30 August 2022
In our first full day in Litchfield National Park, we were in deep. Really deep, uncomfortably deep water.
We planned two full days exploring the park seeing the sights and swimming in the waterholes. On our way in a wildfire in the park caused a quick change of plans, we’d do our day two itinerary on day 1.
We went to see Sandy Creek Falls, which we knew required a creek crossing and some poor condition dirt roads in the Isuzu. What we did not know just how bad the first creek crossing would be. It was 500mm deep, on a blind corner, through murky water, with no formed roadway. Abby rapidly evacuated the drivers seat gave me the choice, drive it or miss out.
I scouted the best I could (carefully in croc country), put the Isuzu into low range 4WD and crawled through. Laura was making some rather odd noises and Abby was clearly clenching various body parts rather tightly. We made it, slow and steady won the race. The door seals worked.
The way back was worse. That side was steeper, making the 500mm a lot higher on our nose. We got no water into the air intake and things got a wash down. The waterfall was worth every scary minute.
