To Broome and Back!: Day 40. Batchelor to Darwin. 20/06/2015

We left Batchelor this morning after a leisurely start to the day. We only had to travel less than 100 kms to our next stop just outside Darwin at Howard Springs. On our journey along the Stuart Highway we passed a huge military convey heading in the opposite direction. There were personnel carriers, tanks, large trucks carrying equipment and 2 semi-trailers that were hauling huge guns the likes of which we have never seen before. Don't know where they were heading but can only assume it was safe for them to leave Darwin! Along the way we saw a number of signs indicating WW11 air strips off the side of the road, and we even saw 2 airstrips, Strauss Airstrip and Satler Airstrip that ran directly alongside the highway. We will see more WW11 facilities around Darwin in the next few days.

We have another great site at the Howard springs Big 4 and there are plenty of big rigs here. I managed to just about take over the clothes lines with 2 loads of washing before we set off for the city.

Our first view of the ocean was exciting after 6 weeks of countryside. The azure waters of the Timor sea was very pleasing to the eye. We drove around the city centre and were very impressed with what we saw. The city is well presented and very clean. We found the Waterfront a very beautiful area with lovely gardens of lush lawns, frangipani trees, many stylish cafes, restaurants and bars. There was a swimming area that featured a beach with water activities, a huge wave pool, the wharf and above the cafes etc. there were multi storied apartments and hotels overlooking the very impressive Waterfront.

Directly opposite the Waterfront we found the first of the WW11 facilities that we could visit and soak up the history of the war in Darwin. The Safe Oil Storage Tunnels were constructed in November 1942 because 7 of the 11storage tanks built in 1924 that were built on Stokes Hill Wharf had been destroyed by the Japanese. The hidden oil storage tunnels were built into the escarpment bordering the city of Darwin by 400 Civil Constructional Corps labourers in secret digging the 171 meters of tunnel with picks shovels and hand-held pneumatic tools. The tunnels were built in the most horrific conditions with temperatures up to 32 degrees and with humidity at 90%. The project was one of frustration with many problems such as cave-ins hindering the completion. Ironically, the tunnels when completed were never used for WW11 war activities. The walk through one of the tunnels told the history of the construction and had many photos of the time of the bombing of Darwin and amongst the photos was the Post Office that was destroyed killing 16 people. We saw the memorial for these people at the Adelaide River War Cemetery.

Back to the park later in the day for dinner under the stars on a really lovely evening.