Sunday, 25 November 2012

Cullen Bay Marina and the East Point Military Area

Friday 16^th November 2012

Cullen Bay

Cullen Bay Marina and the East Point Military Area

Cullen Bay Marina

After leaving the tunnels MrJ and I drove down to the Cullen Bay Marina area, leaving the Darwin CBD behind to follow the unit and apartment lined road that winds down to the marina. The units were on the left and a 10mt high rock wall was on the right. At the marina we found a car park where we left the car and ventured on foot. The first thing that I noticed was that the commercial strip resembled more of Sanctuary Cove on the Gold Coast in Queensland with its cafes and shops. Some of Darwin's most recognized and frequented cafes and restaurants are situated here such as Yots and The Boatshed and Buzz Cafe which is where MrJ and I decided to have a burger for early lunch at not so light prices. Cullen Bay Marina which was built in 1988, has around 100 craft; large tourist ferries (the ferry to Mandorah leaves from this marina), fishing charter boats, overseas visiting yachts and local yachts in its berths at any one time. Mandorah is a sleepy town and secret getaway with the Darwin locals.

Driving away from Cullen Bay MrJ and I travel along the coast where possible out past Fanny Bay and the new Lake Alexander which provides free swimming and playground facilities, with a safe beach, bike tracks, BBQ and picnic areas.

We continue on East Point Road out to East Point (funny about that) and the former East Point military area. The drive through to East Point was amazing especially with the bright orange coloured flowering trees lining the road

The military structures are listed in the Register of the National Estate. Of major historic significance, the area provided the last major ‘fortress’ built on Australian soil and is a reminder of a prominent element of Australia's only battleground. East Point played a particular role in the naval strategy of Australia and Britain.

The gun emplacement precinct comprises much of the north eastern section of the peninsula. The area includes 150mm and 230mm gun emplacements and a plotting room.

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the magarzine

The main sites are easily linked by walking tracks and comprise examples of early sites from the build up period to the post-bombing period.

today there is a riding school nearby

In the 1960s the Royal Artillery Association commenced work on the artillery museum, which was eventually opened in 1969. This small but interesting military museum mainly displays the WWII history including the 'Bombing of Darwin' by the Japanese. The aviation and naval sections followed in 1972 and 1974.

After the War the East Point area continued to be used by the military. Its chief use at this time was for horse stables.

The low lying coastal cliffs at East Point consist of sedimentary rock commonly known as Porcelainite which has been naturally eroded largely by wave action from the ocean to form horizontal to undulating cliff faces of varying colours.

Over seventy years ago, the concerns of Captain Nurse were expressed and still the cliffs are steadily disappearing as the erosion continues. With the erosion some of the wartime relics have toppled into the sea and more are not far from joining them.
Little is known of the cliff top observation and machine gun post other than there were were two constructed in late 1941, early 1942 as a response to a perceived threat of Japanese invasion. The erection work on the post was done in a rush using whatever materials that was available including galvanised iron and timber for forming.
The post comprised of two reinforced concrete structure, one has already been taken by the sea while the other barely sits on the cliff top just waiting to be taken.

Take a look at the two photos of the site; one is the information board at East Point with a photo taken in 2005.

My photo was taken today. How long before there is nothing left?

Nowadays the gates to East Point close at 11pm allowing the visitor to experience the delight of a magnificent sunset and the city’s nightlights from this vantage point. MrJ and I were not hanging around till then; I had some shopping to do on our way home. In the supermarket we could relax and cool off under the aircon.

night begins in the marina

Friday, 23 November 2012

The World War II Oil Storage Tunnels

Friday 16^th November 2012

The World War II Oil Storage Tunnels

MrJ and I were very lucky to get a loan of Alison’s car for a few days we used this opportunity to do a little more sightseeing in comfort. It was Friday I needed some items from the shops but before going shopping MrJ and I drove back down to Kitchener Drive at the Waterfront Precinct to take a look through the World War II Oil Storage Tunnels. What an interesting place to see. Going underground, inside the old tunnels in the dull light and damp conditions was a bit spooky but also a real treat and the aie temperature was a lot cooler underground.

The old photos that lined the old steel wall reminded me of the photos that my dear old dad had collected from his WWII Darwin and Territory days.

My dad served in the RAAF (Royal Australian Air Force) during that war, he did all of his war time in the Northern Territory helping to build and maintain the airfields and transport. He was in Darwin at the first bombing and in the Territory during consequent bombings sothese war photos and stories are of a special interest to me.

