FROM THE BUDGET TRAVELER'S POINT OF VIEW
(visited Nov 2016)
Budget accommodation doesn't receive got to live basic - relaxing yesteryear the puddle on the gratuitous WIFI at the YHA.
Listen up, there's a heap of DARWIN locomote sites volition give you lot mass information most attractions, trips, where to remain etc.....but this 1 is slightly unlike from most inward that it attacks the higher upwardly from the dot of persuasion of a bucks-down traveler. I won't tell BACKPACKER because my experience is that backpackers these days tend to live a lot to a greater extent than cashed upwardly than twenty years back. Although some are notwithstanding doing it on the proverbial shoestring....
LOCATION - SIZE - LAYOUT
DARWIN is at the top halt of the TOP END. Distance from SYDNEY - approx 3200km inward a straight line: MELBOURNE abt the same:PERTH - 2700km. Interesting, JAKARTA upper-case missive of the alphabet of INDONESIA is closer at 2650km. No wonder as well as then many Top Enders vacation inward BALI - 1900km.
DARWIN - top halt of THE TOP END. Plus other NT locations of note.
For a upper-case missive of the alphabet urban center DARWIN has a minor population - abt 150,000. But it's the fastest growing upper-case missive of the alphabet inward the nation. Put this downwards to the acquaint infrastructure nail connected alongside planned onshore processing of TIMOR SEAS gas addition the continuation of DARWIN's reputation every bit a frontier town offering novel opportunities to escapists as well as adventurous types from downwards south. The latter has attracted non solely southerners but people from all over - lotsa Asians as well as immigrants from farther afield including a surprising amount of Africans. Historically the starting fourth dimension moving ridge of immigrants agency dorsum were Chinese as well as Greek - people from these backgrounds notwithstanding dominate the non-Anglo Saxon/non-Aboriginal population. Darwin has a sizable Aboriginal population - non solely from the master LARRAKIA people but also from farther afield: jobs as well as amend social services receive got drawn rural native-Australians to the city.
For its population, DARWIN is a pretty dispersed city, measuing 15+km due north due south (TIWI to CBD) as well as 20km coast to south-east inland (it's pretty difficult to create upwardly one's take away heed where Darwin ends inward the south-east because several outlying settlements are growing out along the STUART HIGHWAY yesteryear the PALMERSTON-MOULDEN conurbation which is my limit).
There tends to live large gaps betwixt some suburb clusters - unopen to the coast these are largely filled alongside parks etc which along alongside the broad primary roads gives a pretty ordered appearance. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 lot of money has been spent making the house a pretty attractive looking town. The route organisation is non likewise bad either - quite a lot of iv laners alongside cross-overs etc. Much is made of the CROSS-SUBSIDY of taxes from the due south of Commonwealth of Australia to the NT - it's overnice to encounter where our money is beingness spent.
A fairly dispersed house for its population.
BUDGET ACCOMMODATION
Darwin has a huge hit of places to remain - from five star resorts downwards to minor motels (the average person's budget alternative) addition a bunch of backpacker joints which are less expensive again. five of the latter are within the CBD surface area - I stayed inward three (DARWIN YHA, YOUTH SHACK as well as MELALEUCA) betwixt trips out of DARWIN to other TOP END locations.
I gave the other 2 a miss (DINGO MOON on line concern human relationship this little house has the same border of the CBD full general location every bit YHA as well as I favoured the latter beingness a fellow member - CHILLIS because this sis hostel to MELAEUCA doesn't seem much unlike except guests demand to part a neighbouring joint's pool).
I favoured YHA. Converted motels are often inferior to role built backpacker joints, but this house was most set back, had the biggest dorms alongside little refrigerators as well as ensuites, most spacious grounds, a overnice puddle surface area as well as several specialist rooms similar a reading room, TV room, airconned moisture conditions dining room alongside ensuite. It wasn't perfect - the kitchen was a flake pokey, every bit was reception as well as it was a 10 infinitesimal walk inward the estrus to the supermarkets as well as top amusement surface area - doesn't seem long, but real trying on a 40C day.
People looking for a political party atmosphere volition prefer 1 of the other joints.
A COMPARISON - YHA, YOUTH SHACK, MELALEUCA
Sumber http://tezza-thailandbeachesandislands.blogspot.com/
(visited Nov 2016)
Listen up, there's a heap of DARWIN locomote sites volition give you lot mass information most attractions, trips, where to remain etc.....but this 1 is slightly unlike from most inward that it attacks the higher upwardly from the dot of persuasion of a bucks-down traveler. I won't tell BACKPACKER because my experience is that backpackers these days tend to live a lot to a greater extent than cashed upwardly than twenty years back. Although some are notwithstanding doing it on the proverbial shoestring....
