Darwin - TERRITORY DAY

Well my days of laying by the pool have ended ☹  Darwin workforce is very much reliant on Employment companies providing the labour – so I checked around and signed up with Hays Recruitment.  Hays are Worldwide, so hopefully I will be able to use them at times when we continue to travel.  The process was pretty simple, I sent them my resume and then went in for an interview.  They then contacted my references (thanks once again Paul xx)  and then started looking for work for me.  Wow isn’t that easier than me running around!  First posting was 2 weeks holiday relief as Receptionist/Admin assistant with a Construction company.  Working in the office, checking invoices and job coding them before entering into the system.  Can I say hear how much I love Reception with Construction Companies.  No one ever comes in and the phone hardly ever rings as everyone calls mobiles these days.   Really enjoy this type of work and hopefully get to do this sort of stuff again.   I finished up there on the 13^th July and my next posting for 4 weeks is working with Peet Developments, a few minutes drive away from the caravan park.  Another good thing about Hays – at the end of the working week I put my times in online, they are authorised by the company I am working for and then Hays put the pay is in my bank account within 24hrs. 

We've been doing lots of bike riding around the Darwin area, and we had niece Aimee join us for a few days at the end of June.  We took a leisurely morning ride on Saturday 1st July, from Casuarina Beach - past Mindil Beach and around the Darwin City Centre and Stokes Wharf area.  Then of course (our usual Saturday) lunch at the Parap Markets.  Aims and I had a Chicken & Wonton Laska - it was amazing (and I've had it twice since).  Then a swim, bit of a rest and then it's time to join in the Territory Day celebrations.  It you haven't been in the NT for Territory Day - put it on your list of things to do.  It is July 1st and a Crazy must do thing.   Anyone can purchase fireworks on the 1st from 9am to 9pm  No restrictions - except they say "you must use them up before 11pm or return them to the supplier".  Yeah like that happens!  Nearly every second business had them for sale and people lined up waiting..  Darwin advertises the main attration as Mindil Beach.  They kick off with markets at 3pm, followed by a concert from 4pm (Killing Heidi & Pete Murray this year), then the fireworks from 8pm.  They are set off from barges in the bay and free buses to & from.  We had also heard that the locals let off their own fireworks everywhere.  They anticipated 10 to 15 thousand at Mindil, so deciding to give this a miss we headed off to join the locals at Casuarina Beach.  Grabbed an esky, a blanket, coupe of chairs and good to go.  We arrived around 5ish and the first thing we saw was 2 guys in uniform at the entrance to the beach.  Coming from NSW our first thought was "Oh shit they aren't going to let alcohol on the beach"  But not - they were NPWS guys and just handing out rubbish bags in the vain hope that people would pick up their rubbish. 

It was an absolutely crazy, wild night.  Words don't really do it justice but where we were there was around 200 - 300 people ranging in all ages.  They started letting their fireworks off from around 5.30 when it was still daylight but I guess they figureed what the heck!  It went continuously all night - you couldn't sit down to watch as they were going off all around you and you just had to keep turning to watch different displays.  As it got dark you could see that there were people all around the bay letting off fireworks, in fact we could see them going off on the opposite side of the bay at East Arm Wharf.  Never seen anything like it.  We left around 9 when the smoke and smell of gunpowder became too strong but they were still going to 11pm (and some still after that).    So yes there were 22 report incidents of injuries - but hey so worth it... 

Darwin SLSC

Great way to enjoy a drink

Tug at Stokes Wharf

The Navy was in town

Enjoying our ride

Cullen Bay Marina

East Arm Wharf

Sunset at Casuarina Beach (bonfire on rhs)

Ready for the fireworks

Photo's just didn't capture it well enough

Rob & I are slowly working our way through the list of things we want to see & do here, unfortunately there is always something else we hear about that gets added.  One thing that was on the list was Charles Darwin National Park - which is only 10 minutes from the centre of Darwin.  We arrived there on a lovely Sunday morning and one of the first things we noticed was a small sign saying "Biting insects".  Well we've not seen a sign more accurate!  We would have only been out of the car for 10 minutes and both covered in bites.  Beautiful view looking back at Darwin itself but won't be going back there to do the walks. 

