Darwin Day 4

Tues we packed everything up and dropped the car and caravan off for a service in the industrial area just outside the city. We walked into Charles Darwin National Park, which theoretically is right across the road - but in 37degree heat and a 30min walk along a bitumen road (the walking track had recently been burnt out by wildfire) to get to the picnic area and lookout over the city, it was a slow struggle. We did pass by a WWII ammunition storage bunker turned into a museum, and spent some time learning more about the wartime history of the Darwin and NT area.

We got back to the mechanic on lunchtime but they hadn't finished up yet, so we caught a bus into the city, and wandered along the foreshore, and found ourselves passing by the WWII oil tunnels, so we ducked in for a quick look. Delicious gelato (lemon like bitters and orange poppy seed flavours?!) Deb and Eva took another swim at the lagoon waterfront area, while Ben and Millie caught the bus back to collect the car and van.

After a smooth pickup in the city we headed out to Howard Springs caravan park, with a view to a change of scenery and new pool area to explore for the kids while Deb worked Wed and Thurs. I'd called the day before to check there were sites available with minimal tree coverage (good Starlink internet connectivity is essential for work) and was reassured there were plenty. Buuut of course we arrived and a quick wander around the lovely shaded campground realised it wasn't going to suit us, so at 4.45pm we jumped back in the car and headed to where we'd left that morning, knowing there was ample clear sky. We got in after office hours, but we're able to get hold of the site manager, who offered our same site back which we happily accepted. Only thing was when we arrived another van was parked there - this began a rather uppity exchange between the van owners, an older couple, and the site manager- they'd apparently found it impossible to reverse into their allocated site, so decided to set up in this one instead but hadn't let anyone know. The place was relatively empty so we happily took a great spot just across the road, closer to the playground - a bonus for the kids. Our former neighbours let us know a bit later on that they'd witnessed quite the spectacle when the old couple were backing in their van, with several driver swaps and much frustration - I hate to think how it had gone down in the site they didn't end up in!もっと詳しく