Darwin, Lichfield Nationalpark, Territory Wilderness Park

From Cairns we flew to Darwin. On the way we could see numerous prescribed bushfires which are usually lit around this time of the year in the north of Australia just shortly before the Wet Season.

After arriving in Darwin we picked up our rental 4WD car for the next half of a year from the Darwin subsidiary of the Travel Car Center (TCC). First we went on a shopping spree for all the required camping gear and the necessary foods and liquids to sustain us for at least 2 weeks. Only this took us more then a day to accomplish, and certainly as well left a deep impression in our wallet.

From Darwin we set out to visit nearby Lichfield Nationalpark. This Nationalpark is famous for it's all year round spectacular waterfalls, swimming holes as well as some of the biggest termite mounds (cathedral and magnetic termites). Cathedral termites are known to build termite mounds of up tp 8 meters. The magnetic termites build smaller mounds along the north/south axis, so that their wide side is always exposed to the morning sun or the afternoon sun. That way they are capable to achieve a constant temperature within the mound all day long.

The water in the swimming holes is not only very refreshing, between 20 to 25 degrees warm depending on the season, but also absolutely clear. When it runs through the light red coloured rocks (Buley Rockholes) it is a sight to behold.

On the way back to Darwin we visited the Territory Wilderness Park. One of the most beautiful and interesting animal parks in Australia. It specialises in the locally present animals, including as well the introduced species. Especially the aviaries and the aquarium are very informational and beautifully layed out. Not to forget the Birds of Prey talk where teh beautiful Australian birds of prey can be viewed up close.

From here we went back to Darwin to refill what we used in the meantime as well as all the things we forgot during our first shopping trip.