June 16-26: Darwin (Berry Springs)

We travelled towards Darwin in search of a place to stay. Couldn't find the place that we were aiming for. Found out later from a report on the radio that the owner had given up and closed down. In desperation, we checked the RACV caravan park guide and found this park at Berry Springs that allowed dogs - Tumbling Waters. We initially booked for 2 nights and have extended twice. Maybe we'll leave on July 2, or maybe we won't.

The caravan park is a good one. Lots of lovely palm trees to give lots of shade. They have outdoor cinema twice a week and you can take your dog along. They also have didgeridoo making, crocodile feeding (12 crocodiles on site) and karaoke once a week. Even the karaoke was OK, although it's really just one guy singing his songs to a group of people drinking around the outside bar. And all for free! We've also made some new friends with crazy german folks from Adelaide - Wolfgang and Monika.

Karaoke entertainment

Didgeridoo making

Croc feeding at the caravan park

A once-off performance by a couple of guys who happened to be staying at the park on the day we arrived. They were drummers/percussionists and performed for about an hour showing off all of their percussion instrments.
Great free entertainment!

Judith & Princess enjoying the karaoke

Our new best friends Wolfgang and Monika.
The car is called "Pom Bomb" because it's a Land Rover made in England.

The best thing about Darwin at this time of year is the weather. Every day is around 30 degrees. And it is virtually guaranteed not to rain for the next 3 months. Which explains why there are so many southerners up here. It is a very nice climate to which you can escape from the winters of the south.

On Thursday 16 June, we spent the day in Darwin with my brother Neil and sister-in-law Kerry. Good timing as this was Neil's birthday! They are holidaying in Darwin, before catching the Ghan down to Alice. We checked out a few sights around town, went to the museum and art gallery and then on to the Mindil Markets. Together with about 5000 other people we watched the sunset over the beach. Lovely beach, but the sad thing is that it is unsafe for swimming. We've been back again to Darwin and the beaches around East Point and it is weird to see these beautiful beaches on hot sunny days without anyone on them.

Neil & Kerry at the Mindil Beach markets

Waiting for sunset on Mindil Beach with 5000 other people

Kerry, Neil and Judith enjoying the sunset at Mindil beach

Worth waiting for - a lovely sunset over the water,
- helped a little by all the smoke in the air from the burning off during the day

Near where we are staying is the Berry Springs Nature Park. Natural fresh water springs supply a large warm water swimming area. We've been a few times now. Only issue is that dogs are not allowed so unfortunately Princess stays in the car while we have our swim.

Also close by is the Territory Wildlife Park. This is one of the best tourist attractions in the NT. It is really well done, with several different areas of the park set up with different native environments and animals.

Pelicans at the lagoon

Buzzards and other birds of prey performing at the Wildlife Park

Turtle on log

Pretty birds all in a row

Snake climbing a tree trunk

Duckling above and below water

Another turtle

Magnetic ternite mounds. They are built especially to survive in low lying wetlands.

The magnetic termite mound in the foreground is wide but not deep; quite different to the cathedral termite mound shown in the background.



At the "Oolloo Crossing" area of the Territory Park, they have whiprays. They are like stingrays but live in fresh water. The ranger explains how they feed and then lets a small group of vounteers feed them. I was lucky enough to be one of the chosen few.

A short drive from our caravan park is the road into Litchfield National Park - the dirt road that is. We had a pleasant day driving through the national park and checking out some of the scenic spots. Some really lovely water falls and crystal clear creeks. One of the highlioghts was Wangi Falls, but no swimming allowed there due to crocodiles. Pity, maybe next time.

Judith at Wangi Falls

Crossing the creek at the Cascades in Lichfield

The Berry Springs market happens on the last Sunday of the month. And fortuitously this month they coincided with the Feral Ladies Festival. We checked it out and bought some good local produce. The Feral Ladies Festival was a bit of fun - and no, Judith didn't win any prizes.