We traveled to Darwin between 22nd and 31st December. This is considered the wet season, – Darwin has two seasons, wet and dry – where tourist levels are lower. This is also the time of year when the weather is like the tropics where you can have heavy rain and hot and humid weather.
We arrived in Darwin on 22nd December around 4 PM. We collected our car – a Suzuki Jimny – at Trinity Rentals. The booth is right in front of the immigration exit. You will not miss it. The car collection was fuss-free and completed in a matter of minutes.
We expected the early closing hours of most shops, all we did on the first day was drop by Night Cliff beach before checking in to our hotel. Walked around town where all the shops were closed. We went to Woolworths to get groceries and bought some food for dinner and breakfast. Strolled Centennial Park just across the street from our hotel and had our packed dinner there.
Day 2, December 23, Darwin to Litchfield National Park
Heading towards Litchfield National Park about a 100 km drive. The first stop would be the Top End Visitor Information Centre in Darwin. They have all the information you need for planning your trip and checking on road conditions –it’s the wet season, and road closures happen often due to flooding-, for us, we wanted the validate our trip’s itinerary. It is always good to drop by the visitor’s center for more information.
We stopped by Berry Springs National Park, Manton Dam Recreation Area, WW2 RAAF Medical Receiving Station, and Batchelor town en route to Litchfield.
We had the whole Berry Springs park to ourselves apart from the warden on duty. The pools were closed again because of the wet season and the risk of Salties (local slang for saltwater crocodiles) in the water. If you like hiking in a rainforest, this place is beautiful and teamed with insects, flora, and fauna. We spent about two hours here but the trial and all can be done in under one hour.
Manton Dam, another quiet place. Nice view of the dam. Bird watchers, this is a great place for bird watching. We saw a Bower bird beautifying its nest with shells. A good place to have a BBQ or just relax and listen to the birds and enjoy the atmosphere.
There’s not much here. Just some display boards. Feels like a half-hearted effort to preserve history.
The nearest town to Litchfield National Park. Literally, the driveway before Litchfield. The petrol station here is open on Xmas but closed on Boxing Day.
Our accommodation for the next two days. Pandanus on Litchfield. They operate RV campsites as well as hotel-style accommodations. It’s a basic place managed by an old couple (Brian and Natalie) and two friends of theirs, so don’t expect much. But Brian cooks well. All our dinners were had there.
Day 3, December 24 : Litchfield National Park
Full day exploring Litchfield National Park.
Unique stones with symmetrical patterns almost feel like man-made but they aren’t. A nice exhibit of the Zebra Stones. Every stone is for sale except the most beautiful piece. The friendly couple and their daughter manage the place. We got two stones to support their business.
Termite mounts are everywhere in Litchfield.
Pools are open but with the current, it’s not safe to swim. We hiked all the way to Florence Falls. You will pass a few pools that you can take a dip in. The hike took about an hour one way. Careful while getting into the way at Florence Falls, current is strong an there are leeches.
We saw this while driving to Tolmer Falls. Nice cooling area for a picnic. The water feels cold to the touch.
There are two lookout points. Both are wheelchair accessible.
From the carpark, it is about a 2.7 km hike to Tjaetaba Falls. We would have done the hike if we had arrived earlier.
The picnic area is open, public gas hot plates are also open but the falls are closed due to strong undercurrents. We could feel the power of the falls from the barrier.
December 25 Litchfield to Kakadu National Park
Long drive to Kakadu national park and we are low on fuel. Lucky for us, the fuel station in Batchelor is open on Xmas day. Before that, we headed to Rum Jungle Lake, just behind our accommodation.
There is a dirt road you can take from the carpark round to the other side where the picnic tables are. Don’t swim in the lake. It used to be a uranium mine.
Similar to the previous WW2 point, a waste of time. In fact, there are several such airstrips along the highway as you drive. Don’t waste your time on any one of them.
As this was Xmas day, this would be the last petrol station before Jabiru town or one of the two accommodations in Kakadu national park. So we had to fill up and grab a bite. On any other day, there are so fuel stops on Arnhem Highway, one a Corroboree Park and the other at Mount Bundey.
About 20 minutes after Humpty Doo, amazing wetlands with several hikes. Best to visit in the wet season. Look out for crocs if you are walking around. One hike brings you to a pond filled with water lilies.
A serene place to unwind and just enjoy the sights and sounds. Bird watchers paradise. Nice and well-maintained dirt road just off the highway.
Stop here for lunch. The place has information about the Mary River area.
Our accommodation. Looks nice on the outside and you are paying top dollar for this accommodation. But housekeeping was SHIT. They basically just tidy your bed and that is all. Toilets are not cleaned, and neither is the bed sheet of an extra single bed that has lizard poo on it. Won’t recommend this place for the price we pay.
