Top End.

The next visit to Kakadu might be in mid-March or so, to see the best of the big wet, although that would require some contingency planning, and maybe, use of own vehicle and 4WD. We shall see.

Sunset at Mindil Beach, Darwin. An iconic place to watch the sunset, all year around I suspect. Too bad you cannot swim here!

Flying near Jabiru, Kakadu National Park, and the East Alligator River.

The wetlands near Jabiru. The dry is kicking in, so mental note, return earlier in the dry season, for even more spectacular scenery (if at least one can cope with the humidity, I am advised).

Ubirr, Kakadu National Park. Great views, great to watch the sunset, accessible rock climbing, and substantial indigenous rock art in the vicinity.

Ubirr rock art. Some of many throughout the Kakadu National Park.

Ubirr at sunset.

Approaching Jim Jim Falls, Kakadu National Park.

Jim Jim Falls and rock pool. It was quite cool here, and about 100 metres to swim to the waterfall.

It is advantageous to have a robust vehicle travelling in the Top End, for many of the link roads leading to tourist attractions. Lots of corrugations and sometimes some tricky sections without a 4WD.

Anbangbang Billabong around Nourlangie and toward the art site of Nanguluwur. Next two images. Part of track here was closed so maybe salties in the area?

Yellow Waters, as the sun is coming up. Many birds, and large salties lurking in our midst, as we soon discovered here.

As the sun rose, more and more salt water crocodiles came out to absorb the solar energy. These are dangerous creatures, so such a contrast between the serenity and beauty, and the ever lurking danger. Not a place for swimming or idle loitering.

On our way to Maguk, and the waterfalls and plunge pool there. This warning sign adjacent to this beautiful little stream is standard around these parts. Do not go to close to the water’s edge.

Maguk. Safe to swim here, in Kakadu National Park. If there were any salties, they have been removed, as the dry season, and tourist season, kicks in. Very pleasant and much warmer than at Jim Jim.

Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge. Next two images, and third is plunge pool past third gorge here.

Nitmiluk Gorge rock pool. Another pleasant swim here.

Wangi Falls, Litchfield National Park. Very popular, easy access, and not cold. Had a snorkel here too, and lots of fish here, including some sizeable barramundi.

Florence Falls, Litchfield National Park. More swimming (note the access rail and steps included). Very popular, refreshing, more fish, and only about one hour travelling time from Darwin.