LOCATION - SIZE - LAYOUT
DARWIN is at the top halt of the TOP END. Distance from SYDNEY - approx 3200km inward a straight line: MELBOURNE abt the same:PERTH - 2700km. Interesting, JAKARTA upper-case missive of the alphabet of INDONESIA is closer at 2650km. No wonder as well as then many Top Enders vacation inward BALI - 1900km.
For a upper-case missive of the alphabet urban center DARWIN has a minor population - abt 150,000. But it's the fastest growing upper-case missive of the alphabet inward the nation. Put this downwards to the acquaint infrastructure nail connected alongside planned onshore processing of TIMOR SEAS gas addition the continuation of DARWIN's reputation every bit a frontier town offering novel opportunities to escapists as well as adventurous types from downwards south. The latter has attracted non solely southerners but people from all over - lotsa Asians as well as immigrants from farther afield including a surprising amount of Africans. Historically the starting fourth dimension moving ridge of immigrants agency dorsum were Chinese as well as Greek - people from these backgrounds notwithstanding dominate the non-Anglo Saxon/non-Aboriginal population. Darwin has a sizable Aboriginal population - non solely from the master LARRAKIA people but also from farther afield: jobs as well as amend social services receive got drawn rural native-Australians to the city.
For its population, DARWIN is a pretty dispersed city, measuing 15+km due north due south (TIWI to CBD) as well as 20km coast to south-east inland (it's pretty difficult to create upwardly one's take away heed where Darwin ends inward the south-east because several outlying settlements are growing out along the STUART HIGHWAY yesteryear the PALMERSTON-MOULDEN conurbation which is my limit).
There tends to live large gaps betwixt some suburb clusters - unopen to the coast these are largely filled alongside parks etc which along alongside the broad primary roads gives a pretty ordered appearance. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 lot of money has been spent making the house a pretty attractive looking town. The route organisation is non likewise bad either - quite a lot of iv laners alongside cross-overs etc. Much is made of the CROSS-SUBSIDY of taxes from the due south of Commonwealth of Australia to the NT - it's overnice to encounter where our money is beingness spent.
BUDGET ACCOMMODATION
Darwin has a huge hit of places to remain - from five star resorts downwards to minor motels (the average person's budget alternative) addition a bunch of backpacker joints which are less expensive again. five of the latter are within the CBD surface area - I stayed inward three (DARWIN YHA, YOUTH SHACK as well as MELALEUCA) betwixt trips out of DARWIN to other TOP END locations.
I gave the other 2 a miss (DINGO MOON on line concern human relationship this little house has the same border of the CBD full general location every bit YHA as well as I favoured the latter beingness a fellow member - CHILLIS because this sis hostel to MELAEUCA doesn't seem much unlike except guests demand to part a neighbouring joint's pool).
I favoured YHA. Converted motels are often inferior to role built backpacker joints, but this house was most set back, had the biggest dorms alongside little refrigerators as well as ensuites, most spacious grounds, a overnice puddle surface area as well as several specialist rooms similar a reading room, TV room, airconned moisture conditions dining room alongside ensuite. It wasn't perfect - the kitchen was a flake pokey, every bit was reception as well as it was a 10 infinitesimal walk inward the estrus to the supermarkets as well as top amusement surface area - doesn't seem long, but real trying on a 40C day.
People looking for a political party atmosphere volition prefer 1 of the other joints.
A COMPARISON - YHA, YOUTH SHACK, MELALEUCA
MOST RELAXED/LAID BACK/QUIET – YHA
MOST SPACIOUS DORMS - YHA
BEST POOL – YOUTH SHACK
BEST SUN DECK – YOUTH SHACK
BEST DINING AREA – YOUTH SHACK (although non airconed similar YHA’s little overflow area)
BEST BAR AREA/PARTY ATMOSPHERE – YOUTH SHACK as well as MELALEUCA
BEST RECEPTION AREA – YOUTH SHACK most spacious. All had efficient banking firm fit inward staff.
CHEAPEST BOOZE – YHA (byo)
MOST TRAVELERS – MELALUECA seemed to receive got to a greater extent than brusk term traveling backpackers every bit against semi-permanent working backpackers.
BEST KITCHEN – MELALEUCLA most spacious as well as most storage.
BEsT PLATES/CUTLERY ETC – YHA (others inquire you lot to hire eating kit at reception)
BEST BASIC WIFI – YOUTH SHACK. WHA non every bit powerful, MELALEUCA non free.
BEST AIRCON - MELALEUCLA
CLEANEST – all proficient but MELALUECLA yesteryear a little margin
BEST SECURITY – all proficient but the nighttime guy at MELALEUCLA seemed peculiarly conscientious.
