Bag a Barra — 24 July 2020

And now, broadcasting right around Australia, it's time for the camping and off road radio show. With the duck, thanks to Ozcar, Shimano, Spitwater, Ram trucks, and Club 4x4. G'day, and welcome to the latest edition of the Camping and off road radio show, broadcasting across Australia through 9 radio in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth, 2 LT, Lithgow, 2 BS Bathurst, Flow FM across rural South Australia, Victoria, and Aubrey Wodonga, Kicks Country Radio, right across the country, 4 AM Atherton, 4KZ North Queensland, the resonate network, across regional Queensland, and a big gidday to all of our listeners there. Big country radio on the New South Wales, far north coast, right up through Burleigh Heads, and you can also listen to us via the Newstalk Sport app, on your iPhone, smartphone, or tablet.

You can also download show podcast by visiting 9 radio news talk websites, to gb.com, 3 a w.com.au, 4bc.com.au, and of course, 6pr.com.au. Check out what we've been up to by visiting Facebook. Just look for the Duck page at the Duck Adventures there. You can also follow us on Instagram at the Duck Off Road, and also grab video content on the Duck Off-road Australia YouTube channel.

To grab everything at one place as well as podcast links. You can certainly just go to our website, bluecollarmedia.com.au. Now, as we continue our tour of the NT. I am broadcasting this week from the Free Spirit Resort here in Darwin, and I will tell you a little bit more about that and what we've been up to over the past week shortly.

I'll also be joined by Vic Woodman to take us through Kakadu. Steve Zammet will take us out to Glen Helen Gorge. Mal Lalan will tell us about his experiences at the Keep River National Park, and I'll also be joined by Laura from the Free Spirit Resort here at in Darwin. Now, I'll also catch up with a mate of mine, Tony Calvert, who is the owner of Pro 4 by 4 in Adelaide.

Um, who is also on his own NT road trip. And I couldn't believe it, when he set up camp, right behind me, he in Darwin. So we've had a bit of catching up with Tony and his wife, Michelle. And we'll just have a bit of a chat to Tony about why he chooses the northern territory to do those mid-year holidays.

I mean, it's pretty obvious to me, but we'll have a chat to Tony and get his take on that as well. Now, as special show this week, as I have my very own co-host. Our man, Glenn Watty Watts, who normally joins us each week from up here at the Top End, is here with me at our makeshift studio and we will chat about all things in Northern territory, including what there is to do and see in Darwin and basically the Top End in general. Now, you 2 can be a part of the program.

All you do is send an email. To do that, just go to our website, bluecollarmedia.com.au. Click on email the duck. We certainly do love the feedback there and respond to all of those emails as well. Just go to bluecollarmedia.com.au and click on email the duck and send your email.

Well, our old mate, Luke Combs, will kick things off this week for us with the hit out there. I love this song. This was our theme song for a while. You are listening to the camping and off-road radio show as we broadcast from Darwin in our makeshift studio here and broadcasting right around Australia.

Hey, this is Luke Combs, and you're listening to The Duck on the camping and off-roadshow right across Australia. BFG's coming across the creek, C 71, Hand light, shining through the tree. Boys feel out of the back seat. And ask me, What's it gonna be tonight?

I said I'm just trying to get loose trying to make a move. No matter what we do As long as we're out there. Somewhere where we can go Get away from it all.

Get lost and God only knows where we'll go And hell, I don't care. As long as we're out there. We're holding through it in part.

And follow the orange, glow in the dark in the trail mars. Through the fire and flames. We locked eyes She walked over from the other side and smiled.

When I said, I said, I'm just trying to get loose, trying to set the move. No matter what we Yeah what we do long as we're out there Somewhere

where we can't go Get away from it all. Get lost And God only knows where we'll go.

And, baby, I don't care. As long as we're out there. As long as we're out there Yeah

As long as we're out there, somewhere where we can go. Get away from it all You lost And I only know where we'll go. And hell, I don't care.

As long as we're out there we around there Yeah You're listening to the camping and off road radio show. Broadcasting from the Northern Territory.

Thanks to tourism and tea. Uh, yes, that's exactly right, as we broadcast here from the Free Spirit Resort in Darwin and a fantastic spot, and we'll catch up with Laura, who is the marketing guru here at the Free Spirit Resort, and I've got to tell you, this place is incredible, as are all the caravan parks in the northern territory, and in particular in Darwin, but we find ourselves here, and we'll talk to Laura about the benefits of this place. And I've got to tell you now. It's, uh, it's, well, they call it a resort and it's probably a good name for it.

Albeit, it is a caravan park, but unbelievable facilities here, including a poolside bar, which is fantastic. And believe it or not, might surprise you out there. I've actually been in there already. And not today, but since I've been here, an unbelievable place, and we'll chat more about that as well.

You can too, don't forget, you can be a part of the program, just send us an email, go to bluecolarmedia.com.au, click on email the duck, if you want to be a part of it, or if you want any comments or any suggestions for us, for the program, we certainly do welcome the feedback. bluecollarmedia.com.au and of course just click on email the duck. Now, regular listeners of this program know that our man, Glenn, Wadi, Watt, is our fishing guru and our Top End correspondent. Now, I've got to say, it would have been almost 12 months ago, I suppose, I'm not good at these things.

But it was a fair while ago. He sent me an email and told me a bit about himself and about Barefoot Fishing Safaris, which is his business up here, and along with all the other fishing businesses up in Darwin. I absolutely give visitors to this area. Some great fishing experiences.

Anyway, so I replied to the email, then gave him a call, and long story short, the rest you know, what he has become, a regular on our program every week. Well, I'm very happy to say that I'm sitting here with him, and for those of you like, I mean, over there, Pete, Peter Gordrey, Mackay, yes, we have had beers, Pete, you'll be happy to know that. We're probably going to have a few more over the next week or so. But he here is he's here with me right now.

In our makeshift studio in Darwin. Wadi, welcome to the show, mate. Yeah, well, welcome to Darwin to you. It's beautiful in here, isn't it?

It was a bit cool this morning, but walking in here with the smell of bacon and eggs on the cookers and all the caravans is pretty mouth watering. Good place to be. Yeah, mate, I've got to tell you, I need those bacon things this morning too, just quietly. tied one on last night.

But, mate, I've got to say to you, it was funny when I met you down at that workshop where you're doing your boat, you're building the new boat, and you said, yeah, mate, good to meet you, but it was like already New Year. Yeah, that's right. It's funny like that. And it's the same with a lot of clients that come up too.

They're in touch with me through Barefoot Facebook page or whatever a long time beforehand and you sort of feel like you do know them. So, yeah, it's that's the world we live in these days. It's good Yeah, absolutely.

And we've spoke a lot before while she came up because I've got a few tips off you and all that. So, mate, it was good. And the other night, for those of you, you wouldn't know. We actually had a feed at your place the other night and the lovely Louise.

Yeah, she got... How good was the Roseline? That was probably the 1st home cooked meal we've had in about almost a month. We're cooking ourselves here and we're cooking home meals, I guess, in the van.

You've seen the setup, I have. A couple of kitchens. So we can, we get, well, not so much flesh, but it's pretty practical. But no, it was good and it was a good night out there and just to get a gist of what life's like living up here, mate. But it is good to meet you in person and to have you sitting here doing the show with us today and get you to chime in here and there and talk about, you know, all things Top End. Mate, it's certainly the lifestyle here.

Oh, by the way, mate, look, I know it's your 1st time here co-hasting. You didn't have to wear the suit, Watty. He's turned up with a shirt and tie on, folks, which is amazing. I didn't think you'd, but the thongs.

I am not sure about the thongs with the soup, buddy. Well, I got me good thongs on, mate. Yeah, they're going out with the going out thongs. And I'm only joking about the seat, folks.

But the one thing that the one thing that stands out for me up here, there's 2 things that stand out, apart from every, far from all the attractions and all the places you can visit and the places that are at your doorstep and your fingertips all the time, is the weather. That is the 1st thing that is just sticks out like anything. It's like, how good is the weather? But the fact that how people that are here are so climatized, they think it's cold.

Yeah, that's right. Yeah. This time of year is when we get our sort of cool overnight lows and it is good for us as locals to feel a bit cool and be able to sort of pull a blanket up from time to time, but we do tend to whinge a fair bit about it too. Oh, mate, unbelievable.

I mean, like the other night we're at your place and you're running for your jumpers and stuff. I'm sitting there in shorts and T-shirts and it's freezing. I said to be Mississippi kidding this bloke. I mean, not only that, he had a fridge full of mid strength, believe it or not, folks, which was lucky I turned up. But, um, But I guess that does happen.

And I guess if I was here for an extended period and you go through a wet season and all the humidity and everything along with that, this time of year to me would think, Jesus, win. I mean even in the stores, in the shops. Not that I do too many shops, but the missus, she wanted to hit the shops when she got here to get a couple of things. And there's all these winter, winter clothes.

