Week Ten: More Rockpools, Waterfalls and Sunsets.

CK with arms up at Florence Falls

As this week’s title suggests we have been wallowing in more rockpools, splashing under more waterfalls and gazing at more glorious sunsets. How could we tire of them? The scenery is sensational and we feel we are on a movie set. We haven’t had the attractions to ourselves as it is school holidays and everywhere we have visited is chockers with families cooling off just like us in the crystal clear waters. It has been another fantastic week. 

We had three great days based in Batchelor on the edge of Litchfield National Park. It was a great location to drive out to the surrounding waterfalls each day which attract over a quarter of a million visitors each year.  Our first stop was the spectacular double waterfall at Florence Falls set in monsoon rainforests. The killer 1km walking trail of 160 steps down to the falls was worth it. We had to muscle our way to the steps to the pool before plunging into the water beneath the falls to cool off and catch our breath. After a refreshing dip we turned around and faced the daunting task of the gruelling ascent. GK’s knees were like jelly by the time we stumbled out to the car park. We knew all about it the next day as our calves and knees were throbbing. We are amongst the oldest wherever we visit but our mantra is “Use it or lose it” and that’s exactly what we will continue to do. Even if it kills us.

GK relaxing in the Buley Rockhole

Buley Rockhole is a series of small waterfalls and rockpools and was also heaving with happy campers. That didn’t stop GK from finding a quiet corner to flop in and once again cool off and soothe his sore muscles. I was happy to perch on a rock in my supposedly slimming navy bathers with lift and separation plus built in tummy control watching all the gorgeous young flibbertigibbets skipping past in their Calvin Klein bras and knickers and the guys in their Tradie undies. Oh to be young again.

GK with blue noodle at Wangi Falls

We saved the most popular Wangi Falls for another day and were pleased to see it had much easier access than the other locations. It has green lawn and wide paths leading down to the falls, which are surrounded by a wide crystal clear pool. After our swim we picnicked on the lawn and read our books before heading back to camp. It was a wonderful way to finish off three relaxing days.

We are now in multi-cultural Darwin. Wow! It has grown so much since we visited six years ago. It is now a sprawling city with excellent freeways making it very easy to access the city and all it has to offer. An added bonus is having my sister Jenny and brother-in-law Terry with us as they are holidaying in the Top End. They flew in on Thursday and will be spending the next week with us. Terry’s famous tours will see that we don’t miss a trick and we will get to enjoy all the touristy ‘must sees’ that Darwin is famous for.

Terry, GK and Jenny at Mindil Beach

We were straight into it after collecting them from the airport. It was a quick drop off at their central hotel on the esplanade before heading for the vibrant Mindil Markets renowned for tropical sunsets over Mindil Beach. There are over 200 stalls and 60 foodstalls showcasing Darwin’s multi-cultural laid-back lifestyle. It was fascinating to see, taste and smell all that what was on offer. We joined the happy throng and strolled through the markets before joining over two thousand people on the beach to watch what we in the West take for granted – the sunset over the ocean. It is obviously a real draw card for the tourists but left us shrugging our shoulders and picking our way over the ‘dirty sand’. Cable Beach eats it up. Just saying.

Another sunset. Yawn. 

Kids having fun at the Recreation Lagoon

Jenny and Terry spent Friday down at Litchfield retracing our steps and enjoying all the waterfalls. Despite being exhausted at the end of the day we caught up for dinner at a great restaurant on the café strip. Darwin is certainly spoilt for choice as there are so many restaurants, cafes and bars to choose from especially down at the fabulous Waterfront precinct five minutes walk from the city centre. Apart from the wide selection of eating-places it has a Wave Lagoon and a free saltwater Recreation Lagoon with manmade beach and shady lawn. That is necessary, as you can’t swim at any of Darwin’s beaches because of the threat of saltwater crocodiles and box jellyfish. Another thing we take for granted in the West.

GK watching the fish feeding at Aquascene

Saturday involved visiting the fish feeding at Aquascene before driving out to see Darwin’s famous museums. First stop was the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, which features the very moving and fascinating exhibit of Cyclone Tracy. It contains before and after photos of Darwin, plus sound recordings of the actual cyclone and many salvaged objects. Darwin has been virtually rebuilt from that time, as the destruction was catastrophic. It is now a beautiful, vibrant and resilient city of over 145,000 people with more than 60 nationalities. It is a destination renowned for its tropical climate and colourful characters and we highly recommend a visit. You wont be disappointed. 

GK's scary fish dinner at the Trailer and Boat Club

Another location that never disappoints us is the fabulous Darwin Trailer and Boat Club. We have been there several times and have always had a great meal while watching the sunset. We recommended it to Terry and Jen and their friends who were by coincidence holidaying in Darwin. The six of us had a great night and this time were really blown away by the sunset. Maybe the drinks helped although Jenny and I had to drive so we were on our best behaviour letting the boys enjoy a few reds.

We had a great night at the Darwin Trailer and Boat Club

Terry! You are supposed to be photographing the old farts at the back!

Today we travelled 50kms down the Stuart Highway to Berry Springs Nature Park, which is one of Darwin’s most popular picnic spots. It has shaded picnic areas with barbecues and crystal clear swimming pools. We enticed Jenny into the warm water under the waterfall despite the crocodile warnings and the threat of dreaded diseases from the micro-scopic organisms in the water. We kept our heads out of the water but the locals were duck diving, snorkelling and having a wonderful time.  We will probably be the mugs to get diarrhoea and ear infections, as warned, while their immune systems have probably built up a healthy resistance to all the bugs. We will have to wait and see. So far so good. Fingers crossed. 

The correct photo of Jenny, GK and CK under the death defying waterfall.

Tonight was our final night in Darwin and we all agreed that it is a fabulous city that we will return to someday. We had dinner down at the Waterfront at an award winning Mexican restaurant called Hot Tamales. There was a really happy vibe as we walked through the park to the car as we stopped to see a group performing for the Darwin Fringe Festival, which is on this month. It was a wonderful conclusion to four great days spent in Darwin. We are looking forward to the next few days, which we will spend in Kakadu and Katherine. Will tell you all about it next week. Until then lots of love and keep safe.

Last night in Darwin

A couple of hot tamales at Hot Tamales in Darwin.