The Savannah Way, Part 3, NORTHERN TERRITORY
Airing Date: Oct 16th, 2006
Ernie is almost halfway across Australia on his trip from Cairns to Broome. In the local lingo - it's a bloody long drive - 3699 kilometres of hot dusty road and it's the longest touring route in the world!
The Lost CityOnly accessible by helicopter, this tour is a spectacular and exciting experience. Flying 11 kilometres from the base, travellers are overwhelmed by these ancient columns of sandstone rising up to meet them.
From the air you will see exactly how these natural sky scrapers were formed. The 2 hour ground tour is a 1.5 km walk around the base of a small section. Low level fitness is required.
Accompanied by a guide you will be shown a variety of plant species, learn the geology, cultural history and explore a cave that has been formed from water tunneling through the rocks.
Poppy's PoolsThese thermal pools are situated 70 kilometres from Cape Crawford on Bauhinia Downs Station. The hot spring water rises under pressure from a large aquifer system 5-7 km's deep in the earth's crust.
It emerges to the surface where it cools as it moves downstream and mixes with the water from the cool spring. Cape Crawford Tourism can arrange for a tour into the 'Lost City' as well as a visit to this little-known local gem, 'Poppy's Pool', which is owned by the traditional owners. They have to get permission to take visitors.
Lorella SpringsThe best word to describe Lorella Springs Station is huge. And rugged. Oh, and beautiful. This one million-acre property (or four thousand square kilometres) sits on the Savannah Way and truly is one of the Territory's unspoiled regions.
A tour around some of the property reveals huge rock formations, escarpments carved with chasms and gorges and wetland swamps teeming with wild and birdlife. Lorella is quite unique in the fact that once visitors set up camp, they are invited to join everyone to cook at the undercover communal barbeque area.
MatarankaAllow time to explore the tiny township of Mataranka, the setting of the famous Australian historical novel, "We of the Never Never". The Mataranka Thermal Pools are a welcome stop for all travellers.
The warm, crystalline waters of this natural pool have the power to rejuvenate bodies tired from a long day on the road. Almost as beautiful as the thermal pool is the surrounding paperbark and palm forest. Allow an hour or two to fully enjoy.
FURTHER INFORMATION Lost City & Poppy's Pools - Sandra Schletter
Cape Crawford Tourism - PH:
(08) 8975 9611Lorella Springs - Rhett Walker, Lorella Springs
PH:
(08) 8983 3728
