As I sit here in my uggies, long pants and a jumper amidst the start of the cooler weather I long for the warm weather of Australia's north in the dry season. At least I can live vicariously through my memories... and this travel story about my top 10 things to do in Kakadu National Park as published in the Big Bus Travel and Tour guide. Read the full story here.

But before you click through - have a quick squiz at some of my favourite Kakadu favourites!

Recently you might recall we spent Christmas in Victor Harbor, it was a quiet and much needed break between an interstate move and starting our new jobs. And here's another Top 10 list for The Big Bus Travel and Tour Guide.

South Australia offers plenty of options for an idyllic coastal getaway, but Victor Harbor is certainly one of the most popular. Monica McInnes checks in with suggestions for ten top things to do...

For generations, South Australians have been choosing Victor Harbor as their summer holiday retreat.

Read the full story on the Big Bus here.

And here are some happy snaps from the trip that didn't make the published story.

You'll remember we recently visited Bali for a week staying at both Nusa Dua and Ubud. Here is my Top 10 list of things to do in Nusa Dua with the kids in tow! I was on assignment for The Big Bus Tour and Travel Guide.

Nusa Dua, located on Bali’s south-eastern peninsula, is a favoured destination for families – and with good reason.

The semi-gated community is clean and quiet, and fronts the calm waters of Benoa Bay. It’s perfect for parents who want their children to experience the culture of Bali without the frenetic pace of the main tourist centres.

I was recently a guest on Ethical Adventures' amazing Litchfield Gold Tour. Read my review on my latest story on The Big Bus tour and travel guide.

It’s an early start and the air’s cool chill makes me wonder if I’ll be ready for a dip at Berry Springs Nature Park in less than an hour’s time.

Welcomed aboard the comfortable 11-seater bus by Ethical Adventures’ owner and tour guide Rob Woods, I ride shotgun to pick up today’s group from their Darwin accommodation. There’s a couple from New Zealand, another from China, and the rest are southern-dwelling Aussies.

Read the rest of the review here!

We’re trying to make the most of living in Darwin and the dry season by getting out and about to some of nature’s playgrounds that typically close during the wet season, which runs from about October to April. The wet season brings high humidity, rain and crocodiles – all of which aren’t that much fun if you want to get outdoors to explore!

So last weekend we headed south to the Douglas River region about two hours drive south of Darwin. Our first stop was Butterfly Gorge Nature Park. It was an incredibly bumpy 4WD route into the gorge and there are no amenities or much shade for parking. Thankfully though the five kilometre return walk to the main pool has plenty of shade to escape the heat – yes, the dry season is still hot – but minimal humidity makes the weather so pleasant! We negotiated a rocky and at times steep path into the gorge and main pool.

After taking is slowly down the final descent, we were ready to hit the water. But we were planning to swim across the main pool, shimmy up some rocks and rock hop and swim our way to the upper pools in the gorge. And, considering we have two children who can’t swim – well one that can but doesn’t trust his abilities, and the buoyancy of a the life jacket we insist he wears. While the other child thinks he can swim, but really can’t. We knew making it to the upper pools was going to be a tall order. I should add here that the swim across the main pool should certainly only be done by children with strong swimming abilities, unless you are using life jackets or other floatation devices. The water is deep and the swim across is probably about 60 metres.

Red happily took up his position in a floatation device that The Husband swam across the main pool, while I had D-Man. With his life vest secured we started the swim across. Holding hands to swim only makes it all the more challenging for both of us, and half way across in the deep waters, D-Man decides he wants to turn back.

His screams to stop and return to the safety of the shore echoed throughout the gorge, probably to the great surprise to travellers all the way back in the carpark! After a quick pep talk, he overcame his fear and chanted “we are a team” until he reached the relatively safety of the rocks on the other side. They were very slippery and didn’t provide any shallow footholds for him.

The Husband had already managed to shimmy himself and Red out of the water – I have no idea how he managed this solo – and leant down to pull D-Man from the water, while I boosted him up.

