Tag Archives: Darwin

Hey Wangi – Visiting Litchfield National Park

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sandy feetLitchfield National Park was our final destination on our great Northern Territory camping shenanigans and glad-fully so (previous posts about this adventure can be read here and here). It had been a week of camping NT style. It was fair to say the small confines of a tent, the rusty coloured dirt getting into even the smallest of cracks and sharing each others company for 24/7 was starting to grate on us all. Don’t get me wrong we were loving it, but there was a growing amount of don’t fecking bother me kinda moments starting to appear so at large we spent the time in our own daydreams, not saying that much, just laying around really in a leave me alone kinda way.

Litchfield is popular. It’s only a 60 minute drive out of Darwin city making it very accessible for day trips which seem particularly hip over the weekend. This is why you need to get in and claim your camping spot pronto. First thing if possible. We breezed in around lunch time at Wangi Falls (probably the most popular site in the park) thinking we were keen bee’s and should have pick of the entire space. Nup. It was full. Nothing left except an awkward area were we couldn’t park our car with us and we couldn’t really get our tent pegs into because the ground was so stubbornly rock hard but we made those tent pegs get into that ground (somehow) and we set up camp no.4 on our little adventure.

tent peg problem

Wangi falls campsite

We were 300 metres to the falls. The sound of the water gushing over that waterfall was our camp soundtrack. Quite something. The falls were even better to look at.

Wangi falls

See. Not just a dam hey? Plenty of swimming space here for the bus loads of keen water splashing visitors.

This was not Mr Vick’s first visit here. He had been (without me – how disgusting) about 4 years ago. He kindly informed me that the last time he visited it was closed to the public due to the waters being infested with Crocodiles. Nice to know when you’re dangling your feet in the water finding the courage to lunge in. So the entire 2 days I was there I loved the water, but looked very hard under the surface constantly for sharp teeth. I was a scaredy cat, it is fair to say.

People dig the waterfall. They bask underneath it and on the rocks around it. I didn’t go out that far, the chicken, croc searching weakling I am. For some reason in my head there were more Crocodiles living over there. No stopping Mr Vick of course. He was all bravado and it paid off.

wangi falls alastair

See the little guy standing next to the falls? That’s my Mr Vick.

Litchfield has numerous swimming holes and walks you can do and some impressive looking ant holes

ant holes

Our time at Litchfield was quiet. We didn’t adventure out walking too much or exploring the park. We had done that for the past week about Kakadu and now we just wanted to make the most of our last few days sunning and snoozing, toddler allowing of course. We ate up all our food, read our books and watched Little Vick play in the dirt. Packing up our tent for the final time was a bitter sweet moment. Mostly sweet because I was sick of the putting up, packing down process. We were longing for a normal bed and shower and a fridge and vanilla slices and all that modern living stuff which we had wanted to escape. It’s good to miss it thou isn’t it? And we wouldn’t give up our time at Litchfield for anything.baby and me

Today I am linking up with Essentially Jess for the #IBOT party!

 

Camping in The Northern Territory…….. Really???

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When Mr Vick mentioned the word camping the little adventurer in me came alive. The mother in me however stopped dead in my tracks and cringed. 22 month old + Kakadu. Not the perfect equation I would think. The imagery in my mind went something like this: toddler screaming all night in a tent that is if a crocodile had not indeed wandered up and eaten us for afternoon tea, or if we hadn’t ambushed a snake who is a bit hostile…or we could end up with a Dingo in our tent. Then there’ll be dirt from our ears to our bum crack and not a drop of crocodile free water in sight to wash ourselves with. Mr Vick’s sense of adventure will surely get us into some sort of trouble but there was nothing that was going to stop him from going ahead with this fantasy. He was like a pig rolling around in stenchy dung at the mere thought of it, so it was obviously going to be happening. We could do this right?

We bought a 6 person Holiday Home, an over extravagant name for a mere cheapish tent and loaded up our miniature box of a hire car to the sheebers with every thing you could possibly think of. Cos let’s face it if we forgot something we were up Shit Creek. I could barely see Little Vick from the front seat. Of course he didn’t seem phased. This queer, spontaneous behaviour from us seemed perfectly normal to him. Just another day being a Vickerty (one of my clan).

