TOD Tour 2.0 Days 47&48 - Leliyn

Lower Falls plunge pool

Our first out of range experience of the tour was at the northern end of Nitmiluk National Park, in the Leliyn section.

Formerly known as Edith Falls, it was one of the places most enjoyed by the crew when we bought the kids here back in the mid 1990's (AUC Tour). There are two falls but most only know the smaller bottom falls which drops into an enormous plunge pool which would otherwise be worthy of be called a lake. Its this body of water which lies beside the day use and camping area of the park and it is surrounded on three sides with near vertical cliffs. The combination of the cliffs and the expanse of water and the falls in the far distance, makes for stunning photographs, particularly in the late afternoon.

The Edith River empties at the pool at the south western corner, where a bridge crosses the river and provides the infrastructure for a substantial barrier to span the entire river/creek.

The barrier is there to keep crocodiles out.

When we visited twenty four years ago, we were told unequivocally that although freshwater crocodiles were present, they wouldn't eat you ... maybe just nip at your toes and feet or hands but only if you put them in the water after dark when turtles were the prized catch. We were also told, that estuarine or saltwater crocs were never found and would never be found at Edith Falls.

Arriving at the plunge pool on this trip, there were warning sign for saltwater crocodiles but the NT national parks consider the risk to be "very low". I have my own saying. "Very low means no, no, no".

Sue, of course, swam several times a day, floating out into the deeper water on her noodle like a human tea bag. The concept of her being in the hot water didn't escape me. Others swam. Kids, grandparents, backpackers: the latter crossing the 150m distance to the base of the Falls, lounging there and then swimming back, perhaps oblivious that a tourist drowned at the Upper Falls two weeks ago when they were sucked under by the current created by the falling water.

Click for today's photos

No one of them were attacked or taken by a crocodile. The conclusion is obvious. They were lucky.

We had two very pleasant days here. Being unplugged from family was part of that pleasure.