48-Hours in Darwin

This time, Greer delves a little deeper into a city on home turf: Darwin! Her guide is Flight Centre consultant Itimai, who has a show-stopping 48 hours lined up, including stunning Top End scenery, unique fusion cuisine and yes, catching sight of a crocodile – watch out Greer!

Tune in Sundays at 3.30pm on Channel Ten or stream at tenplay.com.au.
 

A QUICK LOOK AT 48 HOURS IN DARWIN 

Day 1

8am Darwin Waterfront

Darwin is a city with a surprisingly layered history and culture. There is no better place to begin than on the waterfront, once a solely military frontier, today a bustling beach precinct filled with excellent restaurants and bars. It’s here where Greer meets local Flight Centre consultant Itimai Kamkulna, her local guide for the next 48 hours. They leave behind the historic Oil Storage tunnels and locals swimming laps for their first destination, for which they head to the airport.

9am Sweets Lagoon

Taking off from Darwin Airport, Greer and Itimai board a seaplane for a scenic flight over the city to Finniss River, southwest of Darwin. This region of rich wetlands is renowned for its fishing and wildlife, including, of course, crocodiles. After landing on the river, Itimai and Greer board a boat to cruise down the river to where it meets the sea at Fog Bay. Keeping their eyes peeled for wildlife, they’re lucky enough to find Otis the crocodile and a few of his friends, as well as spotting eagles and kangaroos. To ensure they really get a feel for how remote and immense this wilderness wetland is, they jump onboard a scenic helicopter flight to follow the river to the sea and watch how the flora blankets the land, before setting off in the seaplane back to Darwin.

12pm Little Miss Korea

After an action-packed morning, Itimai takes Greer to one of his favourite lunch spots, Little Miss Korea. A barbecue restaurant with a modern take on a la carte dining, Little Miss Korea is just one of a growing number of excellent Asian eateries in Darwin.

2pm Aboriginal Bush Traders

Following a filling Korean barbecue lunch, Itimai takes Greer to the Aboriginal Bush Traders to learn about the local culture and history. Situated in the historic Lyons Cottage in the heart of Darwin, this not-for-profit attraction is designed to give visitors a unique, authentic experience of the region’s rich culture and history. Tour guide Beck takes Greer and Itimai through the gallery, pointing out artworks by prominent and emerging artists from the surrounding areas, while chef Zach at the onsite cafe teaches them about bush tucker, and Noah shows them how a didgeridoo is made and played.


4pm Mindil Beach

A trip to Darwin wouldn’t be complete without visiting the renowned Mindil Beach Sunset Market. Home to over 300 stalls, the markets serve up delicious street-style food while performers wow the crowd as the sun sets over the ocean.


9pm Trader Bar

The final stop for the day is a new hotspot in Darwin. Housed in an old Darwin home, this funky espresso and cocktail bar is just one of an increasing number of lively new places to down a pint in the NT capital.

Day 2

7am Nightcliff Markets

You have to be up early to beat the heat in Darwin, and there’s no better place to start than at the Nightcliff Markets. Another hotspot for authentic Asian cuisine, Nightcliff Markets also have great coffee stalls as well as an array of artisan crafts and wares.

8am Litchfield National Park and Buley Rockhole

After fuelling up at the markets, Greer and Itimai set off for another day of adventure. Litchfield National Park is renowned for its spectacular waterfalls, swimming holes and massive termite mounds. Itimai takes Greer to both Buley Rockhole and Florence Falls to cool off from the harsh morning sun.

11am East Point Reserve

Returning back to Darwin in time for lunch, Itimai takes Greer for a quick stroll around East Point, a beautiful reserve distinguished by its unique, vibrant rock patterns and formations.

12pm Hanuman Restaurant

Lunch today is again at one of Itimai’s favourite Darwin eateries, and a restaurant Greer has heard so much about. Hanuman is the brainchild of chef Kr Jimmy Shu, the man behind Melbourne restaurants Monsoon, Shakahari, and Isthmus. Jimmy’s team of chefs at Hanuman hail from all over the Asian continent, creating a unique, authentic blend of flavours at the restaurant that’s hard to come by in Darwin.

2pm Crocosaurus Cove

Itimai may have found the perfect post-lunch exercise for Greer – swimming with crocodiles! Crocosaurus Cove, home to some of the largest saltwater crocodiles in Australia as well as the world’s largest display of Australian reptiles, is a must-visit when in town. Hold baby crocodiles, visit turtles and check out myriad fish species in the freshwater aquarium. The main event, however, is the Cage of Death, and Greer and Itimai jump in the water for what is Australia’s only crocodile dive!


4pm Sunset Cruise

Darwin is renowned for its epic sunsets, so of course 48 hours in Darwin deserves a harbour cruise. Greer and Itimai meet skipper Leslee and board the yacht to watch the sun set over the harbour and city.


8pm Lola’s Pergola

An action-packed day wouldn’t be complete without a unique and vibrant dinner destination. The sunset cruise doesn’t just take Greer and Itimai back to the harbour, it takes them straight to Lola’s Pergola. This quirky local hotspot is a carnival-themed restaurant and bar run by local personality Kitty Kat and her husband Mulga.

Day 3

7am De la Plage

The perfect setting for their last breakfast together in Darwin, Itimai takes Greer to De la Plage, a laidback beachfront cafe at Casuarina Beach Reserve. Serving breakfast through to sundowner drinks, including a fresh offering of salads and over-filled baguettes, Greer and Itimai settle for coffees overlooking the clear blue waters, reflecting on what an adventurous, inviting town Darwin has proved to be.
 

 
A
Creative Studio
Production
 
Flight Centre
Presents
 
THE 48 HOUR DESTINATION
 
Series Created & Produced by
Luke Wheatley
 
Executive Producers
Darren Wright & Jason Wolff
 
DESTINATION: DARWIN
 
Featuring
Greer Gardiner
 
Guest Featuring
Itimai Kamkulna
 
Written and Produced
Luke Wheatley
 
Directed by
Luke Wheatley
 
Director of Photography
Simon Christidis
 
Production Manager
Jessica Holmes
 
Product Leader
Kyla Fraser
 
Tourism Manager
Sally Mcfadyen
 
 Sound
Alicia Eames
 
Offline Editor
Georgia Mackay
 
Online Editor
Digby Hogan
 
Assistant Editor
Katherine Chediak
 
Colour Grade
Digby Hogan
 
Sound Mix and Master
Ross Batten
 
Animation
Georgia Mackay
 
Asset Design
Georgia Mackay
 
Illustration
Danika Catchpole
 
Post Producer
Kait Ferguson
 
Executive Post Producer      
Nicole Manns
 
Produced in Association with The Empire Post
 

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