Day 10 - Katherine

There are but a few places on this Planet where I have left part of my Soul behind

One of which, is the Beautiful Nitmiluk Gorge 

last time we were here I said I would return.

And This time I was torn between cruising the Ancient  waters of the Katherine River or going Deeper into the History of this Area.

And Deeper we did go!

From an Entire Train Full of People just DH, Myself  2 Others (and the Journey Beyond Staff Member) chose the New Katherine Excursion to the Cutta Cutta Caves.

As we have traveled the opportunity to check out a "New" Cave has become a To Do Item.

Compared to some, the section of Cutta Cutta that is open to Tours is relatively small.

Limestone caves are Uncommon in Northern Australia and Cutta Cutta is the only one open to the public. 

It is relatively easy to get to and with the exception of One 'pinch point' and a few steps, quite accessible.

Unfortunately we didn't see any of the Rare Ghost or Orange Horseshoe Bats.

We did see signs that local Snakes (Harmless Brown Tree Snake) had visited recently

I was just happy to enjoy the 'Private' Tour as it gave me the opportunity to see just how well my iPhone performed in the low light.

(Taking good Photos in Caves is notoriously difficult.)

Discovered c.1900 and named 'Smiths Cave' then '16 Mile Cave' during WW2 and finally in 1979 to Cutta Cutta the Jawoyn Name for "Many Stars".  

The Aboriginal People didn't enter the Cave as they believed it was where the Stars rested during the day.

THIS is because in places, the Cave Sparkles!

After collecting the rest of the Travellers we headed on to the Nitmiluk Visitors Centre. 

We were treated to a Shared Meal which included Kangaroo, Barramundi and Crocodile all delicately flavoured with Indigenous Salmon Gum, Citrus Myrtle, Saltbush and River Mint.

From here it was back to Katherine Station where many a traveller waited to get that Iconic Photo of the Ghan engine... only to be disappointed that the Train was being hauled, as it sometimes is,  by  Pacific National.

(This does not detract from The Ghan experience)

Our Time with Journey Beyond and Outback Spirit is drawing to an end.

Just one last beautiful Evening Meal on Board as we watch the Sun Set through dusty windows, as we roll into Darwin.

 

Ghan Photo:By Bahnfrend - Own work, 

CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=41744599