Day 47/55. Darwin. Darwin Attractions

I have found the place that I like to go swimming. 32 degrees plus outside, and the water ranging from around 24 degrees to 32. The water is in flowing streams with rockpools and waterfalls, Berry Springs was only about 25 minutes from where we stayed, and we went there twice. On a full day drive to Litchfield National Park we swam at Buley Rockhole and at Florence falls. By the time we got to Wangi falls, we had had enough and just took photos. Not only is it a great place to get into the water and not have to go “fafafafaffafafaffaaa” as you progressively get yourself wet, but also spectacular scenery. There is also the occasional fish to nip you on the heel to let you know you are alive, and should be wary of the odd crocodile.

Litchfield also provided a closer look at the amazing termite mounds found in the NT. Staggeringly tall and others completely aligned with magnetic fields, depending on the type of termite. Along the Stuart and Barkly highway, people have taken to the practice of dressing up these mounds in all types of fashion to be admired as you drive past at 130 clicks. Not very respectful to the animals, but they have made these concrete hard structures to live in out of their own poop, so maybe it is fair enough.

Jumping crocodiles does sound like a tourist trap attraction, but Linda had been to see them previously and suggested we go. It was actually quite good and very respectful to the animals from what we could tell. They aren’t feeding them enough that they rely on it, and the crocs seems to still have their usual territories in the river. It was quite surprising that we got on the boat from the jetty at the side of the river, and I was convinced we would be going for a long trip away to go and find them, but they were literally just on the river where we got on. Thankfully they had a barrier of a couple of plastic chairs from where we queued to protect us. On the river, it was just incredible to not see them, and then see them. 5 meters long appearing out of nowhere, with the grace of a million years of evolution. Jumping for their treats is a little demeaning I guess, but there is certainly some by-play where sometimes the croc gets it before the jump. Not good for the tourist, but a win for Darwinism. When the big male does do a jump, they are literally right next to the boat and the warning of keeping your hands inside the boat does seem very important. They were close enough to lose a finger/hand/arm – and that would be if you were lucky and they managed to rip it off instead of dragging you in.

The Darwin waterfront is nice, if not commercialised for the most part with a wave pool and jumping castles in the water that have to be paid for, and only a smaller section for the public. The mainstay of Mindil Markets on a Thursday night was good to meet up with some of Linda’s friends, have a bite to eat and watch a sunset over the water. While the sun setting is indeed breathtaking, it is hilarious that it gets an ovation when it finally disappears, much like appreciative passengers on a regional outback flight when the pilot lands his little single engine cessna. Good job sun, you have made it to bed, well done.

The museum with the Cyclone Tracey exhibit was fantastic, the WWII Oil tunnels were interesting and claustrophobic, and the botanic gardens provide relief in the form of shade. We could have hit up more, but you know, with the sweat trickling down my back, there is only so much you can do. So do it like a Darwinian and not do it at all.