Nourlangie Rock, Aqua Scene and the Mindil Markets

On our last day at Kakadu we drove out via Nourlangie Rock on our way to Darwin. The upper part of Nourlangie Rock is known as Burrunggui; the lower areas are known as Anbangbang. Nourlangie Rock itself is impressive, yet very accessible so the tour buses arrive in their droves. 

We saw two of the three main sites around Nourlangie Rock: 

1)  Anbangbang rock shelter

An archaeological dig at Anbangbang rock shelter in the early 1980s revealed that Aboriginal people have been using the shelter for at least 20 000 years. Excavated layers of soil contained a variety of stone artefacts and implements that had been discarded over time. By examining the number of artefacts in each layer, researchers concluded that the shelter was used occasionally from about 20 000 to 6000 years ago.

According to Aboriginal people, Anbangbang rock shelter was used primarily by the Warramal clan, who were traditional owners of the area, and by the neighbouring Badmardi clan, who moved down from the stone country to take advantage of lowland foods from the surrounding woodlands, creeks and billabongs. The Warramal clan has since died out and responsibility for the area has passed to Aboriginal traditional owners from surrounding areas.

2) The main (Anbangbang) gallery

While the art work here is not as impressive as at Ubirr, yet it tells the story of aboriginal marriage culture.

Rather than trying to tell the story - hopefully the description below will help.

 The largest figure (centre, top) is the Creation Ancestor Namondjok, and on the right is the Creation Ancestor Namarrgon, the Lightning Man.

The Lightning Man

From Nourlangie Rock we headed to Darwin - a relatively easy drive of 3 hours north!

Yesterday we headed to Aquascene in Darwin where we were all able to feed a wide range of fish (catfish, barramundi, diamond backed mullet, teira bat fish just to name a few.)

Probably the easiest place I know to catch a fish in Australia, yet unfortunately fishing is prohibited in this area.

In the afternoon we headed to the Mindil Markets which are located alongside Mindil Beach in Darwin. A superb sunset to the West and then a fantastic array of food from a wide range of cultures and performers

Tom Keable - we were thinking of you as we watched this fire and acrobatic act. Unfortunately this picture is not that clear, yet they were fantastic!

Finally - for all those Southerners and Warwickites who think it is cold at the moment - have a look at the front page of the NT Paper below:

An overnight low of 15'C in Darwin - look out they will need to wear a jumper soon. The days have been superb with temps of 35'c. I am so not missing the frosts of Warwick!!

Today we head to the Darwin Museum and then the Ski Club this afternoon to catch up with Michael and Libby Thomson. Tomorrow we head back to Katherine on our way to starting the Gibb River Road.