This was such a special part of our trip. We camped in the national park, and I saw more bats than I knew could exist in one place. On the first night, we walked up to Burawei Lookout, which overlooks the gorge. We watched the most fantastic sunset and hung around for about half an hour to watch the colours of the sky change. As we started to descend, thousands and thousands of bats suddenly filled the gorge air. I still remember the bats’ sound, the bats’ blackness against the orange evening sky and the warmth on my skin. It was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. It was such an intense and marvellous natural phenomenon that was completely unexpected.
The next day, we went canoeing in the gorge in double canoes. We took some lunch and were allowed to go onto some small embankments to eat, but not on the ones that had been cordoned off for crocodiles to lay their eggs on.
Being in the canoes together on the still water with a bright blue sky and the vast red cliffs was so much fun. It was one of the most spectacular days, and I feel so grateful.
This is one of the places I look forward to returning to. I feel the majesty of Australia as I remember being in that sacred place.