Darwin

Trip Start Sep 22, 2008
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10
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Trip End Feb 01, 2009


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Flag of Australia  , Northern Territory,
Thursday, October 9, 2008

Next stop was Darwin. Darwin is a great base from which to see the top end. We definitely didn't see it at its best, as the climate was incredibly hot and humid. They refer to the time from October to December as the build up. It's the toughest time of the year, as people go crazy due to the heat of the summer without the relief of rain. The suicide rate spikes and trouble escalates. Although air conditioning has improved things enormously!

The big benefit of travelling at this time is that the crowds have all gone south and you can get accommodation anywhere. Apparently the Darwin caravan parks do not take bookings through winter. You simply take your chances.

The most striking thing about Darwin is that it's surrounded by water. It is a beautiful turquoise and very inviting. So, if you're not concerned about crocs, sharks, stingers and sea snakes, you can swim 365 days a year! We chose a van park with a really nice pool...

The museum and art gallery was fantastic. Even the kids had a blast in there. There's a section dedicated to cyclone Tracy. The most eerie part of the display was entering a darkened booth that had audio recorded on the night by a local pastor. It definitely stirred emotions as we listened to the wind increasing in its intensity and heard the sound of metal roofing slamming into anything in its path.

All around Darwin you'll find WW11 airstrips and reminders of how close we came to having English as our second language!

The sunset markets at Mindell Beach were a real highlight. The locals and tourists converge onto the beach to watch a clear, red sunset. They set up their tables and chairs or picnic rugs to enjoy the huge range of food from the market vendors. There are various bands and individuals busking and the vibe is relaxed yet vibrant.

The wharf precinct is undergoing a massive refurbishment. They've just completed an impressive convention centre and the area will obviously be a huge draw card for tourists, as parklands, water parks and a wave pool are under construction.

We enjoyed an evening at the Deckchair Cinema, a classic outdoor cinema where you ease into hammock-like chairs to enjoy a favourite flick.

Of course the V8 Supercars were a priority for one member of the family, so whilst he sat in the caravan with all his mates, the girls discovered a huge water park in the 'burbs and enjoyed a great day out. The best part was it was FREE!
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