Darwin to Uluru - Central Australia: Adelaide to Darwin - page 308

Top End and around the world − monsoon vine forest, the mangroves and coastal plants
habitat, boabs and a magnificent collection of native and exotic palms and cycads.
Many of the plants here were traditionally used by the local Aboriginal people, and
self-guiding Aboriginal plant-use trails have been set up − pick up a brochure at the
gardens' information centre near the Geranium St entry. You'll also find birdwatching
brochures and garden maps here too.
The gardens are an easy 2km bicycle ride out from the centre of town along Gilruth
Ave and Gardens Rd, or there's another entrance off Geranium St, which runs off the
Stuart Hwy in Stuart Park. Alternatively, bus 7 from the city stops near the Stuart Hwy/
Geranium St corner.
Myilly Point Heritage Precinct HISTORIC SITE
OFFLINE MAP GOOGLE MAP
At the far northern end of Smith St is this small but important precinct of four houses
built between 1930−39 (which means they survived both the WWII bombings and Cyc-
lone Tracy!). They're now managed by the National Trust. One of them, Burnett House
OFFLINE MAP GOOGLE MAP ( www.nationaltrustnt.org.au ; admission by donation;
10am-1pm Mon-Sat) , operates as a museum. There's a tantalising colonial high tea ($10) in
the gardens on Sunday afternoon from 3.30pm to 6pm between April and October.
DARWIN IN…
Two Days
Start with breakfast at Four Birds ( Click here ) or Roma Bar ( Click here ) , while flip-
ping through the Northern Territory News. Take a stroll downtown and through Bi-
centennial Park ( Click here ) . Don't miss the high-tide action at Aquascene ( Click
here ) and as the afternoon warms up, head down to the waterfront precinct ( Click
here ), stopping for a dip in the Wave Lagoon ( Click here ) . As the sun sets, make
your way to Mindil Beach Sunset Market ( Click here ) , packed with food outlets,
buskers and souvenirs.
On day two, hire a bike and head out to the Museum & Art Gallery of the North-
ern Territory ( Click here ) . Continue your coastal jaunt to the East Point Reserve
( Click here ) and the Darwin Military Museum ( Click here ) . At night, hit the bars
along Mitchell St, or find a quite waterfront restaurant at Cullen Bay and catch a
movie under the stars at the Deckchair Cinema ( Click here ).