BEST FOR WOMEN – YHA as well as YOUTH SHACK receive got women solely dorms but MELALEUCA goes 1 pace farther with a women – solely floor. On reflection, I dunno if this is a large advantage.
BEST LAUNDRY – MELALEUCA
BEST CLOTHES LINES – YHA. YOUTH SHACK HAS NONE.
BEST PARKING – YHA.
MOST SPACIOUS GROUNDS - YHA
POOL COMPARISON
YHA - old style motel puddle notwithstanding good
YOUTH SHACK shot from overnice sundeck - spacious dining/lounge upper background. Bar below camera,
MELALEUKA - puddle pokey. Good eats/bar surface area surrounding. My photographic idiot box camera u/s - had to borrow this 1 from TravelBlog
DARWIN BEACHES
As I've said elsewhere, you lot don't come upwardly to DARWIN for the beaches. Not solely are they pretty ordinary inward appearance, but you lot also receive got the threat of crocodiles as well as (in moisture season), deadly stingers. But for what it's worth:
BEST BEACH - CASUARINA
This 6km long stretch of sand towards the due north of DARWIN's coast is most the most attractive I saw. Even has a 500m clothing-optional surface area mid beach. I receive got a lot to a greater extent than information on this as well as the town's other beaches on a special BEACHES page.
BEST FAMILY BEACH as well as MOST ACCESSIBLE - CITY BEACH
This man-made beach inward the WHARF/WATERFRONT PRECINCT redevelopment merely due south of the CBD has no charge, enough of lawns/shade/nearby refreshments. The following WAVE POOL has a minor accuse but the kids volition beloved it.
BEST SUNSET
DARWIN's coast faces due west as well as has no shortage of proficient places to taste sunset. But my inquiry on the best house to taste a non likewise expensive sunset beer turned upwardly ....
DARWIN SKI CLUB
The H2O ski guild has spacious grounds as well as seemed to live a favoured spot for Darwinian's to taste a sunset beer. Small twin pools, meals, frequent alive amusement are pluses.
GETTING THERE– the CLUB is merely over 4km from downtown which makes for a relatively brusk drive. There is enough of parking. Bus half-dozen goes from downtown correct into the following museum precinct but solely runs hourly. I caught a to a greater extent than frequent (half hourly) motorbus iv which runs along the primary route close the museum – bound out on EAST POINT ROAD merely yesteryear the DARWIN BOWLS CLUB (this is a piffling over 10 mins from downtown – the motorbus driver volition know where to position you lot out) as well as receive got CONNACHER ST most 100 m behind the bus-stop. The guild is most five mins downwards CONNACHER on the left. Of course of report if you lot are keen you lot could walk from town inward most 50 minutes –although that didn’t seem such a proficient thought to me inward all the estrus as well as humidity of early on moisture season.
BEST FREE ATTRACTIONS
Darwin has a huge hit of touristy attractions. Being a backpacking cheap-skate I naturally gravitated to the FREE ones.
LAKE ALEXANDER AND EAST POINT RESERVE
LAKE ALEXANDER is a old marshy lagoon which has been deepened as well as cleaned upwardly – cleared of crocs as well as stingers (with traps/inspections as well as filters against re-encroachment) as well as farther improved yesteryear the dumping of sand to create several extensive beach areas addition plus enough of surrounding grass/trees, picnic facilities, an extensive kids’ playground, alter sheds/toilets as well as fifty-fifty 1 of those outdoor practice areas alongside my favourite things – mentum upwardly bars.
MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY OF THE NORTHERN TERRITORY
(not precisely free: admission yesteryear donation - fifty-fifty cheapskate me threw inward a money on line concern human relationship it was my #1 IN-DARWIN attraction)
There are numerous spots inward Darwin where you lot tin banking firm fit out indigenous art; yesteryear history including colonial days, WW2 Japanese bombing as well as Cyclone Tracy; prehistoric as well as acquaint creature (not live); items of maritime interest; as well as the Top End’s link to SE Asia, but this house brings them all together nether 1 roof. And some roof it is – this is a real contemporary as well as attractive building. The displays themselves are of a top professional person as well as high lineament nature. Gets amend – most places accuse highly for such things but the museum/art gallery asks for a donation only.
BEST FREE PCs/WIFI + DELICIOUS AIRCON - DARWIN LIBRARY
I flora the wifi at my backpackers patchy as well as inward the illustration of MELALEUCA, non free.
SMITH ST MALL inward the due south of the CBD has gratuitous wifi, some outlets are airconned, but proficient luck finding a PC (old geezers similar me prefer banging away a la the total QWERTY rather than that 2 fingers/thumbs nonsense on minuscule phone/tablet screens).
