Day 6
Today I returned to Burnett House on Myilly Point to see the interiors. The architect, Beni Burnett,is credited with being one of the first architects to design appropriate housing for Australia's tropical north.
To do this he used the system of cross ventilation by natural means, mostly louvred walls which can be opened.
The result is a lovely light, airy house with spacious rooms and stunning views over the bay. I particularly liked the verandah with the gin already prepared; could see myself as a colonial !
There are some signs of its age such as bullet holes in the louvres, pieces of a Japanese bomb in the garden and so on, and whilst it looks completely idyllic it must be remembered that some building practices such as the large asbestos content, have only been recognised as a danger in later years. It is however, beautifully kept by the National Trust.
From here I went to Darwin's waterfront. As in many towns and cities the old docks are being redeveloped with luxury hotels, boutique restaurants and shopping, but it also has a lagoon with a beach free to all with lifeguards, shady grassed areas and cafes. There is also a large wave pool; very popular indeed!
The cathedral is relatively very small, very modern, and I thought, beautiful in its simplicity.
On both sides of the church were huge glass windows overlooking tropical gardens and I don't think it's too fanciful to wonder who needs stained glass windows when the real thing is right outside?
Having completed my tour of Darwin it was time to return to the hotel and relax by the pool under the palms,
and wait for sunset.
Day Seven
My flight was at midday so had time to pack and relax and think about all the things I have seen this week. The journey on the Ghan was truly unforgettable, giving something of an insight as to the size and nature of the continent, and some idea of the enormous tasks achieved by the early pioneers. Returning from the Botanical Gardens I walked along the Stuart Highway, now a major road but still the main road north to south across Australia, and wondered what it must have felt like back in the 1860s to have finally broken through to the coast. To have rebuilt a city when, after Cyclone Tracy, only 400 houses remained, is testament to the pioneering spirit still living on in the "top end". Darwin to day is full of backpackers making their way round the country, buying and selling very old campervans (yes I was tempted!) and cars and making impossible journeys. It is lively, go ahead and very easy going. Nearly 30 % of the inhabitants are Aboriginal and art galleries and craft shops abound. (As do the copies selling cheap tat.) However this also means that the Aboriginal population is much more visible and it becomes easier to see some of the problems facing them and the Australian country as a whole as they try to accommodate each other's way of life.
I have had a marvellous week and just feel so lucky to have been here.
On the flight back I actually saw more of the red centre from the air. (Going up it was much greener than I expected.) Again it is possible to appreciate the huge size of Australia and the vast distances between settlements. Then it was "home" again to Adelaide.
Today I returned to Burnett House on Myilly Point to see the interiors. The architect, Beni Burnett,is credited with being one of the first architects to design appropriate housing for Australia's tropical north.
The result is a lovely light, airy house with spacious rooms and stunning views over the bay. I particularly liked the verandah with the gin already prepared; could see myself as a colonial !
There are some signs of its age such as bullet holes in the louvres, pieces of a Japanese bomb in the garden and so on, and whilst it looks completely idyllic it must be remembered that some building practices such as the large asbestos content, have only been recognised as a danger in later years. It is however, beautifully kept by the National Trust.
From here I went to Darwin's waterfront. As in many towns and cities the old docks are being redeveloped with luxury hotels, boutique restaurants and shopping, but it also has a lagoon with a beach free to all with lifeguards, shady grassed areas and cafes. There is also a large wave pool; very popular indeed!
The cathedral is relatively very small, very modern, and I thought, beautiful in its simplicity.
On both sides of the church were huge glass windows overlooking tropical gardens and I don't think it's too fanciful to wonder who needs stained glass windows when the real thing is right outside?
Having completed my tour of Darwin it was time to return to the hotel and relax by the pool under the palms,
and wait for sunset.
Day Seven
My flight was at midday so had time to pack and relax and think about all the things I have seen this week. The journey on the Ghan was truly unforgettable, giving something of an insight as to the size and nature of the continent, and some idea of the enormous tasks achieved by the early pioneers. Returning from the Botanical Gardens I walked along the Stuart Highway, now a major road but still the main road north to south across Australia, and wondered what it must have felt like back in the 1860s to have finally broken through to the coast. To have rebuilt a city when, after Cyclone Tracy, only 400 houses remained, is testament to the pioneering spirit still living on in the "top end". Darwin to day is full of backpackers making their way round the country, buying and selling very old campervans (yes I was tempted!) and cars and making impossible journeys. It is lively, go ahead and very easy going. Nearly 30 % of the inhabitants are Aboriginal and art galleries and craft shops abound. (As do the copies selling cheap tat.) However this also means that the Aboriginal population is much more visible and it becomes easier to see some of the problems facing them and the Australian country as a whole as they try to accommodate each other's way of life.
I have had a marvellous week and just feel so lucky to have been here.
On the flight back I actually saw more of the red centre from the air. (Going up it was much greener than I expected.) Again it is possible to appreciate the huge size of Australia and the vast distances between settlements. Then it was "home" again to Adelaide.
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