Week 12 : 11 May to 17 May 2012 -- Darwin

Well… didn’t I speak too soon?!  We watched the Broncos Friday night and obviously our watching does nothing to help them win! (refer my comments last week.) Manly beat them in the last minute… 26-22. I had to go for a shower to calm down!

Saturday morning we took the short drive to Coolalinga, about 8kms south of here, and had a look around the markets, which are held here each weekend. Though small, they are interesting with some local produce and crafts available. From here we drove down to Humpty Doo to check it out. We had heard the name so often that we figured there had to be some sort of attraction here but were sadly mistaken. It’s a rural community just up the Arnhem Highway, leading to Kakadu, and has a small shopping centre and industrial estate servicing the acreage community. Nice spot to live but a drive through area for the tourist.

We took a detour on the way back to the park via the Darwin Port. Unfortunately, due to security, you can’t get close enough to see any of the operations, however, just down the road a little is the Darwin Passenger Rail Terminal which is the end of the line from Adelaide and the northern terminus for The Ghan.

Sign at the battery

Ruins of the battery

The ‘Quarantine’ Anti Aircraft Site is close by also and is definitely worth visiting. This is the most intact anti aircraft gun site in Darwin and comprises a command post and 4 gun emplacements. This site was established in1941 and by January 1942 was manned by 79 personnel. During the attacks on 19^th February 1942, the guns engaged the enemy and, although unconfirmed, a heavy bomber was shot down. Many personnel were stationed here for their entire tour.      

Flash the wonder dog

Back at the park, we relaxed for a while around the pool before going to visit David and Therese, owners of “Flash” ( the wonder dog). We will move to their home at the end of May and care for Flash while they travel to the U.K. for 8 weeks. They showed us around the house and yard, before we all went for a walk to Casuarina Beach, which is only a couple of minutes away. Flash loves it down here and Vic and I are looking forward to the regular exercise we’re going to get bringing her down here.

Sunday was Mother’s day and Cara, Glen and Allie had arranged for me to have some gifts for Vic when she woke in the morning. They had also each written a verse which Vic was truly thrilled with. We had an easy day relaxing and spent most of the time around the pool where we also had lunch. That evening we returned to the pool area with some of the neighbours to celebrate Mother’s Day with dinner and a few drinks.

Christ Church Cathedral

On Monday I put the car in for it’s 84k service and was dropped back into the city where I had a look at the Christ Church Cathedral, which was originally built in 1902. A porch was added in1944 as a tribute to those who lost their lives in the Territory during WWII. Stone from the old Post Office was used to match the original building. The church was totally destroyed by Cyclone Tracy, except for the porch, which was incorporated into the new Cathedral that was built in 1975. From here I photographed the Old Police Station and Court House, built in 1884. The buildings were used by the Navy from WWII to Christmas Day 1974, when Cyclone Tracy all but destroyed them. The buildings have been rebuilt to the original designs to be used as Offices for the Administrator.

Court House

Government House

I crossed the road from here and walked past Government House that sits on the cliffs overlooking Darwin Harbour. The original single roomed house was built in 1870 and in 1879 a new building was erected around the stone room. The building became known as The House of Seven Gables and was damaged by cyclones in 1897, 1937 and 1974 as well as suffering damage during the 1942 bombings.

Darwin Wave Pool

Riding the waves

I crossed the foot bridge that brings you out on the 5^th floor of the apartments that overlook the Wharf Precinct. There’s a good view of the area from the glass elevator as it drops you at ground level. In this park there is a netted off beach area that allows you to safely enjoy a salt water swim, the Darwin Wave Pool, which seems well patronized, a variety of trendy  shops and cafes and The Darwin Entertainment Centre.

After a coffee here I crossed the road to the WWII Oil Storage Tunnels. The 1942 air raids wiped out 7, of the 11, above ground oil storage tanks that were built around Stokes Hill in 1924. Consequently, in 1943, work began on 8 storage tunnels, which would be safe from bombing. However, by wars end, only 5 tunnels were complete and they were never used to store oil (tunnels 5 & 6 were used for 3 years in the mid 50’s to store jet fuel).

Storage Tunnels

Three access tunnels were dug into the escarpment that surrounds Darwin City, above the high water mark. Further in, the tunnels were enlarged, lined with concrete, then lined again with steel sheeting that created an oil tight tank and kept the flow of groundwater out of the tanks. Even now, the tunnels have to be considered when approving any new building in the city.

Inside entry tunnel

There are only two open to the public now, and the larger tunnel number 5 (172 metres long) houses photo boards containing some great shots of the serving men and women going about their business in Darwin during the war. At $6, entry to this attraction is great value and should not be missed.

I walked back across town and collected the car from Kerry’s, the Jeep dealer here, drove over and picked Vic up from work and headed back to the park.

On a couple of occasions this week when we’ve come home, we’ve found a group of neighbours enjoying afternoon drinks and a lot of laughs together. The “Free Spirits” are Dave & Sandra from Port Augusta (SA), Gary & Michelle from Kingscliff (NSW), BJ & Robyn from the Eyre Peninsula (SA), Phil & Bev from Melbourne (VIC), George and Shirley from Townsville (QLD), Rob from Melbourne and Vic and I.

The Free Spirits!

This street party started outside Dave and Sandra’s van on the first couple of nights and has since been rotating and we’ve all had a chance to host a happy hour. Bob and Helen, from Coff’s Harbour (NSW), have since joined the circle. In a week or so the group will start to break up as we all go our separate ways. I’m sure some of us will keep in touch and share stories as we travel, and will cross paths somewhere on the road. 

Until next week… safe travels!