We spent 3 nights enjoying Douglas Hot Springs. Arrived on the Saturday-to a very busy camping ground. After checking out the water-I could see why! Cool water running down the Douglas River meets, the boiling hot water of the thermal springs!! Just amazing, when you find the right spot-you can be the perfect temperature. It is also relaxing to sit in the hot water, until you cannot stand it any more than jump into the cold water! We spent the 4 days exploring and checking out the water, being lazy for hours in the hot water. The kids all loved it here- they were able to hang at the springs on their own, and spent many hours laughing and chatting in the warm water-only really coming back to camp for food.

Craig tried his luck at fishing, and managed to bag himself a 59cm barramundi!! Coen and I enjoyed the walk up the river, and although Coen didn't catch anything-he had a ball throwing his lure for hours. We walked a fair way up the river, it was magnificent-quiet, peacefull and unspoilt by people.

Craig ended up cooking the fish for entree, fish bites, deep fried in batter!! Perfect. Gave all 10 of us a taste-but left us all wanting more.

Next day again spent doing much of the same-lazing in the water and exploring. Craig and I walked up a different part of the river, and Craig spotted a 2meter freshwater crocodile, enjoying the river too.

The Monday, 1st July was Northern Territory Day, so Barb and I decided we would head back into Darwin (for a day trip) to check out Mindil Beach Markets on NT day. Of course all the kids wanted to come-and Craig and John decided to stay at the hot springs. (Aden stayed too). We ventured off-arrived in Darwin 2 hrs later, did some shopping-then headed to Mindil Beach. It was a great road trip, and Mindil Beach was packed with people enjoying the atmosphere of NT day. The markets were great-we ate ourselves sick! We headed down to the beach, plonked ourselves down, and were entertained by the one of the best fireworks shows I have ever seen! On Territory Day- you are able to buy your own fireworks, and let them off between the hours of 6pm-11pm!! It was insane-fireworks just going off everywhere!! Of course we had to join in the fun-and bought a few fireworks to let off too!! It was a real party atmosphere-i am beginning to see-they do things differently in the Territory!! We didn't drag ourselves away from Mindil Beach until 930pm-so didn't make it back to camp until 1130pm-too late to set off our fireworks.

The next morning was a slow start, and we woke to a dark sky and ash falling around us. We didn't think much of the orange glow in the sky, and headed down to the hot springs. Barb and I had not long finished telling the kids we need to do some school work, when the Rural Fire Brigade arrived and told us we had to evacuate-due to a bush fire that was going to jump the river!! We packed up in record speed ( you can imagine our stuff everywhere after 4 days) and we headed to Darwin. It was a bit nerve racking -with the sky a funny colour and smoke smelling strong.