Travels through the center of Australia, with wine of course

We soon discovered that our journey through the center of Australia was filled with amazing outback experiences. When we arrived in Darwin, the "Top End" of the Northern Territory (NT), we had been on the road for over two months. As we headed into our last month, we would finish our half-lap Australian Spaswinefood adventure, by traveling from Darwin to Adelaide. Our itinerary along the Stuart Highway, also known as the track, took us through the Northern Territory's four regions (Darwin, Katherine, Barkly and Central Australia). Before making our run through the center of Australia we made sure that we had a good supply of Australian wine. Our wine choices were well informed given that we had previously visited the Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula, Barossa Valley, Clare Valley and Margaret River wine regions.

Toasting Arrival at Red Centre (Uluru), Australia © Spaswinefood

Our story begins in Darwin.

Darwin Region

Darwin, the capital and largest city, within the Darwin Region of Australia's Northern Territory (NT)  is located at the "Top End". 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 this region is filled with opportunities for adventure. 

Paddling, Cullen Bay Marina, Darwin, NT © Spaswinefood

Darwin, a modern, cosmopolitan and multicultural city, is located on the Timor Sea. It is Australia's gateway to Asia. Moreover, it attracts visitors from around the world. Tourism is the region's main industry. The city of Darwin is the hub for most visitors to Kakadu National Park, Litchfield National Park and Katherine Gorge. The region's tropical climate has two main seasons, wet and dry, with temperatures ranging from warm to hot. Since we wanted to avoid hot, humid weather our visit to the city named after Charles Darwin was during the dry season (May-September), a time when most visit. 

One late evening in early June, as I sat at a Yots Greek Taverna, overlooking the Cullen Bay Marina in Darwin, I marveled at the natural beauty of this place. 

Yots Greek Taverna, Darwin © Spaswinefood

Dinner, Yots Greek Taverna  © Spaswinefood

Sparkling Wine, Yots Greek Taverna © Spaswinefood

I delighted in taking in the views, as I ate Papoutsakia (an eggplant dish) and drank sparkling wine.

Cullen Bay Marina, Darwin, NT © Spaswinefood

After Darwin it was onto the Kakadu National Park.

Katherine Region

We were fortunate to be able to visit Katherine twice, traveling to/from the Darwin Region. The Katherine region consists of 480,000 square kilometers. It is home to 10 parks and 6 major rivers (Katherine, Daly, Victoria, Roper, Flora and Limmen). Katherine offers many opportunities for outback adventures, especially along its waterways. Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) National Park is one the most popular places for an outback adventure.

Upon returning to Katherine we stayed at the Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) National Park Caravan Park, which is often frequented by colorful birds and friendly kangaroos.

Kangaroo & Joey, Nitmiluk National Park Caravan Park © Spaswinefood

 It is always delightful to see a little joey in its mom's pouch.

Nitmiluk National Park Caravan Park © Spaswinefood

Nitmiluk Vistors Centre © Spaswinefood

The Jawoyn people of this region willingly share their country with visitors. The park offers amply opportunities for walking, canoeing, cruising and doing an air tour. It is a great place to observe fruit bats, hanging out in the trees near the Katherine River gorges.

Fruit Bats, Nitmiluk National Park © Spaswinefood

We did a NitNit Dreaming Cultural Tour of the gorges, which included viewing the landscape and wildlife in the area. 

Nitmiluk Tours, Nitmiluk National Park © Spaswinefood

Along the way we observed Aboriginal rock art.

Rock Art, Nitmiluk National Park © Spaswinefood

Cruising Nitmiluk National Park Gorges © Spaswinefood

Taking Care of Nitmiluk National Park © Spaswinefood

The rock walls in the gorges are very stunning.

Nitmiluk National Park Gorge © Spaswinefood

When we reached the end of first gorge we transferred to another boat to continue our trip through the second gorge.

Changing Boats, Nitmiluk National Park © Spaswinefood

2nd Gorge, Nitmiluk National Park © Spaswinefood

Rock Wall, Nitmiluk National Park © Spaswinefood

End 2nd Gorge, Nitmiluk National Park © Spaswinefood

Like all Northern Territory waterways you have to watch out for crocodiles, both salt and freshwater. It is important to only swim is designed areas. Yes, we did see some crocodiles on our cruise.

Chilling, Nitmiluk National Park © Spaswinefood

Crocodile, Nitmiluk National Park Gorge © Spaswinefood

Upon reaching the end of the second gorge we retraced our journey back down the two gorges.

Moon, Nitmiluk National Park © Spaswinefood

Lookout, Nitmiluk National Park © Spaswinefood

Katherine is indeed a great base for outback adventures.

