The bunker was built during WW2 to hold ammunition. It was deemed far enough inland to avoid being a target for the Japanese. The bunker has been transformed into a museum which details Darwin’s role in the war. During World War II, this area was part of a network of military sites that formed Australia’s front line of defence.
The old Town Hall amazingly survived the bombing of Darwin by the Japanese only to be wiped out by Cyclone Tracey in 1974. The ruins were built during the Pine Creek Gold Rush in 1883. These days the decay of the ruins has been slowed by modern-day conservation techniques. They are used as an outdoor theatre.
Before we went to Darwin I knew little about the bombing in 1942 during WW2. It happened soon after the bombing of Pearl Harbour and was organised by the same Commander. It was a strategic bombing rather than an invasion as I had been taught in school. The Japanese were preparing to invade Timor. With Darwin being so close to Timor they could easily have helped defend Timor from the military bases protecting the northern coast of Australia. The information on these plaques provides a lot of really interesting information.
http://www.naa.gov.au/collection/fact-sheets/fs195.aspx
After our lunch at the Nitmiluk Visitors Centre we drove down to where the boat was moored to start our two hour tour of Katherine Gorge.
I didn’t know it beforehand but Katherine Gorge is made up of thirteen gorges. During the wet season it becomes one with the higher water levels. It follows the Katherine River, which begins in Kakadu. We were there early in the dry season when the water levels had begun to drop. The boat travelled to the end of the first gorge where it stopped. We had to walk a few hundred metres to the get on to the next boat. It was funny having to do that. It was a really interesting walk and gave us a chance to take in the scenery rather than just cruising beside it. The sandstone walls rise more than 100m above the water and are marked with erosion from millions of years.
Crocodiles love to sun themselves on the sandbanks. The sign on the sand warns visitors of this.
To say I was surprised by how good this roadhouse is would be putting it mildly. Our tour stopped here for breakfast on our way to Katherine. Our driver told us that it used to be a normal (but unsuccessful) roadhouse until the current owners bought the property and transformed it. We didn’t get time to look around much but were impressed by the gardens and laid-back feeling of the area. The food was great. Mum and I had raisin toast but Dad had an egg and bacon sandwich which looked delicious.
On their website, they advertise having the only cappuccino machine between Darwin and Katherine, therefore having the best coffee around. I’m not a coffee drinker so can’t confirm that.
We also stopped off here on the way home from Katherine for dinner. I ate one of the nicest Caesar salads I’ve ever eaten.
This was our first stop on our first day tour from Darwin.
Adelaide River is just over 100kms from Darwin and was the headquarters for the army and air force in World War 2. The cemetery was built for the 432 men and women killed in action. I loved the tranquillity of the area. It isn’t on a main road or in a busy area. It is set in beautiful gardens. We arrived very early in the morning. Our tour started at around 6.30 so this would have been before 8am I think. There was still a little bit of dew on the lawns and it wasn’t too hot.
I loved the gardens. They are so beautifully maintained.
This tree was outside the cemetery. I love the way it twists and turns and is all gnarled. I’d love to know how old it is.
