Darwin
The road from Litchfield to Darwin was a little bumpy but before long we were on the
magnificent Stuart Highway with a 70 km to drive to Darwin. One of the interesting sights on the way
to Darwin is the World War Two airstrips that were used
for fighter planes defending Darwin from the Japanese bombers in1942. There
are about 6 in total every 10km or so alongside the highway, each with a
rundown of it’s role in Darwin’ Defence.
On arriving in Darwin we found our way to the Free Spirit
Caravan Park about 20 minutes from the city.
We sorted out the site then
headed into town for some lunch. We went
down to Stokes Hill Wharf for some fish and chips. The Wharf precinct has undergone a massive transformation
from 1988 when Jim was here for 7 months.
It has panoramic views of the
harbour and surrounds and Darwin is a real boomtown at the moment and the
development is clear to see.
Stokes Hill Wharf fish and chips.
After lunch it was time for our first visit to the
Palmerston Water Park. A free water park, open for anyone to enjoy with some great
water slides. As you would expect, very
popular with the Morcom boys.
Palmerston Water Park and yes it's free!
Saturday saw a bit of a slow start but it was soon time for lunch
and that means the Parap Markets! This market runs all year round with a
variety of stalls but most of all,
unbelievable food. The mostly Asian stall holders have a wide range of
food from yummy satays to mindblowing laksas.
The sights and smells of the market were very exciting for all!
From there we visited
the Wave pool in the wharf precinct. At
only $12 for an afternoon per family, the councils are making a huge effort to
have places for families and visitors to cool off. You
need to remember that huge tides, seasonal jellyfish and crocs make Darwin
beaches not that desirable for much of the year.
Will enjoying the Wave Pool
Sunday in Darwin means the Mindil Beach Markets, but first you need to fill in the day until 4.00pm.
We visited the Aviation Museum with it’s very own B-52 bomber as well as lots
of other planes and information on both the war and Cyclone Tracey. On the
whole it was quite interesting as are
the many civil and defence aircraft seen landing in Darwin daily. Once again off to the water park before
getting ready for the markets. The markets attract up to 10 000 people and have
lots of groovy stalls, great food and street theatre. Will came away with a whip to accompany his Akubra
hat and Jordy mastered the diablo with the generosity of a helpful coach. Meeting up with Chrissy’s nephew Micheal
(Jordy, Kurt and Will’s cousin) topped off a great evening. We had
waited a long time to visit the markets and they are awesome, better stay until
next Thursday.......
Now that's a B-52
The boys enjoying dinner .
Chrissy and her Nephew Michael
Crocosaurus Cove
Tuesday morning involved a visit to Crocosaurus Cove, a
crocodile aquarium in the heart of the city. The place is very well run with
talks and feeding going on all of the
time. The big crocs are in huge
enclosures that can be viewed from above and below the waterline and unlike
other croc parks everything is clean, even the crocodile’s teeth? The kids had a busy few hours swimming with
the crocs as well as feeding them 9no at the same time) and
holding reptiles. Well worth the visit.
Jordy and Will feeding the two year olds
And they jump too!
Kurt with the Crocs
Fearless Will
Jordy and friend
Corroboree Billabong.
On Wednesday Jim went on a guided fishing tour to Corroboree
Billabong 120km from Darwin. The aim was to catch a barra but that wasn’t to be. He did however see lots and lots of crocs as well as some
stunning birdlife and the amazing
lilly pads. A big
day out with lots of casts, a few lost
fish but a great experience.
Top of the food chain at Corroboree Billabong
Top of the food chain at Corroboree Billabong
Jim on the casting platform.
Just when we thought we had seen all of the great
free/cheap Water Parks in Darwin, we
discovered the Leanyer Water Park – the
King of all water parks and slides, and giant buckets of water....... A great way to end our stay in Darwin, along
with another visit to the Mindil Beach Markets of course .
Here it comes!
Here it comes!
Very funny!! Although it's a beautiful 23 today with clear blue skies! Thank goodness because we were all starting to grow web feet!! Glad your all having a blast! Xx
ReplyDeleteTwo questions:
ReplyDelete1. Do they take Irish people?
2. Would we like it?