Darwin Round 1 and 2

I spent a total of 6 days in Darwin, split into 3 days on either side of my trip in Kakadu.

My first 3 days in the city did not win me over, which I attribute mostly to the hostel situation. After leaving the comfortable hammocks, amazing wi-fi, and the Alice Secret family, my hostel standards are very high. I spent two nights at the Darwin YHA with wifi restricted to the pool deck and utensils and dishes only available for rent. For my last night, I moved to the Gecko Lodge which had fewer rooms and free wi-fi, but still limited on common areas. While I enjoy spending the day adventuring around the city, it’s tough to come home and not have anywhere to relax or work (okay okay, or watch the Game of Thrones finale - my true priority).

Returning to Darwin after Kakadu, my new travel partner Jo and I split an AirBnb. GAME CHANGER. Our own private room, an amazing shower, free wifi and laundry…after the hostels, camping for a week with mosquitos galore…this was heaven. Plus, it changed my view and opinion of the city! Apparently I’m easily won over with home comforts.

Top Highlights:

Darwin Harbour: The city itself has an odd dynamic of vacation city full of high rises and palm trees but limited in actual swimming water due to the surrounding danger of crocs. You can only swim at one ocean location or pay $7 to go to the wave lagoon. I did both (never one to pass up a chance to swim).
Botanical Gardens: Australia has taught me to always look in a new city for a botanical garden as a good place to lay outside in the sun with a book; Darwin did not disappoint. With an amazing children’s playground with a treehouse and swinging bridge (Jo ran across, I accidentally hit myself in the shin…no surprise there), winding paths past a small waterfall, and an African garden with huge baobab trees (although no where near as big as native ones so I hear), this one was pretty great!
Museum and Art Gallery of Northern Territory: The Smithsonian museums in Washington D.C. have spoiled me for wanting free museums everywhere - plus my backpacker budget loves free. The first time I went solo, I walked a long, hot and humid 45 minutes from my hostel so the draw of AC also was an amazing relief. I went again with Jo to see the opening of a new exhibit, Momentum, that featured aboroginal art collections. The museum is an odd mix of history and art, seems unsure with it’s true identity. But the curation is incredibly well down and definitely worth an afternoon or two!
Mindil Beach Sunset Market: I love markets. The hustle and bustle, the amazing food, crafts that I want to buy one of everything. The Sunset Market is hosted every Thursday and Sunday night, so I was able to go both times I was in town. One of the great things of traveling with someone is you can split food to try even more! We had Australian BBQ, Chinese, and pretty disappointing milkshakes (pro tip: get a thick shake in Australia, otherwise the milkshakes are mostly milk with a small scoop of ice cream).
- Side call out for the Saturday Parap Market! Fun to walk around, but we ate breakfast before going so didn’t need to buy any food and a lot of the vendors were the same from the market on Thursday

And that’s a wrap on Darwin! It’s a city that grew on me but not one that I felt the need to spend more time.

Katherine VanLentMay 31, 2019Comment