Pages

Sunday, September 20, 2015

Journey through the "Top End" of Australia's Northern Territory


Whether you prefer to cruise down the Victoria River, sipping a glass of Margaret River wine, while viewing crocodiles along the riverbank, or dine with French Champagne, overlooking Cullen Bay in Darwin there is no doubt that Australia’s Northern Territory (NT) is filled with adventure. Our Spaswinefood travels took us to Darwin at the "Top End" of Australia's Northern Territory. From Darwin, the capital and largest city in the Northern Territory it was onto the Kakadu National Park before taking the Stuart Highway (the track) south towards Adelaide. 
Cullen Bay, Darwin © Spaswinefood
Dining with a View, Darwin © Spaswinefood
The Top End includes Darwin and Surrounds, Kakadu National Park and Arnhem Land. One of the must visit places along the route to the Top End is pub stop, also know as 303 Bar at the Adelaide River Inn. There you can pose with "Charlie the Buffalo" made famous in the movie Crocodile Dundee. Charlie died in 2000 but not before being made famous by Mick Dundee (Paul Hogan) who hypnotized the buffalo to the ground.

Travels to the Top End 

Our travels through the Northern Territory to Darwin began 37 km after leaving Kununurra, Western 
Australia (WA). The Northern Territory consists of four regions (Darwin, Katherine, Barkly & Tennant Creek Region and Central Australia). The Northern Territory is home to diverse landscapes, ancient culture and colorful characters. Spaswinefood’s travels to the Top End took us to Timber Creek, Katherine, Batchelor, Litchfield National Park and then Darwin.
Sunset,Victoria River, NT © Spaswinefood

Timber Creek to Pine Creek
After cruising the Victoria River on Timber Creek it was onto Katherine for the next night. From Katherine we took the Stuart Highway northwards to Darwin.  We traveled via the Stuart Highway through/by towns like Pine Creek and Adelaide River. We stopped just before Adelaide River for lunch at rest stop. This rest stop had a resident rooster.

When we reached Pine Creek we took the western loop since we planned to return on the eastern loop on return south.
Pine Creek Exit © Spaswinefood

Two Routes to Adelaide River, Northern Territory © Spaswinefood
Adelaide River
67 km later we arrived in Adelaide River, via the scenic route of course.
Adelaide River, Northern Territory © Spaswinefood
The roadside signs in Australia always made for interesting reading. The series of signs welcoming us to the Top End was no exception.
Top End, Northern Territory © Spaswinefood
Yes, we made a stop at the 303 Bar, Adelaide River Inn frequented by Crocodile Dundee.
Adelaide River Inn © Spaswinefood
Yes, the real Crocodile Dundee use to frequent this bar.
Charlie, 303 Bar  © Spaswinefood
Memorabilia, 303 Bar © Spaswinefood
It is the perfect bar to order a drink on a hot day, of which there are many in the Northern Territory.
303 Bar, Adelaide River © Spaswinefood
303 Bar © Spaswinefood
The Adelaide River Inn is also home to the Digger's Bistro.
Digger's Bistro, Adelaide River Inn © Spaswinefood
Of course you can reserve a space in the Knitters/Knutters Circle. 
Outside 303 Bar © Spaswinefood
Seeing the Banyan trees at the Adelaide River Inn was a great reminder that we were in the tropics.
Banyan Tree © Spaswinefood
After checking out the 303 Bar our next stop was in Batchelor, just outside the Litchfield National Park.

Batchelor

It is somewhat expected that in Batchelor we stayed at the Banyan Tree Caravan Park.
Road to Batchelor © Spaswinefood
Batchelor © Spaswinefood
The Banyan Tree Caravan Park was quite inviting.
Banyan Tree Caravan Park, Batchelor © Spaswinefood
We rather liked the garden like setting and the swimming pool at this park.
Banyan Tree Caravan Park © Spaswinefood


Swimming Pool, Banyan Tree Caravan Park © Spaswinefood
Late evening and early morning at the Banyan Tree Caravan Park we saw Kangaroos feeding nearby.   Kangaroos always like to keep their distance from the campsite.
Kangaroos, Banyan Tree Caravan Park © Spaswinefood
Next morning we headed into Litchfield National Park. 

Litchfield National Park
The Litchfield National Park is an amazing park to explore. We enjoyed visiting the termite mounds, waterfalls and other interesting places. 

In the Northern Territory we discovered new types of termite mounds. We certainly enjoyed seeing a rich diversity of termite mounds, we had become accustomed to seeing all throughout WA as well. Here in Northern Territory some of the mounds took on shapes like cathedrals and other were magnetically aligned.

Cathedral Termite Mound, Litchfield National Park © Spaswinefood
Magnetic Termite Mound, Litchfield National Park © Spaswinefood
The magnetically aligned termite mounds that were magnetically aligned in a general north-south direction.
Field of Magnetic Termite Mounds, Litchfield National Park © Spaswinefood
The waterfalls at Litchfield are very enticing. Throughout the park there are many waterfalls areas. Visitors are well advised to swim only in designated areas because of the crocodiles.
Wangi Falls, Litchfield National Park © Spaswinefood
Florence Falls, Litchfield National Park © Spaswinefood
After a day touring the park we spent a night at the Litchfield Safari Caravan Park. The Litchfield Safari Caravan Park was a great place to watch the evening feeding of the resident crocodile (freshie). Later we relaxed over dinner with wine until the mosquitoes (mozzies) came out.
Margaret River Wine, Litchfield Safari Caravan Park © Spaswinefood
Early next morning we visited Cascade Falls. There were very few mozzies, unlike at the caravan park where they wanted to just eat us! All in all, it was a great visit to Litchfield National Park. From Litchfield it was onto Darwin.


Darwin 
When we arrived in Darwin we checked into Discovery Parks Caravan Park. It was hot and there were very few camping sites left. That afternoon we explored Darwin. We began our explorations in the waterfront area. Both Cullen Bay and the wharf area at the waterfront is home to many nice restaurants.
Sunset, Cullen Bay, Darwin © Spaswinefood
While our stay in Darwin was far too brief we did get a sense of some of the great things this Northern Territory town has to offer. From Darwin it was onto Kakadu National Park in Jabiru for two nights. From Jabiru we traveled to Cooinda Caravan Park to explore another area of the park before heading back to the Katherine area.  It was a pleasant drive back down the Stuart Highway to Katherine. Along the way we stopped in at historic Pine Creek for lunch at Mayse's Cafe
Mayse's Cafe © Spaswinefood
Notice Board, Mayse's Cafe © Spaswinefood
In the land down under clearly, there is so much to do and see in the Northern Territory. I invite you to join me in my travels in Australia and elsewhere at Spaswinefood

Sharon
June 2015
Top End, Northern Territory
 Australia
© Spaswinefood

Follow me on Twitter and Facebook


No comments:

Post a Comment