An integral part of doing The Triangle is Cooinda. Cooinda – even though it is one of the more substantial dots on the map- is only an aboriginal cultural center, resort, and gas station. There is no town. Granted- it is a nice resort. Cooinda is known as the Home of Yellow Waters. All of the Wildlife Cruises on the Yellow Waters leave from here. Cruises run between 1.5 and 2 hours.
1 comment
A milestone corner of The Triangle, Jabiru is little more than a company town designed to support the local Uranium mining operation. It is also considered the entrance to Kakadu Park. The township is little more than a jumping off point for package tours and its amenities are basically limited to a Caravan Parks, a hotel, a travel agent, Council Office, Grocery Store, Café and Gas Station.
1 comment
Mary River Camp Ground and YHA-
Mary River is family outfit that is very professionally run. Blessed with a stunning country side, they have managed a very good back-to-basics wildlife and river retreat while adding the key ingredients of modern amenities like a restaurant/bar, cook your own facilities, a pool, spa, and a variety of sleeping accommodation to fit any budget. Half way between Darwin and Jabiru, Mary River YHA is about 1 km before you reach the Bark Hut.
No Comments
Australia is one of the easiest, most accessible and backpacker-friendly countries to visit. This high praise extends to accommodation options, as Australia has a hostel network that rivals that of Europe. Hostels are easy to find and offer an array of options, although dorm rooms are the most popular (and cheapest) choice. In the city, a dorm room will cost you up to $25 AUD. Expect to pay around $20 AUD in smaller towns. You can search and book Australian hostels here.
Other backpacker accommodations in Australia are cheap hotel rooms, which are generally above …
No Comments
Pine Creek, is basically the bottom corner of “The Triangle” (an hour north of Katherine and about 2 hours south of Darwin), and is a historic mining town. It has housed and currently houses migrant mining populations for the last 100+ years as world markets for Gold and other precious metals rise and fall. The town itself is worth a gas stop at least and even a night or two to explore the area and look into some of the historical sights. I must say to me the funniest bit, as well as most intriguing in this dry country- is the “Water Garden” that is right in the middle of town. Standing at the sign denoting the Garden’s boundry- the area looks still, dry, and barren- at closer inspection- there is actually a series of lagoons and wildlife hidden away in plain sight.
1 comment
As an add on, the manager of the Bark Hut happens to be a local biologist. Yes folks not only can he make a foaming cup of Nescafe…he organizes wildlife safaris and specialty fishing tours. Tom Starr runs Wild Plains Safari’s. They specialize in small group tailor made trips to Mary River National Park and Arnhemland.
No Comments
More than a quarter of all backpackers to Australia come from the United Kingdom, bringing pounds and education with them. As a result, more are shifting away from the crowded, dirty hostels and into luxury mansions that are sometimes rented out to 20 or more people. Elderly residents (understandably) are concerned about the backpacker migration from the ’slums’ to the ‘upper crust’ and are pushing for tougher zoning measures and crackdowns on illegal housing. From Pommie backpackers shun hostels for harbour mansions
No Comments
