Day 56 – Darwin Part 4

Given we are sans fridge still and there will be no action on this today, I look at places we might be able to visit. Other than the northern suburbs of Darwin, there doesn’t seem to be much up that way. So I look at taking a drive out to Wagait Beach on the opposite side of the harbour to Darwin. It’s about an hour each way. I can now reliably inform you that there is nothing there. Maybe a few dozen houses and that is pretty much it.

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On the way back we see a sign to an old WW2 site, the wreckage of at B24 Liberator bomber known as “Milady”. The trip has so far been a bit of a waste, so why not. I can’t say it was amazing, but to drive 7km down the single lane road out, then 4km down a 4wd track in too the site, not to see a piece in a museum, but the actually crash site and wreckage of this plane in place was quite surreal. The Top End really has some contrasts.

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This page talks about accessibility for mobility aids, it might be helpful if they mentioned you need a high clearance 4wd mobility scooter!

Fortunately on the way back is Berry Springs, another set of freshwater spring feed swimming holes. They are really large with three pools. The middle or main pool is a bit larger than an Olympic size pool. Given it’s a weekday and at the low season, there are only a few people here today. It is disconcerting however to read that the pool was closed a month or so back when a saltwater croc was found nearby

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The water was great, not as warm as other swimming has been so it was actually a little refreshing. Just before we are ready to wind things up, everyone starts looking at one spot near a small waterfall – turtle, maybe? No, it’s a snake. It was only tiny, about 20 cms long, it was just trying to get out of the water. Most people backed off, until a local lady walked over, got a stick, and pulled the snake towards her. She picked it up by the tail, then took it back to where she was sitting and tucked it into her bag! She then says, it’s only small, but it’s good eating (joking? not so sure). Turns out it was a baby python, completely harmless. The kids had a hold, so they were pretty happy about that.

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On the way back we planned to stop at another water park with slides for the kids, but as we arrived just after 2, the heaven opened up, we sure it was closed due to the storm. Makes me wonder why they only open them at 2pm when this seems to be the time the storms roll in?

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