View from Charles Darwin Nat Park

We also visited Burnett House, the only surviving example of B.C.G. Burnett's Type K  design (for tropical conditions) - unusual in being of two-storey configuration.  Built in 1938, the house survived the bombing of Darwin in WWII with only minor damage, only to sustain damage by Cyclone Tracy in 1974.  It has since been restored by the National Heritage Trust.  We couldn't find them but apparently there are bullet holes in the front fence and Fragments of a bomb in the garden from WWII.

Burnett house - bedroom upstairs

Burnett house - sitting room upstairs

Bedroom 2

Front view - Burnett House

The Main living area & Kitchen were downstairs and feature a beautiful cement design in the flooring.  It has a unique form of louvers with patterning by casements windows.  With the roof steeply pitched and a ridge vent at the top to allow air to circulate from open eaves through the ceiling space and out of the ridge.  The internal room doors upstairs are like swinging barn doors (3/4 height) to allow airflow go under and above them through the rooms - a really great idea.

Casuarina Beach

Croc trap at inlet to Casuarina Beach

No Surf today!!

Apparently stinger season is over at present and we are starting to see a few people swimming in the bay - however on our walk  on Sunday we came across this Croc trap - Think we will stick with the pool!! 

Continuing from last week I'm just saying - Don't mention the Eels game.  Wow what a total fizzer - we would have enjoyed a local game more.  I could vent more but loyalty won't let me :)

After settling into our site at the Freespirit "Resort" - we did the logical thing and asked them for work.  Sadly for me nothing as yet, but Rob has scored a job here.  2 Evenings and 3 Days per week - and free rent so that's a bonus.  It's a bit lonely for me lying by the pool whilst he's working but everyone tells me I'll get used to it lol.

After familarising ourselves with Darwin we have started a to-do list of things and places to see before we leave in October.  First thing on the list was Dunedee Beach which is located West of Darwin.  You have to go South to go West due to the Harbour, however it's only about 120km and we decided to do a Rec trip out there last friday.  We had been told that Crab Claw Island Resort was better than Dunedoo Beach C/Van Park as there are less midgee's, so we thought we'd explore both.
Crab Claw Island Resort is a little bit of false adversiting as it's not actually on the island - just looks out at it, however after a short 15km private dirt road we came across as little bit of paradise.   There is a small caravan park, numerous cabins on stilts and a restaurant/bar. 

Crab Claw Island Resort - Restuarant/Bar

Anyone for Beach volleyball

Beautiful outlook from the cabins

Did I mention the beach, complete with volleyball setup?  And they say the crocs will act as ball boys for you....  Well anyway the fishing here is meant to really great and we are looking forward to a weekend out here with Lou & Bruce when they arrive (Hey Guys don't forget the fishing rods).

With still plenty of the day left we then headed further west to Dunedee Beach.  Going on the signs along the road, which is bitumen all the way, it may not be fully accessible at High tide as there are lots of low lying areas - however we were there at Low tide so all good.  And wow what a beautiful spot. There are lots of homes and fishing shacks out here but most appear as though they are used as weekenders for Darwin residents.  As we were out there on a Friday we had the beach to ourselves.  Made up of rocky outcrops and beautiful coloured sands along with turquise water we could have stayed forever however yet again spoiled by the thought of those nasty crocs. 

Dunedee Beach looking South

Picture perfect

We enjoyed a walk in utter peace

From Dunedee beach itself we then went to check out Dundee Lodge and C/van park. 
Great spot and they NT Govt has just spent a fortune on upgrading the Boat ramp.  We had lunch out here and I'd have to say for a little place out of the way - our Burgers were amazing. 

Dunedee Beach War Memorial

Rob contemplating the serenity

The view from Dunedee Lodge

You know I cannot get enough of trees right?

