Day 23: Edith Falls

 Recovered from yesterday's long walk, we decided we could handle another short walk (we hope) and swim at Edith Falls, about 60 km North of Katherine. It is highway most of the way, so an easy drive. 

Along the way I dropped into the local fishing shop to get the good oil on what soft plastics and lures work in the local waters. I walked out with a pack of soft plastics and the best barra lure money can buy, according to the salesman.

I have a couple of days to try them out here and will continue along the way whilst fishing in inland rivers. Apparently the current high water levels might be favourable.

On the way out of Katherine, heading to the Stuart Highway, I spotted an Ad blu pump, so topped up with it as well. Towing fuel consumption obviously also requires more frequent top ups to "save the environment."

Edith Falls is a far less busy tourist attraction than the lower area of the Katherine Gorge where we were yesterday. There is a much smaller number of tourists here, a modest kiosk, and a very nice setting. A swim opportunity is only 125 m from the carpark.

There is the normal warning sign about swimming. First we see that the bottom swimming hole is open.  However there is a clear disclaimer that it is closed between 7 pm and 7 am, which is the normal feeding time of fresh water crocodiles.

There are a few swimmers taking on the restricted area

The bottom falls and red buoys put in place to keep swimmers away from the current

A small other warning about swimming in the lower pool

Next decision is do we have a swim here, or take on the walk to the top pool and have a swim up there. Swimming in the lower pool is restricted because the flows through the river are still well above normal, and there is a concern about river currents and inexperienced swimmers. An area has been cordoned off to allow swimming here, out of the strong current.

                        We get our first glimpse of the water fall

A walk across the river takes us on our way to the upper falls

Looking downstream from the bridge

It was an easy choice, we will take on the walk to the top. The guidance says that it is a 1.6 km walk with a medium degree of difficulty, highlighting there are some steep climbs over rocky areas. Completion of the loop track made it 2.6 km, over some pretty rough terrain.

We take on the Leliyen track which is the white loop shown above

What started out to be a well defined walking track, soon turned into a maze of undefined steep paths through very rocky outcrops, fortunately there were arrows to remind us where the track was. Carole did a great job handling this whilst her knees are still recovering.

Eventually we arrive at a lookout which provides a great view of the falls. It is an option to go on the the swimming hole at the top of the falls and continue on the loop track, or go back to the car park along the same track.

Having come this far, we are keen to go on to the top swimming hole and have a swim.

.

The track continues to be rocky and steep, but we continue on and are glad we did. The swimming area is large and the water temperature very refreshing after our trek up here.

We had a swim and the crossed the river to continue on the loop track.

We had bought some sandwiches for lunch, so were able to find a nice spot looking over this stunning landscape and enjoy our lunch. The view was also pretty good.

After lunch we continued to complete the loop track. This side of the track is a lot easier than the one we came up on, and has a couple of good lookouts.

There is also an emergency phone on this side of the track, which is breeze to navigate compared to the other side.

There is a final lookout before we descend back to the carpark. This one looks back over the bottom pool where we arrived.

Finally we are back at the carpark, hoping to get a cup of coffee from the kiosk. The staff of the kiosk were all engaged in watching the Australia vs Turkey World Cup soccer match and it appeared for all purposes to be closed. Eventually someone came over to see if we wanted something. All we wanted was a coffee, but alas the machine broke down yesterday.

It is a great place to visit, the elevated water levels at the moment made the waterfalls well worth seeing, and a crocodile free swim was a bonus.

The aircon was turned on in the van as soon as we got back. Ambient Temperature is 34 C.

Tomorrow we plan to play golf at the Katherine Golf Club. Staring at 8.30 am, with a cart we hope to aoid the heat which builds later in the day.