This Adventurous Age

Adventures travelling and working around Australia.

Tag Archives: Darwin


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2006 Travels August 14

MONDAY 14 AUGUST     DARWIN

John phoned the company number that was in the newspaper job ad. It connected to their head office in Alice Springs. He explained that there were two of us and that I could do clerical work. He did not mention that I was less than willing! They were interested – at which I was amazed. The woman that John spoke to offered him $30 an hour. I don’t know what possessed him, but he replied that we were worth more than that! And, bugger me, she upped it to $35 an hour! That would be EACH.

We had been working for $14 and $16 an hour at the cafe. So, I was even more amazed.

It would be a four month job, down in the WA Pilbara, somewhere. We were to go for an interview, tomorrow, at their Darwin office. John told M that he would see if they had a job for her, too – she said she was definitely not interested! Funny how he seemed to take more notice of her – a little, at least.

I was really quite ambivalent about this possible job. I was looking forward to a leisurely run home, being tourists down the Centre again. I really did not want to be working until almost Xmas. I was rather suspicious of it all because it seemed too hasty, too easy, not enough questions asked. Like us – Safety Officer and Site Clerk? Really?

After lunch the three of us drove out of town, to Window on the Wetland and then to Fogg Dam.

Window was new since the years I was bringing students up here and was an information centre about the Adelaide River flood plains. The Centre was up on a hill – fairly important in a flood plain area – so it looked out over the wetlands – which were quite dry at this time of year!

We browsed the information displays for a while, but without the wet component of wetlands, there was not all that much to look out on – just dry flat land.

Moved on to Fogg Dam. We parked at the start of the causeway that crossed the Fogg Dam wall. We were not sure that we were allowed to drive over it. Was not a very substantial looking structure.

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Slathered ourselves with anti-bitey creams, then walked across the causeway, keeping a very close watch for any signs of crocs, given the several warning notices that were there.

It was about a 3kms return walk, to go across the dam wall and on to the Pandanus Lookout. It was really pretty, with prolific bird life – so many egrets, assorted duck varieties, waders of various descriptions.

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The Fogg Dam was originally built, in the 1950’s, to irrigate rice growing at nearby Humpty Doo. I explained to M and John how every magpie goose in the Top End decided that they liked baby rice plants, and that was the end of that scheme. It made a superb wetland area, though!

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Egret and Magpie Geese

After we returned back across the dam wall, did the 2.2kms Woodlands to Waterlilies walk, which was also really pleasant and interesting.

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Reflections on the walk

Then, back to Darwin after a most enjoyable day.


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2006 Travels August 12

SATURDAY 12 AUGUST     DARWIN

Went shopping for some foodstuffs, and bought newspapers.

Had lunch at the food court at Casuarina.

Refuelled Truck at Casuarina – $1.36cpl.

Reading the papers occupied much of the rest of the day.

Oh dear, John had gone back into work mode – just when I was enjoying being a tourist again.

He saw an ad tacked up in the camp kitchen, wanting workers for the coming mango harvest season, for farms and sheds at Humpty Doo.  He phoned the given number and expressed an interest in sorting/packing work – and thus had us put on the work list. All that prior experience – all six weeks of same – seemed to count for something!

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Darwin localities

Darwin localities

Then, in the afternoon, he saw an ad in the Darwin paper – for a Safety Officer/clerk  for a Territory based company. The ad stressed that the work was in a remote location. He was intrigued. Think I’d had enough of “remote” for the time being. I was sure I preferred mangos!

I cooked a roast lamb dinner for all of us. It felt slightly strange, to be cooking “normal” food again.


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2006 Travels August 11

FRIDAY 11 AUGUST     DARWIN

Back into town where I wanted to check out a couple of aboriginal art galleries.

The first of these was a let-down, both in terms of the type of offering  and the prices set. We were not tempted by anything.

I was much more impressed at the Framed Gallery. Unfortunately, could not afford any of the several works that I liked. But bought a pair of earrings – silver Lightning Man figures – for $112. That was a lot for earrings, but I love the Lightning Man legend as depicted at the Nourlangie  rock art site in Kakadu, so just could not resist these. I was sure no one else I meet at home would  have anything like them.

We returned the little Colt, which had been great to zip around town in, and got Truck back. Whatever else one can say about the Defender, it definitely does not zip in city traffic! Just hoped  it really was  finally fixed.

