Litchfield NP

Back in the car and we drive down the Stuart Highway and turn off to Batchelor (well after we stop off at the Humpty doo hotel for a roadie) Tonight we are staying at the Litchfield tourist park. A swim in the pool and lamb chops for tea (yum yum), and the kids get that all important tent erection practice. It cools down quite nicely that night and it is, well nearly brisk in the morning. We use up more of the cyclone kit, and have chunky man in can for breaky. We are packed up charged up and watered up and ready for the journey onwards. We head down to Surprise creek for the night which involves a pretty decent 4WD track along with 4-5 water crossings a couple having a reasonable amount of water in them. Given as how we destroyed the last winch with water crossings we have decided to use the tarp theory and have this strapped to the Roo bar for crossings. Hope it helps. We stop off at Blyth Homestead were people actually though they could run cattle. Onwards to Surprise creek, where we stop to help some guys from Care-flight who’s Tow bar has fallen off the car. Lucky I have carried all those bolts ½ way around Australia not to mention I actually have spanners and sockets as well as opposed to Shifter spanners they had. ½ hour later and they are on their way again with the promise of the traditional NT payment of a carton of beer when I get back to Darwin. The kids get to put up tents again so they will get the hang of it by the time they go home.
We walk up to the falls in search of a swim, there are 3 pools at different levels which are all a bit cool but not cold. After the swim and a great swan dive and slide on the rocks by Jason we head back to camp. Tina is cooking a casserole for tea so we all chip in. It’s quite warm tonight and after tea we listen to the Mighty Blues knock off the Bombers for the first time in ages. Go Blues!!
During the night we open up the tent flaps to let the breeze in because it was hot, but then cools down heaps. In the morning it is quite hot early so after more cyclone kit food (this time SPAM) for breaky we pack up. It is hot early and Tina is driving us back this time. Not quite as fast but just as bumpy. She is a wiz with the creek crossings after a couple. It is a bit annoying getting out each time to put the tarp down but if it saves a $1000 winch it will be worth it.