Travel review AUSTRALIA 
The world downunder
  
The world downunder
Stato: AUSTRALIA (AU)
Wonderful travel!
A detailed description would require much time. Therefore I will confine myself to indicate the route and to provide some remark, keeping available to provide further information to those who will be affected. All prices mentioned are for two people + car
Departure! Flight Bologna, Frankfurt, Singapore, Perth We started on Thursday at 19.00 from Bologna and we arrived in Perth on Saturday at 00.15 - A total of ca. 18H and half of actual flight.
Denham/Monkey Mia
Denham is far from Monkey Mia only 26 km. Once there we paid the ticket (AU$ 12) and left the car. There are a beautiful beach (see photo 2), a visitor centre, a camping and a restaurant. Several times during the day dolphins come to the shore (see photo 3). What an incredible experience. As someone enters into water up to the knees there are a couple of rangers who give explanations. We must not touch them because men can transmit him diseases. In the afternoon we have a granted excursion with a catamaran (AU$ 108) in search of dugongs. At sunset we made a stroll along the beach and dunes behind us are colored in fire red. Dinner at the camp restaurant (AU$ 63.70) and overnight (AU$ 17.50).
Shark Bay/Kalbarri
We visited the zone of Shark Bay: Little Lagoon, the white sand of Shell Beach formed by small shells, the viewpoint of Eagle Bluff offers extraordinary landscapes but is always beaten by the wind (I had to grab me up to the fence because I felt I could be took away). We come back south along Hwy 1 and arrive in Kalbarri where we visit the Kalbarri National Park (AU$ 9). The place is very beautiful. There are gorges, canyons and beautiful landscapes (see photo 4), you need to make short walks to reach the lookout, but it's worth it. The only neo are the billion flies that try to insert in your nose, mouth, ears and almost everywhere. We are armed with a sprig of leafy groped to fight them in some way and we put a handkerchief on the face, leaving only the eyes uncovered. Dinner (AU$ 37.85) in the beautiful town of Kalbarri and overnight camping (AU$ 17).
Kalbarri/Perth
This morning we visit the impervious and jagged coast at south of Kalbarri. Along the way there are signs that indicate most scenic places. We stop at all and decide to let in a walk along the path of cartels. It has been quite challenging because the trail was impervious so that at some point I thought of turning back. However, we decided to continue and when we returned on the asphalt road, in the parking lot where we had left the car, we had a dip at heart. The machine was no longer there! Fortunately it was not the case. Walking we reached the point where there was panoramic, with another parking exactly equal to ours. We returned back along the main road to retrieve our car. In the afternoon return to Perth where we arrive already in the darkness. We make dinner and overnight at Ascot Inn (AU$ 80).
Perth/Darwin
This morning flight to Darwin at 07:45. The Kms ran in Western Australia were 1991. Landed in Darwin we bought a lot of material at the well and efficiently organised office of Tourism and we walk to withdraw the car. Just when the doors of airport opende we left upset. It's so warm but specially there's impressive moisture that cuts legs. We make account then, during our journeys, we will have to contend often with these differences in temperature and climate. Completely rebuilt after the 1974 cyclone Tracy, Darwin is a very nice and pleasant city that overlooks a beautiful bay. In the afternoon we try to take a walk, but the heat is unbearable. We return back in the hotel and then take the car. We head toward the East Point Reserve where we see wallabies and colorful parrots. Today is Thursday and we know that at Mindil Beach there will be the Sunset Market. We arrive at sunset and see a wonderful spectacle with the sun setting in the bay and colouring the sky of all the shades of red. There's a lot of people: families with small picnic tables that dine and enjoy the cool evening, stalls displaying snakes with the opportunity to be photographed with reptiles around the neck, tellers, sales of hats in Australian kangaroo skin, in crocodile, etc.. But above all there are food vendors of all ethnic groups: Japanese, Chinese, Thai, Greek, Korean, Indonesian, with a mixture of fumes, smells and colors. The atmosphere is beautiful and quite, there are also street artists as didjeridoo players (see photo 5) and a flautist that enchants me. We pas night to Value Inn (AU$ 69) an economical solution, central and functional. At the entrance there is a computer where you can book online at any time of day or night without having to wait for the receptionist. We decide to book a room already for the last night in Darwin before the next flight transfer ..
