Daly Waters Pub to Katherine was the final stretch of our time on the Stuart Hwy. At Katherine we turned to the west on the Victoria Hwy and stopped for a couple of nights at the Riverside Campground not far from the Katherine Hot Springs.

Coming up the Stuart from Daly Waters we called into Laramah, an old army town from WWII days. Apart from a war museum and a few locals, the old pub and caravan park is all that is left.

More recently, Laramah has come into prominence because of the mysterious disappearance of ‘Paddy’ (one of I think 12 locals at the time) a few years back and a TV show documenting the surrounding events.

The disappearance has never been solved, all sorts of bizarre scenarios have been canvassed.

Anyway, ‘Paddy’s’ run down house has recently been sold as a wonderful development site.

More importantly, Fran’s roadside cafe is closed, I think she has gone to a nursing home, and her marvellous pies and tarts are no more. Apparently she denied strongly that Paddy might have been in one of the pies.We partook several years ago on a trip to Kakadu. She will be missed!

After a brief stop at Mataranka for some supplies we made quick time to Katherine and the campground.

Katherine is on the river of the same name and is some 30 km south from the famous gorge. We have visited there before but this time our main focus is south west to Kununurra.

Below our campsite are the Katherine Hot Springs. 350 metres away. They are quite undeveloped thankfully. The spring rises from a smallish ‘hole’ in the bank and flows into a deep pool and then along a creek into a pool lower down. Ultimately the creek joins the Katherine River. Croc warning signs are up everywhere, but it looked clear to me, so in I went.

Very refreshing, Homealone decided to take some ‘snaps’ and a couple of short videos of the action before we headed back to camp.

And here are a couple of short videos of the action.

There are two other spots along the Katherine River at either end of the town giving great views and providing pleasant picnic spots. Notwithstanding Crocodile warning signs everywhere!

One is at Knotts Crossing the site of the first Katherine settlement. At the other end of town is the Low Level Bridge crossing parklands, great spot beside the river.

Around the Katherine business area are a number of mural portraits of influential indigenous leaders. Some great stories.

It has been quite hot and humid here in Katherine, particularly at night. We have succumbed to air con in the van! Off west tomorrow towards Kununurra, but a couple of stops before getting there!