Darwin At Last!

26/07/2016 Day 60 (Tu). Wow! 60 days. Hard to believe we’ve been on the road for two months. We left Halls Creek on Sunday and drove about 180 km’s up the highway. Bess is not handling the heat well and so we are getting on the road at sunrise and then driving for a few hours at a reduced speed of 70 km/hr. By the time it reaches 9am it’s already climbing to 30C and we are having to pull over where ever we are and sit out the rest of the day. With our extended stay in Broome we are having to do about 200 km a day so we can meet up with Mum in Darwin on Sunday. We stayed that day and night in a parking bay with some backpackers and yesterday we drove into Kununurra.

After refuelling and stocking up on supplies, we drove out to the Hidden Valley CP. It was pretty special as it backed onto the National Park so we really felt like we were camped in the bush. There were plenty of Boab trees in the park and the pool was very tranquil with a waterfall at one end.

Dunny Door @ Kununurra Servo

We needed to address the overheating issue and so we rang a radiator repairer in Darwin who said he’d need to have a look at it. Next we contacted a radiator repairer in Kununurra who was nice enough to look at it straight away so we drove round to his workshop and he took one look at it and told us it was stuffed. The fins are corroding and flaking away. He then informed us that he wouldn’t be able to get the parts til Friday or Monday which wouldn’t really work for us. So we got the part numbers from him and after driving back to the caravan park we rang the repairer in Darwin again who said he could order the parts and they would be waiting for us when we got there and he can do the job on Tuesday. Monday would have been better but it’s a public holiday. By this stage it was too hot to even think straight so Lib and I went and cooled off in the pool.

NT/WA Border

Hanging around at Timber Creek, NT

Today after getting up nice and early we crossed the WA/NT border. It was the first time Bess has been in the NT and now she has been in every state and territory in Australia. We drove as far as Timber Creek in NT and pulled up for the day in the CP behind the roadhouse. It was very shady and there was plenty of grass in the unpowered area. There were heaps of fruit bats in the trees and when we went and had a look at the creek we saw two freshwater crocs. It was a very warm day (35C) and so after lunch we went and cooled off in the pool. At 5 pm they fed the crocs down in the creek and then threw meat scraps in the air for the falcons. It was a good show.

Freshwater Crocs at Timber Creek NT

We also met our first crazy on the road. Absolutely bat shit nuts. He had a mad obsession with Ben Cousins and was convinced that he could save him. Whatever that means. He also stated that he had changed government policy by sending poems to parliament. He talked incessantly and it was always a one sided conversation because nobody else could get a word in. Beware of Uncle Phil, the British gay guy, especially if you’re in WA because that’s the direction he is headed for.

Timber Creek NT

01/08/2016 Day 66 (Mo). So I’ve been extremely slack and have been neglecting my blogging duties for the last 6 days. But in retrospect excitement, anxiety and stress have been high in our household, both with Bess’ woes and Mum’s impending arrival in Darwin. But here we are in sunny Darwin and Mum arrived without a hitch.

Wildlife Sighting @ Mathison NT

On Wednesday we travelled to a free camp called Mathison which was near a military training area. We passed a convoy of US troops on the highway and when we had set up camp we spent the day watching the fast air (jets) fly overhead. In the evening they didn’t slow down but we did see other slower aircraft (C-130’s maybe) who were dropping flares. Exciting stuff.

Adelaide River NT

Pandanus Palm

Thursday saw us into Katherine. After arriving in Katherine we went to the Laser Carwash to degrease the engine bay so we could find out exactly where we were losing oil from. We then drove out to a free camp (Phoenix 1) approx. 25 km’s north on the highway to Darwin. That night we made the decision to go back into town the next morning and get some more items to redo the gasket on the fuel pump as we were still leaking a shed load of oil.

