Yippee! Our invertor works. We plugged it in last night, after returning from the camp fire, to watch a movie. My wiring job worked a treat, powering the invertor without any shrieking alarms going off, or any other problems for that matter. It’s a good life when you can sit in the middle of nowhere, camping by the side of the road and still have such luxuries as being able to watch a movie. Now we just have to source a satellite system to allow us to watch live TV anywhere we pull up.

As for today, we had a quiet one. We only had to tug the van the final 30 kilometres or so to the Goymarr Tourist Resort. Resort would be an overstatement, but given that this place had pretty much picked us, rather than the other way round, we couldn’t be too critical. Given that we want to do some touring around Kakadu National Park, within which pets aren’t allowed to accompany us, Goymarr Tourist Resort is the closest we can camp with the dogs. Only a matter of a few kilometres from the park entrance, and with a liberal pet policy, which will allow us to leave the babies in the caravan, the facilities were the furthest thing from our minds when we made the decision to stay here.

We had gotten underway at 9:45AM, aiming to arrive at Goymarr at a touch after 10:00AM, which we did. We were working on the theory that we would be able to slot into a recently vacated site, given that the park only boasts 11 powered camp sites and we had no plan ‘B’ if they were full up. Check in was a simple process, although the girl behind the counter seemed somewhat bemused that we wanted to stay for three nights, with an option to extend that if we decided that we wanted to stay for even longer. Paying over our cash, she waved vaguely and suggested that behind the reception office, which doubled as the roadhouse kitchen and petrol station, we would find some gates. Pass through them, she advised us, to find the camp ground.

Back in ‘The Beast’, we headed to where we’d been indicated, to find an empty expanse of wilted grass (although not from want of water, but just the incessant heat), dirt and a sparse few trees. We, were the sole occupants, and had the choice of where we would unhitch the van. This was easier said than done, with no marked sites or bays. So much for all the worry we had gone through, expecting it to be a bustling hive of activity here.

We eventually chose, what we hope is a plot, that was within easy striking distance of the amenities block, as well as being beneath some tall trees, to take advantage of the shade they cast. In no particular rush, we ambled about slowly in the bright glare of the hot sun setting up our camp.

We were done in no time, then it was time to check out what was on offer at the ‘Resort’. Given that I am not expecting to be able to get any television reception, I was at least hoping for a communal TV room, or a screen in the bar, so as to be able to watch Queensland take on New South Wales in the rugby state or origin. I was to be disappointed though. There were plenty of satellite dishes dotted about on various roof tops around the grounds that indicated that there ought to be a tele around here somewhere, but none was to be found. As for other ‘resort’ facilities, there was a pool, which looked inviting enough. That was pretty much it though. The diner was more like a truck stop, without even a table at which to eat, while the bar had a fridge half full of various drinks, but was secured with a great big padlock. There was no indication as to when, if ever, we could expect the padlock to be unbolted, and for the bar to spring into life. The amenities are serviceable, so long as you ignore the mosquitoes flying all around in plague like proportions, making anything other than a quick pit stop an interesting proposition.

The office did at least allow us to purchase our passes for the national park. Kakadu National Park offers free entry to Northern Territory residents and children, but everyone else must first purchase a pass. For $25.00 each, and valid for 2 weeks, I thought it was a perfectly reasonable way of managing the area, even if we will be only here for a few days.

We later decided to test just how inviting the pool was, and even in the heat of the day, we found the water be quite cold. Certainly not what we have become used to, after swimming in the thermal pools of Mataranka. It was still very relaxing to paddle about in the shallows, before returning to the van.

By this stage a second van had pulled in, and was in the process of setting up their own camp. I noticed that they had wound their TV antenna up, and I was intrigued to know whether they had had more luck than I had with ours. I hooked the dogs to their leashes, and wandered out into the park with them, heading out on a fact finding mission.

As we walked past the other van, I waved and said “G’day”. He too, had been wondering about the television situation, because before I could even ask, he was enquiring of me as to whether we were getting anything. As it turns out, we were both hoping to watch the game tonight, and were both to be left wanting. At least that saved me hours of messing around with the antenna in the vein hope that I would get a signal.

By the time we retired, we were one of four vans set up for the night, with at least two of the others looking like they will be getting underway early in the morning.

With not much else to do, we lazed about in the air conditioned comfort of the van, planning our Kakadu adventure for tomorrow. With only a couple of days to take in all that the park has to offer, we need a bit of a plan, even if that plan might just see us extending our stay here by a day or two. We’ll have a better idea after we see how much ground we can cover tomorrow.

Until next time, stay safe, have fun and don’t forget to write.