Nitmiluk

We had another wonderful meal back on board the train. We met up with some Ozzie women on tour with a kiwi guide from Christchurch. After dinner we had a few Baileys with them in the bar, and then ended up having a nightcap in our room after the bar closed.

So we were a little slow to get going in the morning, but still managed an eggs benny breakfast before boarding a bus to Katherine and on to Nitmiluk National Park. 

 

The Jawoyn people have lived in the area for thousands of years. Theirs is a story that ended well, with land claims resulting in the land being returned to them. They promptly gifted a large portion back to the government to become a national park. However the many tourism operations are owned and operated by the Jawoyn people. 

We have heard a lot about John McDouall Stuart, who packed a lot into his 50 years on this earth, including 5 unsuccessful attempts to traverse Australia from south to north, before succeeding on his 6th attempt.

 

He named the town and the gorge after one of the daughters of his chief sponsor. It's nice to know the park has been returned to its original name.