Went out again for tea. Funny that I could not get too enthusiastic about cooking, myself!

Went to Yots Greek Restaurant, at the Cullen Bay Marina. This had been recommended by M’s friend who lived at the Marina, and she came too. Although the food was very pleasant, it was expensive – $120 for the two of us!

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Cullen Bay Marina and surrounding apartment buildings


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2006 Travels August 10

THURSDAY 10 AUGUST     DARWIN

Today was our wedding anniversary – 15 years. The time had gone quickly, but we had packed a lot into it.

M’s Troopy was booked in for a service in the morning, so we collected her from the service centre, almost right in the centre of town. Then went to breakfast at the Cool Spot. M had not been there before.

From there, it was on to the Darwin Bowls Club, where we did three hours of practice. In my case, it was sorely needed.

Lunch was at the Casuarina shopping centre food court – but with restraint, in anticipation of this evening.

Took M back to pick up the Troopy.

Went to Mindil Beach Markets, at about 4pm. Our idea was to get in and get parked before the crowds that would come for the sunset,  but it was already starting to get busy. Wandered about, checking out stalls. Did not see anything that I was tempted to buy.

Eventually, we bought from the many and varied food stalls, for tea. Now there we found  many tempting offerings, unlike the general stalls!

We sat on the beach and watched the sun go down – as one does at Mindil Beach.

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The sunset did not disappoint. A couple of passing small boats added to the scenes.

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It was about 8pm when we headed back to the van.

Decided that I find the Mindil Markets just a bit too crowded and frenetic for my taste, these days.


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2006 Travels August 9

WEDNESDAY 9 AUGUST     DARWIN

We  left early, to take Truck to Landrover, for a new assessment and eventual fix. We were lent a little Mitsubishi Colt for the duration – no charge for this, since they hadn’t fixed the clutch problem  last time. We appreciated that.

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Hidden Valley site – our en-suite building at back, complete with our own clothes line

M was going to do her own thing this morning, while we did assorted mundane things. I think washing figured large on her agenda.

After leaving Truck, we went to the Cool Spot for breakfast. It was really pleasant – almost decadent – sitting on the veranda, in the morning’s warmth, looking out over the sea.

We went to Casuarina shops. I found a place that could cut my hair, with little waiting, at a reasonable price. The cut was adequate.

We found an  optometrist where John had his eyes tested. Two new pairs of glasses would be needed – one for normal use and one for close up work, as per usual. He ordered these – they would be ready for collection on Friday week. We knew we would be here until at least then, because the Rumble in the Jungle Bowls event was not until 19th.

Went back to the van for lunch, after doing a grocery shop.

In the afternoon, we all drove into the city centre. Took Tiger Brennan Drive, which we could get onto easily, not far from the caravan park. This was the closest thing Darwin had to a freeway and allowed traffic to avoid the heap of traffic lights and slower going of the Stuart Highway.

Darwin was still small enough to be able to get a parking spot not too far from the central Mall.

I wanted to stroll the Mall, looking at the tourist oriented shops, with a view to getting Xmas presents for the family. There was no shortage of places to look at, though the merchandise was pretty repetitive.

Bought two rubbery crocodiles, some 25cm long, for my two grandchildren. I remember my son having one, as a little boy – could not remember where it came from. He loved it and had to have “Fierce” at bedtimes. I hoped the two I bought today might become as loved.

John bought a polo shirt with a Darwin logo, and me a T shirt with a small, stitched logo. We bought a couple of stubby holders, and two somewhat risque souvenirs for son and my brother.

M did some similar shopping for her family members.

We walked around some of the central streets, just browsing.

At a shop called House of Pearls, John bought me a pair of pearl earrings that I liked. They were dangly ones, with several tiny pinky coloured pearls – freshwater mussel ones? – on long wires. Rather “different” , for $50.

After a sojourn back at the van, we all drove back to town, to the Stokes Hill Wharf, for a very nice seafood dinner. The set up there was that a number of hawker style food outlets had been set up in one of the former shipping buildings. Seafood predominated in  both Asian and Australian establishments. The procedure was that one bought their food, then found a spot at one of the tables outside, on the wharf apron, and ate, overlooking the sea. Very relaxed, cool, enjoyable,  and very pretty at night.

It had been a day of being tourists, which was very pleasant to do. We were able to enjoy Darwin, without a heap of business to see to and without having to head out of town on a long drive at the end of the day.


