Darwin - State Capital of the Northern Territory - Hot & Sunny after a thankfully cooler night.
                                                                                  Temp High 34C  Low 24C  Distance - 340km

(This post covers the 3 days in Darwin - 1st - 4th May - I have to catch up somehow!  I have had problems in this area with slow internet).

Darwin is the capital of the Northern Territory.  It was named after Charles Darwin and is situated on The Timor Sea within close proximity to Indonesia.  It is a resilient city – it was heavily bombed by the Japanese in WWII and it was almost flattened by Cyclone Tracy on Christmas Day 1974 – ”the day Santa didn’t make it to Darwin!”  But it has been rebuilt and is now a vibrant, modern town once again.  It is surrounded by gas reserves in the Timor Sea.

Amongst other things, Darwin is renowned for its’ Thursday markets at Mindil Bay.  The multi-cultural population of Darwin is reflected in the vast variety of foods available at the market – especially Asian dishes from many different countries.  Stalls also include crafts, jewellery and souvenirs. Music is provided by various bands including one that we saw focussing on the didgeridoo.  Two aboriginal women created some local magic by spontaneously dancing to the music.  The markets are a very popular weekly event with the locals - when I looked at the car park, I reckoned half of Darwin was there!

We spent 3 days here exploring the beaches and other places of interest.  We were last in Darwin in 1980 when Jarrod played for the Queensland U/13 soccer team in the Australian National Championships.  It has changed a great deal since then.

Somewhere else that tourist like to visit is the Fannie Bay Gaol but we toured that last time we were in Darwin so sorry - no pics.

 

Esplanade Park in Darwin CBD



Bombing of Darwin in WWII

 

Darwin in WWII

 



The Deckchair Cinema

Deckchair Cinema

 


Inside the Deckchair Cinema

The Mindil Bay Markets

 

Coconuts ready for drinking their milk

  

The Kimberley Stone
(beautifully striped)

 

 

Crocodile Skulls
(one with a cane toad in its' mouth)

Croc, Stock & Barra
(Barra = Barramundi fish)

Didgeridoo Band & dancers

Night at the Markets

There are some lovely beaches around Darwin.  however some beaches are not suitable for swimming due to crocodiles and jelly fish at certain times of year.

Terry enjoying lunch at East Point Reserve

Darwin town taken from East Point

Lake at East Point

Darwin Convention Centre

The Wave Pool
at Darwin Waterfront in the CBD

Darwin Waterfront beach

Another popular market - this time on Friday nights is the one at Palmeston - a new town that has been built approx 20km from Darwin.  Once again there were a variety of cooked foods for sale but also stalls selling all sorts of fresh fruit & vegetables.

Palmeston Markets

Palmeston Markets