Darwin/Kakadu National Park
This morning we leave for the Kakadu National Park. The road is excellent and sliding and we decide to participate the excursion "croc jumping" of 9 hours (AU$ 50). To reach the pier ca.3 kms at walk. not asphalted road. Once in place i have breakfast, even though I look around cautiously 'cause I feel little worried. In a shrine there are snakes that operators pull out for photographs of rite and the water is populated by so fearable "saltie crocs". I do not like, even hate, all reptiles and I don't feel very comfortable. We sail. The place is beautiful: the river, of a yellow / red shade, scrolls quiet, the vegetation is thick and lush, there are many birds singing. Here are the crocodiles.... from the edge of the boat our guide tilts a bait with a piece of meat being dragged to the hair of water. When the "peaceful" crocodiles are close to taking the meat, the line is raised up and the crocodile was forced to stretch and get out of the water to grab the meat. There are also plenty of eagle fishes that catch the fly, with the claws, pieces of flesh being launched. Moving backward on the dirt road we stop at Window on the Wetlands, an interesting visitor centre which offers material in Italian and a beautiful landscape on the surrounding area. Coming to Kakadu National Park (entrance AU$ 32.50). The distances within the park are long. From the point where lies the Arnhem Highway (one of the main streets of Kakadu) made by Stuart Highway (the road that goes from Darwin to the south) and entrance to the park there are 120 kms. And from a Jabiru, where there are petrol station, supermarket, post office, bank, etc., there are other 100 kms. Going into the park our first stop is Mamukala where thousands (not exaggerating) of ducks make noise, and looking from an observation point covered and mimetized, they are so numerous that the noise is deafening and almost you can not see the water. Next place Ubirr: that stage is reached with a deviation of 40 km. by the Arnhem Highway. We walk a path of ca. 1, 5 kms to see the extraordinary examples of rock art, the most famous of which depicts the rainbow serpent. We are truly destroyed and hotted up, humidity is very high as the heat and most of the usual flies not give us peace. Returning the car and retracing the same road we reach the Kakadu Caravan Park (AU$ 25). First we mount our drop, we do a good shower, we relax a little and we are ready for dinner (AU$ 48) After dinner, the camp held a beautiful slide show on the flora and fauna with park rangers explaining the characteristics of various animals and answering questions of those present.
Kakadu National Park
This morning we visit the Bowali Visitor Centre, where we consume even breakfast. Next step, Nourlangie Rock, where along a path, walking ca.2 kms, you can admire cave paintings, the famous sandstone cliff, caves, tunnels and natural vantage points. We stop then at Anbangbang where we do a little more than 2 kms around a Billabong. I am always a little worried, there is no one and I fear ever to find myself faced with some crocodiles or snakes. Let me clarify that I'm not paranoid, the thing is very possible and the fact that we are only two people in the middle of nothing makes me feel very vulnerable. The stops occur until you reach the campsite Gagadju (AU $ 15). After the tent has been mounted we reach the bar where the mega-screen is broadcasting a lot of play-off rugby union matches. The beer flows in rivers and supporters are very loud, every goal by either team translates into shouts and jokes. We decided then to take a dip in the pool, what a relaxing time while we have it! It is really good and there seems truly to be able to counteract the incredible heat . We dine at bistro in the camp (AU$ 26) and we go bed very soon. While we reach the tent with our flashlight, (there are some trees and the path is illuminated!) we see a dingo that lies at the edge of the fence.
Kakadu/Litchfield National Park
We wake up before 6. Sun's starting to rise. This morning is scheduled an excursion on the Yellow River (AU$ 80) booked the first day at the Bowali Visitor Centre. A bus takes us from the landing camp which is located just a few minutes away, and at 06:45 we start. The landscape is extraordinary (see photo 6): a light mist screening the sun makes colors incredible. We see many birds including kingfisher which I believe is great and small, a snake twisted around a tree branch, crocodiles, cranes, etc.. The rangers are really good, they can see everything and report it promptly. On our return we dismantle the tent and start to south to reach again the Stuart Highway at Pine Creek, ca. 250 Kms at south of Darwin. We have been very undecided whether to visit the Katherine Gorge National Park, but in the end we opted for the Litchfield Nat. Park. Let's look to the village of Pine Creek where there are a couple of old locomotives and start. Next stop the Litchfield Tourist & Van Park (AU$ 12) the last camp before the park (only 4 kms). Not a little, indeed, but nonetheless we decide to stop and assemble our box. We spend the rest of the afternoon in the pool that we can use for our pleasure because there is no more to do. We have dinner at the camping site (AU$ 18).