The World War II Oil Storage Tunnels were built during WWII by the Civil Construction Corps beneath the cliffs of Darwin city. Following the bombing of the fuel oil storage tanks at Stokes Hill on 19 February 1942 in the first Japanese air raid, engineers began looking at British government designs for oil storage tanks in underground tunnels secure from aerial bombardment.

In 1943 contractors Johns and Waygood began work on a series of tunnels running under the escarpment. The tunnels were, on average, designed to be about 15m underground. The longest tunnel, Tank 10, was nearly 200m long. Pipe headings connected the rear ends of the tunnels to an underground pumping station.

The tanks were designed to hold distillate, diesel and furnace oil. A camp was set up nearby for about 40 workers but estimates of the total manpower required were as high as 400 men. Conditions were tough and contrary to their expectations the men were not paid above award wages or overtime. As a consequence industrial action slowed the construction pace.

The tunnels were lined with concrete and thin steel to prevent cracking under bombardment creating a virtual tank within a tank. By November 1944 the tunnels that still exist today, 1, 5, 6, 10 and 11 had been lined with welded steel sheeting. Despite these precautions, it became apparent in 1945 that the tunnels leaked. As water seeped between the steel lining and the concrete walls, corrosion set in.

Various solutions were attempted but with little success. By the end of the war, estimated costs for the entire project, if completed, would have been well in excess of £1,000,000. In the 1950s, tunnels 5 and 6 were used to store jet aircraft fuel for the RAF and RAAF. After about three years and a period of heavy rain the whole system became inoperable because of seepage and was not used again. The World War II Tunnels were reopened in 1992 as a public place of interest to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Bombing of Darwin.

we stopped and chattered with the gate keeper on our way out

Tuesday, 20 November 2012

Darwin Waterfront Precinct

Thursday 15^th November 2010

Darwin Waterfront Precinct

MrJ and I decided to catch the local bus into town; the bus services in Darwin run to a good schedule and the timetables are easy to follow. We thought that we would do a walk down to the waterfront and out to the old wharf, Stokes Hill Wharf where during the Vietnam days in the 60’s HMAS Attack, the ship that MrJ while stationed on would come alongside. The day was developing into a scorcher that neither of us where prepared for as we set off down the road. To our surprise MrJ and I discovered a whole new Waterfront Precinct with parklands, a swimming lagoon, a wave pool, a huge seawall and several tall apartment buildings with cafes and shops on their ground floors.

The Darwin Waterfront has a significant and varied history for the many different cultures that have helped to shape it. The area was home of the Larrakia people, who for centuries traded with the Macassans, the site of early Malay/Chinese settlements and was the site of the original landing of European settlers who waded ashore and camped in the ‘gully’ by Fort Hill. The area was the site of the first bomb to land on Australia during World War II and the site of the first public gardens. The railway came from Frances Creek to the jetty with a station near Stokes Hill and where Travelers’ Walk marks an old path used to walk from the early camp to the escarpment.

Today the Darwin Waterfront Precinct is a place to unwind, have fun and enjoy your surroundings. Parks, gardens and picnic areas featuring tropical landscaping are there for the enjoyment of the public. Built to complement the parklands are two swimming lagoons the Wave Lagoon and the Recreation Lagoon.

The Recreation Lagoon has a sea wall designed to protect the entire site from a 1:100 storm surge captures a permanent body of water providing for swimming and other water-based activities. Water is pumped in from the sea and the water quality is maintained through mechanical flushing and mixing. Mesh screens are in place to prevent marine stingers entering the first part of the lagoon and there is a stinger net providing more protection on the beach side. Lifeguards are supposed to regularly drag and monitor the water and night spotting for marine stingers is carried out weekly. The Darwin Waterfront Corporation takes all reasonable steps to ensure the lagoon is free of marine stingers but there is no 100% guarantee. A natural eco system exists including fish, algae, and Cassiopeia jellyfish. All play an important role maintaining a healthy environment. Some large fish live in the outer lagoon, at times they have brushed up against swimmers. These fish eat the jellyfish and are needed them to keep the numbers down. If swimming with fish isn’t your thing you to swim on the beach side of the stinger net, they are kept out of this area. The Recreation Lagoon is free to use and lifeguards patrol the water seven days a week.

The Wave Lagoon is a safe stinger and crocodile-free wave and swimming lagoon where fees are charged and covers an area of 4,000 square metres. Included is a shallow still water area for toddlers. The water is chlorinated salt and the lagoon has a concrete bottom. The wave lagoon is capable of a range of different waves up to 1.7 metres in height providing a range of experiences for all users. Waves run on a cycle with a ten minute break in between.