We mapped out a bit of a plan. That’s battle no. 1. The word ‘plan’ is a little foreign to Mr Vick who’s ideas of a plan is, well you could say, loose, which is oh so fun for an organised to the every minute type like me. We both have to meet in the middle, in theory. Anyway we managed to get a map and come up with something. 1 week out of Darwin on the road was shaping up like this for us:

2 or 3 nights in Kakadu, 1 night in Katherine where we would load up with supplies and then 2 or 3 nights in Litchfield National Park before returning back to civilisation in Darwin. It looks swell on the map. Simple, yes?

Simple or not we hit the road ready for the unknown but surely an adventure of sorts. I gave us 3 days before we were dirty, grumpy, hungry, sleep deprived, hating each others innards and threatening divorce and returning to Darwin. Mr Vick was convinced we’d last out the entire week.

Where we being ambitious? How many days would you attempt camping with a toddler?

Stay tuned for to hear about our Kakadu adventures next post :)

The Top 10 Things to Do in Darwin!

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I could not recommend Darwin highly enough for a totally rad family getaway, particularly during the winter months when Darwin puts on a pleasantly warm show. It seriously breathed life back into us after being shell shocked by Victoria’s insistently chilling winter. To date it was my favourite family holiday location but it’s also ideal for singles who just want a warm chillaxing break. This is a quick reference point for anyone making their way up to Darwin. These are must do’s which we enjoyed from our trip. They’re all family friendly & many of them FREE!

1. Take a dip at the beachfront lagoon which is apart of the popular waterfront precinct

2. Whilst at the beachfront precinct head over and visit the wave pool. The kids will beg for it!

3. Take a stroll at sunset along the wharf pier, have a feed & feed the giant fish off the side of the pier

4. Visit a museum – The Darwin military Museum & The Museum & National Gallery of Northern Territory are musts for understanding Darwin’s eventful past. We were really astounded by some of the things we discovered

5. Visit a waterhole like the naturally warm Berry Springs, located 45 minutes out of Darwin

6. Visit a market -  Darwin is THE market capital. There are stacks of options with something on almost daily, but Mindl Beach Markets are probably the most notorious along the beach front at sunset and is on twice a week. They will blow your mind!

7. Visit Litchfield National Park. There are plenty of organised bus tours running daily or take a drive (about 1.5 hours out of Darwin) for yourself and you’ll get to swim in the most spectacular spots like Wangi falls

8. Do a Jumping Crocodile Tour along the Adelaide River

9. Catch a flick at the Deckchair Cinema

10. Eat & watch a glorious sunset by the beach at the likes of The Trailer Club or the Darwin Sailing Club. It seriously will give you a bit of inner glow. We loved our final night there!

Useful sites:

The Lonely Planet Guide 

National Territory Travel

Enjoy Darwin

 

 

Darwin: The Aussie Battler

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I have always thought to really appreciate a location you must understand the events of it’s past to see how it’s formed it’s modern day character. Darwin is a town which has no shortage of epic, historic events. Darwin has been re-born time and time again. It’s a place of immense history and as time shows, resilience. The museums there are a great source of history and information for the tales of Darwin long ago. Just think, Cyclone Tracey, 64 bombings during WW2…. it’s all part of Darwin’s story.

My knowledge of Darwin’s past and indeed the depth of our nations history as it would seem was kinda sketchy but as always travelling seems to be the best educator there is. Museums are a bit geeky but none the less, a good source for discovery and the best way of getting to know a place. Darwin has 2 great museums worth a meander. The Museum and National Art Gallery of The Northern Territory is located by the most spectacular bay at Bullocks Point in the suburb of Fannie Bay. It is a dream. We were happy wondering and eating ice creams on the front lawns over looking the bay before we even stepped foot into the museum. There is a lovely cafe taking advantage of the exceptional views as well which I would definitely be a regular at if I were a local.

What I love about this museum is it’s FREE!!! The way education should be! What’s better than visiting something educational and actually interesting for free with the family?

There is oodles to see, read and explore here. There’s the comprehensive history of the Aboriginals, a gallery of their art work, many a stuffed animal which of course entertained Little Vick, the body of monster Crocodile “Sweetheart“ (all 5.5 meters of him and 800 kg’s!), and a whole division dedicated to Cyclone Tracey – the devastating cyclone which flattened Darwin on Christmas day in 1974. This is quite an experience. To top it off there is a nice little kids room for the littlies to run loose in. Something Little Vick was not opposed to.

To really understand how close Darwin was to invasion during WW2 & the defence action taken it’s best to visit the Darwin Military Museum for a comprehensive learning experience. Parts of it are all shiny and newish still which means you learn through the most modern of interactive experiences. It’s so engaging. I loved the loud, all flashing lights experience in the movie cinema which re-enacted the reality of the raids and the devastation of the bomb attacks from the Japanese.

