Kakadu and Fenton Air Base

After Darwin we made our way to Kakadu.

 

 

The seasons of Kakadu.

We were excited to be able to see it’s wetlands and the many birds we have heard it has at this time of year. Unfortunately their main wetlands – Yellow Water, isn’t open to people yet but we were able to see the smaller Mamukala Wetlands which was quite nice- not many birds but still nice.

Mamukala Wetlands

                           

We were still able to do a few walks, one of which took us along beautiful path through bushland and  big rock faces with Aboriginal Art on them. It then took us up to a rocky lookout over the Nadab floodplain…the view was amazing.

Rock Art

Nadab Floodplains

                           

                                           Nadab Floodplains 

We stayed in Kakadu for two nights at one of their camp spots along a small billabong…the mozzies were the size of elephants and in plague proportions. They came in at about 4 in the arvo and stayed till about 9 in the morning…never seen anything like it. Needless to say we spent a lot of time in the camper playing cards!

There is a lot of “burning off” going on at the moment so every 5 minutes we seem to be passing another fire…some right on the road side and burning pretty well. Some were a little bit to close for my liking…especially with jerry cans of petrol on our car!

 

Simons Dad Roger, had mentioned Fenton Airstrip to Simon a couple weeks ago so after Kakadu we searched and found Fenton Airstrip and Base Camp. Fenton is where Simons Grandfather – Claude Johnson ,was based in WWII. He was there when it came under heavy Japanese bombing in Mid-1943.

The drive into the Base Camp was quite the adventure with the road looking like it hadn’t had any work done on it since it was abandoned after the war. Only foundations are left from all the buildings and it was good that the fires had just gone through so we could see all the little metal bits and pieces left behind too.

Just being there and seeing the layout of the camp was very interesting…. you could almost imagine what it would have been like with hundreds of soldiers rushing around.

 

                        

                        

                        

The Airstrip was a few Kilometres away and bigger than i thought…apparently it was a heavy bomber airfield so the planes were bigger than most.

 

 

                        

Mitch driving the Airstrip.

We were so glad we got to see this place and it made it so much more real for the boys knowing that their Great Grandfather served there.

I took so many photos Dad J, including all the signs with info on them….will show more when we get home..

Thankyou again for your comments…absolutely love hearing from home…and getting excited to see you soon xxx