Mum and her Camper in Darwin NT

Darwin NT

As chance would have it Bess backfired on the return journey which scared the crap out of both of us. We immediately pulled over to make sure nothing had fallen off or come loose and then drove straight to a mechanic who couldn’t see us that day but gave us a few ideas to try to see if we couldn’t rectify the problem ourselves. At least we’ve got an old vehicle I can work on as opposed to a new computer operated machine. Trust it to happen on a Friday.

Darwin NT

We then parked over at the showgrounds which is right in town and walked to various parts places to buy gasket stuff and a new set of plugs. After fiddling around for a few hours she was up and running again. Although she is driving well on the highway (still over heating) she is idling rough and is hard to get going at the start. I think the timing is out and hopefully we can get someone to look at it here in Darwin. As it was late in the day when we finished ginning around we didn’t want to chance the overheating on the highway as the day was already above 30C so we checked into the cheapest CP. The owners were very friendly and helpful people who found a space for us to squeeze into even though they were already full. They even offered to make us a cuppa while we were waiting for Bess to cool down so we could move her to the site.

Darwin NT

Darwin NT

On Saturday we were up again before the sun and drove as far as Adelaide River and checked into the Showgrounds. Super cheap at $15/N and they had a pool too. We walked into town to check things out as we had read a sign saying there were markets on. They were very small (it’s only a small town) and all the stalls were selling handmade items including jams and spreads. We had lunch at the general store (pie and a drink) and then headed back to our camp to relax and see out the heat of the day. There was another like-minded traveller named Pete camped near us and he came over for a long chat and a few beers. A very nice chap indeed.

Yesterday we arrived in Darwin. Woo Hoo! We made it!

Darwin NT

Darwin NT

We were worried that we wouldn’t be able to meet Mum at the airport and she would have had to come out to wherever we were broken down. After checking into the CP we spent the rest of the morning cleaning Bess which was well overdue. At approx. 1315 I rang for a taxi and went out to the airport to meet Mum and take her to pick up her little Hiace camper. The ladies at the hire place were not very professional and were mucking around making the process take so much longer than it should have. In the end we were there for over an hour with half of that being out in the hot sun looking through the van. They didn’t know their product very well and were discovering things as we went along.

Casuarina Beach Darwin NT

On the way back to the CP we stocked up on essentials (alcohol). In the afternoon we went for a relaxing swim in the nice cold pool and then after catching up and having dinner, we all went to bed early. This morning we had to do a stock up run to Woolies. This afternoon the plan is to go for a drive into Darwin Centre to check things out. The next few days will be low key so Mum can have a chance to acclimatise to the heat as it is a massive change to winter in the Blue Mountains. It’s awesome to be in the middle of winter and be eating salads, swimming in the pool and enjoying the heat of the NT.

Casuarina Beach Darwin NT

03/08/2016 Day 68 (We). On Monday afternoon we went for a drive into the city and dropped into the information centre followed by a walk through Bicentennial Park where we saw the Cenotaph and the amazing view out over Darwin Harbour. Afterwards we had a nice cool drink on the Stokes Hill Wharf.

Waterfront Precinct Darwin NT

Yesterday started off really poorly. We got up nice and early so we could have Bess at the radiator repairers by 8 am. As we were leaving our site in the caravan park I hadn’t even driven 10 metres when a fellow pulled me up to tell me I was leaking fluid. After a quick inspection I found a split in the top hose. I had some spare in the van and so after a bit of fiddling I had the new piece on. Kicked her over again and then found petrol leaking from the fuel pump. Luckily it was only the bleeder screw on top that needed a quick tighten and then we were on our way.

After dropping Bess off we headed out to Casuarina Beach to take the dogs for a walk and have a bit of a look. It was a bit weird being at a beach, the temp being 30C and not being able to go for a swim.

Waterfront Precinct Darwin NT

Next we headed towards the city, did some shopping and then stopped for lunch at the new waterfront precinct. It was quite a sight with all the high rise apartments, restaurants and the new wave pool and swimming lagoon. Darwin sure has changed a lot since Lib and I were here ten years ago. It’s certainly a lot bigger.