Who's going to buy that jumper? But it is, I guess it just, it's just the way it is. But for people down south, this is the perfect time here to be here. Oh, absolutely.

Without a doubt, because it's much more comfortable for people who aren't acclimatised for sure. It's when all the tourist attractions are open and the weather's perfect up here compared to down south where it's maybe not so good and not as much to do. So, yeah, this is the perfect time and generally our peak season for the genuine tourist market. Yeah, absolutely.

And like this place here. And it is to be, look, in all fairness, it is a bit quiet because obviously what's happening in around the place with the COVID and there's not too many Victorian number plates here made on vehicles. at the moment, which is a real shame for our listeners in Victoria. And my suggestion to people, you know, listening to us in Victoria, and we do broadcast through there is, look, use this time to playing your trip here, if you're at home, jump on your computer, jump on Google, you know, Northern Territory and plan a trip because it won't be forever. We'll get through this.

It just a speed hump. We'll bump over that. And then there's still plenty of time, what we, to get up here. But the one thing where people, you know, tend to shy away from the wet season.

You're a fan of it. You're a fan of the wet season, you like it, and I know people like Mal Lalan loves coming to the Top End during that period. It's if you can handle a bit of humidity. actually not a bad place to eat to.

Yeah, absolutely. I mean, for locals, we tend to really love the wet season, number one, because there's not as many people around, but also it's just really displays that extreme environment that we live in. So we go from everything being dry and essentially burnt through the dry season to, you know, you saw the dry grass out the back of my place, 6 foot high, and everything's lush and like a rainforest again. It just the country springs to life and gets everything happening again and it just reinvigorates the whole the whole town, I suppose, the whole territory.

Yeah, I've spoken to a couple of locals who say, you know, say, how do you handle the wet season? Love it. That's their answer. Love it.

So, but like we say, this time of year for people down south, if you want to escape winter, and even people over on the east coast, you know, in New South Wales and South East Queensland, we'll head here. It's just amazing. It's just like summer every day. The other thing that sticks out too is the lifestyle.

And the fact that it's even a little bit, it's like behind the times and that's not been disrespectful. It's actually a good thing. It's just not as fast paced and it's not as politically correct as southern states and eastern states. It's actually pretty good.

In fact, I think I'm one over here. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I mean, the lifestyle is probably the main reason most of us continue to live here, you know, you either sort of, you enjoy it and fit in and stay forever or it doesn't fit with you and you move on sort of thing. But yeah, it's a, it's a great place to live.

And like I say, you know, you can go out to dinner any night of the week. There's never a night that the weather's too bad to have a barbeque with some mates if someone turns up. So, yeah, it's a it's a great a great way to live your life and raise a family, as you've seen, and yeah, I don't plan on leaving any time.

Yeah, they were much brilliant. And last night we spent some time down on that waterfront and had a feed down there in one of the seafood restaurants there and just amazing, mate. We're sitting there and there are dolphins swimming past in the harbour and at 1st, at 1st I thought, ha ha, here we are. Big spot here, and there was there was dolphins there, and the fish. And then as it got dark or a cruise boat pulled up right beside where we were sitting.

Drops the spotlights onto the water, and they threw some bread or something over, and the size of the fish that were just, that just went straight to this boat was unbelievable. Yeah. That's right. I mean, very lucky up here because we are still in a really true wilderness area, even though from where you were sitting, you would have been able to see the high-rise buildings in the city and Qantas planes flying over your head and you've got, you know, essentially untouched wildlife right there.

Yeah, it's incredible. Not many place in the world you can do. And then the sun sets, the sun sets up here are amazing. I mean, we were out at Mindel markets at the sunset markets last weekend and unbelievable just the just the atmosphere, the people around, all the stalls, all the food, different food, vendors that were there. Um, the, um, you know, you got the people with their little market stalls.

And I bought a DVD too, mate, by the way. Yeah, so you didn't walk out last night, did you? I didn't break it out loud. Oh, man, I'll think, look, look, I probably need a few lessons.

But to put it mildly, mildly. But anyway, but just that. And then with the markets, only, it's called the Sunset Markets, for obvious reasons, because it's right on the beach. And then everyone, right just on sunset, sort of moves from the market area, and the beach was just littered with people. to watch that sunset over the beach and we don't get that on the east coast, obviously.

We get the sunrises, which are fantastic on the beach. I've seen 1000000s of those, but to get that sunset on the beach, and the warm air, and the warmth of the water, and the one thing too, that people need to, with the northern territory, you mentioned that wild, it is a wildlifetime area, but it's not to be feared. I mean, there were, I was surprised, as many would be, is when they got to the beach there. There's lifeguards and people are swimming and things like that.

And it's, it's not as if, you know, you know, don't be fearful of crocodiles, things like that. There are lifeguards there and then as if it's like going... I mean, look, it's no different when you go to a beach on the east coast and you've got to be mindful of sharks. It's that same sort of mentality, isn't it?

Yeah, that's right. You just got to have your head screwed on a little bit and be sensible. But yeah, we're lucky in Darwin, particularly the peninsula curves around a bit. So there's not too many beaches. You can't sit on and get every angle of sunrises and sunsets and that and Middle Beach facing west there with that warm sea breeze coming in in the afternoon.

Oh, mate, beautiful. And the water temperature. And you're saying it's freezing? Yeah, yeah.

Well, water teams at the moment in the harbour are down to about 25, 26, which is cool for us, but it helps us, you know, feel the change in seasons and that sort of stuff like we spoke about. But it also, it brings on a different form of fish for us to target as well, the plagic fish coming closer and that's what everyone's targeting. What does the water temperature get up to in summer here? In the harbour there.

It might be 33, 34? That's warm, mate. Yeah, that is warm and that's another trigger point for, say, Barra and Threadfin, which then use that water trigger it to start thinking about spawning and that sort of thing. Yeah, absolutely.

Oh, mate, unbelievable. Now, we're off for a fish this weekend, which would be good. Corroborate Billabong. That's the plan.

And then we're doing a Humpty-Doo pub lunch on the way home. Yeah, yeah. Could be good. Yeah, we might have to make friends with that Uber driver of yours last night again.

I've become a big friend. very friendly with a couple of the Uber drivers here in Darwin. and having a great time. There's plenty happening up here too over the next few weeks at the Darwin Cup, which is a lot of talk about that around the place.

Yep, ladies day was held recently and so yeah, that's a big event and then 2 rounds of the V8 supercars, which has never been done before. Very exciting. That's amazing. And that's that's the thing for you people like to travel and get up to the, you know, travel to see the VH.

Here's your chance. jump on a plane, come up here. and come on watch the V8s. And one thing we'll promote a little bit of on this while we're here as well as well.

We talk a lot about travelling to the Northern Territory by road. But one thing you certainly can do is fly in and a fly drive holiday where you fly in higher a motorhome and do it that way. And that way gives you more time here. And there's plenty of people doing that even here now. There's been a few of those little Apollos and different people.

a great way to go. Absolutely, because you can sort of take your camp with you, wherever you go, out to Kakadu for a few days or out to Litchfield and that sort of thing, and you get a couple of pushbikes or something and do your smaller tracks and that sort of stuff as well and just do your hikes on foot. And yeah, it's a great way to go there and there'd be plenty of spare ones sitting around at the moment too. So they're probably offering some good rates, I would suggest.

Yeah, that's the thing too, because it's not as busy as it would normally be this time of year here, obviously, because of the COVID-19 virus. I think everyone's just about sick of hearing the words COVID-19 or coronavirus. They've done a great job up here in the northern territory to keep it curbed down basically nothing. And hopefully it'll stay that way.

I think at latest count, over 5000 people have crossed the borders with a caravan on. or some sort of road traveller. So hopefully, um, hopefully the numbers will stay low. I noticed the one thing that sticks out as well here is that although you have no cases of it.

Um, and even when it was happening, I'm still very low, everybody's got, you know, the social distancing is on, the markers are on the floors in places, there's hand sanitiser everywhere, there are places you can't even eat, like the restaurant last night. You had to sanitise your hands before you went in and sat down. Yeah. So they take it very seriously, don't they? Yeah, that's right.

And I think that has been what has sort of helped us through it. There's probably other places that could have a bit of a look at the results that the territory's got and learn a bit from it. But yeah, the issue is now for us as territorians and particularly our vulnerable communities, the elderly and the more remote communities where they don't have as much healthcare is just to make sure that everyone who's coming in is doing the right thing as well. We're all pretty schooled up on it, but we just need everyone else to toe the line as well and we'll be able to keep welcoming new visitors and guests into the territory every day.

It's strange how, you know, Northern Territory, South Australia and Western Australia have done a better job than the other than, you know, although Queensland hasn't done too bad either. And into some degree, ever as New South Wales, I think maybe New South Wales probably should have closed their border to Victoria a week sooner than they did. But really, as they've done a great job in managing what is a problem we're not used to, an unprecedented problem. But in particular up here,

It's been no mucking around. This is what we're doing and you stick to this or there's going to be a drama. And some of them dramas are even jail time. He's not mucking around old gunners up here, is he? No, that's right.

