Edith Falls Upper Pools - Katherine Gorge - Mataranka

Today we have a full day of adventures, drive and exploring. Mattia will pick you up at 6.00 AM from your accommodation. Our first stop will be Adelaide River War Cemetery.  

 Adelaide River is a township lying 113kms south of  Darwin, on the Stuart Highway, which is the main  north–south road from Darwin to the railhead at  Alice Springs.  During the Second World War, Adelaide River was  the headquarters of a large base and the Adelaide  River War Cemetery was created especially for the  burial of servicemen and women who died in this  part of Australia. It was used by Australian General  Hospitals 101, 107, 119, 121 and 129.  After the war, the Army Graves Service moved graves  from civil cemeteries, isolated sites and temporary  military burial grounds, into the Adelaide River War  Cemetery. These included Bagot Hospital Cemetery,  Berrimah Hospital and War Cemetery, Daly Waters  Civil Cemetery, Darwin Public Cemetery, Gove War  Cemetery, Hughes Cemetery in Darwin, Katherine  Civil and War Cemeteries, Larrimah War Cemetery,  Milingimbi War Cemetery, Mt Isa War Cemetery  in Queensland, where No 74 Camp Hospital once  operated, South Goulburn Island Mission Cemetery  and Truscott War Cemetery.                Adelaide River War Cemetery was taken over by  the Commonwealth War Graves Commission in  September 1947 and under a formal agreement  with the Australian Government, is maintained by  staff of the Office of Australian War Graves. The War  Cemetery adjoins the Adelaide River Civil Cemetery,  in which are buried 63 civilians, including nine  Post Office workers who were killed on 19 February  1942, as a result of a direct hit on the Post Office  by Japanese bombs. Thirty-one Aboriginal people  are among the dead who lie in that part of the  cemetery. The War Cemetery is situated in savannah  country about 1km from the Stuart Highway, along  a short bitumen road, which runs parallel to, and  100 metres from, the Adelaide River. Within the  War Cemetery the graves are set in a grassed area  with low growing shrubs dotted in regular patterns  among the headstones. Beyond this, there are  colourful garden beds and within the boundary  fence is a screen of trees and shrubs.  There are 434 burials, comprising 14 airmen of the  Royal Air Force, 12 unidentified men of the British  Merchant Navy, one soldier of the Canadian Army,  18 sailors, 181 soldiers and 201 airmen belonging  to the Australian forces, and seven men of the  Australian Merchant Navy.  The Adelaide River War Cemetery was entered in the  Register of the National Estate in 1984. 

After Breakfast we are back into the car, for our two and half last hours of drive to Katherine. We are going to get to Edith Falls upper pools. Let's go for a swim in the most beautiful side of Edith Falls. We have 30 minutes hike to reach the top of the falls. We can swim under the waterfall, in one of the most beautiful landscapes of the NT. After our swim it is time to walk back, and drive to 

Nitmiluk National Park (Katherine Gorge).  Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge is a deep gorge carved through ancient sandstone by the Katherine River. Situated within the Jawoyn-owned Nitmiluk National Park, characterized by its sandstone country features above the gorge, lush rainforest gullies in the gorge walls, and broad valleys meandering through both the high and the low country.  Enjoy the beauty and see you for our last part of the trip to Mataranka. Around 2.30 we will arrive at Mataranka Bitter Springs,  Here, the waters of the natural pool are impossibly blue, but they also have the power to heal aches and pains – ideal if you’ve spent the day walking and exploring the surrounding region. All around the hot springs, palm forests offering a paradise backdrop, while the gentle gush of nearby waterfalls can be heard in the distance. There are plenty of wildlife spotting opportunities to be had here, too, as it is a natural breeding ground for the red flying fox – a cute, native species.

On the way back to Katherine we will stop at the Katherine Hotsprings.   

Take a refreshing dip in Katherine Hot Springs.

These natural thermal springs are situated on the banks of the Katherine River, within the Katherine township, and comprise of a series of clear pools framed by native vegetation.

Once, the main pool was simply an indentation at the edge of the Katherine River, but now the area is a place to relax, enjoy swimming in the pools, the picnic grounds and scenic walking tracks.  Still 1 hour drive to Pine Creek.  Established in the late 1800s after a gold rush in the area, Pine Creek is located 90km north of Katherine. The town is a treasure trove of heritage bush buildings and mining sites. Echoes of the gold rush days are still evident in the historic Pine Creek Settlement. Gold was discovered at Pine Creek in 1871 by construction workers on the Overland Telegraph Line. There is a small and informative museum and preserved railway station within the township. The township is small but offers a range of accommodation options, including caravan parks and cabins. Many of the original buildings still stand, allowing travelers to soak up some of the old pioneering spirit. Step back in time by driving the Northern Goldfields Loop Heritage trail that takes you from Pine Creek to Adelaide River. After Pine Creek we are heading back to Darwin (last 2 hours). It will be a long day. Back to Darwin approx. at 9.30 PM.