The shimmy through the gorge reminded us of our spider walk at Hancock Gorge in Karijini National Park. Once on the other side there was another deep but short swim pool to get through before we could continue rock hopping up and up.

Past shallow pools with little waterfalls, and deep turquoise pools we travelled, very thankful for our reef shoes. They helped to grip on smooth wet rocks, and protected our skin from burning on the sun-drenched dry rocks.

But despite our exploring of the upper pools, we opted to return to a small shallow pool with its very own waterfall. The sandy bottom was perfect for the kids to splash around and The Husband and I enjoyed the water massage on our head and shoulders under the cascades.

We spied a few butterflies, we assume they were Common Crow Butterflies for which the gorge is famed. But the pesky Marsh flies were all that greeted us elsewhere.

Thankfully our return swim was uneventful, except when Red leant forward telling us he saw some fish swim by. It nearly ended in drink!

We discovered, thanks to some lovely fellow travellers, a shortcut back to the carpark via the river. It involved two waist deep water crossings then a very short flat walk to the start – much better than that steep rock-hopping we would have had to endure!

Back in the car, we headed to the Douglas Hot Springs – also known as Tjuwaliyn. This thermal hot springs is mother nature’s most luxurious day spa – and it doesn’t cost a thing! The water can reach very high temperatures; so do test the water before stepping in. Also, make sure you stay on any marked tracks and within the public areas. Much of the local area is home to the local Wagiman people and contains many sacred women’s sites.

We found our own peace of paradise and pulled up stumps for more than an hour! The boys loved relaxing just as much as we did! The shallow water and sandy bottom again a great draw card for littlies.

The hot springs are quite extensive, and the further downstream you go the cooler the water. You can also camp right beside the hot springs if an overnight trip is more your style. Fees do apply and you can pay in the honesty box.

It was late afternoon by the time we tore ourselves away from our soaking pools to make the trek home. We took the scenic route back and if time had permitted we would have done the walk into Robin Falls on the way.

Instead we stopped for dinner at the Adelaide River Inn. It’s home to the famous 303 bar and has a resident five-metre crocodile named Jock that was caught terrorising boaties at a nearby boat ramp. It’s also where you can see ‘Charlie the Buffalo’ made famous in Crocodile Dundee 1 and 2. Thankfully both are more subdued in their stuffed state!

It was a great day trip from Darwin and might even try to get back again before the end of the dry season!

Saltwater crocodiles are the world’s oldest and deadliest predator, so it is natural to be curious and want to get up-close and personal with this prehistoric reptile. Australia has the highest concentration of crocodiles in with more than an estimated 100,000 living in the Northern Territory wilds, so there is no better place to witness their mystique, grandeur, power, and ferocity.

Cuddle a crocodile

Forget cuddling a koala in Darwin and cuddle a cute crocodile instead! Sure, your baby croc looks oh-so-sweet and compliant as you hold it and pose with it atop your head, but these juvenile crocs have their snouts taped shut for a reason – they still bite! It’s still a great opportunity to touch and feel these smaller predators and you will be surprised at its relatively soft skin. Remember to get photographic proof of your encounter, otherwise no one will actually believe you! Get your photo taken with a crocodile at Territory Wildlife Park, Crocosaurus Cove and Crocodylus Park.

Take the plunge

If cuddling a croc doesn’t quite make your heart skip a beat, head to Crocosaurus Cove in the heart of Darwin’s CBD. Enter the cage of death to be immersed into the croc enclosure waters while its fully mature occupant snaps at enticing chunks of meat dangling above. It’s the only place in Australia where you can dive with a crocodile and it’s not for the faint hearted; especially with names like Chopper and Houdini. The minimum age for undertaking this stunt is 15 years, and 15 – 17 year-olds must be accompanied by an adult in the cage. Younger thrill-seekers should head to the juvenile croc enclosure to ‘fish’ for a croc instead.

