|
23.03.10
Trip to the Top End? Things to do in & around Darwin
If you're thinking about making a trip to the Top End anytime soon and are seeking some inspiration for things to do in and around Darwin, then here is a quick list of suggestions.
1) In need of a morning coffee or bite to eat before your day out, then drop in and say hi to the girls at the Four Birds cafe. Shop Two, Star Village, 32 Smith Street Darwin. Reminds me of a cafe you'd expect to see in a Melbourne laneway.
2) Mandoora Beach Hotel - catch the ferry from Cullen Bay ($24 return pp). Nice day out. Mandoora Beach Hotel is a great pub and has a nice cold beer waiting for you at the other end. The food is cheap and cheerful with a Barra Burger (as you'd expect) costing around $10. It's all very local and relaxed. There is a pool at the other end which you might need it on a hot day, so take your bordies or bathers.
3) Cullen Bay - definitely worth a trip either before or after the ferry. Nice contrast to Darwin CBD area.
4) Darwin Fish Market - take a walk or bike ride down to Mr Barra on the wharf, they have some great local fish available, all you'll need to do is find yourself a barby to cook it on. You can also purchase fresh fish straight off the trawlor behind the fish shop. Might be worth the stroll to see what the catch of the day is. Oh and apparently the end of the pier is a bit of a local fishing hot spot - so alternatively you could drop a line and catch your own.
5) Litchfield National Park - it's just as beautiful as you'd imagine. Takes about 1.5 hr from Darwin to get to Florence Falls. We had a picnic by Shady Creek which was really lovely. But if you want to have a good look around the park, you need to head off pretty early or stay overnight. Accomm in the park is pretty basic and mostly just camping or huts.
6) Places to eat? Char Restaurant on the Esplanade & Hanamans. Both quality.
7) The Deck Bar is meant to be great on a Sunday. We have a little one, so no Sunday sessions for us this time round.
8) Lagoona Wave Pool - just opened recently and a nice place to cool off on a 33 degree day (and that's not a hot day either!)
9) Deck Chair Cinema - only open in the dry season, but meant to be a great spot and nice way to pass the evening.
10) Tiwi Islands - we didn't get to get over here as we ran out of time, but I think it would be worth considering. That's ones on the list for next time.
Submitted by Director of Wine.Food Hotel.
|