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2006 Travels August 8

TUESDAY 8 AUGUST   LITCHFIELD TO DARWIN   170kms

Packed up, hitched up.

Went up to the cafe to say goodbyes. Boss 1 and B had still not returned from Darwin. There had been no acknowledgement from him at all – no thanks, goodbyes, or anything. At least we parted on good terms from boss 2.

So – goodbye to the Monsoon Cafe. It would be a while before I would eat hamburgers or mango cheesecake again!

Goodbye to Litchfield – wonderful area. Hoped we would return – but as tourists!

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We took the sealed roads back to Darwin. Called in at Batchelor to check that there was no final mail for us.

We passed a couple of the day tripper buses heading out to the attractions of Litchfield, and lunch at the cafe.

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There seemed to still be lots of tourist traffic on the roads.

Went into our pre-booked en-suite site at Hidden Valley Tourist Park, booking in for two weeks. It cost $35 a night, but the seventh night was free.

M appeared, soon after we pulled onto site. She’d spent a few nights with her friend at her Cullen Bay apartment.

We did a full set up. The site was not huge, but the en-suite was very pleasant. It was a very practical design for this environment, with plenty of air circulation, and metal door structures, instead of wood.

M was on an ordinary powered site, some distance away. I told her to use our bathroom if she wished, rather than the shared amenities block.

We had happy hour at our site, catching up on our respective happenings of the past few days, and discussing what we might do now.

First item on the agenda was to get Truck fixed – hopefully, properly this time.


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2006 Travels July 6 – 9

THURSDAY 6 – SUNDAY 9 JULY     LITCHFIELD

The days went by mostly as usual. I phoned John most evenings, to check what was happening at home.

One afternoon, a couple of the Park rangers came in for a coffee. In the back of the ute they had a metre long saltie croc all trussed up. It had come out of one of the traps in the Wangi Falls plunge pool! As the pool had been opened for swimming a couple of weeks ago, they were not broadcasting this particular find! It was destined for relocation to a croc farm.

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Can never be quite sure what is lurking in that beautiful  plunge pool!

On M’s day off this week, she arranged to go with one of the Rangers out the 4WD tracks to the Lost City rock formations, and to Blyth Homestead and possibly on to the falls beyond. These tracks  were still officially closed, due to mud and the heights of some of the stream crossings. They got to the Lost City, and then around to Blyth Homestead but could not get much further due to the height of the Reynolds River. It was great that she got to do some extra sight seeing like this. Most of her explorations to date have been solo, because of our days off not matching.

The Lost City rock formations are tall columns of sandstone that look like they really belong in some ancient Mayan ot Aztec civilization.

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Lost City 1993

When we had visited them, in 1993, we’d been impressed by these remote sentinels.  It had been worth the effort of traversing the rough 4WD track to get in to see them.

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Blyth Homestead was the remains of an outstation built in 1928 and used until the 1960’s. There was also an old tin mine nearby.

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John had found that our tenant and neighbour had done a good job of cleaning up the house. We owed them both, big time! D’s husband was there, when John got home. John said he was getting on alright with the man, who was quite elderly. John felt sorry for him and suspected it might not be the first time he’d had to step in to retrieve a problem caused by his ex-wife. Between them, they got her belongings packed up, to be delivered, along with her car, to her daughter’s place down on the Peninsula.

After spending some time with the man, John was prepared to have him remain in the house until our sitters arrived. The ex-husband had indicated it would suit him. So John did not have to remain there until 20th. He enlisted son’s help to arrange a flight back.

On Sunday, I worked as usual, through until 4.30pm, going without a lunch break. Then I knocked off, changed, and drove to Darwin – using the longer, sealed main road, just in case of a breakdown.

I refuelled again at Coolalinga – $1.37cpl and 291kms.

Drove to the airport. I went to the Essence restaurant at the airport resort, and had dinner – an eggplant pizza, which was really yummy. Then I sat round at the airport, reading and waiting. John’s flight was delayed by a few hours and did not arrive until 2am.

Nothing ever happens quite as it should, in the NT!


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2006 Travels July 4

TUESDAY 4 JULY     LITCHFIELD

We had been given the day off, perhaps partly in recognition of the fact that we were having a hard time, right now.

John packed and got organized, then we drove to Darwin.

Refuelled at Coolalinga – $1.38cpl. Had done 364kms since last time.

