Our NT Adventure - Part 2
Day Five:
After another relaxing morning in Jabiru we decided to go and check out the Bowali Visitor centre to check tide times for Cahills Crossing. We decided to go a few hours before high tide to see the river change direction (due to the tide). We saw crocs, fishermen catching massive Barramundi from the riverbank, 4WD’s and some people in 2WD crossing. It is easy to spend hours here watching everything going on (we spent close to 3 hrs here). After the excitement of Cahills Crossing we returned to the caravan park to cool off and enjoy happy hour. Kakadu NP is considerably hotter than Darwin. One day it reached 38 degrees (June).
Day Six:
We drove from Jabiru to Darwin (2.4hrs) via Mamukala wetlands walk, Adelaide River Croc Jumping and the boxing croc in Humpty Doo. After settling into our apartment in Darwin we decided to go to the sailing club for a refreshing drink on the beach before checking out the impressive Mindil Beach Markets. At Mindil Beach Markets there are a huge array of stalls selling souvenirs, jewellery and art, which is definitely outnumbered by the amount of food trucks and vendors. It is the perfect place to get some cheap eats and sit and relax under the palm trees listening to live music while you wait for the sun to set over the beach.
Mindil Markets are every Thursday and Sunday night in the dry season from 4pm to 9pm. There is plenty of parking available for all vehicle sizes. There are toilet facilities and one ATM (some vendors only accept cash). Take a picnic blanket to sit on so you can find your own space on the lawn or beach.
Day Seven:
We woke up early to try and beat the crowds to Berry Springs which worked. We arrived around 8:30am and there were only two other people in the water. We were so surprised by Berry Springs, it is situated 40 minutes from Darwin City and it is a little rainforest oasis with one small waterfall and two large swimming holes, plenty of green lawn with picnic tables, BBQs, kiosk and toilets. It is free entry into the park. From Berry Springs we decided to continue into Litchfield National Park. We Entered the Park from the North and made Wangi Falls our first stop. It is a beautiful, tall waterfall which falls into a large swimming hole. It was not yet open for swimming as we visited in early June but we were able to view the falls from a platform over the water amongst the palms. There was a cafe, toilets and BBQs by the carpark.
Mindil Markets are every Thursday and Sunday night in the dry season from 4pm to 9pm. There is plenty of parking available for all vehicle sizes. There are toilet facilities and one ATM (some vendors only accept cash). Take a picnic blanket to sit on so you can find your own space on the lawn or beach.
Day Seven:
We woke up early to try and beat the crowds to Berry Springs which worked. We arrived around 8:30am and there were only two other people in the water. We were so surprised by Berry Springs, it is situated 40 minutes from Darwin City and it is a little rainforest oasis with one small waterfall and two large swimming holes, plenty of green lawn with picnic tables, BBQs, kiosk and toilets. It is free entry into the park. From Berry Springs we decided to continue into Litchfield National Park. We Entered the Park from the North and made Wangi Falls our first stop. It is a beautiful, tall waterfall which falls into a large swimming hole. It was not yet open for swimming as we visited in early June but we were able to view the falls from a platform over the water amongst the palms. There was a cafe, toilets and BBQs by the carpark.
After Wangi Falls, we drove to Tolmer lookout, which overlooks an impressive waterfall which runs into a crystal clear pool that is surrounded by caves that are home to rare orange horseshoe bats and the endangered ghost bats. There is no swimming at this waterfall.
As it started to warm up we were ready for another swim, so we headed to Buley Rockhole. It is a short walk from the car park. Buley Rockhole is made up of multiple small swimming holes and waterfalls. The water is extremely clear and refreshing, keep in mind there is no stair access to the water which was difficult for some visitors. The two larger pools were shaded by the above trees.
Florence falls is a short drive from Buley Rockhole, which is reached by 135 steps down into an incredible rainforest. There is easy access into the swimming hole where you can swim into the depths of the swimming hole and under the two waterfalls or if you prefer to stay in the shallows where there are multiple rock pools (this was the busiest waterfall we visited in Litchfield but was it still worth it!).
Litchfield NP is free to enter and easy to access all waterfalls as the park is connected by one main bitumen road.
We spent happy hour at the Darwin Hotel and went to dinner at the Wharf where there are multiple cheap eating options right on the edge of the water.
Day eight:
We started the morning with a delicious coffee from Ray’s Bakery and Patisserie followed by the best Laksa we had while in the NT, from Mary’s Laksa at Parap Village Markets. These vibrant markets get extremely busy so we recommend going earlier in the morning. They are open from 8am- 2pm on Saturdays during the dry season. After eating our way around the markets we took a drive out to the scenic area of Nightcliff Jetty and surrounds. Next on our list was the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory which is free to enter and well worth a visit. We spent hours looking at the incredible art and exhibitions on display, learning about the history of the Northern Territory and cyclone Tracey.
The Trader Bar is possibly our favourite cocktail bar in Darwin City, offering fresh and creative cocktails and wines. We then had dinner at Alfonsino’s to celebrate our last night in Darwin. A holiday that has offered many unique experiences, stunning and surprising scenery and a taste of warm tropical weather.
Getting Around:
Pay as you go scooters and electric bikes which service Darwin City via Neuron app
Uber from the airport to the City roughly $30.00
Ample parking options in the city with charged parking during the week and free on weekends.
Central Darwin to the waterfront is an easy short walk
Eating out:
Ray’s Bakery and Patisserie
Chow!
Wharf eateries
Mindil Markets
Parap Markets
Alfonsino’s
Drinks:
The Trader Bar
Sailing Club (sunset drinks)
Shenanigans
Hotel Darwin
The Precinct
The Casino infinity pool
Things to note:
There were several sites and roads closed in Kakadu due to high water, crocodiles still present which was due to the time of year (early June) and the passing of an Indigenous elder. This meant that there were a few locations we could not visit.
