May 20, 2013 - Litchfield NP, Darwin

As we headed north we visited the Adelaide River War Cemetery, with many graves of those killed in the 1942-43 air raids on the northern regions. It is very well set out and maintained, providing a very solemn yet tranquil place. On to Litchfield National Park where we camped for 2 nights at Wangi Falls, a beautiful spot but the mossies were really fierce hunting for quality southern blood and the humidity very energy sapping. Set off early next morning to explore some of the rest of the park – Tolmer Falls which has a lovely walk around...

Mar 28, 2013 - Wwoofing, Birthday, Dackel und selbstgebackenes deutsches Brot

25.03 angekommen in meinem neuen Zuhause werde ich von Hundegebell begruesst. Melissa und Steve haben 3 Dackel und einen Schnauzer (sehr vewoehnt, wie sich noch rausstellen wird) Ich habe mein eigenes Zi mit Doppelbett und eigenem Bad.(nach all dem Camping very nice)(-: Steve und Melissa machen von Anfang an einen sehr herzlichen und sympatischen Eindruck auf mich. Es war mal wieder eine gute Entscheidung. Melissa hat mir von Anfang an so nett gemailt und im wwoofing book die Beschreibung, dass die Hunde ihr Leben sind, dass sie gerne...

Mar 5, 2013 - Darwin, Australia

Darwin, Australia was so much fun. Even though it rained the whole time we were there and we didn’t get to experience Darwin the way we intended, we had the best host a backpacker could ask for. Our flight arrived at 4:30am and Frank, our host, said he would just leave the door open for us. The taxi driver dropped us off in the back of his house instead of the front so we couldn’t see an address anywhere. Well, one garage door was open so we took our chances and went inside. We were still unsure if we were in the right house so we started...

Jan 11, 2013 - Darwin Area -Mangroves and Mary River Park

We spent the morning in a mangrove habitat area looking for mangrove birds. We walked about two kilometers, through tidal marsh and mud to the mangroves. It was stinking hot and we were sweating like mad. We saw the Varied Lorikeet in the same tree as the Rainbow Lorikeet, so we were able to see the differences between the two species. We also saw the Long-tailed Finch, the Roufous-Banded Honeyeater and the Red-headed Honeyeater. We heard other mangrove birds, but were not able to pull them in to see. Afterwards, we dropped Denise off at...

Jan 10, 2013 - Fly to Darwin

At the last minute, we decided to fly up to Darwin to squeeze out some more Australian birds. Darwin is the capital of the Northern Territory and is located on the top end of Australia. We are going in the rainy season, so we know it will be HOT and WET! Our guide will be Denise Goodfellow. Chris contacted her for us while we were at sea and ensured she created an itinerary that would yield us the most birds in the short time we had. We got up really early and flew to Darwin, arriving around noon. We were ready to look for birds! We called...

Dec 6, 2012 - Preparing to hit the road...

Today marks 3 months since we first pulled up in Darwin, so preparing to hit the road again is almost just as much work as when we initially left home. Naturally this time we are much more aware of what we actually need and use as we travel. I think I have probably done a massive shift around of all things stored in the caravan at least four or five times. I wonder if i've got it right this time? Doubtful, as the weather changes so do our needs for different things in the van and another shift will be required. Planning to travel has...

Dec 4, 2012 - Home to Vic for a few weeks

In Darwin for over 8 weeks and finding it pretty boring/frustrating trying to entertain Max and Anna in the heat of the build up and without a car I decide to head back to Vic earlier than planned. We woke up nice and early to make it on our 7am flight. I was a bit worried about taking my two terrors on the plane without Dylan but thanks to some handy flying tips from a friend they were perfect! I kept waiting for the disaster to strike, but no dramas at all for the 4 and a bit hours of the flight. Just two perfect little angels happy to...

Dec 4, 2012 - A visit to the Royal Darwin Hospital

The kids and I flew home to Vic and within a week Dylan had sustained an injury (surprise, surprise) that landed him in the Royal Darwin Hospital Emergency Department. He went away on a fishing trip with Leigh, camping in the boat overnight at Four Mile Billabong. They had a great time and everything went well (except for them not catching anything, surprise, surprise!) until they were loading the boat onto the trailer. As it had been a fairly quiet boys weekend away Dylan decided to make things more interesting. He fell on the boat trailer...

Dec 3, 2012 - Wildlife Territory, Darwin, Australia

Hi friends, today we went on a hike in Darwin, Australia in the Northern Territory. It is at the top of Australia. It was very hot. The north of Australia is hot now & the south is cooler. In the US the north is cold & the south warmer. We are opposites. We saw some big fish called Barramundi that ate by blowing a big air bubble at it's prey. We also saw stingray that live in freshwater called whip rays. They look just like our sting rays back home. We saw some small fish that killed insects by spitting a stream of water at them! It was...

Nov 4, 2012 - Darwin

Overnight in airport, fly at 8:15am Sleeping was a bit fitful - woke to the sound of rolling luggage when airport fully opened at 4am. Easy check in, row 5 so took advantage of business class newspapers, ha! Very nice flight from cool Perth (22C) to sultry Darwin(35). I knew we were in a totally different environment from the past 10 months when I found that looking out the windows of the airport shuttle in Darwin I saw nothing which grabbed my attention enough to take a picture! In Darwin: Dingo Moon Backpacker Hostel which we had booked...

Oct 14, 2012 - more from Darwin

Six weeks in Darwin already, and almost 6 months since we left home! Time flies! Anna will turn one this Friday, 19th! She is walking all over the place hanging on to whatever she can hang on to and has taken a few steps on her own here and there so she isnt far off walking at all. Growing and changing so much, definitely turning into a little Max in looks and temper! Such a dag. She loves talking to Casey and Charlie, the two chocolate labs that we stay with. Spending the hot days in Darwin hanging out at the waterparks which are free!...

Sep 23, 2012 - Darwin

Almost 3 weeks in Darwin already! Weather is heating up, 30 degrees by 8.30 am now and only cooling down to around 22-24 overnight. Air con is getting a good workout in the van these days! We seem to have packed so much into our time in Darwin already! Dylan is busy working for MineTec everyday from 7-5. The kids and I get out and about for a walk with the new chariot and spend the rest of the day in the pool! Max absolutley loves swimming and is getting very clever in the water! We've been down to Mindil Beach Markets a few times now,...