Let's call it "reflections" are my thoughts, as we head back to the Yellow Water Billabong dock at the end of the sunrise cruise. If Australian outback wildlife adventures peaks you interest then an early morning visit to a Kakadu National Park billabong is hard to beat. Kakadu, a natural icon, is the largest terrestial national park in Australia, covering over 20,000 square kilometers. Scattered throughout the park are many waterways, such as the Yellow Water Billabong, where you can observe Northern Territory wildlife. I must admit most wildlife experiences are often not best captured by the camera, but in the mind's eye. That special morning however, it was just perfect for capturing light reflections in the billabong, as we slowly cruised along. Here are some of my reflections on our Cooinda adventure.
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Yellow Water Billabong, Kakadu National Park, Cooinda © Spaswinefood
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While the Northern Territory is home to many parks, Kakadu National Park and Uluru-Katu Tjuta (Ayers Rock) National Park are the best known. The Northern Territory's main industries are tourism and mining. Moreover, tourism in the Northern Territory is primarily centered around Kakadu National Park and Uluru-Katu Tjuta (Ayers Rock) National Park. This makes Kakadu National Park, not only one of the Northern Territory's most visited parks, but also extremely important for its tourist industry. An earlier Spaswinefood post primarily focused on the the rock art in the Jabiru area whereas this post will focus mainly on Cooinda's Yellow Water Billabong.
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| Gagudju Lodge, Home of Yellow Water © Spaswinefood |
During our Cooinda visit we dined at the Gagudju Lodge bistro, did a sunrise cruise on Yellow Water Billabong, followed by breakfast.
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| Pizza, Gagudju Lodge Bistro © Spaswinefood |
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| Fish & Chips, Gagudju Lodge Bistro © Spaswinefood |
The food on both occasions was average at best, but our billabong adventure was amazing.
Off to the Billabong We Go
It was early morning, too early in fact we were up, showered and off to the bus pickup point. Yes, it was still dark and we are off to do a sunrise cruise on the Yellow Water Billabong. By the time we arrived at the dock the eastern skyline was already showing a before sunrise glow.
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| Before Sunrise, Yellow Water Billabong © Spaswinefood |
One of the first sightings on our sunrise cruise was wild horses feeding on the banks.
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| Wild Horses, Yellow Water Billabong © Spaswinefood |
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| Shades of Green & Grey, Yellow Water Billabong © Spaswinefood |
We continued on through the early morning light. I captured some of the reflections in the water, as we travelled along.
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| Early Morning, Yellow Water Billabong © Spaswinefood |
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| Reflections in the Billabong © Spaswinefood |
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| More Reflections, Yellow Water Billabong © Spaswinefood |
As we cruised along listening to the guide describe the habitat, the sun appeared on the horizon, signaling the arrival of a new day.
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| Sunrise over the Billabong © Spaswinefood |
As dawn transitioned into daylight the billabong happenings took on new meaning. The birds and the
crocodiles started their daily activities.
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Crocodile, Yellow Water Billabong © Spaswinefood
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| Crocodile, Yellow Water Billabong © Spaswinefood |
Moreover, reflections in the water took on a more vibrant look.
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Lilly Pads, Yellow Water Billabong © Spaswinefood
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| Early Morning Reflections, Yellow Water Billabong © Spaswinefood |
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It was obvious that the crocodiles were getting ready to start their day. Soon we spotted a crocodile heading into another crocodile's territory.
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| Yellow Water Billabong Reflections © Spaswinefood |
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| Crocodile Yellow Water Billabong © Spaswinefood |
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| Yellow Water Billabong © Spaswinefood |
There was some splashing in the water, as one crocodile dove deep to avoid the other.
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| Crocodile Retreating, Yellow Water Billabong © Spaswinefood |
As the morning started to heat up some crocodiles moved onto the bank of the billabong.
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| Heading to the Bank, Yellow Water Billabong © Spaswinefood |
While we saw many crocodiles and birds that morning however, what captured my attention most were the reflections. Due to the calmness of the water, the billabong reflected almost perfect reflections. It was indeed the perfect start to a new day.
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| Cruising the Billabong © Spaswinefood |
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| Morning Cruise, Yellow Water Billabong © Spaswinefood |
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| Morning Reflections, Yellow Water Billabong © Spaswinefood |
Sounds also filled the morning air, as birds took flight across the billabong, in search of new feeding areas.
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| Birds in Flight, Yellow Water Billabong © Spaswinefood |
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| Lilly Pads & Birds, Yellow Water Billabong © Spaswinefood |
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| Lily Pads, Yellow Water Billabong © Spaswinefood |
When I took a closer look amid the lily pads there were crocodiles out and about.
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| The Crocodile Look, Yellow Water Billabong © Spaswinefood |
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| Crocodile & Lily Pads, Yellow Water Billabong © Spaswinefood |
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| Lily Pad Flower, Yellow Water Billabong © Spaswinefood |
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| Yellow Water Billabong © Spaswinefood |
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| Lily Pad Flower Reflection, Yellow Water Billabong © Spaswinefood |
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| Crocodile & Lily Pads, Yellow Water Billabong © Spaswinefood |
All to soon we were returning back down the billabong.
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| Reflections Amid the Lily Pads, Yellow Water Billabong © Spaswinefood |
We passed the wild horses and other cruise boats, as we headed back to the dock.
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| Wild Horses, Yellow Water Billabong © Spaswinefood |
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| Yellow Water Billabong, Kakadu © Spaswinefood |
Then it was onto a typical post cruise buffet breakfast before we boarded our rented caravan to head back down the highway towards Katherine. It was with mixed emotions (sad to be leaving but excited to continue the adventure) that I felt as we left Australia's Kakadu National Park that day.
Before leaving Cooinda we also stopped by Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre where we bought Aboriginal art made by Simon Badari.
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Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre © Spaswinefood
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| Display, Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre © Spaswinefood |
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Clearly, there are so many opportunities for activities at Kakadu that you have to choose.
Kakadu National Park to Katherine
While at Cooinda we stayed at the Gagudju Lodge Caravan Park however, the Kakadu National Park offers many types of accommodations from camping to hotels, self-contained cabins to safari camps. From Cooinda Caravan Park it was onto Katherine. What a pleasant drive it was back down the Stuart Highway (the track). We stopped for lunch at Masiey's Cafe, Pine Creek and then continued onto Katherine.
Clearly there is so much to do and see in Australia’s Northern Territory. I invite you to join me in my travels in Australia and elsewhere at Spaswinefood.
Sharon
June 2015
Cooinda, Kakadu National Park
Northern Territory, Australia
© Spaswinefood
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| Caution Wild Horses, Kakadu National Park, Cooinda © Spaswinefood |
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