Katherine

Another rest day. Did some washing and drove into Katherine for a wander around the shops. Hired a canoe for an hour, so we paddled up the Katherine River and had a picnic lunch on the bank before drifting back.

Had our afternoon swim and did a tour of the homestead and heard a bit about the history. Fed the fish at the radioactive pool. It seems that bones found on the homestead contained about 50 or 60 times the maximum possible radioactive limit, and that the source of the bores and the Mataranka Springs is in New Guinea. About 600 people are employed by Travel North to work in the homestead, gorge, motels, bus services, tours, Mataranka and the rest of the operation -- which is all owned by two men.

Went to a corroboree after tea for an interesting series of dances and exhibitions of spear throwing by the local aborigines, interspersed by some witty commentary by one of the more Western members. Melissa had success as a guest spear thrower, and David as a guest didgeridoo player. About 200 people watched the performance.