The Darwin Library is within the imposing NT PARLIAMENTARY BUILDING inward the compact administrative surface area at in 1 trial due south of the CBD. (image vp9)
BEST PAID ATTRACTION
Here's the thing, trendsetters. I'm non existent keen on paying fer anything - as well as then I gave a lot of places the large miss. But 1 I heartily recommend......
DEFENCE OF DARWIN MILITARY MUSEUM
GETTING AROUND DARWIN FOR BUDGET TRAVELERS
Darwin's inner surface area is pretty compact as well as and then WALKING is a proficient option, although damn hot early on moisture season. But the spread-out nature of suburban areas hateful that THE BUS is the go.
This is a pretty proficient service, although non likewise many buses run after abt 2000. It's inexpensive - alongside a whole bunch of fare options: I flora the geezer's tap-and-go weekly worked best for me - at nether 50c a trip (and some of those lasted twoscore minutes). Prices/routes/timetables on the higher upwardly link.
Note all buses which come upwardly into town become due south downwards the primary drag of MITCHELL ST yesteryear all my backpackers, the primary amusement zone as well as COLES supermart. After stopping at the CITY INTERCHANGE inward the ADMINISTRATIVE ZONE halt of town, they all instruct out yesteryear going due north upwardly CAVENAGH ST yesteryear WOOLWORTHS supermart.
Not all buses come upwardly into town - CASUARINA INTERCHANGE as well as PALMERSTON INTERCHANGE receive got a smaller release of local services. The old is a proficient 1 alongside the large CASUARINA SQUARE REGIONAL SHOPPING MALL following the interchange. The mall has a bunch of shopping options non flora inward the CBD. Buses iv as well as 10 volition instruct you lot at that topographic point from downtown.
POOL COMPARISON
DARWIN BEACHES
As I've said elsewhere, you lot don't come upwardly to DARWIN for the beaches. Not solely are they pretty ordinary inward appearance, but you lot also receive got the threat of crocodiles as well as (in moisture season), deadly stingers. But for what it's worth:
BEST BEACH - CASUARINA
BEST FAMILY BEACH as well as MOST ACCESSIBLE - CITY BEACH
BEST SUNSET
DARWIN's coast faces due west as well as has no shortage of proficient places to taste sunset. But my inquiry on the best house to taste a non likewise expensive sunset beer turned upwardly ....
DARWIN SKI CLUB
GETTING THERE– the CLUB is merely over 4km from downtown which makes for a relatively brusk drive. There is enough of parking. Bus half-dozen goes from downtown correct into the following museum precinct but solely runs hourly. I caught a to a greater extent than frequent (half hourly) motorbus iv which runs along the primary route close the museum – bound out on EAST POINT ROAD merely yesteryear the DARWIN BOWLS CLUB (this is a piffling over 10 mins from downtown – the motorbus driver volition know where to position you lot out) as well as receive got CONNACHER ST most 100 m behind the bus-stop. The guild is most five mins downwards CONNACHER on the left. Of course of report if you lot are keen you lot could walk from town inward most 50 minutes –although that didn’t seem such a proficient thought to me inward all the estrus as well as humidity of early on moisture season.
BEST FREE ATTRACTIONS
Darwin has a huge hit of touristy attractions. Being a backpacking cheap-skate I naturally gravitated to the FREE ones.
LAKE ALEXANDER AND EAST POINT RESERVE
Its kinda a peanut shape – max length due north due south abt 400m, width varying from around 150m each halt to 70m inward the middle. There’s enough of sitting/wading depth H2O at the northern swimming halt unopen to the sand as well as it gets to most 2m deep 150m off the beach – a sign said it is upwardly to 8m deep inward the southern watercraft zone. The H2O is tabular array salt – refreshed as well as filtered constantly from the following bay.
LOCATION – LAKE ALEXANDER is inward the EAST POINT RESERVE abt 6km due north of downtown DARWIN. Head due north along the primary coastal route as well as plough left at the large sweeping correct paw corner onto EAST POINT RD. Go some other km to the RESERVE ENTRANCE GATE. No entrance fee. The lake begins less than 200m yesteryear the gate on the right. Plenty of gratuitous parking, peculiarly at the far end.
Without a car, the best bet is to bound on 1 of the fairly frequent (abt one-half hourly) BUS 4s as well as locomote 15-20m to the starting fourth dimension halt yesteryear FANNIE BAY JAIL (the driver volition know where to position you lot off). Walk dorsum 200m to the sweeping corner across from the jail, walk straight ahead thru 1 of Darwin’s to a greater extent than upmarket suburbs for most 1km to the Reserve entrance. Bus half-dozen volition instruct you lot a flake closer to the entrance gates but runs less frequently.
