Harvie Wall Bangers: River Races and Pool Hopping

Adelaide River and Litchfield National Park

August 27 to 30

The Lazy Lizard Hotel at Pine Creek, enroute from Nitmiluk National Park to Adelaide River and Litchfield National Park, was another classic Australian pub. Lots of character and good humour.

There's not much at Adelaide River but it's a good lift off point for Litchfield National Park. And it's home to Charlie the Water Buffalo, the star of Crocodile Dundee (Paul Hogan is listed as the co-star). And it just happened to be hosting a race meeting with Daryl Braithwaite as the post race entertainment. And it played an important part in the defence of Darwin/Australia during World War 11. No more needs to be said. We set up camp for four days.

The beautiful Adelaide River War Cemetery, resting place for 63 civilians and 434 service personnel.

Following the bombing of Darwin in 1942, Adelaide River became the military headquarters for Australia and the US.

They also built a huge armament depot at nearby Snake Creek, an extensive network of bunkers, storage shelters and laboratories linked by a 2.85km rail loop. There were 69 buildings in total, all camouflaged to prevent aerial observation. The site was abandoned in the 1970s and has since been vandalised with many of the buildings destroyed. It is difficult to understand why the site couldn't have been preserved and given another role.

Attempting to tame Charlie the Water Buffalo who now resides in the 303 Bar at Adelaide River Inn. It really is Charlie, it's just that a taxidermist gave him a new lease of life after he died in 2000.

Bush Stone Curlews are not an endangered species in the NT. They are everywhere, but still very shy nocturnal birds and difficult to capture on camera. Robyn did her own impersonation of a curlew. Cute.

Job opportunity in NT for the lads???

A day at Adelaide River Races. Our betting hasn't improved in NT, John O.

Dazza entertaining the crowd post race meeting.

Litchfield National Park is set on a sandstone plateau, sliced by a series of stunning waterfalls and waterholes. It was a balmy 37 degrees so we spent the day pool hopping ... after finding the lost city.