Darwin NT

The oysters disappeared faster than the cold drinks while we sat in the hot shade of the Oyster Bar at Darwin Waterfront. There is a lot going on in this area and invites relaxing with a drink and a bite to eat while watching all that is happening.

A manicured sandy beach is watched over by lifeguards and is a safe protected area of the sea where large scaly sea reptiles cannot enter. Lovely green grassy slopes have large wooden lounges placed under shady trees for anyone to use. Locals gather in bikinis and board shorts enjoying the day where normal winter temperatures are in the low to mid 30’s (Celsius).

In the corner is a wave pool where children bob around on plastic tubes waiting for the next artificial set. A short jump across the walkway and there in the sea water large barramundi and other fish look up expectantly waiting to be hand fed.

Further out the large sea wharf is home to big industrial tugs and other boats, secured for the high tidal variations of the swirling murky green waters. People drive out and fish from the high platform. Another restaurant offers shade beer and exceptional sea views.

Earlier we had visited the War Museum at East Point which documents and curates the bombing of Darwin by the Japanese back in 1942. We watch the interesting film then wander amongst the displays of vehicles, guns, uniforms, and many other artefacts including the Vietnam War, and the two World Wars.

We seek out the library which is in the exquisite building of the Supreme Courts. Inside it is cool in the grand empty foyer that has uninterrupted views out to sea. Inside the library there is an excellent exhibition about Darwin and the Northern Territory, and we sit to watch another old news reel that celebrates Darwin of the 1950’s.

We visit family of family who live in Darwin and enjoy a lovely afternoon on their deck in the hot shade, chatting, eating mud-crabs, and drinking beer, admiring the rainforest backdrop.

The caravan park where we are staying is 25 kilometres from the Darwin Waterfront at a suburb named Virginia. It is small crowded, has a small swimming pool, and a noisy busy laundry. There are permanent caravanners, noise from the Stuart Highway, and too many dogs. I had looked at the reviews on Wikicamps and this caravan park certainly had better reviews than the other caravan parks in and around Darwin. Surely Darwin can offer more than this though. After the gorgeous spacious caravan park at Katherine, this one disappoints.

We get our car serviced, complete our tax returns, and get ready for a trip out to Kakadu.