DARWIN..CONT...

DARWIN... cont....
May 2010
As we continue to enjoy our stay here in Darwin we are finding a lot of interesting places to visit. The WW11 oil storage tunnels constructed to protect the Navy’s oil supplies from bombardment consists of 5 steel-lined tunnels which extend from the Wharf and run under the city. On the walls there are displays of historic photographic images during wartime activity in Darwin and around the Top End.
Mother’s Day we enjoyed a lovely luncheon on the shores of Fannie Bay, The Darwin Sailing Club. We had the pleasure of Maxine & Graeme’s company as well and had a lovely day. Weather was lovely although the humidity is still with us. The locals are waiting for the end of the wet season to come too.
The Jetty Resturant, down at The Wharf Precinct, was our choice to celebrate D’Arcy’s 75th birthday on the 20th May. Joining us was friends of Maxine & Graeme’s, Tony & Erica, who were holidaying from Perth. The outside eating was a verandah over the water, where we were able to observe the fish life underneath. Someone fishing from the rocks caught a barra, which D’Arcy offered to buy from him a little later, but was a little too late as the guy had thrown it back. The meal was a buffett style and was very extensive.
We left our van and travelled to Kakadu National Park for a few days. Our accommodation was in the Gagudju Lodge Cooinda, approx. 50klms. from Jabiru, was our choice, although it probably wouldn’t have mattered where we stayed the mozzies were horrific. We had to retreat to our room on the night of the 1st game of Origin and watch it there due to being eaten alive by the mozzies and other insects. Because of the late wet season there were roads closed to a few of the sites we would have liked to have seen. We did go on the Yellow Water sunset cruise, touring through the famous Kadadu Wetland, Yellow Water Billabong, where we sited plenty of bird life and crocodiles, and a lovely sunset.
The Jabiru Ranger Uranium Mine Tour was also on the agenda. Our guide explaining stage by stage of the excavation, milling and processing through to the production of Uranium Oxide.
The Nourlangie Art Site was a leisurely 1.5klm. walk observing the history of the local rock art. Although the Crocodile Holiday Inn was not accommodation we did go & have lunch there. The photo of the large croc chasing the barra was a display in the reception area of the Hotel. As we didn’t do any flights over we couldn’t show the overall picture, so I have elected to scan the Hotel photo, just so you can see the croc shape of the Resort.
Till next blog....

DARWIN

ROBBIE ROBBINS RESERVE-DARWIN

If you seek you shall find......We discovered a lovely place to call home for a couple of months, Robbie Robbins Reserve, Berrimah, Darwin, which is 13klms from Darwin CBD and about 8klms from the Palmerston City shopping centre. After considering and checking out the parks available around Darwin we decided on this one. It is not a “caravan park” as such, but a reserve for polocrosse events. There is limited sites available, approx. 26 most with power & water, some water only, but amenities include showers and kept clean & serviced by the onsite caretaker. We have such a beautiful outlook of green grassed fields and our views not blocked in any way. We have lovely shady trees and because the wet season humidity is still with us there is a nice breeze blowing most of the day. Some would say that being situated next to the Darwin Prison is a problem, but we think not, as if there was a breakout they wouldn’t hang around here. We are fenced and gated all the way around, including an electric fence behind us. The paddocks are stocked with cattle, who wander by most afternoons. Our first weekend here we witnessed a polocrosse event right at our front door.
The Mindil Beach Markets had their first night of trading for the season on our 2nd night here so along we went with Maxine & Graeme. After a wander through the market place it was decided to head to the Darwin Sailing Club, which is also on the waterfront of Fannie Bay, to watch the sunset and have dinner. We witnessed the fireworks for the markets from our relaxed spot after having dinner. A beautiful return to Darwin for D’Arcy & I, as we have great memories because we sailed this way 14yrs. ago.
A must visit is to Litchfield National Park approx. 150klms. from Darwin. Stopping at all the sights throughout the park and including a dip in the waterhole at Florence Falls was very refreshing. This included a steep walk down man-made wooden steps to get access and on the return came across quite a big olive python, over 3mtrs. Some of the falls waterholes were closed to swimming as they had crocodile traps set to re-locate them. This always seems the case after the wet season. Has me stumped as to how they get there.
Darwin and surrounds have some very good markets and from Thursday through to Sunday you can take your pick as to which ones you want to go to. All different in their own way. Mindil Beach is very multi-cultural, with foods from all Asian countries and local along with entertainment throughout while setting yourself up to watch the beautiful sunsets.
The Aviation Heritage Centre which houses the B52 bomber with an impressive display of aircraft depicting the NT’s involvement in aviation both civil & military is an easy couple of hours of reading and listening to the guide. The bombing of Darwin in 1942 during WW11 display is very interesting.
Another day we set off to find a place called Dundee Beach, but due to us taking a wrong turn we ended up on the Cox Peninsula and Mundorah, approx. 130klms. from Darwin, which is just across the bay from Darwin. We could have boarded a ferry and been there in no time all. The Mundorah Hotel had entertainment and meals and a very lovely view, so we were not worried about ending up there.

Till next post.......