Yeah, they are threatening jail time. I wouldn't expect it to get to that because we do have this really strong sense of community up here and everyone does tend to do the right thing anyway. So, yeah, we're very proud of what we've achieved so far and hopefully it continues and we can keep welcoming more visitors in. Yeah, and that's what we want to do.

Get yourself up here. Obviously, if you're crook or you feel any symptoms or think you may have, have the virus, don't come here, get tested, and make sure you're good to go because, like we said, we don't want to expose those remote communities. Certainly don't want to do that or anybody else either, for that matter. I notice I've seen people in parks quarantine.

Basically, their vans are roped off, and the police are constantly checking them, that they're still there, that they haven't stuck up to the pool for a swim or up to the bar for a beer and things like that. But yeah, if you can, we really would encourage you to get up here to the Northern Territory and experience this lifestyle that what he lives every day and that what I'm living for the next month or so. Now, mate, what will we catch on Saturday on the weekend? Well, main target species in Crobery Billabong, like most of our Billabong systems is Barramundi in Saratoga. Yep. Barra being a bit tough in there this year, just due to a couple of factors that didn't sort of go their way during...

I was on the way. they must have known you were coming. But there's every chance of catching a couple as well as we always catch some Saratoga and tarp on other things. And more than just the fishing, you know, it's a true the whole spirit experience in wine out there. Just the name of it's fantastic.

Yeah, yeah, it's absolutely beautiful. And a billabong terminology can lead people astray a little bit. There's probably 60 kilometres of water that we can explore there. So it's actually part of the main river system.

So, yeah, it's a huge area and you can have 50 boats fishing it and not be on top of each other. Yeah, good. I look forward to that. That's going to be an absolute ripper. All right, Watty, you're going to hang around and try them in from time to time here on the show.

Today. It is good to see you here in our makeshift studio. not bad, is it? Yeah, this is a beautiful spot.

I mean, could you believe I had the brains to set this up? No, I can't actually. I thought you must have had a helper. No, I know.

Well, I've got one helper who's back in the studio, Nick. And he can make sure that it all works and then obviously I've got Mrs. Ducky's over there. Hopefully, locking yourself a couple of bacon egg rolls or something. But no, we have to set all this up.

We take this on the road everywhere. It's not bad. Yeah, it's a good way to work. a bit of wind in the background today, but that's a that's just like a nice breeze.

Yeah, that's our cool southeasterly breeze we get this time of year. And I whinge about it with fishing a little bit when it gets too strong, but it, yeah, it is very pleasant, isn't it? Keeps the heat out of the day until after lunch, so it's nice. No, absolutely. All right.

Well, we are here broadcasting from the Free Spirit Resort in Darwin, and obviously we are here for Northern Territory Tourism, and we are very grateful for them to ask, and thankful that they asked us to be a part of their advertising campaign this year, a challenging one at that, considering probably quarter of their audience, can't come here. Um, and the fact I mentioned just a 2nd ago with Wadi, uh, you don't see too many Victorian plates here. There was a few, and I've bumped into some people from Victoria who basically have been up in this part of the world now for months, but it is a shame. But like we say, it's never too late to plan that trip.

And if you are listening to us and you're in one of those, and there are certain regions in New South Wales as well that can't get in here at the moment, plan your trip, use the time to do that, and then get up here and get the best of what this country has to offer. when it comes to winter time, weather. This is just unbelievable here, and it's just like Eastern state summer. It's just amazing.

What do you mentioned, that cool breeze, you know, going for a beer and a feed down on the waterfront, very relaxed, very laid back, and certainly, I'm very envious of the lifestyle here. I'm going to declare it now. Darwin is now my favourite. Australian city.

I think it's an absolute cracker. And I've said it for many years. You cannot beat the northern territory. So if you can plan that trip, you need to start planning it now and get up here.

It is an absolute top spot. It's everything that you've heard about and a whole lot more than that. We will take a break here on the camping and off-road radio show, and when we come back, Vic Woodman will take us on a bit of a run through, he's favourite part of the Northern Territory, Kakadu. You're listening to the camping and off-road radio show.

Broadcasting from the Northern Territory. Thanks to tourism and tea. Oh, absolutely love that music, and we love that, Watty, don't we? I love that intro.

That... How good is that? It just gives you the feeling, and it's very funny, you know, I was told down at Adelaide River, that in the 303, but the buffalo, you that tell me, the buffalo out of crocodile Dundee, that where he gets out of the car and puts his fingers towards it and makes it, he's actually there stuffed. Yeah, that's right.

It's cool. really impressive animal. Actually, not a huge buffalo. We got a massive rack of horns on him and he's there, getting photo taker of them.

yeah Yeah, I'll be down there. worry about that. I want to get a photo shitting on him.

You allowed to do that? Probably not. I don't know. You have to climb up the wall, mate, to get up there.

So that might not happen. I've actually done a bit of walking actually since I've been up here and went out to Litchfield the other day and took your advice. And it was Louise. He said, don't go and park up the top of news of stairs.

Go and park down here and just take this little creek walk. Yeah, she's got all the secret. Yeah, that was a beauty. We would not let, we'd not reveal too many of them.

And but no, that was that was a great spot out there as well, but a lot of walking and checking out the tracks and stuff. Now there's one bloke who joins us every week on this show, Watty, who doesn't mind a bit of a bush walk, gets around, who's been just about everywhere. He probably knows, he would probably know more about the northern territory than you. He's been everywhere.

He's unbelievable. His name is Vic Woodman. Let's go to him right now. Time now to go beyond the bitumen with Vic Whitman.

Thanks to Great Divide Tours and Club 4x4. insurance for four wheel drive enthusiasts. And we can only wish that this man was with us today, Wadi, because, let me tell you, he is very, very funny, but he's one of those blokes who gets funny when the microphone's turned off. You know what I mean?

Victor, g'day. Good day, mate. Geez, you're building me up and, you know, poor old Watt, he's sitting there and he lives in the northern territory and you're telling him that some city tricker from Sydney knows more about the northern charity than him. Well, you probably been to more places than him.

You would have been. Oh my gosh, has you been to here? Man, I know. I know the Northern Territory is somewhere near Tasmania.

All right? I know that for sure. fair enough. As I said, do your funny stuff when the microphone's turned off.

Yeah, I do, yeah. No, look, yeah, look, I've been all over the Northern Church. I just love touring around up there. It's just one of those places where you, you go from the, you know, the dead heart of the Simpson Desert on the Madigan line.

Uh, right up to the lust rainforests and uh, and the wetlands of Kakadu and Armand Land, and I've been right through Armand, man, I love it. I bet you've been up to Go Peninsula, mate, have you? No, I haven't actually travelled up that way too much. I'm sort of too busy in my own little home patches to get out a lot and when I am free in the wet season.

It's too wet to get out there. I need to do more touristing. Now's my chance, I suppose, but I'm too busy being a radio superstar these days to go camping. He's going.

Well, he's got the suit on too. Vic. You got a suit on? Where are you, actually? Ducky, where are you?

We're in Darwin at the moment. So we're broadcasting from a place called the Free Spirit Resort. I actually pulled up here because I said to my missus, I said, look, what about they've got free drinks here? I thought it meant 3 spirits.

Not that bloody spirit, you idiot. Anyway, but no, he is a great spot. Mate, when he said he's wearing a suit, when you said he's wearing a suit, must be down south because I don't even sell suits in Darwin, do they?

I was surprised they sold winter clothing here because it's that warmth. Beautiful. Well, see, they're in winter now. And, you know, like, why do you probably be nodding there?

Well, the rest of the coach, they were... What if they was? No, no, no, no, no, Vic, I'll just stop you. That an imbecilic comment. are in winter now.

Hello? They are in winter now. So is the rest of Australia. Yeah, but they are as well, but it's still, what, 26 degrees? I know, it's beautiful.

love it. People live in Darwin. bloody cold. I know.

We've already touched on that. The fact that it's, once you get climatized, you become a bit soft when it comes to the cold, because it's absolutely beautiful. he's on jackets, you know. anyway.

Anyway, we want to talk about one of your favourite places up here, which is Kakadu, and we've spoken about Kakadu in the past, with some of those segments on the radio, but I think I thought with us being here in the northern territory, just remind people about how good Kakadu can be. Oh, mate, yeah, look, you know, Kakadu in a normal year is a huge, huge tourist attraction and that's probably bringing more money in the northern territory than anywhere else, to be honest. You know, it, it, it attracts not only the homegrown Australian tourists, but it also attracts, um, uh, 100s of 100s, probably 1000s and 1000s of, of overseas tourists, so, you know, for you to be up there now, and anyone who's lucky enough to be able to travel at this stage. You're going to see Kakadu at a nice time, you know, nice and quiet.

