![\"\"](\"https:\/\/katamarino.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/2025-04-19-12.31.50.jpg\")
WW2 oil storage tunnels<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>WW2 oil storage tunnels<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n\n\n\nThe weather was hot, so we refreshed ourselves with drinks in the marina area nearby before heading out to the aviation museum at Darwin airport. The museum hosts an impressive collection of aircraft, some of which are shown below. The centerpiece, an enormous B-52 bomber, was too large to fit in a photograph! Also on display was a fascinating exhibit about the 1919 air race from the UK to Australia. A large prize was offered by the Australian government for the first crew to fly from London to Darwin in a British aircraft in thirty days or less – six qualifying entrants were received, plus one French team. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The race was won by brothers Ross Smith and Keith Smith, accompanied by mechanics James Bennett and Wally Shiers. They completed the flight in a modified Vickers Vimy bomber. The second place team arrived after 206 days, and none of the other teams finished. One crashed on take-off on the first leg from London, and others crashed or disappeared along the way.<\/p>\n\n\n
DH-82 Tiger Moth<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>Bell AH-1G Cobra<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>F\/A-18B Hornet<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>Westland Wessex<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>F-111C<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>DH Dove<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>Auster Autocar<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>Mitsubishi MU2<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>DC-3<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n\n\n\nDinner that evening was at Darwin’s other marina in Cullen Bay, reached once again by some very sketchy rental e-scooter riding.<\/p>\n\n\n
Night at Cullen Bay Marina<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>Night at Cullen Bay Marina<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
We started the next day with a visit to Darwin Airport’s control tower. One of the controllers there had seen details of the flight on social media, and reached out to invite us for a tour. The tower is run by the Australian military and seems to be quite an attractive posting. A second, newer tower sits next to the active one but is apparently long-delayed in going into operation. <\/p>\n\n\n
Darwin's two control towers<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>The view from Darwin control tower<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n\n\n\nAfter the tower tour we drove out of the city to the Litchfield National Park. Created in 1986, the park covers about 1,500 square km, and contains multiple beautiful waterfalls, swimming holes, impressive termite mounds and more. We started off the visit with a hike to the Upper Cascades, a series of waterfalls with swimming holes throughout. The track started out very easily, but soon became rugged and rocky, causing Mei to regret her choice of flip-flops for footwear. The long hot walk was worth it though, and a cool swim was very welcome at the end!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
From the Cascades we continued to Wangi Falls. These approximately 50m tall waterfalls drop into a plunge pool which is usually open for swimming – today however they were closed due to high water flow and potential crocodile activity. We did enjoy a one hour hike up the escarpment to cross over the top of the falls, and descend down the other side.<\/p>\n\n\n
A local license plate<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>Upper Cascades<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>View over Litchfield Park<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>Plenty of crocodiles around<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>Wangi Falls<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>Crocodile trap<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n\n\n\nOur next stop was Tolmer Falls, a most impressive fall which plunges into a narrow valley on the edge of a high plateau. A short hike brings visitors to an outlook point with great views both of the waterfall, and out over the flat lands below the plateau that the park sits on. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
We carried on around the park loop road to our final water-related stop, Florence Falls. This is another very popular swimming spot and, unlike Wangi Falls, was open. The walk to the swimming hole at the plunge pool is short, although it does feature 160 steps. These take minimal effort on the way down to the pool, but rather more on the way back!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After swimming for a while I made a sudden realisation – the keys to the car were still in my pocket. We rushed them to the shore in the hope that the electronics had survived their experience and fortunately that seemed to be the case, as they continued to function, and the car rental agency never billed me for a new set!<\/p>\n\n\n
Boardwalk at the top of Wangi Falls<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>Above Wangi Falls<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>Mystery fruit<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>Tolmer Falls<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>Florence Falls swimming hole<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>Termite mound<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n\n\n\nOn our way out of the park we stopped at a field of termite mounds. Constructed from a mixture of soil, termite saliva and dung, these intricate mounds have highly effective ventilation that keep the inside relatively cool and dry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
That evening we met up with Griffin’s parents, who had arrived in Darwin for a holiday, for dinner at the marina. The next day we would all be going our separate ways – Griffin and Mei leaving by commercial flight, and me in Planey. Next stop, East Timor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n