Page 6 - Caravan World Magazine Mary River National Park
P. 6
TRAVEL
and aerobatics. Boats can be hired, but tidal and you can be left high and dry in the middle of a mud bank if you’re not careful.
The historically-inclined bushwalking
Clockwise from above: Mary River houseboat; black-necked stork, or jabiru, on a Mary River floodplain; lotus lilies abound.
4WDer, equipped with full emergency supplies in case of a breakdown, may want to follow in the tracks of explorer John McDouall Stuart through the Stuart Coastal Reserve to a 5km return walk via Stuart’s Memorial Cairn. Download the information sheet from the NT parks website (www.nt.gov.au/nreta/ parks) and follow all the cautions for this 57km return drive along a remote track.
You could say that Mary River is the quiet alternative to Kakadu, but that would imply you should choose one over the other. The truth is, they are both wonderful and it would be a shame to be touring in the Top End and not take a trip west of Kakadu.
144 caravanworld.com.au
