Darwin to Kununurra

We left Darwin behind, back on to the Stuart Hwy headed towards Litchfield National Park.  Wikicamps had informed us that we needed to be into the campground by midday to get a campsite in the NP campground. A quick stop at the termite mounds on the way.   There have termite mounds roadside for thousands of kms now, but this formation looks like a cemetery.

We managed to get a site in the NP, but only a couple of others left. They filled up pretty quickly. This NP had toilets and showers, and good pits. Russell got to use the chainsaw to cut some firewood for us and the group of women next door. 

The campground was about a 400m walk from the spectacular Florence Falls. 135 steps down.  Very popular today (probably every day).  The falls are around 15-20m in height. There were quite a few who were climbing the slippery rocks and providing entertainment by jumping. I’m not sure that entertaining is the right word. It was frightening, the loud thump as they hit the water. Fortunately, they all got through unscathed, unlike the fella at Jim Jim falls in Kakadu a couple of weeks ago who broke multiple bones doing the same thing. The guys here were told to leave the Falls by the Rangers later in the day. Apart from the jumpers, it was a relaxing, refreshing way to spend the afternoon in a most spectacular pool.  Back to camp for a break, before heading back for another dip.  Not as crowded by this stage.  We did have a “friend” on the path on the way back. I went into reverse, very quickly as it slithered away. A yellowish snake. Freaks you out a bit. 

These falls are fed from natural Springs. There hasn’t been rain for months, although we did have 6 drops while we were in the pool. 

Back on the road, heading west when we got to Katherine. We did stop at Adelaide River to visit the Military cemetery. Those killed from WW2 bombing raids in Darwin are buried here, including civilians. 

Overnight was at a Roadhouse campground at Victoria River. A really nice spot, even had grass. The Victoria River is quite large, and is surrounded by a magnificent escarpment. So much natural beauty in NT. 

Running out of time to more next time. 😀

Darwin

Yesterday (that must have been Wednesday). It is easy to lose track of what day it is. We ventured back in to town today. It is about 18 km into the centre of Darwin, but an easy drive along Tiger Brennan Drive, a dual lane highway into the centre. (Tiger Brennan was the Mayor when Cyclone Tracy went through).  The Stuart Hwy leads into town as well. 

Our first stop for the day was back to Stokes Hill Wharf. The P &O cruise ship had docked along side the wharf.  The wharf can take 2 cruise ships at a time. About 120 cruise ships visit Darwin each year, although most are during the summer; not the best time to visit Darwin. It is humid enough at the moment (although very bearable)

Our visit to the wharf was to the RFDS and Bombing of Darwin exhibition. Fortunately, not too busy, despite the cruise ship visitors. Many would have headed out to Kakadu.  The exhibitions were great. A hologram presentation of both was so informative. A great insight into outback life and medical services (or lack of) and the development of the RFDS.  The highlight was the virtual reality display. On go the headphones/goggles for a 3D  “video”. A warning comes on for loud noise, motion sickness etc.  It was an amazing experience. This wharf was directly hit by a bomb on 19th Feb. 1942 (the first of about 100 raids on Darwin over an 18 month period). The video had you right in the middle of the bombing. You were looking all around for the next bit of action.  It must have been an incredible time for those there on the day. It was incredible just being in this “pretend experience”.  I knew Darwin had been attacked during WW 2, but I had no idea of the magnitude of the destruction. You learn new things everyday 

Highly recommend this exhibition for Darwin visitors. 

Next was a wander through the main drag of Darwin, Smith St. The mall was doing a little better than Hargreaves Mall.  A stop over at the brewery, Six tanks, for a cold  beer and cider.

 

Later in the day, we headed back to town, via the northern suburb of Lee Point to pick up John and Sheila (regulars to Darwin) to head to Mindil Beach Market, held every Thursday and Sunday during the winter. The market is very popular because of the beach sunset.   Parking was easy, thanks to John and Sheila’s disability parking permit!  It was a good quality market, lots of decent stalls. Heaps of food vans, a great selection to choose from. It was a market where you take your chairs and byo drinks and eat on the lawn, wander over the sand dune and watch the sun set. Very pleasant way to spend an evening. The sunset wasn’t so great as there had been a Smokey, haze all day. Glad we got a good view on Tuesday on our sunset cruise. Despite the haze, there were plenty of people there to watch the sunset.   It was quieter than usual though, maybe the Darwin Show took away some.

Today, we did the last of our Darwin touring. A visit to another Military museum.  It gave a different perspective. Lots of interviews/stories from ordinary people. The museum had a collection of items from ships sunken during the first bombing, and many from other wars.  It was like a mini War Memorial.  There were over 100 raids on Darwin and surrounds from 19th Feb. 1942 to Nov 1943. 

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A wall of memorial. 250+ serviceman died during the first raid, and several civilians. Fortunately, most civilians had been evacuated after Pearl Harbour bombing 7 months earlier. It was then realised that Darwin could be a realistic target by the Japanese. 

The ground weapons were installed to fend off a sea attack.  However, the attacks were from the air, so these were, essentially, useless. 

A drive on to Cullen Bay, the ferry terminal for Tiwi Island.  A marina has been made, with a canal lock entrance. Some well heeled folk live in this area!

More shopping done, stocking up for the next five days. A swim followed, before we packed up in readiness of our getaway tomorrow. Important things to be done.  Russell’s job. I get to do some food prep.  We can’t take any fresh fruit or vegetables into WA, so it was use a few things before Monday. 

 

Farewell from Darwin.  Off to Litchfield National Park tomorrow. May not have much internet for a few days. 

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. 

Fannie Bay beach sculpture. Fannie Bay is the suburb where the jail used to be. A desirable suburb to live now. 

Whoever has the contract to make these signs, they must be making a dollar. The signs are everywhere in the Top end. 

Boab tree in the Botanical Gardens. They are still cleaning up after Cyclone Marcus

Cheers till next time.