And um, and you need a good week, mate, a good week because there's an awful lot to see in Kakadu. It's a very large national park. You need to travel around a bit. And um, we were talking the other day there and I, um, and I mentioned to you that, one of my favourite places is a place called Gunnlom Falls, which is on the southern side of Kakadu.

So, if you're coming up from Catherine, you go up to the uh, the, the little town of Pine Creek, and um, and you follow the Kakadu Highway in, and you get your permit there at the roadhouse to go in, to Pakadu, so you need a permit. I think it's about 25 bucks or something uh for a vehicle and I think that lasts about 7 days. It might be 25 a person actually in the vehicle, and it lasts for 7 days, which, as I mentioned, is a good time to have for Kakadu. And then shortly after you enter the actual national park.

In fact, only 12 kilometres in on the sealed road, the Kakatoo Highway. There's a turn off there, Mark 2 Gunlong Falls. It's a dirt road, turn off there. It's a good dirt road.

You can take trails and caravans down there, if you drive sensibly. And um, when you get out the gum line, mate. There's a lovely campsite, really, really great facilities in the uh, in the Kakadu National Park, toilet showers, all that kind of stuff, lovely camping. And uh, and this magic, magic water hole.

Now, if anyone is familiar, and I'm sure nearly everybody is, with the original crocodile done beat, uh, film, and that, that famous scene of the beautiful Linda Kozwowski, there, on the edge of the, of the, of the lagoon, and then the, you know, the croc comes up and grabs the handbag or something she's got hanging around the neck, that scene was shot there at that lagoon at the bottom of Gumlob Falls. It is a magic spot. safe to swim once they've cleared the clocks out after the wet season and they'll have signed up if it's not safe. And the other great thing to do there, it's only a short walk is a little bit strenuous, but you can actually walk up the edge of the escarpment, right there at the back of that, that lagoon, and you get up onto the, the top of that waterfall, that cascades down in that beautiful lagoon, and there are swimming holes that you just sit in up there, big rock pools, as you can sit in, looking out over the escarpment, right across the, you know, almost a hole of the Kankagoo National Park, and, you know, if you, you know, those, what they call those infinity

pools that they build where they're, like the water goes over the edge and it's right on the edge of the, of a drop off and you get these, what they call these infinity pools. This is a natural infinity pool that mother nature is made, mate, and I, it, it is just spectacular. And if you're heading in the kakadoo, mate, please go and have a look at gun law. Uh, it's one of the, one of the favourite places.

But mate, you know, heaps of places. You want to hear about more? Yeah, we can give us a couple more before you get. You've got Oscar, so.

Well, what he's been? You've been out here, Watty? Yeah, I love Gun Llama. I was actually going to try and keep that on a secret from you.

But yeah, we love that spot. It's beautiful. The pool's up the top are spectacular. Yeah, yeah, yeah, it's a brilliant sorry.

Sorry, buddy, I didn't mean to blow your cover on that one. That's what we do here. We give away everybody's secret spots. I've had I've had people tell me about a good spot somewhere, revealed it on the radio.

They haven't spoken to me since. I reckon, you know, what is like fishing spots? Yeah, some fishermen wait till people wear their spotties. No, we don't do that.

No, you don't do that. Neither do anybody else, but I'm talking about just the average angler. You know, the weekend Hank, who will get onto a fishing hole somewhere. I won't tell anybody.

Anyway, go on, Vic. Give us a couple more spots, mate, and we're going to run out of time. but that's go keep going. Well, I can tell you the best place to catch fish, mate, in water.

Anyway, well, um... The, everyone, who goes, okay, can do, must try and do the yellow waters cruise, mate. Sunset or sunrise, just spectacular. I really like the sunset one.

Um, it's, uh, it's just absolutely tranquil, uh, the colours in the sky that reflect off the water, as the sun's going down and the multitude of bird life. The crocodiles are in the water. Uh, mate, it's such a spectacular cruise. So, try and make sure you conclude that one, mate, up there at Kwinder.

The Yellow Waters cruise. Just over the road, from there is the road into twin falls and gym, gym falls, um, about a 40 kilometre dirt road down. There's a great campsite again, Kakatu National Park campsite. At the entrance to Gumlong.

When I say the entrance is at 4 drive track, high range 4 drive. You head down there, come to a bit of a T in a section, you can turn left, you go to gym, gym, or turn right, to go to Twin Falls. Um, Twin Falls, if you turn right, um, there is the, you got to cross the river. At this time of the year, it's nice and low. You wouldn't do it in the wet season, and then another, you know, 5 or 10 K of 4 drive track, high range 4 drive, to the end of the track.

Now, this is the downside of both twin end, gym, gym Pauls. There's a fair bit of walking involved once you get there. When you go up to Twin Falls, There's actually a little boat that'll run you up. Between the gorges between the rock faces, um which cuts out a bit of the walking, and uh, and then you hop over a few rocks.

I've got floating platforms I've put in. And then you get up to this beautiful big antique feeder, and this giant waterfall coming in, depending on the wet season and how much rain has fallen as to how good those falls flow. Um, probably a good idea to check that they are actually flying before you go, especially later in the season. But, uh, but great spot.

Last time I was up there, they had a big crock cage in there because there was a big crock in that lagoon, so there was no swimming, but spectacular spots for sure. And Jim, Jim Fall, same deal, mate. You drive a bit and uh full driving. And then you've got a long, fairly difficult walk over big boulders and things. Takes half an hour to 40 minutes at least of rock hopping.

We had a magic magic water hole with this giant waterfall coming down into it. So, you know, So no one in my favourites. Alright, mate.

Well, you've painted a picture again as usual, Kakadu, and there's obviously a lot more than that, and we might even touch, but continue this chat about Kakadu next week, if you like. Yeah, look, there's some great spots spots up around new beer and Carl's Crossing and all that, mate, for sure. Yeah, too much to do. in just, you know, your 5 minute segment, but somehow you've turned into an eternity.

But all right, Vic. Well, mate, in the meantime, we'll let you go and put a bit more wood on the fire because obviously you need that down there where you are at the moment. I only wish that I was down there with you. Freezing.

eh? No, you don't wish at all, mate. I wish I was up there with you. One thing I will send me out to catch a barra.

Well, mate, well, that's well, hopefully. I mean, he's going out with a complete imbecile this weekend in that being me. Oh, you're going with him. Exactly.

Hello? What are your ears paid sewn on? I mean, seriously. Yeah, no, we'll do that.

But no, we'll catch up next week. We get a bit of winky too, and apologies for that noise. That's a big thing you had mate. That's just the breeze blowing here just to cool us off.

But mate, no, good stuff. We might continue our chat about Kakadu next week with you because obviously it's, like you say, it's one of those places you can spend a week there. We can't talk about it all in one go here. Victor, we will let you go and talk to you next week.

Go on, yeah, take care and all the best, Watty. Yeah, thanks, Vic. I might need it by the end of it Exactly.

There he is. Yeah, I mean, Vic Woodman, don't forget if you want to experience any of the trips that Vic does, and I know that Vic runs trips up this way. You need to jump onto the website, 4wd.net.au, 4wd.net.au, or simply Google Great Divide Tours, and you certainly won't be disappointed. In fact, I had a meeting with the tourism people here today and actually gave a bit of a wrap to them.

So certainly does a lot for the, he does a lot for all the areas that he travels to, not just here in the territory, but all over Australia, and those local communities that Vic and his team, and of course, his customers visit are certainly appreciative of Vic and his honorage lobbing into town, and he certainly does support all regional communities and country towns and pubs and the like, but certainly does a great job in showing his customers Australia, including this part of the world for wd.net.au. That is the website you need to go to the book a trip with Vic and his team at Great Divide Tools. We'll take a break here on the camping and I'm afraid radio show and come back with more in just a second. You're listening to the camping and off-road radio show.

Broadcasting from the Northern Territory, thanks to tourism and team. And turn your microphone on duck, because sometimes I just lose the pot a little bit. We are broadcasting from Darwin, and we are actually broadcasting here at the Free Spirit Resort, which is, I've got to tell you now, he's absolutely A grade, and absolutely loving it here. In particular, we are loving the weather, as we have mentioned many times already.

Well, that is the 1st hour, come and gone, and it goes pretty quick, and it's amazing how fast that 1st hour goes every week, just a reminder, too, if you want to grab any of our podcast links of our segments, including all of our guests, and of course, the show in full, you can go to our 9 radio Newstalk websites, to gb.com, 3AW.com.au, and of course, 6pr.com.au. You can also grab podcast links, and of course, video content at our website, bluecolarmedia.com.au, and if you want to be a part of the program, you can do that just by sending us an email. And to do that again, just go to bluecolarmedia.com.au. Click on email the duck. and you certainly do enjoy the feedback there. It's been an absolute crack of this trip up in the northern territory.