Like all outdoor activities the Wave and Recreation Lagoons are affected by weather. From October to May wet season storms can pose a danger. Both lagoons will be evacuated if lightning is close by. If thunder is heard within 30 seconds or less after a lightning flash, lifeguards will evacuate both lagoons.
Public art has been integrated amongst the buildings, amenities and public space, celebrating the diverse cultural influences of the area.

Jipiyontong (Jabiru) 2008 a piece done in cast aluminium and italian glass tiles by artist Janice Murray who is from Milikapiti. The work depicts the Jabiru, a bird found on the Tiwi Islands. The designs in the work are drawn from traditional body designs (Jilmara), used during Pukamani (funeral) ceremony. Tiwi birds are a common subject for the artist and reflect the totemic significance and abundance of birdlife on the islands. Janice’s traditional county on the island is Tinganu, an area to the far East of the community.

Gapu Guya 2008 (Gapu = water, Guya = fish) is a ceramic print on glass by artist Wukun Wanambi (b. 1962) is a part of the Marrakulu Clan, who are responsible for saltwater imagery that has not been painted intensively since his father’s death in 1981. Wanambi learnt the sacred designs of his father from elders in 1997.

low tide at Fort Hill Wharf

MrJ and I spent a little time exploring the parks and swimming lagoons before walking along the seawall between the contained water and the open harbour to what is known as the Fort Hill Wharf where HMAS Sydney and Customs Ship Ocean Protector were alongside. The nice security guard at the gate was not going to let us in. From here, in the now broiling sun’s heat we return along the seawall to continue along the walkway out to Stokes Wharf and past the old Pump House which has been renovated as a restaurant overlooking the sea.

In 1923 the Royal Australian Navy moved from coal to fuel oil and the following year construction began on four oil storage tanks in Port Darwin as a part of building a new oil refueling station. Darwin became an important site within the national program of naval defence. A critical part of the refueling station was the Darwin Pump House which was completed in 1928. This building housed two main oil pumps manufactured by Kelly & Lewis in Melbourne and two G&J Weir feed pumps built in Cathcart, Glasgow. These were powered first by steam, and then later by electricity. Oil was pumped out of tankers, stored in the nearby tanks and pumped out again when vessels required refueling. In 1932 five more tanks were built with a further two completed by December 1941. On 19 February 1942, only days after Singapore surrendered to the invading Japanese army, the storage tanks were bombed in the first aerial bombing raid on Darwin Harbour. Successive bombing raids destroyed more tanks until by June 1943 only the No. 8 tank remained intact. The Pump House itself suffered only minor damage and the technology survived well into the post-war period. The Pump House and the remains of the storage tanks set into Stokes Hill are key elements in an understanding of the history of the Port.

Stokes Hill Wharf

most of the cafes on the wharf open for sunset and evening times

Stokes Hill Wharf is primarily a historical tourist precinct with a number of dining facilities on the wharf itself. The history of the Wharf dates back to the early 1800s with the arrival of European settlers. On 19th February 1942, the Japanese bombed Darwin, with the Wharf bearing the full force of the invasion. Many ships and amphibious planes were sunk and many people lost their lives. The Wharf Precinct continues to be one of Darwin’s most popular venues among tourists and locals alike, managed by the Darwin Port Corporation and strategically located within the Darwin Waterfront precinct. The wharf remains a working wharf for smaller marine industry users and large cruising yachts. Harbour cruise vessels are moored at the wharf with facilities provided to embark and disembark passengers. A fishing area is popular with locals and visitors and this is where MrJ and I came across a young man camped with blow-up mattress, camp stove, and backpack with his fishing lines already in the water.

The wharf area was the stage on which many crucial scenes of World War II were played out. Even before Japan joined the War the small sleepy town of Darwin, that in 1938 had about 3000 residents took on a new character as the military buildup of infrastructure and personnel began. On 12 December 1941, a week after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Cabinet issued the order for the civilian evacuation of Darwin. Over the next few weeks about 750 women and children were evacuated south on the Zealandia, Koolama, Koolinda, Montoro and the American ship, General Grant. The decision to evacuate civilians was timely. At two minutes to ten on the morning of 19 February 1942, Japanese aircraft from the same attack group that had bombed Pearl Harbor, struck at Darwin sinking eight of the 47 ships anchored there. At the wharf, the Neptuna was in the process of unloading her cargo: 200 depth charges with a very large quantity of anti aircraft shells for the Navy and Army. A bomb struck the angle corner of the wharf, blowing a locomotive and trucks into the sea. The Neptuna exploded and more than 50 of the ship’s company were killed along with 22 civilian wharfies, many from longstanding Darwin families. In the chaos and confusion, some men showed enormous courage and presence of mind. They rowed small boats out through the burning oil to rescue injured sailors.

