Our power quandaries continued this morning. Although today, it was not due to the continual interruption to our power supply, but we did find out why the meter didn’t seem to be working as it ought to be. The maintenance bloke from yesterday came back, to let us know we were on the wrong site. Either that, or we were using the wrong bathroom. That fact had somehow been overlooked yesterday, and was only discovered today when he was on his morning bathroom cleaning rounds.

As it turned out, we had parked the van on one site, but were using the facilities for another site. Therefore, when we were plugged into the power supply that continually failed, we were only partly correct in our assumption that the meter wasn’t operating. The meter was actually working perfectly, it was only that we were in fact looking at the wrong meter. To make a long story short, we are now in possession of the key to the correct ensuite facilities and our power cable has been re-routed to the power point in our ‘new’ bathroom. The downside of this arrangement is, that no matter where we plug our lead in, the meter is spinning. So no more syphoning of power. We knew that deal was too good to last, especially since they checked both meters and have charged us accordingly for the power we have already used.

Hopefully, that will be the end of our electrical issues and our troubles will be over so we can settle into enjoying what Darwin has to offer on the outside of the caravan park. Before we were to find out though, we sat down to a hearty cooked breakfast, considering we had missed out on our regular Sunday fry up, because of our early start this week.

Then it was off into town, where we headed for the World War II Oil Storage Bunkers. After Darwin was attacked during World War II by Japanese bombers, 7 out of 11 above ground oil storage tanks were destroyed. To thwart any further effort to destroy Darwins oil storage, a series of underground tunnels were commissioned. Constructed by hand, the war was over before construction was completed. Due to the lack of ships berthing in Darwin following the war, there was no need for such a large amount of oil to be stored, and so the tunnels were never used for their intended purpose.

About to enter the tunnels.

This one we could walk along,

While this one is half full of water.

One arm of the complex is now open for visitors to walk through, taking you on a nearly 200 meter tour beneath the Darwin Central Business District. The walls of the tunnel are adorned with wartime photographs, but with no information about the construction of the tunnels, it was rather boring. Not to mention hot and stuffy, despite the cavernous breadth and height of the tunnel.

The tunnel complex is right across the road from the Darwin waterfront precinct, which we wandered about next. After having been touring inland since we left Townsville what seems like so long ago, this was our first view of the coast again. The waterfront precinct is a horseshoe shaped complex around a small central manmade beach, making it an ideal swimming spot, given that it is manned by lifesavers and is crocodile free. For the most part, the waters around Darwin are possibly inhabited by crocs, and therefore not safe for bathing. It’s such a shame, because some of the beaches about Darwin are among the best you’ll ever see.

Darwin Waterfront.

As we walked, we succumbed to the simple pleasure of trying some fresh gelato. Still not up there with the creamy Townsville delights, but still deliciously refreshing as the hot sun tried its best to turn our cups of gelato to liquid before we could finish them.

There was not much else in the area to hold our attention, so we returned to ‘The Beast’ via the Survivors Lookout, which looks out across the harbour where so much death and destruction resulted during the Japanese bombing of 1942. Over the road was the government precinct, where a number of buildings of note are located. Many have been here since before the war and survived both the bombing, and many years later ‘Cyclone Tracy’, they are obviously made of stouter stuff than newer buildings.

Whilst we were in town, we decided to spend some time shopping in the mall that makes up the centre of Darwin. The actual city centre is a compact area, centered around the mall. This is the main shopping area, with a variety of retail outlets, while one end of the mall leads to the financial district and the other is home to restaurants and hotels. Having covered this ground when we were here just last year, it didn’t take us too long to decide that there wasn’t much to see here, although I did stop to pick up a few bottles of beer. I’ve always said that when I am in Darwin, I am going to treat myself to a Darwin Stubby, a two litre bottle of NT Draught. There’s now three bottles taking up most of our fridge space, chilling down for when our visitors arrive next week.

Back at where we had parked ‘The Beast’ we elected to head straight back to the van. I was getting a little anxious about having left the dogs there, and my concern was that now that we were plugged into the site that had been continually throwing the safety switch, the power would be off again when we returned.

Thankfully, my fears were not realised, and we found the air conditioner still keeping the van cool for the dogs, while the TV was still keeping them company. Yes, I am now confident that we have this power struggle licked, and we can now go out, safe in the knowledge that the dogs (and the Darwin Stubbies) will still be cold when we return.

So, who’s up for a drink?

Until next time, stay safe, have fun and don’t forget to write.