Darwin, Part 2, Northern Territory 🇦🇺 2025

Date: 29-30th July 2025 

Travelled: 50 kms around Darwin  

Visited: Darwin Oil Tunnels and Mindil Sunset Markets  

Stayed: Lee Point Resort CP, $62, S12.66613, E132.83534

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Starting the day with some cycling around Lee Point we make our way East to Buffalo Creek. No buffalos but we find a boat ramp and a couple of guy’s fishing. No fish being caught but it’s a pleasant place to watch the high tide ebb.

On the western side of Lee Point the cycle path looks promising but the concrete becomes gravel then a narrow dirty path with some sharp steep climbs before we decide enough is enough. We did manage to find Sandy Creek Observation Post a reminder of how close Darwin was to the front line of Australia’s defence in 1942.

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As the forecast is the same as every other day…broken cloud, sunny and 29º we decide on a drive into the city. It’s 15 kilometres to the CBD which takes about 15 minutes. There’s little traffic and we manage a shady parking spot near the entrance to the WWII Oil Storage Tunnels. That’s $4.50 on the parking metre and $10 pp entry fee.

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The first Japanese air attack on Darwin destroyed the oil and fuel storage depot in 1942. It was decided that an underground facility was required and work began on what was planned to be a complex series of tunnels that would be filled with fuel oil for fleet use.

Long story short the war moved on and a series of technical difficulties stalled the project. Work continued after the war and into the 1950’s, but a £1,000,000 later it was abandoned.

It’s an interesting walk through the remaining tunnels and the panels are interesting.

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After the tunnels we take a walk around the waterfront precinct but more about that in another blog.

Back at Lee Point for some relaxing around the pool before heading to Mindil Beach for the sunset markets. We find co-incidentally that everyone in Darwin has decided to go as well. We are lucky enough to jag a fabulous parking spot and wander off for dinner.

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The market is a bit of a mad-house and if we go again a camping chair so you could sit comfortably would be my tip. There’s a myriad of different food available, but getting a drink more difficult.

The high point is the sunset on Mindil Beach, amazing !

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Michael + Pam