DARWIN, CAHILLS CROSSING & MANNGARRE JUNGLE WALK
- Traveldriven
- Jul 20, 2017
- 4 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
CURRENT DARWIN FIVE DAY FORECAST
DRIVE DARWIN TO CAHILLS CROSSING
Darwin Tunnels &
Best Family Restaurant
Darwin is the largest city and the capital of the Northern Territory of Australia. To the north is the Timor Sea. Darwin's population is over one hundred and fifty thousand. Darwin is the most northern of the Australian capital cities. Two seasons, wet and dry. It's the wettest and smallest capital in population.
During World War Two, Northern Australia was bombed approximately 100 times by the Japanese. To safeguard from air raids six underground oil storage tunnels were completed before the end of the war. The longest, Tunnel 10, 184 metres. The tunnels are open to the public. Tickets are available onsite. Tunnel entrance on Kitchener Drive. A great way to avoid the hot daytime sun and take in some history. Darwin was devastated by Cyclone Tracy, on Christmas Eve 1974. 30,000 people of the population of 46,000 were evacuated to the southern states. Darwin was subsequently rebuilt into a modern city. Unlike many large cities Darwin is one of the easier to drive about for tourists.
On this occasion accommodation was in the multi-level Oaks Elan, in Darwin CBD. Reasonable rates. Great city views. Excellent service. Sign in room said never turn off air conditioning. Each floor level has natural flow through outside air.
Tims Surf & Turf restaurant is one of Darwin's gems. Open since 1994. In a small street, 10 Litchfield Street, it’s one of Darwin’s favourite dining spots. Meals are big and reasonable priced. Tim is often on hand. Steak, seafood or crocodile. Your choice. Read the 'Australia 2025' post for more about Tims Surf & Turf and his magic tricks.
Darwin & Colourful Hotels
I remember a 1990's visit to Darwin. A long solo drive from Victoria. Within a few days of arrival, I planned a quiet Sunday afternoon visit to the Nightcliff Hotel. In the Darwin suburb of Nightcliff. Upon entering the building there could be seen floor to ceiling chicken wire out the front of the empty stage area. In the half-filled public bar, there were patron's tossing the odd empty glass beer stubbie. A few breaking against the chicken wire and with the occasional small bar scuffle breakout amongst the locals. This all happening in early afternoon. Apparently, the hotels unruly reputation was well deserved back in the day.
Winnellie Hotel
The hotel is off the Stuart Highway on Winnellie Road. Not far from the RAAF Base. This is a hotel catering to working individuals. It serves cold beer on tap and lacks any elaborate tourist attractions. In fact, there often are no tourists to be seen. The interior is straightforward and rugged and parts within could do with some attention. Would not be outer place in any blue-collar inner-city capital in Australia. There is a bar semi-open to the outside at the rear of the hotel. The building is encircled by an industrial area. Behind the hotel, there used to be a Caravan Park, which was a convenient accommodation spot, offering shady date trees that sheltered flying foxes, (bats). However, the Park appears to have been replaced by industrial development, though the hotel continues to operate and welcome guests as of 2025.
Cahills Crossing
The crossing is located in Kakadu National Park and is approximately a three-and-a-half-hour drive east of Darwin on a sealed road. Cahills Crossing crosses over the East Alligator River. Or more accurately, allows vehicles to drive through the river on low tide. Bordering Arnhem Land. It's Australia’s most dangerous water crossing. I had been there twice before. Both times shortly thereafter fatal crocodile attacks had occurred. It is a popular fishing spot. There is a safe Crocodile viewing platform. A permit is required to cross the East Alligator River into Arnhem Land. I was told, risk an indigenous spear thrown through a window if no permit is displayed for all to see on the windscreen.
Manngarre Rainforest Walk
This is an easy loop walk of about one hour and follows much of the East Alligator River within walking distance of Cahills Crossing. I only partially did the walk. Along the riverbank. Meandering through a Monsoon Forest of scrub, vines and trees. Apparently, this area is home to the Scrub Fowl and the Drongo Bird. Metre wide crocodile mud slides frequent the river embankment. On a bend in the river and on the opposite side of the river were flat outcrops of rock with large saltwater crocodiles motionless on top. Their jaws wide open in the hot sun. Would not want to do the walk in crocodile nesting season. On this afternoon walk no other people were seen. No dogs are allowed on the walk. I understand why with frequent crocodiles in the wild proximity. Obviously, it's dangerous to detour from the walking track. The track is not an elevated boardwalk. Only a cleared dirt walking track barely wide enough for two walkers' side by side surrounded by scrub close to the river embankment. Who knows if crocodiles may be unseen in the leafy undergrowth between the narrow walking track and river? Also, crocodiles could be on the walker's right side of the track with the river to the left. Walk the track with due caution. The forest floor floods every wet season and is closed until the dry season.
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