We finally managed a bit of a sleep-in, not rolling out of bed until the sun was already well up. After a slow breakfast, we made the short trip over to Ubirr to see the rock art and catch the view from the top of the lookout. Walking along the base of those massive sandstone overhangs makes you feel quite small, especially with the metal boardwalk hugging the rock face to protect the ground beneath our feet.
The artwork itself is incredible to see in person. The red ochre figures are painted right onto the stone, staying vibrant even after all this time. It’s a strange feeling, standing right where people have been telling stories through art for thousands of years.
We decided to tackle the climb up the rocks for the lookout. It isn't a long walk, but the reward at the top is something else. You get a full 360-degree view of the floodplains stretching out forever, with these dark rocky outcrops poking out of the brilliant green grass. It’s a proper Australian Outback panorama.
We spent a good while just taking it all in. Lisa and I even managed to get a photo together at the summit, standing on the rough stone with that massive, flat horizon behind us. The sun was out in force, but the breeze up there made it perfect.
On our way back, we pulled into Cahill’s Crossing. It’s a legendary spot—the only road access into Arnhem Land—and watching the water rush over the concrete causeway gives you a real sense of why you have to time your crossing with the tides. There was a fair bit of water moving across it when we arrived.
The park rangers don't mince words around here. We saw the big yellow warning signs clearly stating that crocodiles inhabit the area and that attacks cause injury or death. It certainly makes you think twice about where you place your feet.
We started out on a 1.8km walk along the East Alligator River, but we only got about 500 metres in before finding the track was closed. As we were turning back to head to the car, Lisa’s sharp eyes caught something. She spotted a large crocodile swimming out in the middle of the murky water. I scrambled to get the camera ready, and while it was a tricky shot through the branches, I captured the saltie as it cruised along the surface.
Further down the river, we saw one of the Guluyambi tour boats full of people heading out. They’ve definitely got the right idea being up in a boat rather than standing on the bank like we were! After that excitement, we headed back for a quick swim and some lunch. With no other plans for the afternoon, we’re quite content to just sit back and enjoy the peace.
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