DESTINATION DARWIN
From sunset markets to stunning waterholes and hot springs - I’ll show you why Darwin is the caravan capital of the Top End!
WORDS BY FRED WRIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY BY CARAVAN AND MOTORHOME
Over recent years, Darwin has emerged as the caravan capital of the Top-End and with the perfect array of attractions and activities to keep you mesmerised for weeks on end, with everything from fishing to museums and reptile centres available, its easy to see why. We parked ourselves close to all the action at the beloved BIG4 Howard Springs Holiday Park. From here, you can easily explore all that tropical Darwin has to offer – with walks, public transport or a car getting
you to almost every attraction with ease. The best thing about exploring Darwin is that almost all big attractions are less than an hour away, with a huge variety of interesting, smaller attractions all an easy drive away from the airport, the CBD or from BIG4 Howard Springs Holiday Park. Whichever direction you choose to drive, you’ll find something to hold your attention and capture your heart – that’s the magic of discovering Darwin, the caravan capital of the Top End.
LITCHFIELD NATIONAL PARK AND BERRY SPRINGS
As soon as we found our bearings, it was straight down the highway
to see Darwin’s most fascinating natural wonder – Litchfield National Park, located just over 100km away from Howard Springs BIG4. From the moment you drive in, Litchfield National Park will capture your heart and leave you breathless. As we cruised in, the ranger met us with a huge smile, a hearty handshake and bounds of enthusiasm. Wangi Falls was our first stop and we couldn’t believe how remarkable it was. White water cascaded more than 80m down cliff faces into very inviting pools below. The ranger told us the country here is like a sponge; sucking up water in wet season and releasing it right through the dry season when most RVers visit. It’s important to note that in the wet season, parks such as these are closed, not only due to the huge amount of water, but also because salt-water crocs swim freely in here during wet season and get land locked during dry season, which stops them from swimming back home. Rangers carefully patrol the park and relocate crocs so that when you arrive it’s safe to swim. The Wangi Falls is absolutely stunning and allows you to surround yourself with nature. There’s a well-kept amenities, as well as a kiosk a short walk away with hot and cold food, drinks and a large veranda to relax and enjoy these on. As you leisurely make your way to the falls, there are large expanses of grassed areas and gas BBQs with seats to enjoy the beautiful, tropical environment. It’s so refreshing to see a park that encourages you to soak up its beauty at your own pace. It’s quite easy to hop into the large pool below the falls, as it’s quite shallow at the very start, although most take to paddling or boating around while more adventurous ones swim underneath the waterfalls.
Buley Rockholes were next, and I was once again astounded at the rich diversity of our Australian nature. Buley Rockholes are a succession of warm, clear pools fed by owing water from the many waterfalls. RVers should take particular care when entering or leaving, as the rocks may be slippery. We also visited Floreme Falls, and although they were quite challenging – with more than 120 steps down to the water – they were majestic.
Driving north to Berry Springs Nature Park, just 47kms from Darwin, brought us to an unbelievable aquatic oasis. From the car park, it’s an easy walk through some tropical palms to a well-kept grass area, where you’ll find a modern toilet block and several gas BBQs which are ideal for lunchtime stops. Emerald green water flows through the entire park, with crystal clear areas where you can watch small fish shoot in and out of their homes. The history here is quite astounding too, with 100,000 troops using the pools that people still visit today as a ‘rest and recreation area’ in WWII. Although we absolutely loved Litchfield National Park, with its waterfalls, pools and magnificent termite mounds, the Berry Springs Nature Park absolutely stole our hearts – and how could it not? The ‘cherry on top’ for this trip was the kiosk we passed on our way back from the springs. It had mango, passionfruit and other delicious ice creams, plus frozen desserts and more. A delicious treat was the perfect way to end a day filled with wonder.
MUSEUMS TO MARKETS
The Darwin Military Museum and Defence of Darwin Experience, just 10 minutes from the city centre, are two must see attractions. The Military Museum is located in an original concrete army bunker used for defence strategy during the ‘secret’ war happening on Australia’s northern shores. The public had no idea the Japanese had tried to raid Darwin 64 times just over two years ago. The planes that attacked Darwin were the same ones who used to attack Pearl Harbour, which makes it even more astounding and interesting. There’s also several new sheds filled with Vietnam War exhibits and interactive displays that will capture much of your attention whilst you walk through. In the same area, you’ll find the Defence of Darwin Experience. This ten million dollar facility is the very first in Australia to provide visitors with an interactive, multi-media experience that tells the story of Darwin’s part in WWII. It will take you through a Bombing of Darwin gallery and give you firsthand accounts of war. These two places aren’t just for war-buffs, they are an essential stop over for every RVer wanting to learn about Australia’s important history.