Some Other East Point Reserve Venues. When you lot tire of sunning, splashing etc at that topographic point are enough of other venues inward the Reserve to pass your time:
- DEFENCE OF DARWIN WAR MUSEUM – a top attraction but non free. I spent hours wandering around the exhibits of this surprisingly compact place. Has real proficient audio-visual materials along alongside a host of other things. It is towards the far halt of the dot – abt 2.5km from the reserve entrance (30-35 mins if you lot walk directly: to a greater extent than if you lot banking firm fit other things along the way) as well as 3.3 from where the due east dot access route leaves the primary (north south) highway. Well signposted. There is enough of gratuitous parking at the museum.
- OLD GUN EMPLACEMENTS etc – walk around the perimeter of EAST POINT: at that topographic point are a release of WW2 historical sites alongside explanation boards.
- MONSOON RAINFOREST WALK – this begins most 1km dorsum along the route to the highway from the WAR MUSEUM (well sign-posted). About a 1 hr circuit. I gained an admiration of the early on explorers who had become force thru many kms of this every bit they approached the northern coast.
- FANNIE BAY BEACH, the 2d best DARWIN BEACH I saw, wraps around the southern side of EAST POINT opposite LAKE ALEXANDER as well as is much to a greater extent than attractive than downwards yesteryear the SKI CLUB closer to Darwin city. Still has the possibility of stingers as well as crocs though.
- MANGROVE BOARDWALK, starting close the due north car-park of LAKE ALEXANDER. Well sign-posted. Maybe thirty min return. DARWIN WATERFRONT/WHARF PRECINCT - CITY BEACH/WAVE POOL etc
Not to live confused alongside the acquaint operating wharf/waterfront surface area to the east, this is a redevelopment of the old waterfront/wharf surface area of KITCHENER BAY straight due south of Darwin's CBD as well as compact administrative area. Good house for a dip, wander around or if you lot feell similar spending, receive got a shop, drink, feed or see the WAVE POOL. Walk from CBD inward nether 10minutes. Bus fourteen comes downwards here. Fair flake of to a greater extent than often than non paid parking.
A-CITY BEACH B-WAVE POOL C-CONVENTION CENTRE D-SHOPS/FOOD/HOTELS/CONDOS E-UNIVERSITY PROJECT F-FOOTBRIDGE SHORTCUT TO CBD G-CBD J-STOKES HILL WHARF(harbour cruise boats, restaurant/bars/some smaller freighters.
Out of picture bottom left - CRUISE TERMINAL as well as FORT HILL WHARF
(not precisely free: admission yesteryear donation - fifty-fifty cheapskate me threw inward a money on line concern human relationship it was my #1 IN-DARWIN attraction)
I receive got no passionate involvement inward whatsoever of the higher upwardly fields but I flora the displays fascinating as well as spent a proficient three hours wandering the joint. I thought the aboriginal dot as well as bark paintings addition woods carvings, the real comprehensive coverage of Cyclone Tracy addition the life-size reproduction as well as life history of a 5m croc which terrorised Darwin harbour for quite some fourth dimension peculiarly engrossing. Delicious air conditioning
GETTING THERE - following DARWIN SKI CLUB. See up-page for carry info. Plenty of gratuitous parking.
Note I didn't instruct to whatsoever of the good known DARWIN attractions similar the MINDI BEACH/PARAP MARKETS or the BOTANIC GARDENS. My trip the calorie-free fantastic carte du jour was kinda total at the appropriate times.
BEST FREE PCs/WIFI + DELICIOUS AIRCON - DARWIN LIBRARY
I flora the wifi at my backpackers patchy as well as inward the illustration of MELALEUCA, non free.
SMITH ST MALL inward the due south of the CBD has gratuitous wifi, some outlets are airconned, but proficient luck finding a PC (old geezers similar me prefer banging away a la the total QWERTY rather than that 2 fingers/thumbs nonsense on minuscule phone/tablet screens).
BEST PAID ATTRACTION
Here's the thing, trendsetters. I'm non existent keen on paying fer anything - as well as then I gave a lot of places the large miss. But 1 I heartily recommend......
DEFENCE OF DARWIN MILITARY MUSEUM
I’ve never been whelmed yesteryear museums as well as similar. Nevertheless I receive got no regrets opening my wallet at this house - it was my #2 DARWIN attraction. I thought it an fantabulous visit, spending some three hours checking the exhibits. I approximate it good worth the reasonable entry fee (even to a greater extent than reasonable if you lot qualify for the geezers’ discount old blokes similar me get).
The museum's entrance is inward a modern edifice containing some exhibits, the theater, other audio-visual aids (which include some nifty commentary from wartime residents as well as armed services people), a overnice café as well as lovely aircon which is welcome inward the early on moisture flavour (not real wet) HEAT AND HUMIDITY.