Dog Park Darwin NT

Before we went and picked up Bess we headed over to the dog park at Palmerston. It’s a massive area with dog agility equipment and a big lagoon where Charlie went for a swim.

Darwin NT

Darwin NT

We then picked up Bess and headed back to the caravan park. Then new radiator has made an improvement but it hasn’t solved our woes. We’ll still have to do our miles in the cool of the day but I think the temp will be lower on the highway. Our next option is to install thermos fans but we need more time than we have and we don’t want to cut into our time with Mum. The main problem is sitting at traffic lights where no air is flowing through the radiator. The needle just keeps on climbing and then takes a while to come back down and before you know it your sitting at another set of lights.

Today Mum and I were picked up for our Barra fishing charter at 5.15 am. We were driven out to Dundee Beach, approx. 130 km’s east of Darwin. As far as fishing trips go it was a great croc tour. We had three strikes in the first half hour on the fall of high tide and then nothing for the rest of the day. We did see plenty of crocs though, maybe 30 all up. And there was plenty of bird life too. It was still a great day out on the water and means that we definitely have a reason to return. One day we’ll come back in the run off season when the fishing is supposed to be plentiful.

Darwin NT

05/08/2016 Day 70 (Fr).  So yesterday we had a lazy morning and didn’t get moving til after lunch. We drove north of Darwin to visit Lee Point. It’s at the end of Casuarina Beach and the dogs had a great run whilst the adults looked for shells and coral. Afterwards we walked a short way down the foreshore to look at one of many WWII observation posts that are scattered along the coast line.

Mindil Beach Sunset Darwin NT

Last night we drove into the city to knock off one of Lib’s must do’s in Darwin. We went to the Mindil Beach Night Markets. Soon after we arrived we checked out a few of the food stalls. There were so many to choose from. Thai, Korean, Malay, Seafood, Baked dinners and many others. We grabbed some food and headed down to the beach to watch a glorious sunset. I had wonton noodle soup, a Barra burger and a pork dumpling. I also sampled Lib’s chicken and prawn skewers. So delicious.

Mindil Beach Sunset Darwin NT

Darwin NT

As the sun dipped below the horizon and the russet hues were fading from the sky, we headed back into the markets to check out all that was on offer. There were stalls selling all the normal clothes and jewellery but there were some really interesting ones too. One stand was selling Tiger Shark jaws. Another had crocodile skulls and crocodile hat bands with inlaid croc teeth just like Mick Dundee. Some of the recycled stands included bags, wallets, clothing, shoes and other stuff made from recycled denim, recycled tyre tubes and one stall’s fashion items were created from recycled truck canvas. There was a lot of incredible art work for sale including aboriginal paintings and one stand had painted gum leaves. The paintings on the leaves were of native birds.

Darwin NT

Today we took Bess to the mechanic in the morning to have the timing adjusted and in the afternoon Mum minded the dogs whilst Lib and I went back into Darwin to visit the WWII Fuel Tunnels. The history of Darwin is amazing. It’s incredible the hardships that our forces faced at that time in our countries past and the destruction and reconstruction that Darwin has gone through after WWII and Cyclone Tracy.

Lib got her long awaited felafel roll for lunch. She’s been hanging for one since Broome. Mum’s suggestion for dinner was awesome and we chowed down on fresh NT Tiger Prawn rolls with an entrée of Coffin Bay Oysters.            

WWII Oil Tunnels Darwin NT

WWII Oil Tunnels Darwin NT

WWII Oil Tunnels Darwin NT

WWII Oil Tunnels Darwin NT

WWII Oil Tunnels Darwin NT

Barra Fishing on the Finnis River NT

Barra Fishing on the Finnis River NT

Barra Fishing on the Finnis River NT

Barra Fishing on the Finnis River NT

Barra Fishing on the Finnis River NT

Barra Fishing on the Finnis River NT