December 26 Kakadu National Park
Early rise and the bus picks everyone up a the bus stop just outside Cooinda. Great river cruise, our guide is an Aborigine that has lived off the land during her younger days. She gave us great insights into the area, its wildlife, and how the locals live.
Apart from being a tourist centre, this museum is a place to learn about the culture and historical way of life of the Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory. Great place to spend an hour or two. The gift shop is way overpriced though
Average lookout, nothing spectacular here. Ok to give it a miss.
This is a ranger station but it’s closed during the wet season.
Not visible on Google Maps, we stumbled on this lookout. Nice views.
We stopped here for lunch and took a short hike to the riverbed. Just be careful with crocs near the riverbed
Short steep walk to the lookout point. Have proper shoes on. From the lookout, you get to see the Arnhem plateau. We were there are 5 PM and wanted to wait for sunset but the clouds came in and we had to leave. The return track took us about 30 minutes or less.
December 27 Kakadu National Park
We leave Cooinda for Mercure Hotel in Jabiru town. Before that, we have a Kakadu Air flight over the Arnhem Plateau.
Kakadu Air offers several flights to see the Arnhem plateau, we chose the private Helo flight. Captain we got was very knowledgeable about the area and took us to many attractions that were closed during the wet season. Take the helicopter instead of the airplane. You get a more personalized and informative trip. An interesting sight you will see is that all trees have charred low half trunks. That is due to the yearly slow burn that is carried out in the Northern Territories. Something the aboriginal people use to do but not to the whole park, just where they live.
We wanted to check road conditions to Ubirr rock art hence the stop at Bowali Visitor Centre. Unfortunately, the crossing was not passable even with a 4×4. The road to Ubirr was closed for a few days. So always good to get information from visitor centres.
Checked in to Mecure and went to the supermarket in Jabiru. Amazingly, the supermarket was closed for this day.
Change Hotel – Mercure
Burrungkuy
Beautiful natural lookout with a great view of the plains and Burrungkuy rock. Relatively easy walk but you need good shoes.
December 28 Kakadu National Park
Long flat walk to the pools. You can’t swim during the wet season but if you go there in the dry season the pools look extremely welcoming after the long walk. Bring water with you on this walk.
Nourlangie Trail, Burrungkuy lookout, Anbangbang rock shelter, and Gunwarrdehwarrde lookout. Beautiful rock art paintings. There are signs to explain the painting, take some time to understand and admire them. Don’t just go for the pictures.
We went back to the hotel to chill during the mid-day sun and went to Mirray Lookout late afternoon. Easy walk but some parts are steep. About 30 minutes to and fro. Nice 360 view of Kakadu National Park but many of the views were blocked by trees.
December 29 – Kakadu to Darwin
Heading back to Darwin we stopped by Mamukala wetlands. This is a birdwatcher’s paradise. That’s about all there is.
Stopped by to stretch our legs. It’s a place for locals to launch their boats into the south alligator river
If you have a 4×4, please visit this national park. Not many people are there, it’s a drive-through park, and in the wet season there are many hidden billabongs to explore.
Humpty Doo
The highlight of this museum is the B52 Bomber. Overall, an interesting place for plane and war enthusiasts. I would say it is worth the entry fee. It is a place you go to once and never again.
There is a nude section of this beach but it’s the wet season so we just enjoyed the beach to ourselves.
Hotel
December 30 – Darwin
Do not expect much shopping. We spend some time at Botanical Gardens but some parts are closed for maintenance. The highlight of the day was Dinner at Pee Wee’s. Amazing food and service. Will definitely go back if we are in Darwin again.
Botanical Gardens
Dinner
December 31 – Back to Singapore
Last half a day in Darwin before flying back to Singapore. We had a lazy morning packing up. Drive past Mindil Beach and East Point Reserve before heading to the Parap Village Market only to find out it is not open on New Year’s Eve. Headed to Casuarina Square to lunch before going to the Airport.
Conclusion
An interesting trip to a part of Australia that tourists seldom go to. Our return flight to Singapore was full but only 3 groups checked out of Changi Airport. Anyway, if you like nature and history then Darwin, Litchfield, and Kakadu are interesting places to visit. If you are in for a shopping and city-style holiday then probably give it a miss. A few advice we have when in Kakadu, leave your accommodation early to see the sights. Return to your hotel mid-day for lunch and to escape the heat. Come out late afternoon again. And get yourself a fly net that covers your face, no insect repellent can help prevent the flies from swamping your face. Lastly, bring plenty of water with you. Buy at Humpty Doo or the supermarket in Jabiru. Water at the hotel is expensive. Hope this post helps you plan your trip to Darwin. Shoot us an email if you need more information!
Safe travels!