The trip out of Kakadu wasn’t particularly scenic but we were basking in the glow of having such a great time it didn’t really matter. About 50k out of Darwin we did stop to help an Aboriginal family on the side of the road. With their car half off and half on the road it was obvious they needed help. We had the tools they needed but no idea what to do with them and they had the knowledge but not the tools, so it worked well.
It was a great education in bush mechanics for us and we were just pleased to get them back on the road. They’d been stuck there since about 11am so they were also in need of water and food. They spoke English well but it wasn’t their first language and it was great listening to them talk away in their own language. Finally we were all back on the road but it was now getting pretty late.
Being a day early we couldn’t get on our booked site so just pulled onto some grass for the night, unhitched and went straight into Darwin to the Mindil Beach night markets. What a fabulous vibe and night. We took some food for Georgie just in case we couldn’t find anything suitable, but it wasn’t needed as we discovered ‘sushi burgers’.
[Photo of Mindil Beach night markets]
“No way”, you say! And it gets better, you could get a crocodile sushi burger. Well, Georgia was in heaven. She’d had crocodile in Dubbo and loved it so she was mega thrilled. Turned out to be a total winner and not the last time we’d see Miss Sushi Burger lady.
[Photo of Georgia with her crocodile sushi burger]
We all enjoyed the market food, stalls, massage and magic tricks. It was a top little night out (and night off cooking). A great way to kick off our Darwin experience.
The following day was spent sorting out some car issues and eventually getting onto our site and set up. By then the day had almost gone but it wasn’t too late to visit another night market, this one in Palmerston. Again a great vibe and a lot of the same vendors, including sushi burger! The temperature is just so mild and pleasant it’s a lovely way to just spend the evening with music, food and a few treats for the kids. We all left relaxed and happy campers again.
We’d heard the story of Sweetheart when we did the bush tucker safari because it was Patsy’s (the Aboriginal guide’s) husband, Dave, that led the team to relocate Sweetheart. Unfortunately Sweetheart drowned in the capture after the tranquilliser affected his respiratory systems. It’s been an interesting perspective we’ve received on crocs here in the N.T. Turns out they do have a social structure and maybe a little more clever than we were led to believe in Queensland.
We wrapped up our outing today with a visit to the Wharf Precinct. Restaurants, playground, wave machine pool and lagoon. While it was warm and tempting to swim it was a little too late so after a play we made for home. With the promise to return the next day.
We were keen to visit the N.T. Art Gallery and Museum and it was a wonderful visit. Celebrating 50 years since the moon landing, they had some great activities on for the girls. But the main attractions were the Cyclone Tracy exhibition, the history of Darwin and the massive 5m croc called Sweetheart.
With Georgia’s birthday less than a week away now we are having some early celebrations with a trip to the cinema this morning and the afternoon spent at Waves. An added bonus was another visit to the Mindil markets on the way home. We caught the sunset this time, with about 200 other people, before seeking out yet another sushi burger, paw paw salad and pizza for Lulu and Charlotte. Darwin will be remembered for its night markets for sure.
Our last day we were without the car. With a little list of repairs we weren’t expecting it back but grateful to be getting some niggling issues sorted before we embark on the Gibb River Road. It was also a good day to catch up on washing and cooking.
The day did indeed get away from us, again. We still wanted to visit the Military Museum and learn about the bombing of Darwin during WWII, so the kids and I grabbed an Uber and had just enough time to wander through before they closed.
[Photo of the kids at the Darwin Military Museum]
235 people died, with 300 – 400 wounded in the first attack on the 19th of February 1942, but Darwin continued to be bombed for another 20 months. Those who were evacuated were unable to return to their homes until 1946 and when they did little was left. Darwin was a strategic base with the only harbour and aerodromes, military and civil, in northern Australia. I don’t remember learning anything about this growing up so felt it was important to come and get an understanding and for the girls to learn of it too.
It feels like we’ve only just scratched the surface of Darwin but unfortunately we need to keep moving. Another one to pop on the list for next time.
Thank you 🙏 Darwin.