The little map below follows the route from Katherine across the WA border to Kununurra.

We now leave Kununurra and backtrack just over the border into the NT, where Keep River NP is located (bottom left on the map). We have technically lost that hour and a half we gained the other day. We have decided though to keep our watches on WA time, so as not to confuse the sun. Phones automatically switched to NT time.

The NP camp ground is about 18km off the highway down a good gravel road. We first called by the Ranger Station to check out Cockatoo Lagoon and any fresh park information.

There was an interesting exhibit showing the skulls of three predators in the waters of the Keep River. We must keep our eye out for them.

There has been quite a bit of low impact bush and grass burning going on in the park, campgrounds though are safe. Flocks of hawks circle above the burnt and burning areas hoping to pick up an escaping animal snack. Such is life!

Fire though is always a concern, but it is fascinating how it flicks through the grass and small shrubs just taking off the dry stuff. After the next rains everything springs back to life.

Moving along we stopped at the short Ginger Hill walk. Atop the hill is a small circular stone structure built by indigenous people (not sure how long ago, looked recent but maybe a reconstruction). Apparently, these structures are relatively common in these parts. You find out what it is for when you get to the top of the hill. The people would start a small fire in the rock circle, cover the top with branches, twigs etc and then sit inside and wait. Now, these people were certainly observant like Allthego!

Remember those hawks circling above the fire looking for getaways?Well, said hawks would also circle above this rock structure. They were attracted by the smoke, and when the character inside stuck a furry lure up on a stick and waved it around the hawk would land on the branches and twigs trying to catch the ‘animal’ for tucker!

Instead, ‘wooshka’ our first nations person would grab the hawk somehow for their tucker! I wonder whether this would work on brush turkeys back home?

After this excursion we meandered along to the campsite and got into our pre-booked site for the next three nights. No one else was here. But there were lots and lots of flies to keep us company. We had arrived lunchtime WA time. As it turned out this was the worse the flys were to be and things improved (only a little) over the next couple of days. No power, water or internet. Off the grid living! Another van showed up on our last day, as well as one day tripper.

It was a very quiet time, nights were super quiet, and we had a full moon with a very starry milky way above.

We are here to do some walking and see some rocks. It is claimed the park is the NT best kept secret. It is considered to be a mini Bungle Bungles. We shall see over the next couple of days.