Darwin harbour on a New Moon low tide - 7mts difference between low and high tides

looking down on the parkland and lagoon from the top walkway

It was a very hot day and MrJ and I were still wandering around in it. We wandered back to the parkland where we found the new walkway back to the city. A dedicated walkway has been developed linking the Darwin Waterfront Precinct to the Darwin CBD via a pedestrian bridge from the end of Smith Street over Kitchener Drive and joining with a glass-sided lift. . Much shorter than the roadway and easier on the old body!

Sunday, 18 November 2012

Babe - Pig on a Mission Comes Out of the Water

Monday 12^th November 2012

preparation work at home

Babe - Pig on a Mission Comes Out of the Water
MrJ and I were to help our friends Rob and Alison to get their boat Babe through the lock and out of the water at the Dinah Beach boat yard.

Skipper Rob First Mate Alison Deckie MrJ

getting chains and slings in place

Babe gets a lift

all set up on her concrete blocks

The Dinah Beach Cruising Yacht Association is situated on the banks of Sadgroves Creek just 1km from the Darwin CBD it is a unique and friendly club. Dinah Beach originated in the early days of the pearling fleets operating out of Darwin. Luggers were careened here roughly at the point where the entrance to the club is now situated. After WWII, pearling began to decline and a few intrepid yachties began to drag their boats ashore where the luggers had once been. There, among the mangroves, our founding members built and repaired their boats and created the spirit that has pervaded our club ever since. The Association was formed in 1982; the club now boasts a membership of over 1000 and offers facilities to both local yacht owners and visiting boats. From these small beginnings, the facilities were conceived and developed by members past and present, some of who have become life members and whose names are inscribed on the guttering beneath the tarpaulin roof of the club. The covered area is named The Song Saigon Bar, after the Vietnamese vessel which brought boat people to Darwin in the 70's and was beached here for a while. A sea-container was converted into a serving area and serviced the club for many years. The Dilly Baggins Bar, in one corner of the covered area, is a transom, salvaged from the former careening beach and crafted by a former Commodore, Peter Dermoudy and volunteer helpers. The bar is named after the only dog known to have been admitted as a member of a waterfront club in Darwin. The dog, owned by one of our members, was smuggled onto Darwin Sailing Club premises in a dilly bag and was proposed as a member under the name Dilly Baggins. The dog caused no suspicion and the Club unwittingly accepted its first four-legged member.

Friday, 16 November 2012

Darwin in Photos #1

Darwin in Photos #1
Saturday 3^rd to Saturday 10^th November 2012
Okay I have not been doing much writting, but I do have a lot of photos - so here goes...........................

safely behind the locks

old pearl lugger

anyone wanna buy a tour boat

sunrise in the marina

Bits of Darwin CBD

Darwin Mall is the heart of Darwin. Even though most retailing and industry have relocated, Smith St Mall is the tourist centre and original CBD

I have not been in Darwin since 1996 and am amazed at the changes that have happened over the years - sailing in, the tall buildings now dominate the skyline , they were not there before - such a cosmopolitan city these days - this is called progress.

The Victoria Hotel or The Vic as it is commonly known

is a heritage listed pub located in Darwin.

Built in 1890, it is an important historical building

and tourist attraction of inner Darwin.

Water Bearer by Irene Kokkinos. A delightful figure that symbolises the hard work of the Kalymnian Mother. It was the gift of Darwin's sister city of Kalymnos, many of whose inhabitants migrated to darwin from this Greek island in the south eastern Aegean Sea. The statue was erected on 23 April 1982 opposite what was, at the time, the entrance to the Greek Consulate.

Darwin Tourist Information Centre - For maps, planning tools, bookings and free advice.
Corner of Smith & Bennet Street, Darwin City

Duck About Tours offer Darwin tourists
the chance to tour Darwin by land and sea on their unique amphibious vehicles

Lyons Cottage, located on the corner of Knuckey Street and the Esplanade, Darwin, was built for the Eastern Extension Australasian and China Telegraph Company Ltd in 1925.(the successor of the British Australian Telegraph from 1873)
The cottage was the residence of the company engineer and built from 'hammered stone'. It was the first stone building constructed in Darwin for 30 years and local stone was used to construct this unusual and unique domestic design.

Marina Life

birds at sunrise

brilliant sunsets

walks along the creek

visiting friends

Parap Village Markets

Every Saturday morning the Parap Village Markets entice and delight with bustling colourful life. A treasured institution since 1982, the Parap Village Markets house a diverse gathering of stallholders who set up under shady trees, awnings and umbrellas to sell their wares.