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.......

ALICE TO DARWIN

ALICE TO DARWIN
22nd-28th April
With our friends Graeme, Maxine, Greg & Shirley we departed Alice Springs. Of course we had to stop and experience the outback hospitality at Pilton’s Hilton, the Barrow Creek Hotel, (Home of Bullshit & Beer) not my words. While having a drink at the bar and conversation with the local barman we observed a lot of interesting memorabilia adorning the walls and ceiling and any other spare surface area. Of course we had to add our touches, just to say we had been there.
Only a further 44klms on (a total of 326klms for the day) we decided to make camp at rest area 28, Taylor Creek. The 3 vans made a circle and we were set. Out came the refreshments, liquid as well, and after gathering firewood and D’Arcy with his chainsaw a lovely fire was on its way. The boys felt so comfortable they decided that this would be a 2 night stopover. So we did and just had such a lovely time. D’Arcy brought out his didgeridoo and with our background music wasn’t tooooooo bad. It is just lovely being in the outback and seeing beautiful sunsets and sharing it with beautiful people.
Our journey on to Tennant Creek is not without a stop to view The Devil’s Marbles, huge rounded boulders, balanced precariously. They owe their shape to millions of years of erosion and are a photographer’s delight. After a short stop in Tennant Creek it was decided that we would make our day’s end at Three Ways Roadhouse situated at the junction of the Stuart & Barkly H’Ways making it the gateway to the Territory from the east. This is where we said our good-byes to Shirley & Greg, as they were heading home to Sarina, on the Queensland coast. After a few drinks at the bar we had a lovely meal in the restaurant. Thankyou Greg & Shirley. Enjoyed your company on & off from Coober Pedy.
With just two in our convoy now we headed off towards Daly Waters, a distance of 339klms, with refreshment and fuel stops on the way. According to information Daly Waters was the site of Australia’s first international airport built in 1930 for planes that had a limited fuel range. The well-known Daly Waters Pub is a favourite stop-over for travellers being the oldest living pub in the Territory, with walls of paraphernalia and memorabilia. A real classic of a place and known for its bbq of barra & beef, which we enjoyed while listening to the entertainment. Maxine beat me in a game of pool while the boys enjoyed their beer and conversations at the bar. Today, being Anzac Day, there was a game happening at the entrance when we arrived. Thought of you all day Jackie, (my daughter) Happy Birthday..xx
With only a distance of 274klms the next day saw us in Katherine, the third-largest town in the Northern Territory and home to about 9000 people. Its most famous icon is Katherine Gorge which sits in the Nitmiluk National Park. Our main aim for Katherine was to see the gorge, which we did. The system has 13 individual gorges, which we saw 3 by way of a guided cruise. During this part of the journey we had to pull over for a few very oversized loads of machinery equipment.
After our 2 night stay in Katherine we only had 320klms to Darwin. A lunch stop at the Adelaide River Inn was on our menu. This being home to the famous “Charlie the Buffalo” star of Crocodile Dundee 1 & 2. As we hadn’t decided where to stay we stopped at a caravan park at Coolalinga, 26klms. south of Darwin on the Stuart H’Wy. We booked in for a week to get the feel of Darwin and what there was to offer in the way of caravan parks. Although they look ok in a book you still have to go and investigate.

Till next post......