Mary River 4WD
It's dawn in the Top End, and the Northern Territory is already coming to life.
There's something incredibly beautiful about early morning in the Australian wilderness.
This is part of the Mary River wetland system which extends from the Adelaide River through to the border of the Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory. To a large extent this area is just untamed.
The Mary River is a ribbon of billabongs and water holes, and ET's fisho friend - Chris Errity - knows these waters well.
During the wet season - from October to April - it becomes a raging torrent, surging through the surrounding wetlands. But for now…it's a gentle, meandering stream.
I just can't believe the amount of birds on this billabong. From whistler duck to jabiru, it's bird-watching heaven.
But I'll give you a tip, make sure you bring the insect repellent. The little blighters come in clouds.
This part of the world is barra central. Some giant fish lurk beneath the spectacular lotus lillies. And they're not the only things lurking in these waters...
A Flat-bottomed punt like this is the only way to explore these fantastic billabongs. But once you're back on terra firma, the comfort and reliability of the landcruiser is the only way to go.
The Landcruiser's constant 4WD & rear limited slip diff ensure stability.
We're heading into the floodplains, and the going's not too bad. Hard to believe that in the wet season, all this would be underwater.
Once you hit the floodplains, keep your eyes peeled for Asian buffalo.These animals were brought into Australia as domestic stock, but the farming venture failed and now they're free to roam.
We've had a great time here in the NT wetlands… but no adventure is complete without throwing a lure and trying to catch a barra.
I don't really care if I catch one or not but it's a great way to end the day.
We toured the Mary River billabongs in a Toyota Landcruiser 100 Series from 4WD Hire service. Call them to hire a vehicle - or check out the latest landcruisers on the Toyota website.
We stayed at Wildman River lodge, right in the heart of the Mary River. Go to the voyages website for bookings and details.
For more information on the Mary River National Park, contact the Northern Territory Parks and Wildlife commission.
In Darwin, we stayed at the Crowne Plaza. Call them for reservations.
Contact Northern
Territory Tourism for help with accommodation and tours of this
magnificent spot.
