Day 51

Hayes Creek - Adelaide River - Darwin

"and the colours, colours,colours
Well they just fade themselves away...."

Love a Mindil Beach sunset!

We were on a mission today to get to Darwin and make the most of a Sunday in a top end town. The kids were hell bent on going to the Leanyer water park that we spent a lot of time at last time we were here. They got their wish!

We left Hayes Creek at 9am and drove up to the Adelaide River. We stopped in at the War Cemetery for a look around - beautifully kept - and then drove on up the Stuart Hwy.

On the way up the Stuart, a skippy decided that it would run the gauntlet against the White Lightning rig - luckily he played chicken first (right at the last second) as I was sure that we'd cleaned it up with the van and I'd be hosing skippy off the duco!

We off loaded the vans at Howard Springs where we are stopping for the next few nights, had lunch and hi tailed it into the water park at Leanyer. I'm sure you could hear the screams of delight when we pulled into the carpark!!

We had to drag them all off the watersides to dry off so we could head into Mindil for the markets and the sunset.

The markets are always a hive of activity - from the backpackers flogging goods that they've got in Bali and driven up from Byron, to the local artists and jewellry makers, and all types of foods on offer. It's hot too being over 30 degrees so that adds to the enjoyment. The beach is the getaway and by 6pm everyone stats massing on the beach to watch the sun finish its work for the day.

After sundown the kids cracked whips with Mick the whip maker and had a great time wandering about all the hustle and bustle of the market nightlife.

Colours of the sunset were not as spectacular tonight as we've seen previously - but hey - we are in Darwin, in the sun and its not cold rainy Sydney!

More Darwin fun tomorrow!