Feeding frenzy

Regular feeding tours at Crocodylus Park are not to be missed – you might be lucky and get to feed one too! It’s an easy 20-minute drive from Darwin’s CBD, and guests gather on boardwalks above the cages to witness the adult crocs snap for their food. Some will come out of the water a little, while others remain still before unexpectedly snapping the water to nab a tasty snack. The guide explains how the park looks after its inhabitants, their food consumption, mating and nesting habits, and provides some interesting stories about how their guests came to be at the park. One was caught near the notorious Cahill’s Crossing in Kakadu National Park. He is thought to be the culprit in the death of a local man in 1987. Crocodiles are legally protected in the Northern Territory, and have cultural and spiritual significance to Aboriginal people, so he was relocated here for the term of his natural life.

Into the wild

Less than an hour’s drive out of Darwin, board a jumping crocodile cruise on the Adelaide River and watch wild crocodiles effortlessly launch their weighty bodies high above the water to capture food. The expert skippers and guides identify crocodiles by name, as if they’re old friends, and explain hunting and territorial habits. Seeing a mature crocodile’s underbelly just meters away and hearing the distinct hollow pop and chomp of its jaws as it claims its meat reward is an exhilarating experience. Keep your eyes peeled for Brutus who is distinguished by a missing arm. He lost it in a shark fight several years ago but it doesn’t seem to hold him back.

Leisurely cruising

To see crocodiles in a more tranquil state, take a wetlands cruise on Corroboree Billabong in the Mary River region, just 90 minutes from Darwin. Watch these formidable creatures glide silently and majestically through calm waters, seeming to mind their own business. Your skipper will be quick to point out that while the crocs may seem oblivious to your presence they will know all about you long before you see them. Spy some crocs sunning themselves motionless on the banks and look for tell tale croc-slides on the banks as evidence of a crocodile having turned back into the water.

A placid encounter

Smaller travellers, who may be a little apprehensive about seeing a live crocodile, will enjoy seeing the impressive and infamous crocodile named ‘Sweetheart’ at the Northern Territory Museum and Art Gallery which is located by the beach just five minutes from Darwin’s CBD. Legend has it that Sweetheart was terrorising fisherman at Sweets Lookout billabong, south-west of Darwin in the 70s. By 1979, Sweetheart had been captured but was drowned accidentally while being taken to shore. The intention was to relocate it at a crocodile farm, but due to its notoriety, it was decided to preserve Sweetheart through taxidermy. Today the 5.1-metre, 780-kilogram crocodile is a museum icon that lives up to its name.

No matter how you hunt for your crocodile in the Northern Territory’s Top End, you will smile with delight at seeing these wonders of the reptile world. After a few gasps of course!

During our big trip we found a soft spot for Kununurra - check out some of our happy snaps below. But most importantly read my top 10 moments in this amazing little town, as it appeared on The Big Bus tour and travel guide.

Kununurra in Western Australia’s far northeast is known as the gateway to the iconic Kimberley wilderness – but it has so much to offer travellers in its own right.

Meaning ‘meeting of big waters’ in the local Indigenous language, Kununurra services the massive Ord River Irrigation Scheme – where a torrent of wet season water feeds into massive man-made lakes and down the Ord River. This water sustains a strong agriculture industry and provides some unique attractions and water activities.

Read the whole blog here!

Hands down, the Hancock Gorge walk in Western Australia's Karijini National park was our favourite walk EVER! Yes, Kings Canyon was incredible, so too was Mitchell Falls, but Hancock Gorge is a challenge for anyone with reasonable fitness, but to conquer this one with a toddler and five-year old - now that is epic!

Like most of Australia, we've been watching Australia's Ninja Warrior, and have dubbed Hancock Gorge as 'Nature's Ninja Warrior', with the Spider Walk obstacle equivalent to Mt Midoriyama.

The class five walk is short at only 1.5 kilometres return, but you should allow at least two hours to compete the round trip. Starting with a steep descent we negotiate rocks before climbing down a ladder. And then the clambering, balancing and clinging begins.

