Darwin is modern city, fast growing metro in Australia, and packed full of history. Economics are simple: mining and tourism.
This is a city which for some reason has drawn my attention. During WWII Darwin played both strategic and survival roles. Evidence of the war are everywhere and the Darwin War Museum is a must see. Darwin exists in a harsh tropical environment, cyclone Tracy levelled the town in 1974, it is the capital of the Northern Territory, gateway to the orient, and with 33 being the average age of the population it is a youthful and high energy city.
There are a couple of images of a 9″ artillery gun. It took 11 men to operate two floors of action. The gun swivelled on a turntable and commanded a great view of the harbour. By the way, two images are of GM military vehicles made in Canada!! How about the old truck retiring into the mangrove.
A friend of mine, Cy said when he visited Darwin years ago the box jellyfish kept everyone out of the outrageously inviting ocean. He remains correct and now a small more venomous jellyfish is in the area and migrating down the coasts: the infamous Irukandji jellyfish. Small, just a couple of centimetres in size with long tentacles. Deadly!! The ocean swimming is now protected by screening nets.
Good news and a bit silly. I always dip my foot or arm in one of the great oceans if I’m in the area and I think I’ve done them all now. Today, not an ocean, yet just as much fun I put my hand in the Timor Sea. Felt good. However, putting my foot into the Indian Ocean three years ago with Jill still wins. What can I say!
I really like the colour in the stone used to built some of the historic buildings. Most of these beautiful stone walls did not survive cyclone Tracy. Also, I’ve never seen bamboo colours like one of the shots will show you: red and orange?!
The Melbourne to Darwin, Never Never trip, and 27 days is finished and next time I will double the time to do the same trip! Back to Melbourne. This is where Darwin is .
Robert Goodlad Fine Art 