A loud bang, 31 km of corrugations to go, and Pumba’s trailing arm bolt had fallen out, our weekend just got interesting. With ratchet straps, some creative engineering, and a painfully slow crawl down the highway, we made it to Katherine. After a tense wait and a bit of local heroism from Tom (and his dogs), a spare bolt appeared, and Pumba was back on the road. Adventure, frustration, and kindness all rolled into one unforgettable repair story.

The Kakadu or Kada-don’t debate had us curious, so we had to see it for ourselves. From croc-spotting at Cahills Crossing to the stunning plunge pools of Gunlom Falls, Kakadu delivered epic scenery, challenging drives, and plenty of wildlife surprises. Mosquito swarms, smoke-filled nights, and a few mechanical dramas couldn’t stop us from soaking it all in and discovering that sometimes the best adventures come when plans change.