We conquer our first obstacle by tip-toeing around a rock wall by balancing on a ledge to keep our feet dry - just like in Ninja Warrior. But it needed have mattered. We round the corner and in front of us was our first water crossing. Off came our boots and we carefully inched our way through the icy water and across the slippery rocks beneath. D-Man wasn't so keen to wade across. So since it was freezing and it would have come up to his chest, The Husband drew the short straw and carried across both boys.

Once to the other side we could finally see the challenges that lay ahead. I perch myself on a sun-drenched rock (these are few and far between when you're in the narrow gorges), and dry out a little before lacing my boots again. The Husband went off for a quick reconnaissance to see if the obstacles ahead could be conquered by D-Man.

As he was scaling back down the rock face he gave us the thumbs up to say we were good to go! D-Man and I scale the rock wall finding suitable foot and hand holds along the way. If we were to slip we were headed right for some more icy water. The horizontal layers of red rock did make it relatively easy to find a place to hold or balance along the way. Some sections opened up a little to offer foot holds for your whole foot instead of just your big toe. We maintained three points of contact all the way along before we could exit onto a pebbly bank. Over some more rocks before a small ampitheatre opens up.

We pause momentarily on a wide ledge and wait our turn to slip down into the very narrow gorge known as the Spider Walk. The sun floods in here and dances on the rocks to showcase their various red hues.

As we approach the edge of the Spider Walk the flowing water echoes and drowns out D-Man's initial fright. But after a small pep talk and explaining how to beat the obstacle, he lowered himself down and edged along the gorge. Sometimes he would be spread out like a starfish with his arms and legs on both sides of the rock walls. Other times he found it easier to lean across the water with both feet on one side of the rock wall and hands supporting on the other side.

As we emerge from the end of the Spider Walk we are greeted to water cascading into a dazzling emerald coloured pool, aptly name Kermit's Pool. We crawl and shimmy under a rock overhang to reach the very end of the walk. Our big grins a testament to the sense of achievement we felt on conquering Hancock Gorge.

We watch as some young at heart kids bomb into the pool with delight. They only have one or two jumps though. Either the water took their breath away, or they decided it was too shallow for such frivolity. In all seriousness though, this is definitely NOT the place to jump dangerously into water. Not only is the trek in hard enough with a small child on your back, getting out an injured adult would probably require a helicopter and a winch. Added to the fact that this gorge can flood suddenly, its not worth the risk to yourself, your fellow trekkers and the emergency responders who will need to come to your rescue.

We return through the obstacles at a cracking pace and instead of carefully moving hand over hand through the spider walk to keep his feet dry, D-Man wades through the water. But alas, the larger pool of water at the start proves too deep and opts for the safety of Dad's arms again for the return.

Karijini National Park is one of those places that has to be seen to be believed. There are amazing walks and lookouts throughout the park and they cater to all levels of fitness.

I am so pleased that we came, we saw and we conquered Hancock Gorge like the true ninjas we are!

It pretty much took us the full three months of being on the road before we perfected setting up and packing down our camp.

But first to rewind slightly.

Back in October we bought Harry Hawk, a Jayco pop-top camper trailer. It’s almost a caravan, but with lot’s of camper trailer benefits. But the biggest reason we upgraded from our canvas tent style camper trailer was to help reduce the set-up and pack-down time. The Husband, bless his cotton socks, is normally the poor sod doing all the hard work, so I figured if it helps his sanity, we can get a new camper for our big trip.

So, roll on April and we set off on our adventure of the lifetime.

Set-up isn’t all that long really. If it’s just a basic overnighter we are normally kicking back with a beer in 45 minutes. For longer stays when we have the bed-end flys up and a privacy awning on both sides of the van it might take an hour.

Pack up on the other hand has taken us up to three hours from wake up to hitch up. We mostly surmised it was because of the kids. Keeping an eye on Red was the most challenging, making sure he wasn’t climbing on something only to topple off, or eating roo poo (yes, this happened!), or rocks, or running around with a stick (we have visions of him falling over and losing an eye – it’s a family superstition thing and warranted too), or worse, wandering out onto the road and being squashed by a six tonne van!

But by our last pack up, we were done and dusted in 90 minutes - check out the time lapse video below!