Diary: Friday 30 June

Friday 30 June 2000

Had an excellent walk out to the Falls. Found another batch of Aboriginal paintings on the way. Arrived at the Falls several hours before our arranged rendezvous time witht the helicopter. Bumped into and old bloke coming in out of the bush – he had been photographing aboriginal art in the area and gave us some directions to find some upstream. Set forth through the bush on the compass bearing provided. Found the ‘mushroomic’ rock without difficulties. Great artwork and interesting shaped rock.

Continued on to reach the river upstream from where we had left it. Followed it back towards the Falls, searching for a reasonable crossing point. Found a fairly easy place but I still managed to sit down ½ way across. Found fantastic gorge on the other side. Scrambled around the top of it, before returning to suss out the helicopter landing spot.

The helicopter ride was awesome. It gave a totally different perspective on the falls and surrounding countryside. We ahd a 2 ½ hour trip that flew us right out to the coast. We landed on a pristine beach for a ½ hour break. No swimming cos of crocs – but loads of shells and corals. Flew back following the course of the Mitchell River. Saw 1 crocodile. Made a barbecue for everyone in the evening.