A trip to Kakadu and Darwin

[HeavyElectricity]

Kakadu

The next day I was planning a late checkout before driving back to Darwin, but ended up realising that in order to return the car rental on time, I needed to leave around the standard checkout time of 10am anyway.

I woke up to some good news, my minimum UpgradeMe bid ($140) for the 4h return DRW-PER flight in a couple of days had been accepted. Again, was quite pleased with that for a 'free' credit card economy flight redemption.

The drive back to Darwin was a bit busier than before, and had a fair amount of campers and road trains to get past. But by that time I'd become accustomed to the car/driving again, so wasn't a problem (I haven't owned a car for years and years now, so I always get a bit worried at first when I jump in one when renting). On previous days I'd seen a dingo and wallaby whilst driving (in addition to lots of birdlife). The wallaby was just chilling in the middle of the road, and it didn't shift until I honked at it.


Some thoughts/conclusions about the Kakadu part of the trip:

Next time I'd spend one/two nights at a time at different areas of the park, rather than basing myself in Jabiru the entire time. I'd probably structure it something like: 1 night at Aurora Kakadu (South Alligator region), 1 night at Jabiru (and see the East Alligator region), 2+ nights at Cooinda Lodge (Ngurrungurrudjba region, do the sunrise and sunset Yellow Water cruises, and see Burrungkuy/Anbangbang). If I was travelling with others, I'd probably try and rent a 4wd or do tours to see Jim Jim falls / Twin Gorge falls - as I missed out on that this trip. However that area ended up mostly being closed off anyway - so I didn't regret not heading there this time:

 

[HeavyElectricity]

Darwin

After returning the car at the airport, I walked the short distance to the Novotel Darwin Airport. Upon entering the room, I saw I had been very generously upgraded to a two-bedroom suite, which was a very nice room (and included a lounge / kitchenette, and a laundry).



They weren't particularly generous on the welcome gift however (especially as this booking was originally made for 2 adults ) - not that I really cared, just found it a bit amusing:


I had lunch of barramundi and vegetable stir fry at the Chinese restaurant on the lower floor. Here Accor Plus members only receive a flat 10% discount as apparently the restaurant isn't actually related to the hotel (although they do also operate the poolside bar, and accept the drinks welcome vouchers).

Breakfast was served across the road at the Mercure hotel, which was quite nice and had an outdoor seating area too. The free Accor Platinum breakfast benefit wasn't managed quite as well as at Kakadu, on both days I was told I didn't have breakfast included - so had to ask if the benefit was permitted (it was). I ended up having one breakfast charged to the room anyway, which was removed when I queried it on checkout.

For my full day in Darwin, I took a Taxi to the convention centre so I could start walking around the waterfront.



The Royal Flying Doctor Service have an interesting tourist centre on the wharf with quite a few high-tech exhibits (a VR feature, and some holographic cinema presentations) about The Bombing of Darwin, and also some displays on the RFDS.



I then spent the day walking from Darwin waterfront to Mindil Beach, stopping at various places along the way.

Darwin waterfront from the Sky Bridge:


Government House:


Views from Bicentennial Park:




I had a late/light lunch at Eve's Cafe in the botanic gardens, which was very pleasant, before having a look around the gardens.

Rainforest in George Brown Botanic Gardens:



I finished the day at Mindil Beach Sunset markets, which are worth a visit if you happen to be visiting on the right day. The beach filled up as sunset approached. I had a very tasty yiros from one of the market stands whilst watching the sunset.




From the areas I saw, I thought Darwin was a lovely city - and quite different to how I imagined (for some reason I imagined it to be similar to Broome, just bigger).

 

[HeavyElectricity]

DRW-PER

Flight: VA1436
Aircraft: 737-800 (VH-YFI)
Seat: 2D / 1F (J)
Departed: DRW 25/06/2018 14:38 (2mins early) ACST
Arrived: PER 25/06/2018 17:27 (17mins late) AWST
Duration: 4h 19m

As mentioned before, my minimum UpgradeMe bid had been accepted, so I was looking forward to some food and a few drinks on the 4h return flight.




Check-in was smooth and I was soon relaxing in the lounge with a coffee. The flight was called early, and boarding was quite speedy. In the time between my check-in and boarding, someone else had chosen the seat next to me in row 2, so I relocated to 1F (as 1D was also empty). Usually I prefer row 2 as I can stretch my legs out more, but row 1 wasn't bad.

Lunch was a nice pork ragu with potato gnocchi. It came with cheese/crackers and a orange cake. No side salad. I had a glass of the red Merlot with it.



No further service until about an hour before landing, where I requested a coffee (and was given a couple of chocolates to go with it). Strange that, unlike nearly all my other flights in business, I realised I had not been offered any water (in a glass or a bottle) at any time during the flight or with the meal, but I guess if I'd been really wanting it I could have been more proactive in requesting!

The sunlight made for some fantastic views as we got closer to Perth.







Perth airport arrivals was smooth, and my checked luggage was one of the first few bags out. I managed to jump on the 380 Transperth bus service to the city just as it was leaving (I'm usually very good at just missing it, meaning a 30min wait, so I end up using Uber instead).