Sorry couldn't get enough!

And these little guys were our only company

All in all - a great day out and although it's ticked off our bucket list - we have to go back!

Saturday saw us explore the Parap Village Markets.  Oh the food - so with so many different nationalities represented here it was hard to choose what to eat.  So we've added this to our weekly to do list and we will just try them all  !!
Mindil Beach Markets are the big name up here, however unless they've changed I think Parap Village Markets are much nicer and better HOWEVER we will sacrifice ourselves and revisit Mindil Beach and keep you posted. 

Rob and I scored a day off together where we decided that we didn't need to make a trip to Katherine for supplies so we would go and see some more sights.   Gunlom was now open and it was time to get out there.  Wow was it worth the trip.  We headed off about 8.30 in the morning and whilst the gravel road was a bit corrogated and rough - not too bad.  Along the way we saw a dingo at the side of the road - not scared of us at all and pretty mangy at that. 

Dingo near Gumlom

Gunlom Creek

Gunlom is a series of water holes on the top of a "hill" which lead to a waterfall and then large pool at the bottom.  This then feeds into a watercourse but it drying up quickly as the dry sets in.  So walking boots on (check), backpack with water, energy bars & bandaids (check), hats & sunglasses (check), camera (check) and off we head. The walk is about 1/2 hour each way depending on how young and energetic you are.  The views are just amazing and a good excuse to have a short break.

Looking over the edge

Series of pools at the top of Gunlom

Pathway to the top

Looking back at the carpark

Once you reach the top you just have to have a swim! (Yes Jenni we were thinking of you) The water is amazingly clear and cool and no Crocodiles in sight. 

Rob enjoying a swim

Bottom pool at Gumlom

Next stop was Cooinda for some lunch (ah yes something I didn't have to cook) and then we meandered home stopping to check some of the creeks, water holes and also a detor along the Old Jim Jim Road - which was still closed but apparently we missed the sign.  It was amazing to see how close to the road the water still was in places and it gave us an idea on how flooded the area must get in the wet as we were quite a distance from the East Alligator River itself. 

The busy season was sneaking up on us and I really didnt want to be the cook when it arrived, so after discussion with Tony & Christie they employed a Chef (yes I was replaced by a Chef) and her husband.   Rob & I finished up last Monday.  Unemployed again :(  

Funny story - Amanda Winter and Arnold who replaced us come from Tottenham/Parkes area and Amanda worked at the Narromine Hotel (about 10 years after I did).  Small world isn't it. 

Tony & Christie were kind enough to allow us to stay on a few days so we could get around the area a little bit more without having to work.   This allowed us a day trip to have a look at Burrundie, Mount Wells and Grove Hill pub.  The road looped around through these 3 sites and it was a really interesting look into yesteryear in the Top End.   The Grove Hill pub was pretty average and if your up this way - call in for a drink but do yourself a favour and don't eat there!

Dry creek bed

Burrundie/Woolwonga Massacre plaque

Some of the roadways a bit dodgy

Mt Wells Mine site

Mt Wells Mine site

Mt Wells mine site

Our next outing was to a place called Ferny Gully.  Not on the tourist trail and we were wondering if Joe (ranger) had set us up again but it turned out to be a beautiful spot and if we had our tent with us we would have stayed the night.  We were the only ones there and it was just such a pretty spot.  The photo's unfortunately don't show them but there were butterflies everywhere in their thousands.

Ferny Gully

Ferny Gully - the water was so clear

Spring fed it was a little cold

The butterflies were stunning and in their 1,000's

We had to do a walk to take in the view

Camping ground was great

a little bit of colour!

Wednesday night saw Greg &  Carol Sawtell from Kingscliff arrive and we enjoyed a lovely evening with them over the campfire before packing up on Thursday morning and heading for Darwin.
And here we are - back in civilisation enjoying internet and radio etc;  Wow you don't realise how much you miss it...
More next week !  Oh I forogt - go the EELS in tonights game which we are headed off to now.