The action of the movie cinema

Listening and learning

The hard cold facts

Seriously, did you know that Darwin was bombed 64 times and so many killed? I had not an inkling. Australia was in deep. Fear must have been overwhelming. Of course, to really understand I love the personal stories and the museum serves up plenty of those for impact. I was particularly drawn to the woman and children’s stories. They had to flee, many by boat to an undisclosed location (for their safety) in drastic conditions for the hope of survival. Many didn’t see their husbands for nearly two years and then of course there was the few woman who stayed behind. I find the stories fascinating. I admire them. I admire the resilience and sacrifices mostly. The human condition to survive is a fascinating thing.

These two museums gave me a good dose of patriotism and made me really admire Darwin. I love a place that can stand back up and re-invent itself time and time again and that is exactly what Darwin has done. It’s a survivor and it’s that hardiness that I do adore about the place. It’s the epitome of the Australian battler spirit.

 

Wordless{ish} Wednesday: JJJJJumping Crocodiles

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If you’re in the Darwin area it’s worth taking a little drive along the Arnhem Highway to the Adelaide River (about 70km’s from Darwin). It’s a bit creepy just what’s underneath those murky looking waters (think the worst bath water you’ve ever seen). It’s fair to say, it’s swarming with ready to snap Crocodiles. There’s oooooodles of them in fact. About 80,000 inhabit the NT. This fact almost scared me all the way back to Victoria. But none the less I hung around for the spectacle that is a Jumping Crocodile tour. This is AWESOME. Not just for kids… but for the big kids too. It really gives you a chance to get up close and personal with wild crocodiles and…. feel perfectly safe, unless the boat sinks……

Meet Bogart. He is a 5.5 metre dominant (aka cranky) male. Think he’s a bit cute (in a rugged kinda way)?

He’s quite the showman isn’t he? At this point I was fairly glad to be on the other side of the glass window…. and here’s one for real cuteness 

That Dusty Pink Magic of Darwin

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I’m a dusty pink sunset kinda girl. If I could suspend time in one place it would be on a sunset for sure and if I had to get specific it would probably be a Darwin sunset. They’re THE magic and since the sun happily makes an appearance on a daily basis it’s virtually a guarantee you will be seeing that magic. Boy, do they add that bit more romance to Darwin.

The best thing to do to capture the sunset in Darwin is to perch yourself somewhere along the seaside and watch nature do it’s little magic show. 2 favourite spots instantly come to mind. The Darwin Wharf precinct is a delight. You can fish one end, or eat at the other. You can guess which end I parked myself at? There is a bit of pomp at the very end with some well to do looking restaurant but the majority of the crowd heads for the numerous bain-marie options for something quick and reasonable (and YUMMY). There is the best looking Pad Thai and seafood…. oh my, the seafood….my belly quickly became acquainted with some very fresh looking prawns

People getting their share of the Darwin magic at the Wharf

The light starts to drain away well before you’re ready for it to, but the dusty pink settles on the horizon creating an ambient glow which is a blissful setting to watch the various sailing boats pass by with their crew sipping their bubbles and getting their share of the Darwin magic too. Everyone here seems content and carefree. I’m sure it catches even the most pent up of individuals. Indeed, I felt remarkably calm and refreshed and I can’t remember the last time that happened in entirety.

I’m told there are gigantic fish which live by the wharf who happily appear when food is thrown overboard, except for if you’re us. Their absence was probably due to some other family throwing gazillions of yummo scraps (prawn shells probably don’t quite cut it) over the other side of the wharf but even just the prospect of gigantic fish can keep kids, big and small, happily amused making it a popular spot for families.

There are also numerous clubs near Fannie Bay (just take Dick Ward Drive to get to to Fannie Bay….I kid you not) which have large outdoor dining areas ideal for the eager sunset gazer. We enjoyed our final night at The Trailer Club. BEST idea ever. We basked amongst the warm evening air and the dreamy pink clouds. Little Vick happily amused himself quietly, even resisted throwing his food and all was well with the world. In a rare moment I was able to see my life before me and see that it was really something…as pretty as a picture… and here are those pictures….

 Where do you think the best sunsets are?