And that was my trip completed! Perth has had some very cold nights, and I'm missing the warmth!


...and now I really should get back to sorting out South Africa photos and complete my previous 2016 trip report!

 

[Denali]

It's over already?

 

[HeavyElectricity]

It's over already?

Yep, sorry! It was just a one week trip which I did at a fairly relaxed pace, so all done! I did like Darwin, and has me contemplating about renting up there maybe during next winter if I am able to work remotely .

 

[Denali]

I've been telling hubby we should move to Darwin. I think if you can survive a year, you'll fall in love with the place.

Next time, sunset at Nightcliff, best sunset I've ever seen.

 

[OZDUCK]

Thanks very much for the TR - great photos.

 

[Denali]

OP has given me permission to post a few photos from our trip - I really enjoyed Darwin and hope people go/enjoy. We also visited Katherine (Nitmiluk) and Litchfield.

First 2 are from the Yellow River cruise and the last one was from Nightcliff Pier (grab a chair and a cold drink and just sit and enjoy but without the beach market crowd).

 

[Capt Hook]

View attachment 130502

DRW-PER

Flight: VA1436
Aircraft: 737-800 (VH-YFI)
Seat: 2D / 1F (J)
Departed: DRW 25/06/2018 14:38 (2mins early) ACST
Arrived: PER 25/06/2018 17:27 (17mins late) AWST
Duration: 4h 19m

As mentioned before, my minimum UpgradeMe bid had been accepted, so I was looking forward to some food and a few drinks on the 4h return flight.

View attachment 130501


Check-in was smooth and I was soon relaxing in the lounge with a coffee. The flight was called early, and boarding was quite speedy. In the time between my check-in and boarding, someone else had chosen the seat next to me in row 2, so I relocated to 1F (as 1D was also empty). Usually I prefer row 2 as I can stretch my legs out more, but row 1 wasn't bad.

Lunch was a nice pork ragu with potato gnocchi. It came with cheese/crackers and a orange cake. No side salad. I had a glass of the red Merlot with it.

View attachment 130497

No further service until about an hour before landing, where I requested a coffee (and was given a couple of chocolates to go with it). Strange that, unlike nearly all my other flights in business, I realised I had not been offered any water (in a glass or a bottle) at any time during the flight or with the meal, but I guess if I'd been really wanting it I could have been more proactive in requesting!

The sunlight made for some fantastic views as we got closer to Perth.

View attachment 130498

View attachment 130499

View attachment 130500

Perth airport arrivals was smooth, and my checked luggage was one of the first few bags out. I managed to jump on the 380 Transperth bus service to the city just as it was leaving (I'm usually very good at just missing it, meaning a 30min wait, so I end up using Uber instead).

And that was my trip completed! Perth has had some very cold nights, and I'm missing the warmth!


...and now I really should get back to sorting out South Africa photos and complete my previous 2016 trip report!

 

[Capt Hook]

Sludge, Really enjoyed reading your report. The photos made it easy to visualise and more informative. I did work at the Cooinda hotel, for a short time 30 years ago, when I first arrived in Australia. And I also went on the Yellow River tour boat, and yes there's a lot of crocks!
thank you Sludge.

 

[kookaburra75]

Good to read your report. MrsK and I are just waiting for our flight, to escape the chill of Canberra for a week in Darwin and Kakadu - first time for MrsK to the NT. Your report gave a good snapshot of what she will experience.

I'll do up a separate trip report, especially as we are going on a four day camping tour - again a first for MrsK

 

[HeavyElectricity]

Good to read your report. MrsK and I are just waiting for our flight, to escape the chill of Canberra for a week in Darwin and Kakadu - first time for MrsK to the NT. Your report gave a good snapshot of what she will experience.

I'll do up a separate trip report, especially as we are going on a four day camping tour - again a first for MrsK

Sounds fantastic - I look forward to reading your report! Great to escape to the warmth up north this time of year.

 

[Denali]

Sounds fantastic - I look forward to reading your report! Great to escape to the warmth up north this time of year.

Told hubby that from next year onwards, every August we're heading north for a week to thaw out. Im really trying to convince him we should move there but its the water drop treatment with him, it takes time.

Thinking we should head back to Kakadu to see the rock paintings. Our first (only) trip to NT was Darwin, Katherine, Kakadu, Litchfield so needed more time.

 

[docjames]

Great TR, thanks for sharing.

 

[kermatu]

Nice TR. Loved the sunset photo montage. But boy that beach was crowded!

Have also stayed at the Novotel Darwin airport. Been well looked after with upgrades, wine, large waters and chocolates and not charged for pantry items — so either you lucked out or they have wound back the benefits.

 

[kookaburra75]

Good to read your report. MrsK and I are just waiting for our flight, to escape the chill of Canberra for a week in Darwin and Kakadu - first time for MrsK to the NT. Your report gave a good snapshot of what she will experience.

I'll do up a separate trip report, especially as we are going on a four day camping tour - again a first for MrsK

Sounds fantastic - I look forward to reading your report! Great to escape to the warmth up north this time of year.

Well, we got there and on our way home. I've started the Trip Report, Kookaburra's Kakadu & Other Places and will start adding the photos over the next few days. It was good.