Friday 29 June 2012 Gagudju Lodge Cooinda to Merl camp ground
Trip Meter Reading Start – 4976            Trip Meter Reading Finish – 5143
Total Km Travelled –  167 km
Fuel Costs & Consumption
Fill up at Cooinda Unleaded $1.63/ltr 48.28L $78.65
Comments -  Luke Baker
Today I walked1.5km around Nourlangie where we saw aboriginal paintings on the rocks. Some are over 20000 years old. We stopped at Jabiru bakery for some lunch where we ate pies and chips. In the afternoon we fished at a weir in Kakadu, there were heaps of sharks and crocodiles. We also saw a boy with a big barramundi that he had caught.
Comments – Dad and Mum
On our way out of Cooinda we called into the cultural centre where it gave a good insight into the way that the aboriginals lived, tools, methods and were guided by six seasons opposed to our four. They took note of certain insects, animals or weather events to gauge what would be ready to harvest. The best thing was watching live footage of hunting and gathering where Nic almost threw up watching them put file snake heads into their mouths to break the snakes neck, priceless! It was disappointing hearing the personal accounts of aboriginals seeing what effect the missionaries had on the families trying to mould them into white mans way  The centre was well worth a look very informative.
We then headed off to Nourlangie where we were to see the best rock art so far with only a short walk to view them all. There was a dangerous spirit that eats women after striking them on the head with his yam! His name was Nabulwinjbulwinj pronounced Nar-bull-win- bull- win. Photo attached.
The Leichhardts grasshopper(bright blue and red) arrives in early storm season, when the aboriginals see these grasshoppers come into the country they know it’s time to seek shelter from the lightning man whom is beside the women eater in the photo
There were many more paintings telling stories of dancing and hunting situated in protected rock shelters. The colours of the surrounding mountains were spectacular although the fires in the area made it hard to get good photos.
We had a quick walk part of the way around Anbangbang billabong on our way out which is a smaller billabong. We then made our way to Jabiru for some lunch at the local bakery were i struggled to eat my burger but the beer helped wash it down. We were all happy with our food selection. Had a quick look at the shops and topped up supplies again. The town has a large swimming pool and nice green footy ovals for all codes.
On the road again to Merl National Park camp ground where we set up for two nights. I have never seen so many mossies in my life, thank god for repellent! A Ranger put on an informative slide show on crocodiles which we all enjoyed.