The White Hot North; Darwin, Litchfield, Katherine and Kakadu.

 The White Hot North

Darwin, Litchfield, Katherine and Kakadu. 

This last week has been an absolute blast. We got to experience life in Darwin, Northern Territory—and all that comes with living in the land of hazard. Between the crocs and sharks in the water, the relentless sun, and the sizzling heat, adventure here always comes with a side of risk. Death honestly feels like just another neighbor in these parts. But the people are kind, and the community is strong. Out of the Northern Territory’s 260,000 people, more than half—148,000—live in Darwin.

I snapped a lucky shot at Mindil Beach that I still can’t believe I got. The sunsets here are stunning. Watching the sun melt into the horizon has become a nightly ritual for tourists and locals alike, and when the last sliver of sun disappears, everyone claps. It feels almost ceremonial.

 The beach is tempting—soft sand, turquoise-blue water—but dipping more than your toes is a dangerous game. On our first day, we sheepishly got our feet in, just enough to feel the warm, refreshing water. But here, swimming comes with a River Styx vibe: crocs and sharks claim the shoreline, too. That’s why, despite Darwin’s average 33°C heat (and a wet season that’s basically soup), only the brave or risk taking adrenaline junkies dare to swim. Before the monsoon, locals brace for “the build up”—a stretch of unbearable humidity. Everyone carries a water bottle and a wide-brim hat, and sunscreen is non-negotiable all year round. 

Despite the hazards, we had a fantastic time. We went to a rodeo in Noonamah, where we saw every type of Northern folk and their trusty “utes” (short for utility vehicles, pronounced yoot). Out here, a ute is what most people drive, especially at places like Cahill’s Crossing, where the tide floods the road and crocs just happen to hang out. We didn’t make it out there, but in our little rental car, we wouldn’t have stood a chance anyway.

With our step cousin Nicole at the Darwin Mangroves. 

Litchfield 

We picked up a rental and headed south to Litchfield National Park. The landscape is rugged, clinging to life with red dirt, towering termite mounds, palms, and scrubby bush. The drive is a constant reminder that this is still wild country: animal skeletons dot the road, and everyone warns you not to drive between dusk and dawn. The curious animals that wander onto the highway—kangaroos, wallabies, foxes, even horses and cows—don’t always make it out alive. I was shocked to see so many big animals as roadkill.

We also spotted “road trains”—semi-trucks pulling two, three, sometimes even four trailers. They rumble along at 110 km/h, not quite the 130 km/h speed limit, but fast enough that swerving to avoid a cow would be catastrophic. Suddenly, those “wandering livestock” warning signs made sense.

We cooled off at Bluey Rockholes, a cascading set of waterfalls and swimming holes that was pure heaven on a 36°C day. But the short hike to Florence Falls hit me hard—I’m really sensitive to heat, and by the end I was dizzy, nauseous, and shivering despite the temperature. I tried jumping into the water to reset my system, but it didn’t help much. Thankfully, Dom got us back to Darwin, where I bundled up in a sweater, slept it off, and woke the next day feeling like I’d had a hangover. Though I recovered and didn't have anymore episodes, it was brutal. 

Bluey Rockholes before I got heat sickness.

Katherine and the Discovery Park

Katherine is a small rural town that became our base for exploring Kakadu. Fun fact: Katherine actually has a peanut legacy. Russian Cossacks settled here in the 1930s to farm peanuts, and in the 2000s the Peanut Company of Australia turned it into a hub for large-scale production. These days, tourism and agriculture keep the town going.

We stayed at Katherine Discovery Park, which completely exceeded expectations. I braced myself for “trailer park cabin” vibes, but our place felt more like a cozy cottage on stilts—complete with kitchen, bathroom, two bedrooms, and a lounge. The pool was steps away, and honestly, it was my favourite accommodation of the trip. Around the same cost as a hotel, but 1000 times better. Highly recommend.

This was our 'cabin'. All around the park had birds and every sunset was to die for. I guess the sunsets are really a theme of this adventure. 

The pool side!

Kakadu is massive—too big to do it all in a short stay—but we managed Sweetwater swimming holes, which took almost the whole day and were absolutely worth it. The hike involved scrambling over giant rocks, but that’s exactly why it’s safe from crocs; they don’t venture up there, especially in the dry season when the rivers run too low for easy travel.

We also visited Katherine Gorge for a late lunch and some… interesting gelato. (Buckwheat chocolate? Never again.) Australia does a great job offering vegan options, but that one missed the mark.

On our last day in the Northern Territory we went to Berry Springs. This spot was gorgeous! It is a On our last day, we stopped at Berry Springs, just 2.5 hours from Darwin. The hot springs-fed pools were a perfect 25°C, with three different spots to swim and plenty of space for picnics under shady trees. Locals float on pool noodles, kids splash around, and the whole scene feels like the perfect exhale before heading back to the city.

I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves. 

Stay tuned for next week which will cover Blue Mountains!