Humpty Doo is located in the rural area surrounding Darwin, approximately 40 kilometres from the centre of town. It is one of the oldest areas of Darwin, with many large properties and farms, and serves as a service centre for the rural district. Those looking to tee-off will enjoy Humpty Doo’s nine-hole golf course, set amid picturesque rural surrounds. Travellers also love to see Humpty Doo Service Station’s big boxing croc.
Known as Victoria River, Victoria River Crossing and the Victoria River Inn, this tiny settlement is located on the Victoria Highway 194 kilometres west of Katherine. The settlement itself is little more than a roadhouse and campground, but the scenery along the highway as it winds past immense escarpments split by the might Victoria River ranks as some of the most stunning in the Territory. The area’s colourful scenery features grassy plains, boab trees and majestic gorges carved out of sandstone escarpments.
The settlement of Nhulunbuy is approximately 600 kilometres from Darwin, on the eastern-most tip of the Gove Peninsula. The Gove Peninsula encompasses nearly 100,000 square kilometres of land owned by the Yolngu Aboriginal people, and is famous for spectacular beaches and great fishing. Fishing is the most popular activity in Nhulunbuy as The mangrove-fed waters of the Peninsula are jumping with all types of prized tropical species. Several charters and fishing tours are available. The Garma festival is a celebration of Yolngu culture that takes place every August, and it is considered one of the most important indigenous festivals in Australia. Nhulunbuy was built in the early 1970s to service the bauxite mine managed by Nabalco. If you plan to travel by the Central Arnhem Road to Nhulunbuy, you will require a permit from the Northern Land Council.
Mandorah is a tiny settlement on the western side of Darwin harbour. The 20 minute ferry trip from Cullen Bay to Mandorah provides unique views of Darwin’s beautiful harbour. Once at Mandorah, many day-trippers head straight for the local pub to enjoy its stunning views, barra and chips, and quintessentially laid-back character. Fishing at the ferry jetty is a popular pastime, especially during the dry season, when mackerel and tuna come within casting distance.
Located 300 kilometres south of Katherine, Dunmarra is a small settlement on the historical Overland Telegraph Line. Today, the town is little more than a roadhouse providing fuel, motel accommodation, a caravan park and other services to travellers. An interesting story is associated with the area’s name. Overland Telegraph linesman, Dan O’Mara, disappeared in the region in the early 1900s. Drover Noel Healy established a cattle station here in the 1930s and discovered O’Mara’s skeleton in the bush. The local Aboriginal people couldn’t pronounce ‘O’Mara’, and their attempts sounded more like ‘Dunmarra.’ This lead Healy to the name of his station. There is a monument to the Overland Telegraph Line beside the Stuart Highway south of Dunmarra, dedicated to Sir Charles Todd, Postmaster, General of the Province of South Australia, 1872.
Oenpelli is an Aboriginal community on the eastern border of World Heritage listed Kakadu National Park at the base of the Arnhem Land escarpment. Being part of Arnhem Land, travellers wanting to visit Oenpelli require a permit before visiting. Permits can be obtained from the Injalak Art and Craft Centre. An open day is held annually in August or September, when travellers can visit freely and enjoy cultural activities without a permit. Gunbalanya is the Aboriginal name for the Oenpelli settlement (with was originally a mission). The area includes the flood plains of the East Alligator River that are covered by water from December to April and a rocky sandstone plateau rising up to 200 metres above the plains. Local artists work is displayed in the Injalak Art and Craft Centre. Walking tours are also available around Injalak Hill, a site rich in ancient Aboriginal rock art paintings.
Noonamah is a small town just 46 kilometres from Darwin. The Darwin Crocodile Farm is located here and you can view over 7,000 crocodiles and American alligators. Noonamah was first settled during World War II when the army set up a series of airstrips and depots in the area. Despite being bombed by the Japanese, the airstrips still remain to this day.
Elliott, the halfway point between Darwin and Alice Springs, 250 kilometres north of Tennant Creek, is predominantly a service provider to surrounding pastoralists. The town has a population of 700 and was named after Army Lieutenant Snow Elliott who established an army staging camp in the area for northbound troops during World War II. Prior to this, Elliott was just ‘Number 8 Bore’ on the massive Newcastle Waters Station. Kulumindini is the traditional Aboriginal name for Elliott and the town lies on important Dreaming tracks. Educational walks through the Jim Rennie Memorial Park, organised through the Elliott Council, offer insight into the area’s indigenous heritage. Elliott has a well kept nine-hole golf course, and a quick round or two is a popular way for tired travellers to stretch their legs. A range of accommodation is available.
Seven Spirit Bay is one of the most remote wilderness lodges in the world. Situated in Garig Gunak Barlu National Park on the Cobourg Peninsula in Arnhem Land, Seven Spirit Bay’s stunning location is legendary. It is closer to Indonesia than it is to most Australian cities. Guests arrive at the Seven Spirit Bay Wilderness Lodge by a chartered plane to luxuriate in upmarket accommodation while enjoying the unique bird, marine and wild life and tropical environment of the Coburg Peninsula. The resort’s guestrooms have been designed to ‘let nature in’ while delivering the height of civilised comfort. The Lodge organises activities such as fishing, bushwalking and bird watching while a world class chef delivers fine dining experiences for breakfast, lunch, dinner and every meal in between. Despite all the trimmings, one of the highlights of any stay is viewing of one of the Top End’s million dollar sunsets.
Palmerston is a dynamic city offering all-modern facilities and a great base from which to explore the Darwin region. Palmerston is located just 22 kilometres (or a short 25 minute drive) from the centre of Darwin and has a population of 23500. Palmerston is the site of the Australian Army’s Robertson Barracks, purpose built for the First Brigade as part of the Army Presence in the North Project. There are several large shopping centres at Palmerston and a pleasant 18-hole golf course. The surrounding rural area has many mango farms and the Kakadu Mango Winery is located in town. Using only the world’s best Kensington Pride mangoes, these unusual wines have a delightful tropical ambience. Another popular attraction is Marlow Lagoon, a picturesque lake and park, which also offers an area for off-leash dog walking.