And as I've said over the last couple of weeks, we are here, probably for about another month, poor me and travelling around the northern territory and checking all that out. You can also hear some live updates through the week on certain radio stations as I do some live crosses. I'm actually doing one a little bit later on this afternoon with Deborah Knight on 4 BC Brisbane and as well as 2 GB Sydney and also some stuff on the weekend with Darren James on 3 AW Melbourne. So be sure to catch all of that as well.

Luke, as we said, this hour has come and gone. It has absolutely flown. Next hour, we've got a bit to fit in. I'll be joined by Laura, who is the marketing guru here at Free Spirit Resort.

We'll have a bit of a chat with Laura to find out why you should come and stay here, as well as the other Caribbean parks as well in the area, and on your road trip to the northern territory, or, of course, fly in and hire a motor home. That's a good way of doing it as well. We'll talk about that. We'll also catch up with Steve Zammet.

Will catch up with Mao Lalan for a bit of a chat. And I'll catch up with my mate, Big Tony, who we were out with last week. I cannot believe, last night, rather, who owns 4 a pro 4 by 4 in Adelaide, and I could not believe it when I went out to I think I went down to do a beer run, coming back here, you set up camp behind me.

So we'll have a chat to him to find out why he travels to the northern territory during his time off in the middle of the year. We'll be back to do all of that and a whole lot more, very, very soon. Don't go anywhere. We'll be back right after this.

And now it's back to the camping and off road radio show, right across Australia. With the duck, broadcasting from the Northern Territory, thanks to tourism and tea. Ozcar, Shimano, Spitwater, Ram Trucks, and Club 4x4. And welcome back to the next hour of the camping and off road radio show, as we broadcast from Darwin this week as part of our northern territory road trip. It's been an absolute cracker.

We've already been on the road for almost 4 weeks and had a great time and obviously you got probably about another 4 weeks to go. And I feel a bit guilty to be honest, but somebody has to do it and somebody has to try and give you the nudge at home to plan a trip to the northern territory. And if you are sitting at home listening to us. We certainly do thank you for doing that.

And as we say, this program is all about selling Australia, and we talk not just only about the northern territory every day, every week of the year. We certainly talk, you know, tell you all about places everywhere and encourage people to get out there and see this country of ours. Forget cruising, forget Fiji, Bali, all that stuff, get out and see Australia. There's plenty to do, but I love nothing more than taking the program on the road, which we are doing at the moment.

We are right in the middle of it. And so while we are in the northern territory, well, let's tell you about all the places that you can visit whilst you are in the NT. We absolutely love it. We are in the Top End and concentrating on the Top End for the next week or 2 as we make our way south and check out some of the places there as well.

Just to remind you that you can be a part of the show as well. You can just send an email, bluecollarmedia.com.au. Click on the feedback, uh, or click, click on the email, the duck, uh, tab there, and send your email, and like I say, certainly do appreciate the feedback and respond to all of those emails. Last hour, we spoke with Watty at length.

He is my co-host today and doing a great job and sitting here with the suit on. He thought you had to get dressed up for radio. And, um, he's doing, he's actually doing all right. To be honest, he's look, actually sitting here reading a fishing magazine now, which surprise, surprise. We also spoke to Vic Whitman, who gave us a bit of a rundown on Kakadu, and we'll continue that chat. Of course, next week.

This hour, we've got a little jam a bit in. We going to talk to Laura, who is from the free Spirit Resort here in Darwin, and I think they've just fired up the lawnmower, or is it a car, something else? is all happening here. This place is absolutely beautiful, and we will talk to Laura about that very, very shortly.

We'll also catch up with Mao Leyland and visit a national park with him. Steve Zammet will give us a camp spot up here in the Top End, and I will also catch up with my mate from pro 4 by 4. Look forward to doing that as well, who I've just tripped over on his own NT road trip, which is an absolute cracker. But like I said, in the meantime, if you want to be a part of the show, you certainly can do that, or if you may have somewhere up in the territory that you want us to check out, we've already been to a few places, just send that email, bluecollarmedia.com.au, and click on email the duck.

You're listening to the camping and off-road radio show with the dark. Thanks to our broadcast partner, Club 4x4. Insurance for four-wheel drive enthusiasts. And, as I mentioned, we are broadcasting from the Free Spirit Resort here in Darwin and this place is unbelievable, I must say.

And if you enjoy a road trip. The one thing that I like to tell people and is that you don't necessarily, you know, you don't necessarily need to have the caravan, the four-wheel drive to enjoy a road trip. In fact, you can enjoy a road trip in any sort of a car, a motorbike. I've even seen people on push bikes.

which I think they're just totally mad, but you don't necessarily have to have the big setup to enjoy this sort of experience because places like the free spirit and others have fantastic cabin accommodation. There are hotels, motels along the way as well, and you can certainly just pack the boot of the car, throw some gear in, and head to wherever you want to go in particular, head north, especially this time of year to get that good weather, and find yourself in a great accommodation. Now, where we are at the moment, as I've mentioned, numerous times today, we are at the Free Spirit Resort in Darwin, and this place is incredible. It's got a bar right beside the pool, a restaurant, plenty of other activities here as well.

A, great facilities. We're actually broadcasting out of what I believe, I think is the kitchen, which is just amazing. It looks like almost a dining room and a bistro. It's a great setup.

They certainly look after their customers here. And as I've mentioned a few times as do all the caravan parks, not only up here in Darwin, but all around Australia. But if you wanted to come somewhere and get that resort style living and our resort style holiday. This place certainly does provide that, as I've mentioned, the poolside bar and live entertainment and things like that.

They certainly did do it right. And I am lucky enough to be joined right now by Laura, who is the marketing guru of Free Spirit Resort. She's sitting here. Laura.

Hello. Welcome to the show. How are you going? Thanks. I'm very good thank you.

How's life at the free spirit? Looks a bit quiet at the moment. Oh, it's a lot busier than what it was a month ago, and people are starting to trickle in, especially over the last week. That announcement with the boarders opening was a, you know, a blessing.

So we're seeing people rock up now, but they're enjoying the NT as they trickle up here, which is good to see. Yeah, absolutely. Because there is plenty to see and do along the way. I mean, we've been to Daly Waters and we've been to Litchfield and we went to Edith Falls and Mataranka and there are so many, there are so many places to visit.

But when you when you get up here, and if you're on a road trip, and obviously you can fly in and book your accommodation here as well and hire a car or hire a motor home and get out there and explore the territory and stop somewhere like here. You cater for these travellers. This place is unbelievable. Yeah, absolutely.

We cater for any traveller. Like you said, if they're flying in or if they're driving in or hiring a caravan, you name it, we cater it for all, motel, cabin, caravan, anything. The one thing I think one thing about this place in particular is you can see this place is very well maintained. The grounds are beautiful.

Palm trees just blowing in the breeze. The birds are singing, you may have people at home, may have heard the birds in the background. I can certainly hear them coming through the headsets. It is just very, very natural.

It's just so beautiful. Everything's green and the gardens are lush. The place is immaculate. Yeah. The facilities and the amenities here are just 1st class.

And then at the Top End of the place here, you have that beautiful pool area. There's a big jumping pillow for the kids, plenty for them to do as well. And then you have the bar, restaurant. It certainly is something different here.

It's pretty good, isn't it? Yeah, nothing better than kicking back for the beer and having a pool in the background to look at. And if you've got the leather ones with you, they can jump in the pool and you can sit on the decking and overwatch it all. Plus with live music as well as what more could he want?

Well, it was funny because we arrived here last Sunday. And the 1st place I added to was, of course, surprise, surprise, the bar. And there was a there was a duo playing there. Who was on last Sunday? There was a young girl and an older bloke?

Who were they? Preyer Corby. The girl, is that her name? Yeah, her name is Preyer.

So Preya Corby. Yep. I know her mother name is Deb. I'm not sure on the father's, but it's mother, daughter, and father. Unbelievable voice.

The show, the voice has just finished online TV around Australia. She could get a start on that. No problem. Unbelievable.

She's very well known in Darwin and she does perform a lot at the Mendel Markets, which is a very well-known market up here. She performs a lot there in numerous venues. I was very lucky together here. But she's a good girl and she's quite young too.

Yeah, very talented. Just amazing. Yeah. She was playing like a ukulele type guitar thing and that was her dad, was it?

performing with her on the Bongay. From my, yeah, yeah, it is, yeah. Just an unbelievable act and the sort of thing that you've sort of come to expect when you come to places like this or in this sort of area, just laid back Sunday afternoon, few bees with that sort of entertainment. It was just, I just couldn't get over a voice.

I said to my wife a couple of times, this girl can sing. I mean, someone one day with a little bit more now, so me will be here or somewhere and see her and say, listen, you better come over and talk to us. have we got a job for you? Snap her up. She certainly was very, very talented.

And she actually sang a few songs that she'd written herself. And they, even they were good songs. And normally when you go somewhere, I say, we just want to sing something that we wrote ourselves, you think, oh, here we go. But it was actually good. Like, it was very, very good.