Outside over a surprisingly compact surface area are displays inward both sheds as well as garden-type areas of a hit of armed services hardware (vehicles of all types/firearms/big guns/torpedoes/anti-sub measures etc), uniforms, medals, dissever NAVAL, WW1 as well as VIETNAM WAR displays. There’s a stack of photos as well as to a greater extent than audio-visual stuff. Sheds tend to live cooled yesteryear fan or aircon.
I thought the highlights were the little theatre’s surprisingly realistic brusk flick (put together alongside slide-photos as well as dubbed sound) of the starting fourth dimension Japanese raid on Darwin (and I didn’t know this was carried out yesteryear the same carrier grouping which striking PEARL HARBOUR solely half-dozen weeks before), addition the VIETNAM WAR display – largely because the guys shown inward the photos were my historic stream contemporaries.
I DIDN'T GO THERE BUT...
....CROCOSAURUS COVE would receive got been tempting had I non already lined upwardly a see to a croc jumping house (image Weekend NOTES)
Thing is, this house correct inward the CBD would likely live the most cost-effective agency to encounter muggers for people non doing 1 of the out-of-DARWIN croc places. And every bit you lot tin see, you lot tin fifty-fifty swim inward a puddle alongside a alive 1 (fer a lot extra $$$$$). Place has a multifariousness of other outback creature too.
TEZZA'S CUT RATE CRUISING
- MANDORAH FERRY TRIP
All the guides tell do a HARBOUR CRUISE. But the prices of same were a flake out of my league. I thought SEALINK's ferry across the broad bay to MANDORAH would live a inexpensive substitute as well as give me somewhere novel to hold back at betwixt legs. Didn't quite plough out similar that...but notwithstanding a proficient day. I receive got a page HERE.
MANDORAH PIER - ferry agency downwards at that topographic point on line concern human relationship of depression tide on an 8m tidal-variation day.
- TIWI ISLAND FERRY TRIP
Anyone who goes to DARWIN is as well as then unopen to the TIWIS he/she is nuts non visiting IMHO. Once in 1 trial again the cost of organised tours was a flake eye-watering as well as then I jumped on SEALINK for the 60km each-way trip.
The TIWIS are a flake of a closed shop, which restricted my tour somewhat as well as made the see a flake of a hoot. More info HERE.
The TIWI ferry handles the tidal-range occupation yesteryear using forepart gangway onto the beach.
BEST VALUE OUT OF TOWN TOURS
Being moisture season, a lot of the tours were non running. However you lot tin notwithstanding do trips to TOP END icons similar KAKADU as well as LITCHFIELD NATIONAL PARKS. Naturally elcheapo me scoured the websites for BEST VALUE. What I flora was.........
#1 - WAYOUTBACK TOURS' ONE DAY LITCHFIELD TRIP
This is a winner. At less than $100 it was agency cheaper than competitive solar daytime trips, but the vehicle, food, leadership/commentary as well as venues were starting fourth dimension rate. Downsides - no morning time or afternoon tea included: but you lot telephone yell upwardly inward at roadhouses where you lot tin buy same. And some of the to a greater extent than expensive tours include a CROC JUMPING halt off on the agency down.
WANGI FALLS - actually proficient plunge puddle as well as falls, but non my #1 LITCHFIELD location.
#2 - TERRITORY EXPEDITIONS' 2 DAY KAKADU TRIP
Some of the most attractive online KAKADU trips were non running inward moisture season. But this 1 tends to run all yr as well as seemed best value of those available - largely because it includes the rather expensive KAKAUDU ENTRANCE FEEE inward the cost (note LITCHFIELD has no entrance fee for non-campers) as well as it has accommodation at a rather proficient campsite rather than aircon backpacker-style or amend (I personally prefer camping ground - perhaps if it had been raining I would receive got thought otherwise, but early on moisture flavour commonly sees piffling rain).
Seems heretical (is that a word?) but this trip did include an ADELAIDE R JUMPING CROC cruise on the agency into KAKADU. Not fifty-fifty at the primary location - but already the highlight of the trip.
IS LITCHFIELD BETTER THAN KAKADU?
Well amend value yeah - but KAKADU is as well as then large that it beats LITCHFIELD hands downwards every bit far every bit VARIETY of attractions is concerned. One matter for sure, at that topographic point is no agency I'd do a KAKADU 1 solar daytime trip - at that topographic point is as well as then much to encounter as well as distances are as well as then nifty that fifty-fifty my 2 solar daytime trip had to lady friend certainly things.
I'll do a page each on LITCHFIELD as well as KAKADU when I instruct the chance.
