We have now been in Darwin since last Wednesday, and over the last 6 days have come to very much enjoy what this northern Australia city has to offer. For those of you who have not visited Darwin, we are talking a city of some 135,000 residents and growing due to strong mining and tourism sectors. Darwin has been almost rebuilt twice over the last 70 years – as a result of bombing in WWII, and as a result of the Cyclone Tracy disaster in 1974. Thus the city is largely new, with significant housing and business growth over the last five years or so due largely to the resources boom.

Government House in Darwin, on the Esplanade

Unlike other Australian cities, Darwin has just two seasons a year, the wet season and the dry season. Now, may to September is dry season. I think they forgot to also say ‘it can be hot as well!’ – when we arrived, the first few days were 35 degrees. Yesterday and today temps settled at 30 degrees and last night dropped to such an extent that other than a sheet for a few hours, a thin blanket was required. Hopefully this is the signal for some very pleasant weather for the rest of our stay.

We are staying a the Free Spirit Resort and Caravan Park about 15kms from the CBD. Its a very leafy and green caravan, with 3 pools, a restaurant and bar, and as I have discovered excellent access to cycle paths – in fact the town planners in Darwin have had tremendous foresight in that there are cycle tracks absolutely everywhere, which for my health and fitness is very much appreciated. After exploring on Thursday and discovering the whereabouts of the wave pool and swimming area, and familiarising ourselves with the layout of the city (for me it was a refresher, having been here over the years for business, but not for about 8 years), we enjoyed an evening at the famous and very colourful Mindil markets, at Mindil Beach. The markets offer a vast array of reasonably priced local and Asian foods, entertainment and general market stalls. The markets are a must for all visitors to Darwin.

On Friday evening, after a day at the beach which we had been craving – well the Darwin city version of the beach, down at the waterfront, on the grass, with manicured sand and filtered sea water to ensure there are no stingers

Relaxing at the inner city beach, waterfront Darwin

– we and the Berry’s revelled in a stunning evening at the Darwin Sailing club on the foreshore of Fannie Bay, where we watched the sun go down along with other happy and relaxed diners. Dearne and Rod returned to NZ later in the evening (morning really, on a 1.45am flight) for a week.

Sunset from the Darwin Sailing Club

For the last 4 days we have continued exploring, in between swimming, walking, bike riding and generally enjoying being in the one place for a while. Darwin has some stunning coast line. Yesterday we spent time at East Point and Lake Alexander, wonderful areas for families and groups to play, ride, swim and picnic; and Nightcliff which is just like the Italian coast (Portofino and surrounds), with chalk like rocks and cliffs leading down to little bays with deep, clear water, where the locals (and visitors of course!) can enjoy a swim at this time of year.

Stunning Nightcliff beaches, with deep water and white chalk cliffs

Today we took ‘The Tent’ for her 30,000km service. We had thought we might spend the day at the Howard Springs Nature Park, which is about 12kms further out of Darwin than we are. It is a delightful spot, with excellent family play areas and a beautiful spring-fed waterhole where various fish flourish, including metre long barramundi. I had visions of sneaking down in the dead of night with a line and catching one of these, but naturally they are protected, having been here for many years, fed by the rangers and the public. The natural spring was in 1910 seen as the solution to Darwin’s unreliable water supply. Eventually in 1939 water was piped to Darwin. This continued until 1942 when the major dam for the area was finished. Today the spring makes this Nature Park a real family attraction.

Whilst we enjoyed the visit, we couldn’t see ourselves there for the day, so returned to the wave pool area until it was time to collect our ‘home’, after her service.

We’re looking forward to tomorrow afternoon, sailing in the harbour on friend Adam’s yacht. Adam used to work for me back in my Spherion days.