Thought I would put up some photos of Trips that can be done in the Top End of the NT, using Darwin as a base.
Contrary ro popular belief, there are plenty of spots to visit and places to see during the wetter months. Naturally, some of the big ticket locations are closed for the season, but one should not be deterred from visiting and touring at this time of the year. This is the'Green Season'.....everything is lush and the bush seems alive and thriving. Us locals ( well not really local in my case, only 37 years here, so got a way to go yet before being considered a local....) love this time of the year. The sound of rain on the tin roof, thunder and lightning, cacophany of green tree frogs, cicadas and fruitbats day and night.....ah the serenity !
The mould on the walls, the dampness on the bedclothes, the impossibility of getting washing dry, the sticky door jams, well we all forget these annoying things because the Monsoons bring cool ( relatively speaking ) overcast days and the horrors of the Oct - Dec 'buildup fade into the distance.
For the fisherman, the 'Wet' means the renewal and continuation of the Barramundi breeding cycle ( and of crocs ! )
This season is shaping up to be a rippa ! I've recorded 600mm of rain since Dec 17th ( and its raining as I type ). last year started out promising too with huge totals in december 2015 followed by near record dry conditions for the rest of the year. Normally we get 3 monsoonal bursts that last about 5 to 7 days each per season, its not uncommon to have dryish weather between bursts and if the visitor gets the timing right there are some great Trips to be had. so far our current burst has lasted nearly 2 weeks.
But anyway enough rabbiting on, i know we only ever log onto Forums to look at photos, so I'll post some up
To give you an idea of the power of our 'Wet'. This is a pic of Manton Dam about 60klm south of Darwin, built during WW2. Dec 2015 pic.
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And 2 days later....
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Easy drive down the Stuart Highway to the spillway. Stocked with Barra, but the fishy blighters I find a bit elusive. 20 years ago there was a nice BBQ spot, grass and a swimming beach, but the whole thing doesn't get ant money spent on upkeep nowadays so its all a bit rundown. Still, if water skiing is your thing, its allowed on the dam, and I dont think the occaision croc siting deterrs hard core skiers
Manton Dam is an ideal place to call into on the way to Adelaide River and or Litchfield Park
Adelaide River has an excellent genuine dinki di Territory pub, with the famous .303 Bar ready willing and able to serve cold beer and hot meals. And goodness gracious me, I have played up a time or 3 here in my youth haha....!.Out along the Old Stuart Highway ( now called the Dorat Road ) is a magical tucked away slice of heaven called Robin Falls. Bitumin all the way from Darwin and only 15klm from Adelaide River. Car park can and does get washed away so a high clearance vehicle is a good idea. Place pumps in the 'Wet' !
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And quite often you have this place all to yourself ( Boxing day 2015 )
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There were some decent river flows Dec 2015 and the Adelaide came up again this week.
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One of my favorite fishing spots out on the Adelaide River is at Tortilla Flats, the site of a former Government research farm. 80klm run south along the Stuart Highway towards the town or the same name, then 16klm of good ( providing its not too wet ) gravel to the River ( The Mt Ringwood Road ). Hmmmm water a bit too high....lol !
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There is a causeway 40' under here......
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Hmm no fish ( or crocs ! )
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When the water receeds, this is a good fishing spot.
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Bring it on !
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