It has been quite some period of time since Australians have had the opportunity to board a plane for a bit of adventure. Of course international travel is still off the agenda for the foreseeable future, but the respective States are starting to open up their borders to domestic tourists, and importantly to the money they spend. So I thought after 18 months without a break heres a chance to visit the iconic Northern Territory of my own country, after 20 long years having not even stopped in to say gday! I have great memories of my last visit, and with a good deal of excitement masked up and boarded a Qantas flight from Sydney to Darwin a new adventure. There have been countless travel moments in my blogging life where prior flights passed over Darwin on the way to various destinations in Asia, but those glorious adventures are on hold due to the ongoing pandemic. In the meantime, it takes just four hours out of Sydney before travellers arrive in tropical Darwin, and my timing is less than two weeks after the conclusion of the annual wet season.
a taxi to Mitchell Street, the buzzing centre of the city. I unloaded bags and headed out for a midnight brewski or two, as the cares of Sydney life began to recede. The bars are pumping in Darwin, with great musos belting out classics to enthusiastic crowds of revellers. My first night of the trip ended up quite a late one, but I was too wired to stay in the hostel after not travelling anywhere for so long. The next morning I got sorted, and navigated the dorm room full of drunken passed out ragers in order to get on the move. I headed down to Mindil beach for a sticky beak to ease in to things. The area is famous for its casino, which is now one of the major attractions in Darwin. Theres also a beautiful walking path along the beach, but please note its not suitable for swimming due to the abundant crocodiles and jellyfish that call Darwin home.
The next day I spent exploring Darwin waterfront and was blown away by this stunning place. The site has been designed with elegance and sophistication; featuring apartment buildings, restaurants and shops along the waterfront, a wave pool
and even a man made beach for the locals to cool off with their families. The waterfront is spectacular, full of fun and energy and a wonderful spot to explore for a day. When you visit be sure to drop in to a cafe or restaurant and soak up the energy of this lovely attraction for locals and tourists. The layout and design are so appealing, its a super impressive place. The next morning I headed to Crocosaurus in the city centre, and what a fantastic and intriguing place it is to visit. The resident saltwater crocodiles are huge and can be viewed from above, or from viewing areas under the waterline. Its one of lifes great experiences to see the big crocs interacting with the humans in the cage of death who are lowered in to the terrain of the crocs, while staff dangle food for the big crocs right next to where the humans cower. When you see crocodiles swimming from under the water its truly out of this world, they look like nothing Ive ever experienced. And I have the videos to prove it too!
a bit too wild for my taste, seemingly full of long term residents who have longer term drinkers! I booked a greyhound bus for the four hour drive south to Katherine, and it was after arriving that things quickly went to hell. I arrived at my destination (during Easter mind you) and there was nobody manning the reception. I reached the owner on the phone, and he said I didnt have a booking. I confirmed I had an approved and paid booking through booking.com and asked to see him so that we could discuss the situation.
