michaelgD5273MG
19 Sep 2024
we did Kadua. , Litchfield Katerine gorge all brilliant , but as other people have mentioned they are very long tours , we did one per day ( BIG MISTAKE ) 6AM start at hotel 8/9 PM return , to early for hotel breakfast , couple of pee breaks on the trip up , maybe a muffin not long enough for 20/30 people to order a coffee, these locations are nowhere near Darwin and you will spend 70/80 % of that time on the coach , with a couple of swimming holes ( they were beautiful ) but by the time you walked down the track , got your swimmers on , one place had no facilities so we got changed out in the open on a rock , then get through the crowd jump in , its time to go , so be prepared with swimmers on already , the commentary along the way was informative , but a tad boring , as there is literally nothing to see along the way ,( flat burnt out vegetation , a few birds and the odd wallaby ( not roos ) so the driver does a good job of commentary about almost nothing , until you arrive at the highlights that are worth the long drive , Now here the kicker people if you do the three locations ,DONT do them separately (14 hour tours each trip) because there is only one highway up there , we saw the same stuff, same commentary, different drivers same blurb , we met a few that took all three but stayed in hotels up there (as they are all in the same region) cost is much the same but you actually can spend more time at the venues without rushing and no coach time , coming back into Darwin at 9 PM is pretty dodgy and nowhere to eat other than a dodgy Maccas. You will thank me if you take the advice they are great locations , long tedious drives
My excursion into the heart of Darwin offered a compelling glimpse into the city's rich history and natural beauty, yet was marred by an unexpected turn of events. The day began with promise under the guidance of Anthony, a tour guide whose depth of knowledge about Darwin's sites proved as expansive as the cityscape itself.
The tour's itinerary was thoughtfully curated, with the first half including visits to the Aviation Museum, the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, and the Botanical Gardens. The Aviation Museum's centerpiece, a massive B52 bomber, was nothing short of awe-inspiring. Equally impactful was the exhibit on Cyclone Tracy, which provided an eye-opening account of the event that reshaped Darwin's landscape and spirit.
As we journeyed through Darwin, Anthony's commentary enriched the sights, intertwining the visual experience with historical context and making the drive through the city an enlightening aspect of the tour itself.
The bus, our vessel for the day's adventure, was comfortable, and there was an ample supply of water—a much-appreciated detail that ensured hydration throughout the tour.
However, anticipation turned to disappointment when the second half of our tour, the eagerly awaited Jumping Croc experience, was canceled due to mechanical issues. This unforeseen glitch undoubtedly cast a shadow over what was shaping up to be a memorable day.
An additional concern was the size of the bus seatbelts. They were on the smaller side, which posed a discomfort for me, an oversight in inclusivity that could easily be remedied to ensure all passengers' safety and comfort.
Despite the setback with the crocodile tour, the first half of the day shone brightly, thanks to the insightful commentary and the variety of interesting sites. Yet, it's impossible to overlook the loss of what could have been the thrilling climax to our Darwin discovery.
In weighing the entirety of the experience, I would rate this tour a 3 out of 5. The tour provided a well-rounded introduction to Darwin's historical and natural wonders, but the cancellation and the issue with the seatbelts were significant drawbacks. With improvements in these areas, the tour has the potential to deliver an outstanding full-day experience for future explorers.