And no, I thought that, and it just added to the atmosphere, there were, you know, what you say, the pool and the pool's not your average pool. a resort style pool with a waterfall and all of that. looks very natural and there were people just kicking back having cocktails and beers and with that music going and then, you know, the bistra people. It was funny, you mentioned the markets.

We were heading to the markets. And I actually said to my missus, how important is this markets to us? Because I got real comfortable just there. Yeah, so anyway, so tell us a bit about here.

So how long have you how long have you worked here? I've been here for, no, over 3 years, working here. I'm born and bred Darwin girl, though. Lived in Alice Springs for a little while just to experience more of the NT, which anyone would want to do.

and then moved back up here and worked at free spirit and haven't wanted to leave since. I mean, why would you? Yeah, happy though. Well, 100%. And I've got to say to you, I don't blame you.

Well, not, you know, I mean, my mate, Watty, he who lives in Darwin, he loves it. So you obviously born and bred here, so you love it. Yeah, yep. And I ask everybody, the wet season. Do you love the wet season?

I love it. Yeah, I love it. Everyone says that. Yeah, yeah. The heat is obviously to get used to the humidity, as people say, but when you look past that, I live on acreage.

So in the wet season, everything goes green. Everything looks amazing. I'm mowing every weekend, which is, you know... Absolutely. But the look of it is just gorgeous and flying in, Darwin's just transformed.

And that's the thing. This is now, you know, the traditional travel period, but there's nothing to say. There's a lot to be said, rather. to travel to the northern territory during the wet season to get that experience.

I know people who prefer to come up here in the wet season. And not you say, if you can put up with the humidity, you certainly you're going to see, you say that, you know, you're going to see plant life and bird life, stuff that you won't see in the dry season because there's a lot of water around. To see that tropical storm rolling through the horizon, though. just, oh, it's amazing.

As long as you've got access to cold beer, a swimming pool, and possibly aircon. You'll be fine. And that is why I'm becoming why do you what he's laughing?

That is why I'm becoming quite accustomed to this. Because everything seems to centre around Cole Beard. Now, what he tells me that you're only allowed to drink mid-strength while you're working, is that right? Maybe at his workforce.

Can I come work for you? So what were you doing before this? So growing up in Darwin? Have you seen...

It's funny because my wife lived here about 30 years ago. So she hasn't been back here since. So when we got here, it was completely different, obviously. like most places are different than they were 30 years ago.

But what changes have you seen in your life in Darwin? It's certainly a lot more laid back than the rest of Australia. Absolutely. Yeah.

The transformation be a development, obviously. It's expanded. It's gotten bigger in that perspective. When I moved away.

It was only for 4 years, but when I come back, it was completely different, but still the same. Just offering more, really, is what Darren was doing was offering more and more and more ways to get around. I hear Litchfield is opening up some more swimming ways and more the ways. So that's more, again.

There's it's just constantly offering more to the travellers. Yeah, and the campgrounds. We went into individual the other day and the campground, the four-wheel drive campground. We just went down and had a look there. And just fantastic.

24 sites, toilet showers, fire pitch with swing around barbeque plates. They really look after the, you know, the campers down in there. And then obviously you can, you take the walk along the creek and then into the water holes in the waterfall. That's right. Just absolutely stunning. It was an amazing place. And I guess the one thing too, that really sticks out for me hearing Darwin is the lack of traffic.

When you when you're from places like Sydney and you look at, you know, what goes on in Brisbane and Melbourne and other capital cities, peak hour here is nothing. No, they still call it peak hour. Oh, I mean, I do as well. I'm guilty.

I go, oh, I'm going to avoid peak out. There's 4 cars at the Lodge. I mean, it's just it's just incredible. That was, I just think, you know, and it's that laid-back feel.

It's like, and I said this earlier, I'm not being disrespectful. It's like it's 20 years behind. It's even longer than that. It's just, and that knockabout, laid back, grab a cold beer.

You know, it's just, it's real Australia. It's not politically correct. It's not, you know, if you like all that nonsense, it goes on in other parts of the country, you know. You know, you won't like it here.

But if you love and you miss that old school, Australian way of life. come to the northern territory and come to Darwin. Absolutely. That's what it's like, isn't it?

It is, absolutely, yeah. Hence why I came back. I didn't leave it and tell you, but yeah, Darwin itself, it's just a completely different. Yeah, it's just a fantastic, it's the it's the traditional Australian way of lifey.

It is, yeah. The culture hasn't changed. You think it'll ever lose it? I think it will.

No, I don't think so. No, no matter what you do. The people won't change. Just because Darwin does doesn't mean the people will.

And all the big shops here. It's amazing. I was talking to a mate of mine and I won't name him because I don't want to embarrass him, but he actually owns his own media company and he's a great bloke, Matt Sommerl. But I've got to say that he actually asked me if the roads were hard in Darwin.

My response was, well, mate, I think they've got the electricity on now. And I think that, I think that is because, and it's good that we come up here to educate people that it's not, the Northern territory isn't Wolf Creek. No. It's not, you know, crocodiles walking down the road. It's a normal place, but seem with a great, a great culture, a great way of life.

The lifestyle here is just amazing to live and work here that you're lucky enough to do and my mate, Watty here. mate, you're just so lucky. But all everything you'll find in the big cities on the, you know, down the south and on the east coast. Ah, here, your Harvey Normans, your all your big store chains.

I saw Sanity who was advertisers with us on our radio network. I saw one of their stores here. The shopping centre is at Casarina. That would be one of the biggest shopping centres I think I've ever seen.

Yeah, and they're not far behind. It's just gateway, which is 5 minutes up the road. Yeah, exactly. South.

Yeah, that's where I've been going to the BWS down there. Yeah. But, um, that gateway. like you say, it's not a very long drive. But all the big stores and all the store change are here, all the big ones that, you know, it's still a city, but it's still a country town.

Just spread out, really. is the only way to really pull. It's quite spread out. So the options are endless and are, and then you may be 20 minutes out.

But the drive-in is just beautiful and you've still got options outside of the city. There's a lot of different destinations to stay, play, anything. You don't have to be in the city centre. Yeah, and getting around Darwin is easy.

I learnt my way around here pretty quickly. If you went to Brisbane for 1st time, or if you went to, you know, Sydney or Melbourne, you'd be forever typing things in to your GPS to get yourself around. But here, the minute you go somewhere, you know your way back there. It's just a simple road system.

Get on the short highway and go south or north. Yeah, that's exactly. It's not too hard, but there's only one. You'll hit the water or you'll hit Alice Springs and you're in trouble.

That's right. All roads, all roads, you lead to Darwin and all our Springs. So you spoke about the accommodation. Let's talk about it here. You've got cabins here, which look like little houses.

Yep. which is quite amazing. Yeah. So what are they like? So when people come in, they've got their own space, their own, they are just like little houses, aren't they? They are, yeah.

And they range for their different types of travellers. So some of them have got the full range of cooking facilities, can fit the family of 4 or 5 or others are just the open plan basic for your couples here only for one or 2 nights. and your motel rooms are the same. If you're not looking for that big cabin, you've got the motor room.

cost comes with all that as well. So, you know, we fit the budget or we fit the, you're here for a week, you've got a big family. You want the cooking facilities and you want the space and the decking and so yeah, and it's all here and it facilitates. And a huge range of Caribbean sites, I'm down here in what they call the premium... Premium parasites. Yep.

Which is just a beautiful area. with like the amenities there are as good as what you'll have in your own home. Yeah. It's amazing. Just it's not what you'd expect.

And then also set under palm trees and the bird life and the fact that everything's so manicured and you do a great job of that, but you don't actually see a lot of people running around doing stuff all day. So you obviously keep on top of it. great program. And also, of a night, you see, you know, the staff buzzing on airline and golf carts and things.

So it's all very secure and safe and. Yeah absolutely. Yep. They're staff living on site as well.

Is it? Yeah, they all live on site and in caravans. There's some in cabins as well. So there's stuff everywhere. How many staff do you have here?

At the moment, on top of my head, I think 35, but... Before the shutdown and everything, it was about 65. Really? So, yeah.

when we're in full buzz where probably double the staff. That's amazing. And like you say, there is a lot of spare spots here at the moment. So if you want to get up here, now's the time to do it.

But there are, but it is good to see. I've noticed over the last few days more caravans coming into town and... and they're calling, yeah, and we're seeing the phone calls buzz through that. And not just here, but all the, you know, we want to see all the caravan parks flourish in the area as well as the motels and whatever because it's all, we're all in this together and this is one thing. And we want to encourage people to come to the Northern territory and to experience all things, good accommodation, camping, restaurants, fine, eating.

We spent last night down on the waterfront, which is amazing. And, you know, the eateries and the restaurants down there and the boat cruises going in and out on the harbour and... Lights up like a Christmas tree. Unbelievable, doesn't it? And we were sitting there last night with dolphins swimming past while having a beer. Yeah. That's the one thing I do like about up here is the beer.