Litchfield National Park/Darwin
The first stop inside the park is at the Florence Falls. There is a viewpoint not far from parking, but we decide to get off the path and reach the wonderful natural swimming pool that is fed by waterfalls. There are some families with children who make the bathroom and, accomplice the usual hot day, we decide to do so. We folow the trail reversing and return to the next waterfall, Tolmer Falls. Our next stop is the Wangi Falls. This place is the most crowded because the waterfalls are really close to the parking. We also dive here and we would never exit from the water (see photo 7). During the rainy season is forbidden to swim because of crocodiles, but in this period it is allowed, although I still not have the absolute certainty that there are not. In fact, even during the dry season the rangers control the area and, for a possible sighting, categorically forbid bathing. We have a snack at a kiosk at the waterfalls and start. There are two ways to return to Darwin: the first is backward retracing the route made inside the park until you reach the Stuart Highway, the second, shorter, is to continue northward into the park so as to reach the Stuart Highway in Darwin direction. We opt for the second hypothesis albeit with many doubts because we know that we will have to travel a dirt road and we do not know the conditions. The road is not the best, indeed, the track is gravel and a little beat, but with caution we arrive safely at the end. We would like to stop the Territory Wildlife Park that seems to deserve a visit, but begins to be a little late and we should spend at least a few hours inside. We decided then to stop at Berry Springs Nature Park where we find natural pools fed by springs, palms and a beautiful walk through the rainforest. It's time now to return to Darwin. Let us return to Value Inn and have dinner at a fine restaurant inside the centre (AU$ 58.30) - total kms of paths made in the Northern Territory are 1046.
Green Island/Cairns
We pointed the alarm soon to enjoy the dawn. We head immediately to the east, there is already a lot of light. The horizon is covered by clouds that have golden contour, the sun is below them but we can not see the point at which it rises from the sea. In any case, the sky is wonderful, seem strokes of color and there is low tide so we decide to walk a very off (see photo 8). I see starfishes, anemones, sea snakes, fishes, a whole world to which we are not quite accustomed. We are the first to have breakfast, of course plentiful as usual in all Anglo-Saxon countries. Then we take the boat with glass bottom to see the underwater world off the island. Unfortunately it spends the whole day, and at 16:30 we quickly take the last catamaran to return to Cairns. There we look for a hotel and decide for Central Lake Lodge (AU$ 88) very close to car rentals, restaurants and the sea. We visit a typical gallery with shops that sell Aboriginal art, kangaroo skins (see photo 9) and didjeridoo, we make a nice walk along the seafront, dinner in a typical greek restaurant (AU$ 60) and return to the hotel for the deserved rest.
Cairns/Cooktown
Just next to the Hotel there's Avis car rental. We want to take a jeep but they hire only enormous 7 seats beasts. Not having the alternative choice is obliged but It makes me a strange effect being so high from the road and having so much space at our disposal. We head to the north and the first stop is at Kuranda, a graceful country in the middle of the rainforest. There's a long walk in the midst of big ferns and a very strong smell of undergrowth and we visit the marketplace in the country. Again we drive aiming towards the north. We decide to take what is called the internal road. Until Lakeland the road is asphalted after which you enter the "almost nothing" with most of the roads impractical during the rains. We meet in fact several road signs that indicated if the roads were closed or opend. They are doing the work to asphalt also the last stretch (ca.100 kms) From Lakeland to Cooktown. Thus in fact, creating some problems. The road is white and the lane was restricted to allow the work, but the bottom is even more dissested from the continuous passage of trucks. It thus breeding other cars, or even worse, long trucks and not know exactly where to get and what to do. At some point a major trunk prevents to continue, fortunately one of the workers of bulldozers promptly removes it. Before arriving in Cooktown we admire, from the main road, Black Mountain. Thus, we arrive at Cooktown, climb on top of Grassy Hill and enjoy the lookout (see photo 10), where there are a beacon and a plaque in memory of the landing of Captain Cook in 1770, we enjoy a 360 degree view of the sea surrounding . Cooktown is really a border post, a few houses, three pubs, a post office, a few restaurants and little else. We mount the tent to Cooktown Orchid Travellers Park (AU$ 19) and have dinner near the campsite with AU$ 27.50.
Kings Canyon/Alice Springs
Alice Springs/Melbourne/Apollo Bay
Mt.Gambier/Kangaroo Island
Sydney/Singapore/Francoforte
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