 

The Darwin Relaxation Distortion Syndrome

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Darwin…. Is it a lovable place? Or like able? Or just so so? I’m trying to sum up my feelings and memories for you right here but it feels like a bit of daze inside my head. I think it’s called relaxation distortion syndrome (a mysterious doctor identified the syndrome. I think it might be the same one who has diagnosed my case). I was so relaxed it’s all a fuzzy blur, but it’s not like the I’ve been out on the bubbles all night kinda fuzzy, it’s a warm, memorable & happy one (hang over free).

I admit, I had not been out of the Darwin airport for a mere 2 minutes before I heard these words in my head. I like this please. Really like it. How do I seriously find an excuse to live here? Think Woman, think. I can’t remember ever feeling so won over or settled with a place within moments of arrival before. I’m not usually swayed that easy. I blame the warm breeze which greeted us the moment we stepped foot out of the airport. I was vulnerable and welcomed with a balmy yet comfortable heat which seduced me within a moment. Long absences have a profound effect don’t they?

Darwin in those initial moments felt like some exotic international destination to me. The warmth, the tropical foliage, blue water, the air of relaxation which seems to seep into your blood almost instantly…. it could easily be Bali or Thailand. But then there’s the chorus of flip flops, the unmistakable ocker accents mixed in with the European ones. It is a favourite destination for the European traveller. The outdoor bars lining the main streets next to the backpacker accommodation would confirm that it is backpacker haven and the English have never been opposed to some sunshine and spending time in a bar.

It’s an easy, breezy kinda place. Let’s just say anywhere that has consistent warmth, a tendency towards liquor consumption (primarilly beer, of which you can openly drink in public places like at the beach or markets) and with it’s green swaying palms & dusty pink sunsets it radiates tropical heaven – It’s pretty difficult to dislike the place. I don’t know anyone who has been to Darwin and who hasn’t really liked it, or at least who hasn’t been a victim of some kind of relaxation syndrome.

If there is anything to promptly un-relax you, it would be the prospect of coming eye to eye with one of the true locals – the crocodiles who inhabit the surrounding waters. I admit I was freakin’ out about them, like as if they were going to jump up into my suburban bed with me during the night. I can report the suburbs are safe. Even the city streets and frankly from what I could see the beach looked friendly enough too but don’t EVER believe it. Plenty of German tourists have so I’ve heard (and they’ve lost a limb in the process), but there are teeth in those waters ready to nip those toes and a bit more. Such teeth might resemble something like this:

That’s why Darwin has built a little lagoon which attracts visitors like flies to meat left out in the heat. It’s a Croc free swimming zone in the heart of the city. It isn’t all that unsimilar to those built in Cairns, Airlie Beach or Brisbane. They’re all desperately trying to shift visitors attention away from the fact that their beaches are in one way another dull, dangerous and/or just plain un-swimmable. So a lagoon it is. Naturally when it’s 30 degrees no one says no to the lagoon, especially the Europeans. They’re all out with their darkening by the minute midriff on show (I had a few instances of midriff envy I admit) and flirty personalities. The kids don’t mind the place either, of course.

See it’s pretty pretty for a fake isn’t is?

Of course there are more a la naturale options like Berry Springs which is about 30 minutes out of the city. Basically it’s a little bush creek with a pleasant waterfall and warm springs for the family to frolic around in, which is exactly what we did one afternoon when we desired to cool off. It took me 10 minutes to summons the courage up to get in and to tell myself that the lurking shadows in the waters where exactly that and not Mummy eating Crocs….

Could it be ….. ? ?

 Getting my swim on with Little Vick

Like many waterholes, the authorities clear Berry Springs at the start of the dry season so swimmers like me can paddle safely…. (I’m still hesitant in writing that but I guess I didn’t get taken did I?!). Just watch the big underwater rocks which won’t come off second best. Just ask my knee!

There’s a few free pools too which I ADORE since I do have a passion for freebies and fun times. Victoria has a few things to learn from Darwin. Another point for my argument about why we should promptly vacate to the top end I’m thinking.

It’s taken the whole post to sift through the blur but I can say wholeheartedly Darwin is a fairly lovable place. Reality holds us in Victoria of course but If nothing else we are seriously considering it become our little winter home every year so that I get all loved up with my relaxation distortion syndrome! And everyone say AMEN to that!

 

Darwin in Dot Point!

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Sunshine. Thirst. Beer. Friends. Eating. Barramundi. Markets. Camping. Dust. Cold showers. Bonding.

Crocodile paranoia. Brown snake. Bare feet. The dirtiest feet ever. Dirtiest toddler ever.

4WDs. Pretending to have a 4WD. Zooming on the highway. Bush bashing. Tent. Bush food. Howling Dingos. Crocodiles for real.

