Saturday, Part 2, Edith Falls, NT

The second part of our journey to Katherine involved a side trip to Edith Falls, which eventually join the Katherine River or is it the Katherine Gorge??  Pete has been to Edith Falls before and was really keen for me to see them. There are lots of big rocks alongside the road and in the fields - how they get in some of the positions they are in, makes me wonder if someone with a huge sense of humour hasn't come along with a big crane and gone "let's balance these rocks in funny ways to amaze the passerby's". I guess erosion has caused it, but you never know...... Edith Falls are spring fed so they do not dry up in the "dry season". Swimming is allowed all year round in the upper pool, however the lower pool is closed during the wet season due to the fact crocodiles can get into it during this time. We were happy to obey the signs that said the "pool is currently closed".

By now it was about 33 degrees and 300% humidity - not the best for walking up to the top pool as the lower one was closed.

So off we went, the long way to the upper pool as I had told Pete I needed to try and get over 3 km of walk in today. We saw a lizard on the way up, it scurried off the path and up a nearby tree, where it blended in perfectly and it took us a while to spot it. More rocks of interest, some with stones embedded in them and another with a pitch black seam running right through it. The path was mainly rocks too, which meant we had to keep an eye on our feet, so as not to trip. The views were quite stunning and boy oh boy, is it a BIG country out there.

Our car is parked in the brownish smudge in the drawn circle, way down there!

After going up, you go back down a way to the upper pool, where there were others already swimming. The water is a bit murky, but we had been assured croc's could not get up there, so in we got. It was so lovely. We had a play in a little rapid, jumping in above it and being swept down between two big rocks for about 4 metres. We stayed long enough to cool off, refresh ourselves, before admitting, even with assurances, it was a little unnerving not to be able to see what was in the water with you.

Where we swam - in the upper pool circled. 

Looks clear enough on this side.

Murky dark water we swam in.

Proof that I did get in. 

So out we hopped, took more photos, before completing the loop back to our car. The kiosk was closed by then, so no cold water and ice-cream for us.

Looking from the top swimming hole to the bigger bottom pool that is not accessible. 

A little water filled stone "bowl" I found. 

Waterfall at the top of the swimming hole we were in. 

We continued on to Katherine where we spent a very unrestful night at a motel where a Christmas function was also being held. It got a little rowdy and finally they settled at 4am. The owners were very apologetic the next morning and didn't charge us for our night's stay. I have to say, the meal we had at their restaurant was fabulous though.

Leave a Comment Edith Falls NT, Holidays, leisure