Australia by Red Nomad OZ
Victoria River Sunset, via Timber Creek, Northern Territory

5 Reasons why Timber Creek is a TOP Aussie Town!

Timber Creek sure didn’t look like the home of Australia’s wildest river OR the crocodile capital of OZ as we pulled in after a punishing hour – and about 90 kilometres – on the road. I hadn’t yet discovered the killer Scenic Loo but even if I had, Timber Creek wouldn’t have looked like dunny heaven either. I checked my[…]

Read more
Not Jumping Croc, Adelaide River, Northern Territory

10 TOP Things to Do in Darwin, Top End

For an isolated city, rebuilt twice after being bombed (WWII) destroyed by a tropical cyclone (1974); regularly washed by massive 7 metre tides and monsoonal floods; and hosting a high proportion of dangerous and deadly wildlife; Darwin’s looking mighty fine these days. At least to a fair-weather traveller like me – my visit was during the more activity-friendly dry season,[…]

Read more
Crocodile from Cruise Boat, Victoria River, via Timber Creek

Cruising with Crocodiles on Australia’s WILDEST River

‘There it is,’ shouted Pilchard, pointing towards the bank. I looked, but there was only an old tyre on the edge of the water nestled in the grass. Typical bloke. All excited about nothing. The boat moved closer to the river banks. ‘Where?’ I whined as cameras clicked all around me. Damn! If everyone else could see a monster crocodile,[…]

Read more
Mindil Beach Sunset, Darwin (pic by Pilchard)

7 Days … from Adelaide to Darwin!

Does it REALLY take 7 days to drive the ~3000 km from Adelaide to Darwin? Only if you want to see a few sights along the way on a REAL adventure! Driving yourself is the best option (try Car hire if your vehicle isn’t up to scratch) to experience a cross-section of Australia’s unique countryside from the dry south, through the Red[…]

Read more
Cutta Cutta Caves, via Katherine, Northern Territory

The Ghoulish Guide of Cutta Cutta Caves!

I hadn’t suspected the otherworldly limestone Karst country we’d crossed en route from the Visitor Centre to the Cutta Cutta Caves entrance to be a portal to a parallel universe. But had we inadvertently stumbled into a casting call for a bad B-grade movie? For now, waiting for our guide at the stairs leading down to the locked entry gate[…]

Read more
Victoria River Cruises Pontoon AND Scenic Loo! Via Timber Creek, Northern Territory

Australia’s Scenic Public Toilets #29 – Crocodile Cruise Conveniences!

Maybe the multiple crocodile sightings did it. Or the 70 km (~45 miles) cruise from the Timber Creek landing to the middle of nowhere. Or perhaps the sunset drinks and snacks, taken incongruously in the middle of the crocodile-infested Victoria River were responsible. Whatever it was, the public amenities on the purpose-built pontoon where we took a break from crocodile[…]

Read more
Victoria River Escarpment, Northern Territory

The 5-Experiences-in-24-hours Victoria River Roadhouse Action Plan!

I don’t know what made us decide to stay overnight at the Victoria River Roadhouse as we pulled in for fuel, late on a Northern Territory July morning. Perhaps we took the Grey Nomad’s experimental driving technique involving an inexpertly executed U-turn directly in front of us without warning as a sign to stay off the roads that day.  […]

Read more

Aussie ABC – J is for Jabiru!

 Close up of Jabiru at Lake Argyle, Western Australia Although non-birdwatching Aussies refer to stately and elegant Black-necked Stork as ‘Jabiru’, any twitcher* worth her/his salt will immediately recognise this to be technically incorrect. And will probably take great delight in boring you to death by telling you so – and why.    If unlucky enough to be on[…]

Read more
White Crocodile, Victoria River, Northern Territory

7 Crocodile Hot Spots in Australia’s Top End

Crocodiles are a weird combination of Aussie ‘Big Thing’ and perilous prehistoric predator. Maybe our fascination with crocodiles in Australia is what makes this my most viewed post of all time*. Or maybe it’s because of the awesome photos and superlative writing … read on, and decide for yourself 😀 But before you do, PLEASE NOTE this WARNING: Crocodiles are VERY dangerous and[…]

Read more
Mandorah, via Darwin, Northern Territory

Off the Tourist Trail #5 – Mandorah, via Darwin, Northern Territory

Yes, we’d crossed the portal into a parallel universe. But at least it was Tropical-Paradise-Cliché universe! Balmy breezes wafted through the open walls of the pub where we kicked back, drinks in hand, admiring the endless white sands, tropical palms, blue water and skies. Bob Marley played in the background. ‘Best in the world’ (albeit self-nominated) barra* and chips** on[…]

Read more