MY OTHER TOP END DESTINATIONS
KATHERINE (NIITMILUK) GORGE
You tin do this nifty house every bit a tour out of DARWIN likewise - but the cost was agency higher upwardly my pension grade. So I hopped into a GREYHOUND motorbus as well as went downwards to KATHERINE town, flora out at that topographic point was no shuttle transfers to the GORGES, as well as then hitch-hiked the 32km as well as camped three nights inward the fabulous campground. The GORGES were fabulous - I'll do a page when I instruct the chance.
Cruising GORGE 2.
MATARANKA THERMAL POOLS
Having gone several hundred kms due south of DARWIN, I searched around for some other house alongside camping ground - as well as accessible yesteryear GREYHOUND.
The thermal puddle at MATARANKA HOMESTEAD was excellent.....
....as was the nearby BITTER SPRINGS.
Darwin's inner surface area is pretty compact as well as and then WALKING is a proficient option, although damn hot early on moisture season. But the spread-out nature of suburban areas hateful that THE BUS is the go.
Note all buses which come upwardly into town become due south downwards the primary drag of MITCHELL ST yesteryear all my backpackers, the primary amusement zone as well as COLES supermart. After stopping at the CITY INTERCHANGE inward the ADMINISTRATIVE ZONE halt of town, they all instruct out yesteryear going due north upwardly CAVENAGH ST yesteryear WOOLWORTHS supermart.
Not all buses come upwardly into town - CASUARINA INTERCHANGE as well as PALMERSTON INTERCHANGE receive got a smaller release of local services. The old is a proficient 1 alongside the large CASUARINA SQUARE REGIONAL SHOPPING MALL following the interchange. The mall has a bunch of shopping options non flora inward the CBD. Buses iv as well as 10 volition instruct you lot at that topographic point from downtown.
THE BUDGET TRAVELERS GUIDE TO GETTING TO DARWIN (and away)
I waited for a dirt inexpensive JETSTAR special fare SYDNEY to DARWIN - got 1 at less than $90 each agency - a flake extra because I had to receive got a bigger check-in-bag on line concern human relationship I had to pack my tent, camping ground mattress as well as pillow. Trouble is JETSTAR got into DARWIN around mid-night - I figured it would live 0130 yesteryear the fourth dimension I arrived at YHA inward town.
The matter I loathe most most backpackers is making upwardly a bed inward a black dorm - invariably it is a top bunk to boot. So.......
....I slept at the airport.
Research at SLEEPING IN AIRPORTS indicated that DARWIN AIRPORT is non bad; reasonably tranquillity as well as no hassles from security. So on arrival I selected a tranquillity surface area behind a closed money alter booth at the eastern halt of ARRIVALS-LANDSIDE, inflated my camping ground mattress as well as took it slow until most 0530. When I woke I noticed some other three mattresses gear upwardly nearby as well as 2 other people cutting the zzzs on seats inward the area. Hey, tezza the trendsetter!
I packed upwardly my gear, walked abt 1km to the primary route as well as caught the starting fourth dimension urban center motorbus (#5 abt 0630) into town for $1 - it dropped me 150m from YHA.
Not solely did I avoid setting upwardly inward the dark/disturbing other dorm occupants but also saved a night's accommodation cost as well as the relatively expensive shuttle into town (the urban center buses don't run late). Saving money e'er warms my heart! And I gotta tell my camping ground mattress/pillow combo is non uncomfortable.
LEAVING DARWIN - I did the opposite motorbus trip. Had to hold back around the aerodrome a fair fourth dimension because the concluding #5 leaves DARWIN CBD at 1805. No occupation - spent the money saved non taking a later on shuttle on beer at the aerodrome bar.
TOP END WEATHER IN THE EARLY WET SEASON
I visited inward the concluding three weeks of NOVEMBER. Dry flavour tends to halt some fourth dimension inward OCTOBER. I had GREAT WEATHER - 80% sunshine, rained on three days (short precipitous showers) as well as on most 10 nights. Apparently this is normal for early on moisture flavour according to locals I spoke to. My KAKADU as well as LITCHFIELD trip guides said tell all my friends! They tell every bit presently every bit DRY SEASON officially ends inward Oct tourist numbers driblet away as well as they receive got problem filling some tours - often having to reschedule them: this was the illustration for my LITCHFIELD trip.
Besides the common proficient weather, OTHER ADVANTAGES of early on dry out flavour are:
- domestic airfares into DARWIN are heavily discounted.
- as well as then are some many accommodation places (but non backpackers) as well as some tours. Walk inward vacancies are mutual - often booked out dry out season.
- fewer crowds at pop venues. According to our guides it is often difficult to discovery a parking spot at pop LITCHFIELD as well as KAKADU spots inward high flavour as well as plunge pools etc are packed. We had no problems.