Hiking. Heat. Water. Wallabies. Backpackers. Flying Ding Dongs. Spectacular sunsets.

The hungriest mosquitoes ever. The biggest freakin itchy bites EVER. Shorts. Swimming.

European accents. Relaxation. National Parks. Museums. Rock Art. 

Complex discussions regarding indigenous issues. Complex discussions about asylum seekers. Flip flops. Air crafts flying overhead. Defence workers. Fifty Shades of Grey.

Warm evenings. No jumpers. No watches. Discovery. Freedom. The best family holiday we’ve had EVER!

Thankful Thursday: It’s The Little (Material) Things

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I know I’ve been doing a lot of winter whinging of late. I can’t seem to help it. I’m in some kinda winter hibernation coma you could say. I’d make a good wombat. It’s practically a certainty. Whilst it feels a bit tough, there’s always plenty to be thankful for, even when you know your perspective is a bit warped. That is a certainty too.

Flowers. They’re the best and quickest mood pick me up I know. A burst of colour and a touch of delicacy wins me over every time, thanks local flower farm.

The op shop. I swear, I don’t know where I would get my thrills if it wasn’t for my local thrift shops where I may be on a first time basis with a few of the attendants. I could write 60 posts on the wondrous treasures I have found for a few spare coins. I seriously experience a full blown adrenalin rush from a single dollar purchase. I am not the only op junkie. I have bonded with so many spunky people because of my passion for the second hand.  

 One of my latest finds…. a vintage pic for Little Vicks room

My local library. I have re-discovered the library recently and I have become quite the advocate. I even think I need to make myself a library bag which is why I borrowed these books of little inspiration this week. Great spot for the boy too as he too can borrow DVDs and books (instead of endless purchases). I just love the concept of giving stuff out on loan and trusting it will come back. When we live in this day and age where no one can be trusted to keep their word or return anything nearly, I just love that the library still believes.

My electric blanket. Could not survive the winter without having a warm bed ready for me. I would feeze up and snap right in half if I had to get into a chilly bed.

Pink gum boots. Perhaps I don’t have a huge practical need for these, but I love to put them on and stomp around anyway.

Milo. Don’t even get me started on the coffee vs tea issue. They’re redundant. Let it be said here. Coffee and tea are false prophets. Milo is the Messiah of them all.

AND the very last material thing I am thankful for on this Thursday is A TICKET TO DARWIN. Now that I am truly thankful for….. Catch you from the Top End Amigos!! :)

What little things are helping you through this winter?

Heading North…

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This week my little family embarks on a new travel adventure. A get me out of this crapola weather kinda holiday. We’re running a few thousand miles away from this icy, rainy, windy place called Victoria and heading to Darwin for our own little piece of hotness and respite. I haven’t travelled to the countries far north before so it should be educational in addition to it’s purpose of thawing me out. 

 Here’s the basic facts that I think I know about Darwin:

1. It’s hot. Like really hot. I have heard it said that you can hang washing out on the line and by the time you’ve finished pegging the last item you can go back to the start and take it back off. That’s gotta be better than bringing the washing back in as wet as it went out I’m thinking??? Currently it is reaching highs of a pleasant 30 degrees most days. Sounds blissfully suitable to me.

2. Darwin has no decent fashion shops. I’m not so sure how I will take to this.

3. It’s the capital of casual. Flip Flops and short shorts are virtually uniform.

4. I will either love or hate it. It’s that type of place.

5. It’s the gateway to some spectacular national parks which feel like the core of our land.

 6. If I go swimming I may end up meeting eye to eye with a fat, snap happy crocodile. Apparently it’s best to swim later in the season (as we will be) so, and I quote a local,  “some small child will already have been taken“. That way the croc will have been fished out by then by authorities and chances of survival are better. I think the local was trying to reassure me. Fail.

7. I suspect it will be an epicentre for flies and sunburn.

8. I’m expecting to hear a colourful array of accents. I know there will be some true blue dinky dye accents mixed with many taints of European, given that a large amount of European tourists are passing through Darwin at any given time. Either way I expect to have to listen a little bit harder to understand our common language that we share.   

9. We have to endure a 4 hour flight with a wriggly, intensly curious, stubborn Little Vick to get there. Give me strength.

….And I can’t even make up 10 points. See I know jack really don’t I?

Surely some of you guys have travelled to Darwin and have some advice, or must do’s for me to put under my belt before we depart?