Yeah. Yeah, too, could be plenty of it. And there's body just nodding his head again. What topic? Oh, here it is. Well it is, that's that way of life. And I guess, I think the weather plays a part in that.

What do you reckon? It does, yeah. Yeah. But like you said, it's a lifestyle as well.

When you do want to put your feet feet up and kick back, what's the 1st thought you have? Where's my beer? Yeah, exactly right. Fear wine or so, though.

Yeah, that's right. And there's my wife just walks in who took me straight to the bar and when we got here and said, what about this? and ordered a couple of cocktails and we're straight in the pool. It was unbelievable.

And we'll be up there again, probably this afternoon and again on Sunday as well. So we'll begin with that. It was just the atmosphere on a Sunday in that bar area and pool area is just fantastic. You a lot of people who just locals who just come here for that?

Absolutely. Yeah, and we want locals to come here. We push to the locals to bring their family and friends. I'm a local and I stayed here last weekend with my family and loved it.

Got one of the poolside villas and you look over the pool and the live music you can listen to from your decking. You just sit there in your own cabin and you've got it all in front of you. Unbelievable. Forget Fiji, forget Bali, forget all that.

or that we can go there anyway at the moment. Come to the northern territory, and if you want to have that lifestyle, we'll come here. Yeah, absolutely. All right.

Well, thanks for thank you very much for having us here. you. And thank you for allowing us to sit to what is the best can kitchen I've ever seen into a radio studio. And you walked in and went, wow, what is this?

And this is only half the gear. Yeah, we actually don't have to press any buttons because we've got a bloke back in Sydney doing that for us. I mean, Nick, who's a bit of a guru, who puts a show together for us. But no, thanks for having us and hopefully things will pick up as people cross the border and we get rid of this bloody virus, eh?

Yeah, absolutely. All good stuff. is Laura and she is the marketing guru and a proud local here in Darwin. How good is it at the Free Spirit Resort?

We will take a break here on the camp. We can offer a radio show and we'll come back with more in just a second. You're listening to the camping and off-road radio show. Broadcasting from the Northern Territory, thanks to tourism and tea.

Uh, how good was that chat with Laura from the, uh, Free Spirit Resort, certainly born and bred, in Darwin, and absolutely loves it, and why wouldn't she? It certainly is a great place to beat. I'm stoked that we are here and a big thank you to all the team at Northern Territory Tourism for inviting us to come up here and doing a stack of shows in this area. Now, as I mentioned earlier, we're going fishing this weekend, Watty.

Yep, that's right. Happy behave, yeah. The big corroborate billabong. get into them there, mate. Hopefully.

Yeah, so do I, mate. That'd be good, mate. You would teach me how to tie a knot. Now, look, one thing we will be taking out there is our Shimano gear.

And to fish like the pros, like Watty, who is a pro, you need to have the best gear, so get your hands on Shimano's 4 innovative revolution rod lineups. Shimano's revolution rods are tough, durable, and designed by experienced anglers, and those who know exactly what you need. Now, for the offshore angler, there are about 11 blue water rods, including trail rods, ideal for bluefin tuna. The inshore series includes rods for chasing brim, barra, mackerel, snapper, kingfish, and a whole lot more.

The coastal series consists of 19, 12, and 13 foot rods, perfect for rock and beach work, and that is me. I love fishing on the beaches because as I've said before, you get that little four-wheel drive trip as well. You drive on to the beach, do a bit of beach fishing, and hopefully go home with a fee. And for you roving anglers,

The 9 rods in the travel series are certainly worth looking at, breaking down to 3 pieces for easy transport. Revolution rods from Shimano. They're available right now at your favourite fishing outlet, or check out the website, shamanofish.com.au. Remember, always buy local and of course fish local.

Check out that website today. You won't be disappointed in the range of fishing rods and gear and all that apparel as well that Shimano provides shimanofish.com.au. And now, it's time to ask Mao Leyland. Thanks to Ozcar Connect, connecting car sellers with buyers.

Visit ozcarconnect.com.au. Well, one man who's travelled in all the territory for about 60 years is our guru. We are very lucky to have him on the show every week. Mal Leyland, g'day.

Oh, g'day, mate. By the way, I got one by Shamano rides myself. Yeah, well done, mate. Yeah, you got to have those, that Shamane fishing gear.

Now, listen, Mel, each week on the show, you appear here as a guest, and another regular guest we have is a bloke named Glenn Watty Watt, who runs Barefoot Fishing Safaris up here. one of the many fishing guides who are in the northern territory. But there's one thing he is as well, man. He's a huge fan of yours.

Say good day to him. Oh, good day, mate. He's actually, he's nervous, man. I'm nervous.

Yeah, absolutely. He goes, what's this, Mount Leyland? He's a bit nervous. There was blokes like yourself and Les Hidden's the bush tuckerman and Malcolm Douglas back when I was growing up, that sort of inspired us to get up here and travel. So, yeah, a bit of a fanboy at the moment for me.

I'm responsible, apparently, for a bit of that. Apparently, I keep getting told, so... You know, I can't wait to get away and get up there again myself pretty soon, but in the meantime, I can tell you all about the places I'd like to go. Yeah, well, mate, where are we off to today? Because you did see me one, which is over on the park over on the border of the northern territory in WA. Yeah, the Cape River National Park.

It's right near the border. It's only 3 K's actually from the northern territory, Western Australian border. But it's um, it's 40, 40 kilometres from there is where the actual park is, but it's got some striking landforms. I love the place.

I went in there the 1st time many years ago when we were Lorraine and I were travelling around and we we sort of discovered the place for itself. We'd never been there before, and there's some terrific walking uh tracks. If you like bushwalking, there's plenty of that. Mind you, it can be pretty flaming hot in the, you know, when it gets hot, got to carry water with you all the time, and that's another thing.

There is not a lot of drinking water in there. There's quite a good place where you can fill up. There's a couple of good camping sites all set up. um you've got uh interpretive signage there, which is all put in by the national park, so you can have a look at all that, work out where you're going to go, how are you going to spend your time?

But is there anything like me, I love taking pictures. It's just a magical place. Um, It's in the Victoria River district in Northern Territory, basically. When, um, you've got a little information shelter on the way in, and that's where you can pick up, you know, there's an entry free and everything, but it's worth it.

I can tell you. And um what you do is you pick up a little brochure there with a little map on it and shut off. You know, I've got a fantastic photograph of Lorraine walking past this spectacular rock formation there at sunset. It's my most favourite picture of her, and it's, it's such an incredible chunk of rock.

It glows in the sunset, and that's the good time to take the walk in the afternoon. Um, There's the 1st campground. You come to, there's these walking tracks that go off. It's a 2 kilometre circuit wall. And it meanders through all these stones, they're like sentinels.

They're, they're sandstone, all been eroded away, and they form, um, well, they look a bit like brick walls, in fact, some of them. Um, but if you're anything like me, and love using the camera. You can't miss. It doesn't matter which direction you pointed in.

There's something great to look at. It's funny, you know, Mal, I got Watty, he, he said, what do you, what do you say, you did some work experience? Yeah, in 1997 when I was still at boarding school in Victoria, we were lucky enough to go up there for work experience for a couple of weeks. It's a spectacular place, one of the a bit more low profile parks, I suppose, but yeah, just the edge of the Kimberley in the northern territory.

Unreal place. It's actually overlooked by a lot of people doing it around Australia trip. They don't bother making the effort to go in, but, you know, I went in there the 1st time. in the old F100 I had.

And um, we'd never been there before, and I was just stoked. We end up spending 4 days there, and never had a boring moment, everywhere we went, there's a big cockatoo lagoon there as well, which has got, you know, it's a permanent water hole. And um, there's a nice walking trap that goes around there and they've actually built, well, I did have. I suppose it's still there.

In the, in the bottom part of a, of a, an old wind pump. I've put a kind of a lookout in it where you can sit there and watch the birds, if you're interested in, you know, doing a bit of bird watching, pull out the binoculars and uh you get, you know, because the best time to go, there is in the late afternoon or early morning. But everywhere you go there's beautiful things, lots of wildflowers. Um, I went mad and photographed all these wild, and Lorraine, of course, was an expert at identifying them by their scientific names, which I'm not very good at.

I know like, you know, desert rows and stuff like that by then, normal common names, but not the scientific ones. But, um, another thing we found that, that's in there is on, on the crest of this spot called Ginger's Hill, this is a fascinating thing that you probably wonder what it was. When I 1st saw it, I wondered what the heck it was. And there's like a series of rocks in a circle.

And there's a whole lot of sticks sitting on the top of it. And that, in 1855 when Thomas Baines was the 1st explorer, he saw the area. He saw a number of these and they were always on the tops of hills. And they were too small, of course, to be a dwelling, but you could fit inside her.

