6 Wandering Epsomites: DARWIN

Arrived here on Monday. It was a short drive (a relative term up here). About 210kms. Fortunately we were able to get in to the park before lunch, which was good. All set up before a late lunch. Another nice park, about 15 km from the centre of Darwin. It’s a big park too. And full. After some shopping, it was off to visit some people Russell knows, who are regulars to Darwin for a few months each year. Ended up having a meal with them at a place next door to their caravan park. They gave us lots of ideas on things to do.

First stop on Tuesday was the Museum/ Art Gallery, which has amongst other things, a great display about Cyclone Tracy. Very interesting. The sound booth was amazing. It had a recording that someone had done of the Winds that night. Frightening. The museum also had a great collection of animals from NT. The birds and butterflies were particularly good. The art gallery was a let down, as most of it was closed. They were preparing for a special exhibition.

The museum is on Fannie Bay. Not suitable for swimming. Too much wildlife (all kinds)

Off into town to check out the Stokes Hill Wharf area and the waterfront. A really pretty area. A nice spot to have lunch and a wander around. Checked out our vessel for the sunset cruise in the evening.

The wall/walkway on the left (below) separates the safe water from the not so safe. There is a great water playground, with floating slides etc, a beach and the wave pool. Popular with visitors at the moment, but not locals. They think it’s too cold!

The Pearl lugger waiting for the evening cruise.

A fantastic cruise on Darwin Harbour, around to Fannie Bay for the sunset. BYO drinks and nibbles. Eskies, ice, glasses platters provided. It was a very friendly group on board. All comparing holidays, giving tips etc.

Smokiness around Darwin made for great colour as the sun set.

Today (Wednesday) we headed off early into town for an 8 am bike tour around Darwin. It took 1/2 hour to get in as we were in the traffic. There was just one other on the tour, a girl from New York. It was a great tour, the guide, Mark, being very interesting and a having a bit of a sense of humour. We rode 20+ km around.

Governor’s residence (although the title here is Chief Administrator). The oldest (surviving) building in Darwin.

Security- a picket fence and a bougainvillea!

Parliament House. It is a recent build (1993). It was the Old Telegraph Station, but was obliterated in the bombing of Darwin in 1942. The corner pillars are like upside down bombs. It was a simple tribute to those who lost their lives on this site

Follow the leader.

Safe swimming to the left of the wall, not so safe to the right.

The safe side has a great water playground, with inflatable water slides, a beach and the wave pool. We cooled off in the wave pool after the 4 hours of bike riding. We thought it was great. The wave pool is just continual swells, that only break close to shore. No sand. What a bonus! The waves go for about 10 mins then off for 10mins and so on. About 32o C here today. Overnight, it was 19oC. A dew at 7.30am when we left here.