Lazy Days in Darwin

We have just spent a lovely 6 nights in Darwin (or 20 km south of Darwin to be exact, in Howard Springs).  We originally planned to stay 4 but couldn't fit everything it and the weather was too nice to leave.  (this was written a few days ago, but we have been without reception for a few days to post it)

Arriving Friday june 1 to a cold snap in Darwin terms (it was about 29 degrees) we arrived at our caravan park in Howard Springs - there are no caravan parks within about 20 km of the city so this was one of the closest.  After setting up we took a drive into the city and were all very impressed. We haven't seen a capital city since Brisbane (and it was pelting down there so didn't see much of that) but this is a really pretty, well laid out town with views that were far nicer than I expected.  Ben and Emma managed a quick swim at the waterfront then we found a supermarket to get supplies and back to the ranch.

Saturday we hopped on our bikes and rode down to Howard Springs Nature Reserve, about 4 kms down the road, and saw loads of turtles, huge Barramundi and plenty of other fish swimming around.  The water was deemed not suitable for swimming due to water quality but the clarity was still amazing.  The kids had a quick swim in the toddler pool before riding back.  We had lunch then made our way to the Leanyer Recreation Reserve where we were amazed by the water park which reminded us of Adventure Park but was free for all.  This was a great way to beat the heat, a 30 degree day for the second day of winter.

Howard Springs

Lots of water fun

Sunday we took a look at Berry Springs, another gorgeous thermal spring.  The kids swam around in the bath temp water among plenty of fish, including archer fish which were very cool - if you hold something above the water it squirts water at the object thinking it is an insect that it can make drop to the water's surface for lunch.  After our lunch we headed back to Darwin, had a couple of hours in the wave pool at the waterfront then off to the Mindil Markets.  As per "Are We There Yet" we bought our dinner and sat on the beach watching the sun go down.  Ben thought this was the best market he has ever been to.

We were not the only ones to read Are We There Yet?

Monday we didn't really go anywhere, except to the post office to wrongly address a birthday parcel to Aimee and Holly.  Hopefully it will turn up somewhere girls!  The rest of the day was spent reading, swimming in the pool and of course kicking the footy around. 


Tuesday was another fun day!  We took a cruise down the Adelaide River with Morgan as our guide and plenty of saltwater crocodiles as the main attraction.  It was a 'jumping crocodile' cruise and it took about 2 minutes out on the water before a massive croc called Old Tom came towards the boat and was centimetres away from us.  We were instantly wondering what on earth we were doing when this enormous beast was jumping for the offered meat so close to us.  He was even too close to get a decent photo so had to switch to the wide angle lens.  We saw lots more, each very different but all equally scary and dinosaur like.  Ben even had a chance to steer the boat and at one point had us heading straight to a hungry croc.  After the cruise we had a look at Fogg Dam but couldn't walk around because of recent croc sightings - after our cruise there was no way we were ignoring that warning.  I have never seen so many birds in one place before.

I never want to get closer than this!

surfing the waves on the river

One of the girls jumping for some buffalo meat

Wednesday we hopped on the bikes and had a ride around the Darwin coastline.  This was so much nicer than I had imagined - the colours of the water reminded me a lot of Fiji and Airlie Beach, although we weren't remotely tempted to swim here.  Ben stopped to read every information plate about the bombing of Darwin and we were going to go to the military museum at the end of our ride but we rode for so long that by the time we got back we were too hot and chose a swim and drinks instead of more history!

Looking across to Darwin from East Point (great cycle paths)