Barkly Region

Northern Territory's Barkly Region is located between Katherine and Alice Springs. The main town in Tennant Creek. The area is known for its cattle stations and mining. After leaving Katherine our journey southwards took us to Mataranka. While in Mataranka we stayed at Mataranka Homestead Tourist Resort's Caravan Park. This rustic resort is next door to Elsey National Park. The park gets its name from the cattle station in Jeannie Gunn's novel, We of the Never, Never. 

We of The Never Never © Spaswinefood

Park visitors can relax in the thermal pools and springs scattered throughout the park, explore heritage sites, and go fishing and/or canoeing on the Roper River. Little did we know that during our homestead stay we would also get to enjoy live entertainment over a glass of wine. Yes, Mataranka is the perfect place for just chilling out. Later, relaxing at our campsite that evening was the perfect time to open a bottle of Charles Melton, The Kirche, Barossa Vally 2012 wine. 

Charles Melton, The Kirche 2012 © Spaswinefood

The land of "The Never Never" was indeed the perfect place to reflect on an earlier visit to Charles Melton. Fortunately for us a few weeks later we would return to the Barossa Valley once more on our way back to Melbourne.

From Mataranka we traveled towards Tennant Creek. We stopped at Pink Panther Pub, Daly Waters Pub and stopped overnight at Attack Creek 24 hour rest stop. Next morning it was onto Tennant Creek where we stopped at Katerina's Cafe for breakfast. While in Tennant Creek we took the time to visit the less known site, the Pebbles, a sacred site for aboriginal women. We would have missed visiting this site except, when we stopped for breakfast at Katerina’s one of the staff suggested that we visit. 

 The Pebbles © Spaswinefood

 The Pebbles Explained © Spaswinefood

 The Pebbles, Tennant Creek © Spaswinefood

Then we drove south to Karlu Karlu (Devils Marbles), another sacred site. The latter site is more frequently visited. We found both sites to be worthwhile experiences, for us to better understand their cultural and spiritual significances to the local people.

The Marbles © Spaswinefood

Visiting both the Pebbles and Marbles sites provided insights into the importance of the land to the aboriginal people. Our next stops included the Wauchope Roadhouse, Wycliff Wells UFO capital of Australia, then Barrow Creek, another decorated pub, before heading onto Ti Tree Roadhouse Caravan Park for the night. A must for travelers along this route is stopping at the outback pubs. That night at the roadhouse caravan park was the perfect time to open a bottle of Margaret River Vasse Felix, Cabernet Sauvignon 2012. It was the perfect place to reflect back on our earlier visit to Vasse Felix.

Vasse Felix, Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 © Spaswinefood

 After a restful night at Ti Tree Caravan Park it was onto Alice Springs next day. 

Central Region
Our primary stops in Australia's Central Region included Alice Springs and Ayers Rock (Uluru).

Uluru (Ayers Rock) © Spaswinefood

Our last night in Uluru we dined under the stars with the red rock in the distance. Yes, it was a fun evening with bush inspired tucker (food) and Australian wine.

Night Time Dining near Uluru © Spaswinefood

After dinner we listened to a talk on the southern night sky while we enjoyed dessert with a glass of port. The Southern Cross, the signs of the zodiac, the Milky Way and other stars were visible in the sky that clear winter night.

Sitting there below the star filled sky I was reminded that our time in the southern hemisphere was slowly coming to an end. While the southern hemisphere greeted the arrival of winter we were spending the second last week of our Australian road trip visiting Australia's Red Centre. It is hard to think of a better way to enjoy a glass of wine than watching the night sky near Uluru (Ayers Rock). It was only the day before that we had toasted our arrival at this iconic landmark after a long journey from Alice Springs.

Toasting with Yering Station Wine, Uluru (Ayers Rock) © Spaswinefood

Yering Station, Yarrabank Late Disgorged Cuvée 2004 © Spaswinefood

Sunset at Uluru (Ayers Rock) © Spaswinefood

All too soon we left Uluru to head back down the Stuart Highway towards Adelaide, and then onto Melbourne. We will always have those wonderful memories of stunning sunsets and dining under the starlit sky near Uluru.

After leaving the Red Centre in the Northern Territory's Central Region two days later we crossed into South Australia. There we would explore the Barossa Valley for the second time before back to Melbourne. I invite you to join me in my travels in Australia's Northern Territory and elsewhere at Spaswinefood. 

Sharon

June 2015

Northern Territory, Australia

© Spaswinefood

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Northern Territory sites visited by Spaswinefood included:
1. Jabiru, Kakadu National Park
2. Cooinda, Kakadu National Park
3. Darwin
4. Litchfield National Park
5. 303 Bar
6. Top End
7. Katherine
8. Outback Pubs
9. Alice Springs
10. Uluru-Katu Tjuta (Ayers Rock) National Park