Day 6 Sweetwater Pool to Leliyn (Edith Falls) and Back to Darwin - Jatbula Trip

 Day 6 – Thursday 22 August

Sweetwater Pool to Leliyn (Edith Falls) and Back to Darwin

https://nt.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0016/200590/jatbula-trail-maps-booklet.pdf

https://nt.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/200594/jatbula-trail-information-sheet.pdf

https://northernterritory.com/katherine-and-surrounds/see-and-do/sweetwater-pool

We were again awake about 5:45am, but chose a slow start to today’s short walk, leaving about 7am.

The first 350m of today’s walk was very slow going over rocks.  There were many burnt areas from the recent bush fires and from the controlled burns to contain the fires and protect the park.  In some areas we could still smell the burn.  In some places the fires had clearly been uncontrolled as the burn went high up into the trees and all the way down to the waterline.  We saw one trail runner, one macropod and one tiny snake on the way to Longhole.

We arrived at Longhole around 7:45am and had the pool all to ourselves for a swim. Two black cockatoos flew over while we were swimming.  Just after leaving Longhole we saw another two macropods.  When we reached the junction between the Jatbula Trail and Leliyn Trail we chose to take the longer route to Edith Falls. 

First stop was Leliyn lookout. 

We then went for a swim at the Upper Pool. There were lots of day visitors here of all ages. 

We exited the pool valley on the opposite side of the pool with a steep ascent to Bemang lookout. This was followed by a steep descent to the Lower Pool.

https://nt.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/413837/leliyn-edith-falls-fact-sheet-and-map.pdf

https://nt.gov.au/parks/find-a-park/nitmiluk-national-park/leliyn-edith-falls

At the Lower Pool there were a group of rangers examining the entrance to the pool and deciding on maintenance and potential relocation of the entrance.  I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to talk to the “Senior Cultural Advisor” and thank him for the opportunity to walk on his ancestors tracks, and for how well maintained the park and track were.  We then swam 150m across to the far side of the pool to hang under Edith Falls – it was very powerful.  We then swam back to the other side.

Statistics

Distance    5.60km

Time        2h 20m

Ascent    98m

Descent    151m

At the Leliyn Café we had a delicious hamburger with a Bundaberg soft drink.  

https://jawoyn-leliynkiosk.com.au/

We then relaxed and read in the shade near the swimming hole before our bus transfer back to the start of the walk. When we arrived at the Nitmiluk Visitor Centre I took the set of tent poles in and I messaged the August walkers groups that that was where they were – hopefully they will find their way back to their owner.

https://www.nitmiluktours.com.au/about/visitor-centre/

Needless to say, the car was extremely hot after being parked for six days in high thirties sunshine.  We drove into Katherine. Opposite the Salvation Army there were free showers where we cleaned up and washed our hair.  

https://www.salvationarmy.org.au/locations/northern-territory/ny17/katherine-corps/

Then off to the shops to buy some snacks for the drive back to Darwin. We were on our way by 4pm.  We stopped briefly in Adelaide River and saw a north bound freight train go through.  The public toilets here were the best kept and prettiest I have seen (other than Maryborough’s Cistern Chapel). 

https://northernterritory.com/darwin-and-surrounds/destinations/adelaide-river-town

https://cisternchapel.com/

Next stop was the Mindil Beach markets for dinner.  We did not quite make it in time for sunset, but did get to see the last of the colour.  Drew and I shared a Pad Thai for dinner, followed by ice cream for dessert – Irish Cream for Drew and New York Chunky Chocolate for me.  We bumped into the two girls from our hike, who had finished a day earlier.

https://mindil.com.au/

We camped for the night at Hidden Valley Caravan Park and were ready for bed about 9:30pm.  What a day!

Day 5 Sandy Camp to Sweetwater Pool - Jatbula Trip

 Day 5 – Wednesday 21 August

Sandy Camp to Sweetwater Pool

https://nt.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0016/200590/jatbula-trail-maps-booklet.pdf

https://nt.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/200594/jatbula-trail-information-sheet.pdf

https://northernterritory.com/katherine-and-surrounds/see-and-do/sandy-camp

https://northernterritory.com/katherine-and-surrounds/see-and-do/sweetwater-pool

On this trip we have not hung any of our food, but last night we should have.  We were camped beside a pandanus and next to the water and a possum ate through a dry bag and a silicone pouch to get to my jelly beans – these were apparently much better than nuts or dried apricots.

We got up at 5:45am but had been awake for about an hour prior to this as many of our fellow hikers were doing a double day and headed off very early.  We left about 6:45am, collecting a complete set of tent poles that had been left behind!

The hiking today and yesterday would have been quite scratchy without long pants.  The first part from camp was on uneven rock and soft sand.  The remainder of the walk was a mix of surfaces – sandy, rocky and boggy (but now dry this late in the season). There was one section which was still wet at this time of year that a raised metal walkway had been installed in to protect the ground and plants. The vegetation and associated birdlife also varied greatly throughout today’s walk. The last 700m into camp was very hot, rocky and exposed.  We saw more evidence of buffalos today; this has been increasing since we started walking near Edith River.  Some of what we saw today was quite fresh.  Thankfully we have not seen any actual buffalo.  I did give Drew a fright though when I was out of his sight and screamed after startling a large group of birds into flight.

We arrived about 10:15, had a swim and then set up camp and had lunch.  I have developed a blister on my right big toe from walking around so much in Crocs – I had thought if I got a blister, it would be from hiking in my boots, not walking and swimming in my crocs.

After an afternoon nap we went for a swim and explore upstream.  It was approximately a 200-250m swim up to the first waterfall, then we got out and explored the many small rapids. Sweetwater Pool campsite had a lovely breeze this afternoon.  Unfortunately, it also had more flies than any other campsite on this walk. There are also many many birds today, both on the walk and around the campsite – a beautiful sound.

 

Distance      11.16km

Time              3h5m

Ascent          19m

Descent       53m