Don’t overlook the Australian Aviation Heritage Centre, 10 minutes from the CBD, either. This museum is home to the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress called ‘Darwin Pride’, which is one of two planes on permanent loan from the USA. Darwin Pride uses 81,000L of fuel just to take off , which is absolutely mind-boggling. A Tiger Moth Spitfire, Avon Sabre Jet, Mirage, Wessex helicopter and F1-11 Fighter Bomber are all on display here as well.
After a big day exploring, it was time to relax at Mindil Beach Sunset Markets – the territory’s biggest and most favoured markets. They are less than half an hour away from BIG4 Howard Springs and a quick five minute drive from the CBD, which makes them perfect for exploring.
Admission is free, but you must get in early to see everything there is on offer. You’ll find unbelievable paellas, a variety of jerky products, Greek, Indonesian, Malaysian, Korean and Chinese food available – all with whip cracking and other performances going on in the background!
A fire display with a difference had the audience on the edge of their seats during the night and there was live music to entertain the thousands of people who relaxed on the sandhills of Mindil Beach afterward. Each person was enthralled by the colourful sunset sinking slowly below Darwins horizon. It’s safe to say you’ll never look at another market the same after exploring Mindil Beach Sunset Markets.
EXCITING ADVENTURES
For us, visiting the Territory Wildlife Park, roughly 40 minutes south
of Darwin, was one of the most important parts of our trip. Any RVer who visits should expect an amazing, nature-filled experience in a well set out park with easy access via a train or car. There are plenty of spaces to park your van, but if you take the train you will be indulged with special presentations from the staff and receive a map to guide you around – all as part of your admission price.
We found the aquarium in the park to be an absorbing journey, taking you from the escarpment down to the wetlands and from fresh to salt-water environments. All displays have information boards and you’ll marvel at the fresh water crocs, saw fish and huge barramundi that swim above the clear tunnel you walk under. You’ll see brilliantly coloured coral, which is found under Darwin’s harbour, attractive coloured fish and inquisitive turtles as well. The enormous array of native animals and incredible displays are something you won’t see anywhere else in Australia. Then there’s a delightful flight centre area, where a bird handler encourages eagles and other birds of prey to fly close to the crowd, while wide-eyed spectators gasp in awe. If you don’t see everything on your first visit, you can always return the following day free of charge. If you’re after a delicious treat, Crazy Acres Mango Farm and Café is less than five minutes from the park and is renowned for making the best mango products and ice creams in Darwin, with everything homemade and delicious. It’s the perfect way to end the day.
Next up was Crocosaurus Cove, in the Darwin’s CBD, which offered close encounters with huge salt-water crocs. This place is renowned for its cage of death experience, which allows travellers to enter a crocodile enclosure inside a sturdy, transparent cylinder. Another treat was the Reptile Centre, which had an excellent inland display on the inland taipan – the deadliest snake in the world. Before we left, I had the opportunity to see goannas and Komodo dragons before holding a black headed python. When it comes to reptiles and native animals, education is the key, and Darwin’s Reptile Park certainly delivers.
Just a couple of minutes from the Reptile Centre is Stokes Hill Wharf, where we set off on an hour and a half Sea Darwin Sunset Fish ‘n’ Chips trip. We loved the talented crew’s commentaries as well as the thread n salmon and chips and complimentary drink. We’re already planning when we can come back and do it again!
Another must on Stokes Hill Wharf is the incredible Royal Flying Doctor Service facility, which uses Holograms and 3D technology to you back to the 1942 Darwin Harbour bombings. The holograms simulate you standing on the original Stokes Hill Wharf, on the deck of the Neptuna while war happens around you. This is better than anything Hollywood could do and is the future for all attractions.
We couldn’t leave Darwin without doing a spot of fishing, so asked around town for the best fisherman, before being directed online to Shoal Bay Sports fishing Tours. Well before dawn, we jumped in a 4WD with the owner, Rob, and went on an adventure. is truly was one of the best fishing tours I’d been on and I loved how professional and knowledgeable Rob was when it came to the river systems and the animals that lived within them. With Robs help, we came home with more than a dozen mud crabs and plenty of memories. Rob helped us cook up our delicious feast and we enjoyed a good laugh and a fantastic final day.
END OF OUR ADVENTURES
As we came to the end of our adventures in Darwin, we couldn’t help but feel sad. Darwin’s tropical temperatures and incredible attractions had us spellbound and every caravanner we spoke to echoed our thoughts. With Darwins huge variety of attractions – from incredible reptiles to holographic displays and stunning national parks – we could certainly see why RVers stayed so long. There’s always something more to see in Darwin, so ensure you leave a good couple of weeks spare if you’re planning a trip. Before long, you too will understand why so many dream of Darwin.