DISADVANTAGES include:
- some tours as well as locations unopen downwards (they seem to run on the calendar, non conditions).
- every bit mentioned: your tour may live rescheduled.
- non every bit large a multifariousness of tours into pop spots - this seemed peculiarly as well as then for KAKADU.
- it certainly gets HOT. Early moisture flavour tends to live the hottest fourth dimension of yr (not much cloud, Sun close-overhead) - I had several 40C days as well as most others at 35C+ which coupled alongside the humidity made it experience similar 40.
Note at the fourth dimension of writing (late December) the total moisture flavour has kicked in. Locals told me a typical total moisture flavour solar daytime notwithstanding sees enough of sunshine, but it rains MORE OFTEN as well as HEAVIER. However if a MONSOON TROUGH moves in, the TOP END tin experience days of PROLONGED TORRENTIAL RAIN. Roads as well as locations unopen due to flooding. Prolonged heavy pelting seems to receive got live the illustration for three or iv days recently.
One proficient matter - alongside to a greater extent than cloud most it doesn't seemed to receive got been every bit hot (low 30s). Although humidity is fifty-fifty higher (can you lot tell I receive got been lurking on the BUREAU OF METEOROLOGY website?)
Plenty of sunshine inward this shot of the stairway** into LITCHFIELD's FLORENCE FALLS fabulous plunge pool....
....ditto this 1 of WAGAIT BEACH close MANDORAH
**for those averse to stairways - a fabulous viewpoint is at top of stairs. Also some overnice smaller sitting pools inward the top area. See the LITCHFIELD PAGE when it's up.
PLACES MENTIONED ON THIS PAGE
DARWIN
OUT OF DARWIN.
The other markers around the KAKADU house mark are some green locations - gives an thought of size of KAKADU. I forgot the ADELAIDE R JUMPING CROCS - abt 25% of the agency betwixt DARWIN as well as KAKADU house markers.
TOP END WEATHER IN THE EARLY WET SEASON
I visited inward the concluding three weeks of NOVEMBER. Dry flavour tends to halt some fourth dimension inward OCTOBER. I had GREAT WEATHER - 80% sunshine, rained on three days (short precipitous showers) as well as on most 10 nights. Apparently this is normal for early on moisture flavour according to locals I spoke to. My KAKADU as well as LITCHFIELD trip guides said tell all my friends! They tell every bit presently every bit DRY SEASON officially ends inward Oct tourist numbers driblet away as well as they receive got problem filling some tours - often having to reschedule them: this was the illustration for my LITCHFIELD trip.
Besides the common proficient weather, OTHER ADVANTAGES of early on dry out flavour are:
- domestic airfares into DARWIN are heavily discounted.
- as well as then are some many accommodation places (but non backpackers) as well as some tours. Walk inward vacancies are mutual - often booked out dry out season.
- fewer crowds at pop venues. According to our guides it is often difficult to discovery a parking spot at pop LITCHFIELD as well as KAKADU spots inward high flavour as well as plunge pools etc are packed. We had no problems.
DISADVANTAGES include:
- some tours as well as locations unopen downwards (they seem to run on the calendar, non conditions).
- every bit mentioned: your tour may live rescheduled.
- non every bit large a multifariousness of tours into pop spots - this seemed peculiarly as well as then for KAKADU.
- it certainly gets HOT. Early moisture flavour tends to live the hottest fourth dimension of yr (not much cloud, Sun close-overhead) - I had several 40C days as well as most others at 35C+ which coupled alongside the humidity made it experience similar 40.
Note at the fourth dimension of writing (late December) the total moisture flavour has kicked in. Locals told me a typical total moisture flavour solar daytime notwithstanding sees enough of sunshine, but it rains MORE OFTEN as well as HEAVIER. However if a MONSOON TROUGH moves in, the TOP END tin experience days of PROLONGED TORRENTIAL RAIN. Roads as well as locations unopen due to flooding. Prolonged heavy pelting seems to receive got live the illustration for three or iv days recently.
One proficient matter - alongside to a greater extent than cloud most it doesn't seemed to receive got been every bit hot (low 30s). Although humidity is fifty-fifty higher (can you lot tell I receive got been lurking on the BUREAU OF METEOROLOGY website?)
**for those averse to stairways - a fabulous viewpoint is at top of stairs. Also some overnice smaller sitting pools inward the top area. See the LITCHFIELD PAGE when it's up.
PLACES MENTIONED ON THIS PAGE
The other markers around the KAKADU house mark are some green locations - gives an thought of size of KAKADU. I forgot the ADELAIDE R JUMPING CROCS - abt 25% of the agency betwixt DARWIN as well as KAKADU house markers.
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