Xmas 2012–Brisbane

Our trip from Poona to Brisbane was uneventful. thankfully, and we arrived at the Newmarket Caravan Park with a minimum of fuss. The park is very spacious and well used, being marketed as on of the closest parks to the Brisbane CBD. We had a couple of friendly neighbours for the stay, two of which were either in new vans or vans new to them. The other couple, whom we spoke with a few times, were staying for a couple f weeks so as to get off the farm and were on their way back home from a trip to Adelaide.
It was this couple that gave us their remedy for Psoriasis. He was heavily effected by the open sore variant and swore by this mixture of products being;
1. After a shower you step out, whilst still wet and massage in Polytar Plus shampoo as per the photo below.
2. let it sit for 4-5 min.
3. Step back under the water and let the water run the shampoo off, do not aid it by rubbing.
4. After the shower, work into the Psoriasis some baby oil that also contains a table spoon of Witch-hazel. Shake well before using it so as to ensure it is well mixed.
I will be trying the same mixture on my Dermatitis when i get home.

Anyways, back to Brisbane. Having only two days, i am sure the city has much to offer but we decided on a drive up to Mt Tamborine on the first day, bypassing all of the attractions of the gold coast. We had bought the children here a couple of years ago and i am sure we will return up here in the future.
In Mt Tambourine we found, quite by accident, the Glow Worm Caves. This turned out to be a great attraction, buy no photography allowed in the cave so you will have to take our word for it. The cave, purpose built for studying the worms, was only half full to capacity with worms and once our eyes had adjusted it really did look like the night sky. Truly Amazing.
After the caves we went to the tree tops walk which was also a good choice. As per the Otways, you have raised walk ways through the canopy and cantilevered boardwalks as well as forest floor paths and a river running through the property.

They even had a tank full of Native fish. If i ever stop traveling for a while, i would love to set up a tank again.
Leaving Mt Tambourine we headed back to the van via a shopping mall for afternoon lunch.
In the evening we had planned to meet up with Lynnette for Dinner. This was the main reason for our stop over at Brisbane and we had a great dinner at the Makanan Indonesian Restaurant with her partner Paul.
Day two in Brisbane was taken up with a trip into the city. It all seems well laid out around the river with the main shopping malls on one side and the arts precinct on the other. We started out at the Brisbane Wheel, which unlike the Melbourne Wheel, actually functions. It gave us a great view of the city and allowed us to see some more of the attractions available.  This was followed by a walk through the city malls. Brisbane definitely looks like a place we could return to with more time allotted as there are many things we did not see and do.
After this brief stop we then packed up for our short hop down to Yamba.

Darwin 2012 - Darwin

We finally made it up to Darwin again. The aim of this trip overall was to visit Rebecca, Rachel and their families in Katherine. With Rachel, however, having 4 small children it has been difficult for her to get out and enjoy some of the local attractions. With this in mind we found ourselves staying at the Coonawarra Defense base again. For $80 p/n we have a containerized cabin with three bedrooms, lounge/kitchen, laundry and bathroom. All of this located in a safe and secure place, on a Navy base.

 

 

Arriving on Friday we did the first thing I am sure many remote town people do and headed for the local shopping centre, Casurina. My sisters do much of their bulk shopping here before heading back to Katherine, which has a very basic set of shops.

On the Saturday, Rachel and David went to the Adelaide River Queen Jumping Crocodiles tour, something we have done in the past and is well worth anyone visiting. The tour takes you up and down the Adelaide river, which host many Saltwater Crocadiles as well as many other forms of top end wildlife. As we did 4 years ago, they fully enjoyed it.

Mum and Dad hosted the kids at the "Playshack" for nearly 5 hours whilst I did a runner and headed into town.

During my escape I went to the Darwin Museum and Arts centre, where they have a great set of exhibits showcasing aboriginal art and craft, local prehistoric animals and megafauna, fisheries and a cyclone Tracy exhibit. I came mostly for that but ended up spending quite a bit of time wandering through all of the exhibits. The visit is free and I think people of all ages would enjoy it. Unfortunately but understandably no photos were allowed inside.

 

Outside the museum there is a great view across The water, and being a fantastic day I spent some time taking it all it, as well as photographing a beautiful dragonfly that was abundant in the grasses, the Graphic Flutterer Dragonfly (Rhyothemis graphiptera). I expect if I stood still enough I would of had many landing on me as well as the grass.

After all that, and a quick tour of the main Darwin mall, I returned to pick up the parents and kids for lunch back at the cabins.

Lastly for the evening we had dinner at a recomended restaurant, Tim's Surf and Turf, the servings we large and well cooked. The kids ate free before 6:30pm and their servings we also large so all in all it was a great meal. The restaurant itself has a great atmosphere and the hosts were friendly and inviting. I would definatly eat there again when in Darwin.

Aft tea we headed down to Mindil beach so the kids could have a run around. We got their on the last bits of sunset but we still had great views and the kids loved playing in the sand. Unfortunately the Mindil beach markets don't start until dry season has fully started, like many thinks in this part of Australia, so we missed out this trip.

 

17April2012 - Edit: Update for return trip to Katherine

Our second/last day in Darwin was very subdued. A couple of us Adults travelled out to see the “Oil Tunnels” in the center of Darwin. The tunnels, built during the War and the bombings of Darwin by the Japanese were dug out by hand with little in the way of tools, however by the time they were completed the war had ended so they wee never fully commissioned or used. It was a very interesting, self guided tour with many photographs showing the many servicemen and planes in and around Darwin.

 

We also had a Coffee at Darwins take on the Docklands, the Darwin Waterfront Precinct,  with a great environment, protected beach and Wave pool. I looks to be a great investment/holiday opportunity.

On the monday we travelled back to Katherine, stopping at both Hayes Creek and Edith Falls. Hayes creek as a great looking Big4, in the middle of know where but from the vantage point of the petrol station at the top of the hill, it looked to be a great, shady, quiet spot with its own swimming hole.

Edith Falls was significantly different from last time we visited due to some large floods through there last Christmas. Dur to the risk of Salt Water Crocodiles swimming was also not allowed.

 

 

Lastly some instagram photos from the weekend.