Darwin

I haven’t actually had the time or energy to fully explore the delights of Darwin. So just a few notes here. The location is interesting with an escarpment along the southern side of the central city and on the western promontories. Otherwise the whole area is quite flat. I didn’t get a real photo, but this old photo shows the row of buildings across the top of the scarp – that water is where the current waterfront park and swimming are.

The central area reminds me a bit of Townsville – offices and tourist stuff. Doesn’t seem to have many shops/services catering for locals. The main shopping centres seem to be out in the suburbs (Casuarina, and further out at Palmerston).

I must admit to getting directionally confused – not helped by my main central-area map being oriented to fit the A3 page, with north-east at the top of the page. From the highways coming from the south, you then drive south into town! The sun always seems to be in the wrong place.

The two defining events are the 19 February 1942 first Japanese bombing which destroyed most of the town at that time, and when everything had been rebuilt and starting to ‘motor’, Cyclone Tracy 24-25 December 1974 again destroyed the town. (Ruth’s parents were here then!) All the historical signage describes how this place was rebuilt (or not).

Christ Church Anglican Cathedral – just the stone porch remained:

There are apparently just 4 prewar houses in a group remaining – built on the escarpment at Myilly Point for executives in 1938-39. They include walls made of louvres so the walls could be completely opened to the breezes, and minimal internal walls. (I’m hoping to get there tomorrow to see inside.) A couple have been restored after some damage in 1942 and 1974.

By the time I got to the Military Museum and Defence if Darwin exhibits, I was pretty much ‘over it’.

Interesting waterfront area with parks, restaurants, swimming and wave pool. The big play equipment seems to be privately owned.

We’d seen TV reports early in the year about damage from the big cyclone – the buildings are now all built to withstand cyclones, but a lot of tree damage. Still a few uprooted trees in evidence. And a notice yesterday that the green waste tip is now closed. But not all the trees are yet cleared!