Day 134-139 Kakadu - Darwin 12th - 17th August

We made our way to Free Spirit Resort, a large and popular campground, with three swimming pools, a bar and friendly staff. 


We set about exploring Darwin by starting with a historic walking tour. One interesting highlight was as St Mary's, where we saw a terrific painting of Madonna and Child, where both drawn as aborigines.  We visited the excellent Chinese Museum – where the influence, rich heritage and prejudice they faced was explored. 

Crocodylus Crocodile Park was a highlight for Robyn and the kids as they fed large salties and held baby crocs. Darwin Museum and Art Gallery had a great Cyclone Tracey exhibit and sound-room. The girls bought sun-dresses one evening at the Mindel markets while we watched a band play didgeridoo and drums. At the music store I bought a ukulele for the family, inspired by camp-fire playing from some american travellers a few nights before. 

Boxing Crocodile and Humpty Doo

After four months the car finally gets a wash!

The Aboriginal Madonna at St Mary's Cathedral

Chinese Temple

The Tree of Knowledge, a Banyan Tree

Fried ice-cream at Mindel Markets

Darwin Sailing Club at sunset

Here's the sunset!

Ben & Siobhian

Adam & Liam

Baby Crocs

Adam feeding a salty

Jordan feeding a salty

Who's a pretty boy then?

Swimming pool at Darwin Wharf

I went on a day trip on Mary's River at 5:30m and caught my first Barramundi at 62 cm, and a large Saratoga (which we threw back). An excellent day on a boat watching the salties and wildlife as we cast away trawling for elusive barra. We had fish for dinner for the next couple of days. 

Dawn at Mary's River

Yeah baby - my first Barra!

62cm!

65cm Saratogo

 

Rob, Fiona and family also camped at this camp-ground and we ended up hanging out together for a few days. The kids all hung around together in the evenings – and the boisterous gaggle got told to be quiet for the first time by a fellow camper when it was getting late!