Australia > New Year's Eve in Darwin

Around seven o’clock, we gather again by the bus. It is New Year’s Eve. Today, we leave Kakadu National Park once more, but this time via the opposite side from where we entered the park two days ago. We drive towards Pine Creek. A few kangaroos watch us leave. These are rock kangaroos, or “euros,” as Ann calls them. After a bathroom stop, we arrive at Pine Creek and join the Stuart Highway heading towards Darwin. At the Adelaide River Inn stands Charlie, the famous water buffalo from the movie Crocodile Dundee. The animal died in 2000 and is stuffed and displayed in the bar. Outside lies a stuffed crocodile measuring five meters long. Here, you can clearly see the enormous size of a saltwater crocodile. Around noon, we enter Litchfield National Park. Litchfield National Park lies in the Tabletop Range, a sandstone plateau from which several rivers and waterfalls originate. Along the road, there are impressive termite mounds. The so-called cathedral termite mounds reach a height of four meters. On the opposite side of the road lie the magnetic termite mounds. These mounds are built by the termites in a north-south direction, so the sun shines less on them. A few kilometers further are the Tolmer Falls, the highest waterfall in Litchfield National Park. From the lookout point, the 40-meter-high waterfall is clearly visible. Large colonies of orange leaf-bat bats inhabit the caves around the waterfall. Because of this, swimming near the waterfall or entering the caves is prohibited.

Australia - Swimming at the waterfall in Litchfield National Park

However, at Florence Falls, swimming is allowed. I descend via the stairs to the base of the waterfall. I put on my swim trunks and jump into the water. It’s wonderfully refreshing. Many locals also come here for a swim. At the end of the afternoon, we drive back to Darwin via the Stuart Highway. Around half past four, I arrive again at the Travelodge hotel, where I stayed a few days ago. On New Year’s Eve, a festival is organized at the Waterfront in Darwin. There is music, a light show, and fireworks. At seven o’clock, we walk to the harbor. Music can already be heard from various cafés. At the Waterfront, there is a line for the public elevator to the lower harbor area. We have to wait a little before reaching the festival grounds. It is lively and busy here. Families picnic on the grass while a band plays on a stage. Behind the stage, by the water’s edge, people wait for the light show. It is not entirely clear whether the show starts at half past seven or eight o’clock. Everyone sits on the ground waiting. The temperature tonight is still thirty degrees—a nice temperature. The show turns out to start at eight o’clock. To the rhythm of the music, a show of water fountains, colored lights, and laser projections follows. After the show, applause breaks out. I go looking for something to eat.

Australia - A light and water show during the New Years festival in Darwin

Around the festival grounds are several food trucks, all with long lines. I join the line at a hamburger and hotdog stand. I strike up a conversation with an Australian father and son. They recently moved from Perth to Darwin. The son studies computer science. He complains about how few IT opportunities there are in Australia and how hopelessly behind they are. The line moves slowly. On my Australian friends’ recommendation, I order an Aussie hotdog with cola. Alcohol is not allowed on the festival grounds. There is a lot of police and security personnel present to enforce this. Alcohol can be consumed on the terraces of the bars and restaurants. Fortunately, there is still a free table. At nine o’clock, the fireworks begin. These early fireworks are mainly for the children present. A ten-minute show serves as a prelude to the new year. After the fireworks, a real exodus begins. Families with children leave the festival grounds while a DJ tries to get the remaining crowd moving. Many people sit or lie in the grass listening to the music. Honestly, I expected it to be busier. Only close to the stage is there dancing. As the clock approaches midnight, more people settle on the grass. Laser lights count down the last seconds. Everyone counts along. A big fireworks display bursts into the sky. 2024 has begun. After the show, the festival grounds empty. I also return to the hotel. On the way, several people wish me a “Happy New Year.” I quickly take a shower and dive into bed for a few hours.

Australia - At midnight the new year is celebrated with fireworks in Darwin