Darwin &
Litchfield Park

The view from our apartment - Stokes Hill Wharf with its huge shed containing several restaurants & cafes, with the harbour cruise boats moored ready for the sunset cruises.  The huge seawall protects the waterfront leisure area from crocodiles and stingers so that swimmers can relax.

Each morning, the dawn would be right in front of our apartment - not bad (way too many pics for this website!)

Next door is 'The Beach and Aquapark' - very popular - you can see the seawall in the background

… complete with its own life guard (Surf Patrol??)

… and then there's the famous wave pool next to the beach, with the Convention Centre behind

.And now we're off on our first tour - with Adam, an environmental scientist, and nature specialist! 

One of many potholes - fortunately our guide, Adam has a decent car (yes, its a LR Disco4)!

First it's a stop at the magnetic termite mounds - magnetic because the ultra thin mounds point exactly north-south … some of them over 3 metres tall

… then on to the famous (and popular) Wangi Falls, 

More termite mounds  - these are the common cathedral type - up to +6 mtrs high

… then it's time for an interesting creek crossing, on our way to the famous Blyth Homestead - serious 4WDs only

Blyth Homestead - built in 1928 by the Sargent family, it served as a remote tin-mining and cattle outstation - Harry Sargent and his children hauled the materials using a 32-horse team cart across the Tabletop Plateau - they survived growing crops and raising livestock while working nearby tin mines.
We had a look inside (watching for snakes!) and wondered at their lifestyle - TOUGH

While we were looking around, Adam had set up the lunch table - a delicious salad and soft drink - much appreciated!

After the lunch break, it was off to another picturesque waterfall, tropical wilderness

and came across a bower bird 

- created by the local 'Great Bowerbird'  (Google image)

To wrap up the day, we had a cup of tea, homemade anzac biscuit, and Adam convinced us to have our picture taken (ouch!)

Ok … ever onwards … time to visit the famous Crocosaurus Cove

… and then there's the reptile house - Crocosaurus Cove, in the middle of the city has some of the world's deadliest snakes for our viewing pleasure (or not!) 

Enough of these - time for something different - a dinner cruise with Cape Adieu,

the sail boat on the right - perfect evening for a sunset cruise

A little seafood starter with our Jansz sparkling

then a sunset dinner of fresh barramundi & salad …

… yes, we did purchase!

after a very big indigenous arts, crafts and music day, it was time for a sunset Prosecco and antipasti plate before 

… the hat that got away - shame!!

It's tough on the verandah, overlooking the Esplanade and Harbour!

Local wild caught barramundi - again - ho hum!

OK ... lets try the local prawns - deeelishus!!

Next day it's off to Darwin Airport for our evening flight back to Melbourne - treated to a delicious dinner and some 'thank you' cheese chocolates.  Our Melbourne jackets were ready for our arrival - from 36c to 6c !

Never tire of a sky high sunset!