Travel to Nitmiluk National Park - Baruwei Lookout

Katherine Gorge, 292km south of Darwin, Australia is a landmark which should not be missed. Spectacular gorges and a great spot to relax.

We booked into Nitmiluk National Park Campground for the night and stood staring at the Visitor Center's signage. The walks in the area all seemed a little challenging. The shortest walk, Baruwei Lookout meandered along the gorge for 900m one way starting at the Visitor Center.  It read to be the better option. Surely 900m one way wasn't going to end us. Time wise, we could fit it in before dinner and still have time for a swim in the pool. Sounded fine!

Leaving for the walk around 3:30pm, the heat of the day was lingering but the burning sun had subsided. We all set off with our hats, sunscreen, insect repellent and our water bottle. I gave my six year old princess her water bottle and quickly realized I made my first mistake.

200m into the mostly flat start of the walk I heard a splash and watched in slow motion as Annabelle poured her water bottle contents over her head. I was not impressed! The torrent of complaints came after that, "It's too hot", "I'm not going to make it", "I'm thirsty", "My legs are sore", "I'm hungry", "I want to go swimming". We had not even made it to the toilet block! She had a valid point, it was too hot to walk up an escarpment. We had just learnt the rocks could reach over 50 degrees Celsius, but this was the smallest of the walks to come on our 3.5 week journey and we were all unfit and needed the test.

The toilet block marked the halfway point and the start of the steep ascent. I filled up my princess' water bottle, drenched her t-shirt and hat to cool her down and we embarked on the rocky ascent. I took the walk at a snails pace and was able to take in the scenery which rewarded us with amazing views from the top of the gorge. The views also kept the stream of complaints to a minimum.

The red, white and black escarpments hollowed out by the winding Rainbow Serpent according to the Jawoyn people, stood proud and still in the late afternoon sun. All of a sudden a black shape on the side of the river below caught me eye. "Beware of Crocodile" signs were a constant companion next to waterways since Mataranka. A little worried, but also intrigued at seeing a wild one, I was hopeful the black shape on the bank was a crocodile. I edged closer to get a better view, and was disappointed to see my crocodile was a tree branch sticking out of the water!

My disappointment did not linger, but the laughter of my companions did! The 900m back to the Visitor Center and the short walk to the campground was much quicker, filled with less complaints and amazing views. The rewarding dip in the campgrounds pool cooled us down immediately as we watched a school tour start their trek up to the lookout. They certainly looked a lot younger, fitter and had more energy than we did!