Contents Darwin, Batchelor & Litchfield Park Next
Darwin Esplanade
After a long flight with Virgin Blue from Sydney to Darwin, we were greeted with hot and humid weather even though it was 1:00 in the morning. This was the view of the Darwin Esplanade out the hotel window the next morning.
Darwin Esplanade
Trees in bloom along the Darwin Esplanade.
Darwin Esplanade
Beautifully maintained gardens along the Darwin Esplanade.
Darwin
Darwin’s architecture is fairly plain but functional, but it is well worth considering that Darwin was pretty much wiped out by Hurricane Tracy during 1974.
Mitchell Street, Darwin
We started to drink a little later in the day than usual by Darwin standards. I think we just finished breakfast! By the way, this is where we had a spot of bother with the car hire company as they closed at noon and Barry had to make several phone calls to all of Australia to speak to anyone who could help us out of this predicament.
Mitchell Street, Darwin
Mitchell Street is where all the action is during the nights.
Mitchell Street, Darwin
The Pig and Whistle Pub on Mitchell Street.
Doctor’s Gully, Darwin
Just off the Esplanade, you can go down to the fish feeding area. These are hungry mullets more than eager to take off those old stale bits of bread!
Doctor’s Gully, Darwin
Other tourists feeding the fish.
Darwin Esplanade
Row of hotels along the Darwin Esplanade.
Sunset over Darwin
Evening clouds over Darwin
Mitchell Street, Darwin
Pig & Whistle Pub on the main stretch in Darwin. Last pub crawl we’ll experience before we arrive in Alice Springs.
Mitchell Street, Darwin
One of many pubs along Darwin’s main drag.
Start of the Stuart Highway
A mere 1,500 kilometres down this road and we’ll be in Alice Spings.
Batchelor
A few locals walking back home after shopping at the one store in Batchelor.
Batchelor
This is the very quite town centre of Batchelor. Usually a stock-up point before heading into Litchfield National Park.
Batchelor
Barry reading the latest fishing magazine with vain hope that I would jump at the chance to fish from a very small boat catching very big fish (Barramundi) in croc-infested waters!
Batchelor
Life would just not be complete without Pet Meat & Bait.
Fisherman’s Pornography
Never understood the thrill of fishing myself.
Batchelor Hotel
The bar at the motel we stayed at is the most happening place here at Batchelor. I wouldn’t want to arm-wrestle the woman serving beer behind the bar though!
Magnetic Termite Mound
Picture of a magnetic termite mound. They are called this because they are built by termites in the direction of north-south with the flat sides facing east and west. This is to reduce exposure by the sun during the day.
Litchfield Park
This is not a magnetic termite mound, but it is certainly very large!
Litchfield Park
Large termite mound.
Close-up of Termite Mound
Buley Rockholes, Litchfield Park
Nothing could be more blissful than swimming in these rockpools in Litchfield Park. I think Barry was still reading his fishing magazine and a friendly monitor lizard came up to greet him.
Buley Rockholes, Litchfield Park
My favourite rockpool.
Florence Falls, Litchfield Park
Litchfield Park
Picture does not do any justice, but these spiders had the most amazing colours.
Florence Falls, Litchfield Park
Florence Falls is another great place to swim in.
Lost City, Litchfield Park
Our first 4WD excursion to the Lost City. At this point, I was suddenly becoming aware of how annoying the bushflies are in Australia!
Lost City, Litchfield Park
Strange trees in the Lost City.
Lost City, Litchfield Park
Pseudo four-wheel driving to the Lost City.