A trip to the top end: Part 1
November 26th 2008 09:05
I have been extremely slack haven't I? Well, it's not for the wrong reasons, as I actually have been travelling!
Let's talk about the top end. It did cost more than if we had taken a week holiday in Fiji or Bali or Phuket so I am not surprised that not too many Aussies really take the time to go, however it certainly is an amazing area of our own backyard that is worthwhile visiting, and so different to any of the other states we know.
Let's start with Darwin. The flight to Darwin felt like going over seas. From Coffs Harbour, we had to get a flight to Brisbane where we had a day until the night flight into Darwin. Flight time was 4.5 hours so by the time we got to Darwin it was mid-night. Poor friends who had to pick us up!
At a glance, Darwin isn't that much different to other capital cities. It's on a harbour and it's modern. Actually, VERY modern. There has been much development to expand Darwin in the past few years and building projects are all over the place. Their new convention centre has just been completed and many more blocks of apartments are currently being built.
The heat and humidity is probably the major concern of people coming to Darwin, and the first day I had major headaches all day. We soon learned to drink a lot of water (by the book, you should be drinking a litre every two hours) and stay in the shades.
My friends took us to the popular Parap Village Market where the atmosphere was almost South East Asia-like. I was surprised that arriving for breakfast, people were walking around with curry puffs, satay sticks and even tubs of laksa, instead of bacon and egg rolls! In fact, there was no bacon and egg roll to be seen and due to its close proximity to Indonesia (Bali is less than 2 hours flight, closer to Adelaide, which is the closest Australian city to Darwin believe it or not) and the ease of getting ingredients and culture from Indonesia and near by Asian countries. On such a hot day a curry for breakfast was surprisingly easy to swallow, washed down with freshly blended watermelon and lime juice before taking a bite into a fresh juicy mango.
Most people come to Darwin as a base to tour the nearby national parks such as Litchfield, Kakadu and Katherine. However, there are places in Darwin where you can still view a crocodile and some of the wildlife. The Crocosaurus Cove in town is an overpriced attraction for croc viewing so make sure you head to the Crocodylus Park, around 20 mins drive outside the centre for some croc feeding fun. There are also some fish feeding activity at Aquascene, near Doctors Gully (a little rainforest broadwalk) where you can get up and close to mullets and hand feed them bread provided by Aquascene and view some bird life that comes around in the hope to catch a smaller fish.
The heat makes everyone work just a little bit slower than everywhere else, so Darwin can feel very much as laid back as any country towns can get. Its harbour side is beautiful! Sitting there with a cold beer in hand (bring a stubbie holder to keep them cold) watching the sunset, I could imagine myself to be on an island somewhere in the world! And to think, I was just in Darwin!
Let's talk about the top end. It did cost more than if we had taken a week holiday in Fiji or Bali or Phuket so I am not surprised that not too many Aussies really take the time to go, however it certainly is an amazing area of our own backyard that is worthwhile visiting, and so different to any of the other states we know.
Let's start with Darwin. The flight to Darwin felt like going over seas. From Coffs Harbour, we had to get a flight to Brisbane where we had a day until the night flight into Darwin. Flight time was 4.5 hours so by the time we got to Darwin it was mid-night. Poor friends who had to pick us up!
Darwin Harbour with the new convention centre in the background
At a glance, Darwin isn't that much different to other capital cities. It's on a harbour and it's modern. Actually, VERY modern. There has been much development to expand Darwin in the past few years and building projects are all over the place. Their new convention centre has just been completed and many more blocks of apartments are currently being built.
The heat and humidity is probably the major concern of people coming to Darwin, and the first day I had major headaches all day. We soon learned to drink a lot of water (by the book, you should be drinking a litre every two hours) and stay in the shades.
My friends took us to the popular Parap Village Market where the atmosphere was almost South East Asia-like. I was surprised that arriving for breakfast, people were walking around with curry puffs, satay sticks and even tubs of laksa, instead of bacon and egg rolls! In fact, there was no bacon and egg roll to be seen and due to its close proximity to Indonesia (Bali is less than 2 hours flight, closer to Adelaide, which is the closest Australian city to Darwin believe it or not) and the ease of getting ingredients and culture from Indonesia and near by Asian countries. On such a hot day a curry for breakfast was surprisingly easy to swallow, washed down with freshly blended watermelon and lime juice before taking a bite into a fresh juicy mango.
There is a unique atmosphere at the Parap Village Market
Most people come to Darwin as a base to tour the nearby national parks such as Litchfield, Kakadu and Katherine. However, there are places in Darwin where you can still view a crocodile and some of the wildlife. The Crocosaurus Cove in town is an overpriced attraction for croc viewing so make sure you head to the Crocodylus Park, around 20 mins drive outside the centre for some croc feeding fun. There are also some fish feeding activity at Aquascene, near Doctors Gully (a little rainforest broadwalk) where you can get up and close to mullets and hand feed them bread provided by Aquascene and view some bird life that comes around in the hope to catch a smaller fish.
Feed a croc at the Crocodylus Park!
You would think that I was else where wouldn't you? 
The heat makes everyone work just a little bit slower than everywhere else, so Darwin can feel very much as laid back as any country towns can get. Its harbour side is beautiful! Sitting there with a cold beer in hand (bring a stubbie holder to keep them cold) watching the sunset, I could imagine myself to be on an island somewhere in the world! And to think, I was just in Darwin!
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