06/07/2019
~~~ HOMESCHOOLERS GUIDE TO DARWIN ~~~
~ With Learning Areas Addressed ~
English:
Books:
A War at Home, Tom Lewis
Chronicles the Japanese bombing of Darwin in 1942
Darwin Sayonara,Tom Lewis
A children's novel set in WWII Darwin and centred around its historic events.
Hell West and Crooked by Tom Cole
the autobiographical account of life in the Outback during the 1920s and 1930s
Movies:
We Of The Never Never
Crocodile Dundee 1-3 (family fun: some mild swearing)
Australia (older teens only)
Science:
Territory Wildlife Park: https://territorywildlifepark.com.au/ (40mins from here). Leave by 9.30am so you don’t miss the Flight Deck Bird Show at 11am. There is a later one at 2pm. Feeding the Sugar Gliders is also fun (11.45am bookings required + $15). Don’t miss the walk-through aviary and Monsoon Forest. Finish off the day at Berry Springs (open for swimming in May): a beautiful and natural warm-water pool just a few minutes drive from the park.
MagNT: This is a free museum and includes displays about the environment, wildlife and geology of the area: https://www.magnt.net.au/
Learn about crocodiles at Crocodylus Park https://www.crocodyluspark.com.au/ or Crocosaurus Cove. Crocodylus includes a small zoo with various animals from around the world, plus they do Jumping Croc cruises. Berrimah, about 15 mins drive from Rapid Creek.
Learn more about crocs at Crocosaurus Cove, which is in the CBD and includes lots of native wildlife displays of mostly reptiles. Presentations held during the day: http://www.crocosauruscove.com/
Feed the tropical fish at Aquascene during high tide, touch them and learn the species names: http://aquascene.com.au/fish-feeding/
Book: Birds & Animals of Australia’s Top End: excellent book with colour photos for learning about the birds, reptiles and animals of northern NT.
Humanities and Social Science:
Both of the following museums are highly recommended. They both include the war history of Darwin with stunning immersive, interactive, multimedia experiences.
Defence of Darwin Museum: http://www.defenceofdarwin.nt.gov.au/
RFDS: https://www.rfdsdarwin.com.au/
As well as science displays, MAGNT also has geography, history, Aboriginal arts and a fascinating Cyclone Tracy display, with a recording of the wind: https://www.magnt.net.au/
Darwin Chinese history museum and temple: https://www.chungwahnt.asn.au/
Heritage listed Burnett House: discover how families lived in Darwin during the 1920-50s https://www.nationaltrust.org.au/places/burnett-house/
The Arts:
There are hundreds of Visual Arts, Theatre and Music performances around the Darwin area between April and October, including ethnic group festivals which are mostly held at the Waterfront.
Darwin Entertainment Centre: https://www.yourcentre.com.au/ #!/events
Darwin Symphony Orchestra: https://www.dso.org.au/
Brown’s Mart: theatre and cultural events: https://www.brownsmart.com.au/
The Darwin Festival in August: https://www.darwinfestival.org.au/
Aboriginal Visual Arts gallery: http://www.aaia.com.au/
Events In Darwin Website: https://northernterritory.com/darwin-and-surrounds/events
Waterfront Ethnic festivals and more: https://www.waterfront.nt.gov.au/events/
Darwin Fringe Festival (note: not always family friendly): https://darwinfringe.org.au/
Health and Physical Education:
Suggested cycle or walking trails from Rapid Creek bnb. We are one of the few bnbs with bikes available:
1. Cycle to Lee Point (12km return). Most of this trail is shaded and lovely and cool. Cross Rapid Creek Bridge, ride up past De La Plage and follow the trail for the Nudist Beach, turn right at the spectacular Mangrove Boardwalk, then follow the signs for Lee Point through the rainforest where you will see plenty of birds and butterflies. Take water with you. Caution: the stones on the Lee Point track are small and round and if you break too hard on your bike, you will go head over heels (as I did!). Best go slow on this track.
2. Cycle to the Foreshore Café (4km return) for a coffee or breakfast, lunch or dinner. Continue on around Nightcliff Foreshore via the Jetty to where the cycle track ends at Nightcliff shops and Woolworths (total 8km return from the Airbnb).
3. Cycle to De La Plage (4.5km return) in the morning (open 7 days), order your coffee or cold drink, and sit on the hill under the trees overlooking the ocean. Alternatively, cycle there for dinner (Weds, Fri and Sun) and watch the sunset from the same vantage point.
Swimming:
Drive to Berry Springs Nature Park and enjoy swimming in the picturesque 30-33C water temperature all year.
Waterfront, Wave Pool and Big Buoy Park: This safe to swim beach is enclosed by crocodile and stinger nets. https://www.waterfront.nt.gov.au/
Sailing:
Fannie Bay sailing club has small sailing boats for rent during the Dry Season: https://dwnsail.com.au/ Contact them to book.
Languages:
Yolgnu is the most common Aboriginal language of the Darwin region. Dictionary here: http://yolngudictionary.cdu.edu.au/
