Adventure across Arnhem Land

[JohnM]

Hospital.

 

[JohnM]

And back to Seven Spirit Bay.

 

[JohnM]

One day ends; another begins.



This morning we broke into two groups – fishing and exploring the area, then switch over at lunch. We were on the 4WD exursion first.



Turkey bush flower and bower bird’s bower. There were two in close proximity. The old one had been cleared of its accoutrements in favour of the new.

 

[JohnM]

This tidal wetland is one of only three locations in Australia where Nypa palms occur.

 

[JohnM]

To the lunch spot where we would swap over with the fishing group.

Fish and chips. It’s not often that you see a deep fryer on a remote beach…



Here come the fishers.

 

[JohnM]

Lunch done; time to go fishing. This time in the ocean starting with trolling for Spanish mackerel.



PJM’s on! Has she got the memo about what type of fish we’re after?



Yes! The morning folk had caught sufficient for the kitchen and we had been intending to throw back everything we caught, which would have pleased PJM. Unfortunately hers was the only one that was too injured to return.



I brought in two.



We tried some bottom fishing but the incoming tide together with the wind forcing in the same direction meant that we drifted too fast, so we called it a day. Everyone caught at least one fish.

Feeding the sharks at the jetty the bones from the filleted Spanish mackerel from the morning fishing group’s catch.

 

[JohnM]

It was our last night at Seven Spirit Bay and the tradition is a BBQ of fish and steak PJM went fish only; I went steak only. Another bottle of Max’s hit the spot again.



While walking back to the bungalow we encountered a brown tree snake on the path. It slithered off and up a tree.



The new day dawns.



This day was departure for DRW. It’s done as two flights, mid-mornimng and early afternoon, in the company’s own Cessna Grand Caravan.

We were allocated the later flight, so I took the opportunity to go on another fishing excursion while PJM chilled with a book. This time entirely bottom fishing.



Everyone caught something. Most went back. Several trevally, but mine was nothing to write home about. Sharks were busy.



A monster cod and a magnificent golden snapper (aka fingermark).



Strolling back from the jetty. The tide was very low. I had spotted a large crocodile in the water below the lodge the previous day. No walking on the beach…

 

[JohnM]

Lunch and then out to the airstrip. Friendly FLounge angel…



Here’s the bird.

 

[Daver6]

Sitting behind the wing

 

[TheRealTMA]

Lunch done; time to go fishing. This time in the ocean starting with trolling for Spanish mackerel.

View attachment 296145

PJM’s on! Has she got the memo about what type of fish we’re after?

View attachment 296146View attachment 296147View attachment 296148

Yes! The morning folk had caught sufficient for the kitchen and we had been intending to throw back everything we caught, which would have pleased PJM. Unfortunately hers was the only one that was too injured to return.

View attachment 296149

I brought in two.

View attachment 296150View attachment 296151

We tried some bottom fishing but the incoming tide together with the wind forcing in the same direction meant that we drifted too fast, so we called it a day. Everyone caught at least one fish.

Feeding the sharks at the jetty the bones from the filleted Spanish mackerel from the morning fishing group’s catch.

View attachment 296152

all looks a bit fishy to me! Where are the chips?

 

[JohnM]

Looks like the tide is still going out and making a mini Horizontal Falls.



One holding orbit NE of DRW. Have to give way to the military birds.



That night we had the private room on the Darwin sunset harbour cruise boat. Open bar included, so let’s stick with the essentials…

 

[JohnM]

Next morning’s view from the Doubletree. After a shopping foray downtown, including to get some Green Ant Gin, we were transferred to DRW for our late afternoon flight to PER.

I did a bit of plane-spotting from the DRW QP.




And that was it.

 

[VPS]

Looks fantastic - thanks for the TR