And there's no actual roof, just for some assortment of sticks and grass on the top of it. And um, their true meaning remained a bit of a mystery for quite a while until, of course, it turns out that it's a hawk hunting hide. Hunter conceals himself underneath the stick. It's pretty cramped, mind you, and they light a smoky fire.

You know, hawks and crows and eagles and that per, have learned that animals fleeing from the flames of bushfires are easy prey. So, they swoop, swoop down into the smoke and the fire to catch their victims. Now, as the hawks begin their circling patterns. Um, the hunter raises a decoy through an opening and the stitching is made of, there's a long stick with several feathers attached to them.

You jiggle it around, and the birds see it and think it's an injured bird. And when the hunter uh, sees the hawks whipping down. He withdraws this decoy real quick, just as the bird's about to land. And then he grabs the bird from below and drags it inside and frols his neck.

And he keeps doing this until he's got enough for a feed and takes it back to his group. Pretty amazing way to catch Tucker, eh? You don't even know anything other than... Not in his head, Watty. So you know what I was talking about.

Yeah, Les Hiddens did a really good feature on that in one of his trips through Kakadu, I think, and he got up in one of those things and put a red rag on a stick. He didn't catch anything, but yeah, yeah, amazing technique. You can certainly tell the story, man. You'd be happy to know.

I think a few weeks ago, Mal, it might have been a couple of months ago. I think you might have spoke to me on the radio about Florence Falls. talk about that? Florence.

Yes, yeah. Yeah. Well, mate, you'd be happy to know I went there the other day. I went in there based on your recommendation.

It was, oh, mate, it was probably better than you said. was unbelievable. Incredible. And the fact that there are, you know, not a lot of people around at the minute.

It was less crowded, but yeah, certainly worth a look. It was quite incredible. And, you know, I know you mentioned the camping there. I'm not sure how long it's been since you camped in there, but they've certainly made some improvements so the camping's just absolutely a grade for people that want to get in in the Litchfield National Park and camping there and then go and experience that Florence Falls, certainly worth it. Well, Cape River's got so many days.

You know, there's beautiful. And there's good, there's one fantastic spot in there with with aboriginal paintings on the walls. You know, you just can't miss. It's one of those places wherever you were, but you've got to be willing to do a bit of walking.

Some of the tracks are about, you know, 4 or 5 k circuit rules, but they're worth it. Especially if you're into photography. I like photographing anything that, you know, that moves. And one day we will talk you into publishing that book, Mao Leyland, my wife in pictures.

I'm telling you now, mate, it's a winner. Even what he's nodding here. I think it's going, it would be an absolute bestseller, Mal. We'll have to leave it there, but we'll talk a little bit more about your experiences in this part of the world next week, eh?

Yeah. I'll tell you what, it's one of the few places where you can actually see those Riverstonia palm trees too. There's only a handful of them around the place and I ask spectacular in there. Yeah, no, you think you're on another planet.

you know, you're isolated. You don't see anybody. Well, I didn't. The last few times I've been there, never seen another soul.

Yeah, we've done a lot of that too in the last couple of weeks, I can tell you, we've spent some time alone. All right, mate, we'll catch up and do it all again next week. Oh, I look forward to that. In the meantime, safe travelling to everybody.

And there he is, Mal, Leyland, and we are very, very lucky to have him as part of the program, don't forget too. You can just jump onto his Facebook page, travelling with Mal Leyland, and I know he's got cabin fever at the moment, and it won't be long before Mal himself will be up here in this part of the world and everywhere else he can get to. because it's in his bones. Don't worry about that, travelling Australia, and no one, nobody.

I don't care who you are, has travelled to as many places as Mal Island. He has been doing it for well over 50 years and certainly nosey spots. We'll take a break here on the camping and off-road radio show and we'll come back with a whole lot more in just a sec. You're listening to the camping and off road radio show.

Broadcasting from the Northern Territory, thanks to tourism and tea. Around Australia, you go, as we broadcast from Darwin, in the Northern Territory. Don't forget, you can be a part of, go to blue collar media.com.au. Click on, email the duck, and certainly we do enjoy the feedback there and respond to all of those emails, and how good is that chat with Mal Leylan?

just unbelievable, what he said, he nodding his head all throughout that conversation because he's been out in these places, and Mao certainly does put a paint a great picture of those places, and we did say that we would talk about places that don't come to mind straight away, and that was certainly one of those destinations right there. Now, as you know, we are on a road trip and we have been on the road now for, oh, about, it'll be a month, and we've got about another month to go, which is how good is it? I've got to say, it could be doing harder things at the moment, and in a beautiful part of the world, and in particular, a fantastic number one destination in Australia, especially this time of year, here in Darwin. And there are plenty of other people doing it as well.

Now, as you know, I have an affiliation with the Sydney, Adelaide, and Perth, four-wheel drive and adventure shows, and in recent the last couple of years, we were down in Adelaide, and I've become a bit matey with a bloke down there, who runs pro, 4 by 4, and he's the, he's the go to. If you're in, listening to us through flow FM in South Australia and then you want to get your four-wheel drive done, done once and done properly, you need to look up the team at Pro 4 by 4. Great blokes and fair income, good quality parts, services, A grade, and you know, you get the job done right the 1st time, and he's a really good bloke. In fact, I'm actually going to send four-wheel drive down there and get some stuff done on my own, probably when I'm down there in Adelaide later in the year.

And Tony and his wife, Michelle, I met them last year and I basically drove them cuckoo over 2 camp cheese instead of stairs for my van. And they're really good people. Well, I couldn't believe it. I'm here the other day. I go and do a beer run.

I come back and here he is. Setting up camp. He's laying back like a, like an absolute oaf in his reclining deck chair. I noticed I didn't have the reclining chair, the ones he sold me, but he actually 2 of them here for him and Michelle, as he kicking back and he not only owns and runs pro 4 by 4 as well as mechanical repairs and the like in Adelaide, but he's also a caravaner and a camper, they swag it, they can't patroller it, and of course hit the road in the caravan.

I couldn't believe it that he was there. So I thought, you know what, let's get him on the radio. He's here with me now. And Tony, how are you, mate?

I'm good, thank you. Mate, your performance last night, in particular, with the Uber driver was sensational. It was a good night. It was a great night.

We went out down on the waterfront, had a feed, a few beers. The girls had a few cocktails. Had a few. It was amazing considering when you look at the bill and we didn't welch on the food, we ordered the deluxe platters, but it made up of about 15% of the entire bill.

It would have been pretty close to it. The rest of us, the girls. Anyway, all very, very good and it was a great night. But, mate, you're, you know, you've got prey 4 by four.

So you live and breathe this stuff anyway and you set people's 4 wheel drives up to do this sort of travel if they're into their caravans. But mate, here you are doing it yourself and you've got your van and a fantastic ram truck out there. ram trucks actually sponsor this show. But mate, why the northern territory for you?

What's the attraction, the weather? The weather was the 1st thing. Yep. The 1st board of forecast was the Northern Territory Border, so we planned it. We got 2 week trip.

Unfortunately, leave here on Monday. Much to our... Disgusted and leaving. We want to stay longer. And the fact, once you found out that I was here a bit longer, probably helped you make that decision, get out of here while I can, get away from the dark.

But it is. It's a great spot and you've been all around up here. And you do the adventure trip too. So you'll come up here via birds, will, and places like that.

We've done the birds will run up 3 hour hours in the back of Dale. That was a good run. Yep, and and get up here and enjoy everything. You've been everywhere. The 1st thing you did when you got up, he was booked all your harbour cruises.

Yep. Well, actually, booked a cruise we got here just in case we're cooking. We did 3 of them. So we start that Friday night, Saturday night, Sunday night. Yep.

Yeah, so you're the you're the Mr. Harbour cruise man now. So you can be a Harvard cruise guru when it comes to talking Darwin Harbour cruises because you've done them all. And but you've been to all of the attractions, and this is not your 1st trip up here. How many times you've been up here? This will be our 5th trip.

Yeah. Yeah, it's unbelievable. And it certainly won't be our last, I can tell you. It's just one of the destinations.

And you're the you and Michelle are really the, you know, your typical caravan and, you know, travellers. I mean, so you've done 5 trips to the Northern Territory, which speaks for itself. Yeah, this time we come up by a bit, just the truck in the caravan. Normally we come up here with a rooftop tent or a camper and do all the dirt roads.

This one was a straight, straightly bitch one only. Yeah, yeah. Of course, you haven't got, you know, time's a bit of a, you know, the essence you've got to get back and look after things at work, although it's underage in pretty good hands, young blokes, yeah. Yeah, young fellas are on the store for us.

He does a really good job, looks after all the clients. Yep. So, and I think too, I think the weather, like we say, the weather's great. But it's all the destinations and all the swimming, you know, the national parks and the swimming holes and the natural things that people want to see.

So you just love it that much. you just keep coming back. Yeah, Northern Territory is a great place. As you said, you've got all the waterfalls, you've got all the billabongs, anywhere to swim, it's safe.