Wednesday 27th July 2011

Big Day Out - drove out to Ranger Uranium Mine just out of Jabiru. Whilst it's still in Kakadu National Park, it is separate from the park but the owners respect the traditional land owners. Proclaimed on a sign outside the entrance to the mining site.

Drivers must stay on the bitumen! 

Ranger Uranium Mine

 The first thing you see as you approach, is a high pile of dirt (a bit like driving out to Wingfield Dump). Further along, there is an enormous, gigantic, humungous pit. It's hard to see how deep it is but it's big. Those huge trucks that you need a ladder to get into the cabin look like Tonka trucks in a sandpit. 

Photos didn't come out very well because the auto focus focussed on the wire fence. 


In the background, the vibrant colours of the escarpments far outshine the dullness of this mine. There are different opinions about the mine in this location of a world heritage area. Some of the traditional owners think it is a good thing because the funding that was received has helped with education and a different lifestyle but others don't like the land being disturbed and destroyed. 

Not far from the mine is the Jabiru Airport. It's very tired-looking and with need of some TLC. There were a few planes on the tarmac - with the  mine and tourist flights, it could be a busy place at times. 

Jabiru Airport

We stopped at the only supermarket in Jabiru to re-stock. The price of fresh fruit and veg would keep people poor!  Mushrooms $15 per kg; tomatoes about the same; lettuces over $5 each and cucumbers about $4.