Sunday 10 June 2012

161 - More On Darwin and Surrounds



Strauss WW2 airstrip

I have finally caught up with my posts. This one is all about the things we have not included in previous postings. Sure we still have a lot to do and see, and they will be posted as they happen.

On our way up to Darwin along the Stuart highway there is a lot of memorials and WW2 airfields. Most of the airfields are visible from the road, like the two going into Darwin....Strauss and Sattler. However all the way down the Stuart Highway there are off shoots to WW2 airfields. What is left of them is just a long strip of gravel, and unless they were marked, and some with history postings, to the uninformed, they just look like an alternate road.

The history surrounding these times during WW2 is quite fascinating. I didn't know that Darwin was bombed 64 times. Even though I wasn't even around during that period, just a twinkle in the old mans eyes, while he was on the Kokoda trail, it has only just come to light with me, after the 70th anniversary of the bombings.

One only has to move around the area, and it is easy to get caught up in the emotion and history of these times.
Cut outs of Spitfire Aircraft used extensively during WW2

Very emotional and moving part of our history

This is a mural down at the Darwin Harbour wharf

A service vessel in at Darwin Harbour

The Val on the wharf @ Darwin Harbour

Part of the development at Darwin Waterfront Precinct

As mentioned before, we took a lot of photos of this precinct, the wave pool and the swimming lagoon. As we lost those somehow, we will again take some more next time we head into town. That may not be for a while. Prior to that we are going to Litchfield NP, Mandorah, again visit Berry Springs and possibly Kakadu NP.

Stay toooooooned

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Gee you have been busy getting all your posts up to date. Good to see all your travels are happening. It is raining heavily as I write this on the outskirts of Wollongong. I bet you are having more fun than us.
Cheers

The Retro Roamers said...

Rain, what's that. As like every day. Twenty eight degrees clear and sunny skies.

Gee I wish I was in Woolongong (he he!!!!)

Stephen said...

If you get near Mt Bundy Station again, look up Doug, there.

Here's my post on our visit:

http://farcanal.blogspot.no/2011/08/2011-trip-mt-bundy-station.html

Cheers

The Retro Roamers said...

Thanks Stephen & Robyn

I will check it out.

Trust you are both well.

Cheers

P & w