I dropped John off at 4pm at the Casuarina shopping centre. The plane was not scheduled to depart until 1am. Red eye special! He planned to go see a film at Casuarina, or in the city, travelling by bus. I was a bit concerned about that – he was carrying a laptop. I did not think he realized that Darwin after dark could be quite an unfriendly place. I hoped he would change his mind and use a taxi.

I did a bit of shopping, for some food for me, at the Leanyer shops.

The bloody clutch was misbehaving again! Clearly, new bushes had not solved the problem.

I drove back to camp, feeling a little vulnerable, and hoping Truck would get me there. Got back just after dark.

It was nice to be able to spread out in the bed!

I woke in the early hours of the morning, to a plane noise overhead. I wondered if it was John’s flight, winging south?

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2006 Travels June 6

TUESDAY 6 JUNE     LITCHFIELD

Our day off.

We had to go to Darwin to get the problem clutch fixed.

Left at 6.50am, travelled via the shorter dirt road again, and got to LandRover in Darwin at 8.40am.

We had arranged to have a hire car from them, so we could get around town for the day.

The clutch was repaired, but the new radiator could not be fitted, because the wrong sized one had been sent – so we had to return in yet another two weeks, to get that done. Again, the sort of occurrence that was pretty typical in the NT.

The hire car had been going to cost us $35, but in the end we did not get charged for it, to compensate us for the radiator mix up, so we did win something! Our car was a Mitsubishi Colt – a very zippy, nice little car, an automatic.

After dropping off Truck, and collecting our car, we drove to the Cool Spot – a big cafe establishment in Fannie Bay, that I’d gotten to know on my earlier school trips to Darwin. We had breakfast there. John had an eggs and bacon meal, I had ham and cheese croissants, and we had a couple of coffees each. Ate our food out on the tiled Art-Deco-ish patio area at the front, looking out to glimpses of the sea at the nearby road corner. All very pleasant, but costly at $37!

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It was a lovely morning and we felt rather privileged to be there enjoying it. I texted daughter that we could be very tempted to move up here permanently. Her reply must have set an all time record for speed. It said: “Too many cyclones, too many crocs, and too bloody far away!”.

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Outlook from the Cool Spot

After the very leisurely breakfast, we went shopping, to buy John some more work clothes – a couple of long sleeved light weight shirts, and a pair of shorts.

Went to the Darwin Fishermens Wharf, where we walked and watched the boat activity. It looked like there might have been a captured Asian fishing junk moored out in the harbour.

After the substantial brunch, we were not hungry again, so passed on lunch.

Went to the centre of the city, to the Mall area, to buy some tourist souvenir type T shirts for the grand children. Walked and browsed the various shops there.

Collected Truck and got back to our camp in time for happy hour with M, and then an early night, after the early morning. It was a relief to no longer have the clutch problem.

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On the way back, refuelled at Coolalinga – $1.38cpl.


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2006 Travels May 25

THURSDAY 25 MAY     LITCHFIELD

We had a regrettably early pack up and departure from Hidden Valley, in order to get Truck to Landrover at 8am.

We were able to use a loan car for the day, so that at least gave us some options.

We spent the day in the city. John never likes to drive a borrowed vehicle too much – fair enough.

We parked the car in an all day spot and wandered about, browsing the shops. Bought lunch at a cafe.

John decided we should go to the cinema in the afternoon. Saw “The daVinci Code”. It was alright.

The verdict on Truck, when we got back to the service centre at the appointed 4pm, was that new bushes were needed for the clutch, and a new radiator core was needed too. We would have to take it back in a couple of weeks – when they had the parts in – and the work could be done in a day. So we booked it in for what would be our day off that week.

Refuelled at the Oz Fuel outlet at Winnellie – $1.46cpl. Had done 493kms.

Got back to the Monsoon just on dark, going via Batchelor.

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Almost home – where our creek crossed the main road, turnoff just beyond

It was not really a very relaxing break.

It was a pity that the Truck problem had dictated how the time was used. It would have been much better to have been able to go to Kakadu for a couple of nights, so John could see it with lots of water about. He had only seen that area once – in a very hot, dry and dusty August – and had not been impressed. Whereas I had visited it in the months of March and June, and knew how lovely it could be.

M reported that work had gone alright for her. In our absence, she had been asked to work today, which should have been her day off, but had been given the weekend off instead. She planned to go to Darwin and visit a friend there.