Adelaide River and the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair

We continued our venture north to Adelaide River from where we planned to day trip to Darwin to catch the final day of the much talked about Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF).  Throughout the Kimberley and now our early foray into the Northern Territory, we had been getting to just about every Indigenous art gallery along the way.  We had not only been learning more and more about Aboriginal art and appreciating the different styles from region to region, but were continually being advised that a trip to DAAF was unmissable. At the DAAF this year, there were to be over 40 Indigenous art centres showcasing their works, as well as many of the artists and various demonstrations, including pandanus weaving which Tracey had developed a keen interest and appreciation for. 

Our stop in Adelaide River was Mt Bundy Station, a working cattle station just on the outskirts of the historic town. We had a nice shady spot under an absolutely enormous fig tree.  We were warned not to venture too close to the river as salt water crocs were frequent in the area.  Instead we cooled off in the pool and got up close to some of the station work horses. Plenty of mozzies here. 

August 11 was the final day of the DAAF and an early start got us into Darwin around 10am. The Fair was down at the Darwin Convention Centre an area that we would spend a bit of time during our stay in the Top End's biggest city. The boys promised not to nag whilst we were browsing through the various art centre stalls. They had a few games and plenty of food to keep them busy.  We had also promised them a visit to the wave pool if they behaved.  Rubes was keen to see a bit of the art work and accompanied us around.  We picked up a hand woven pandanus basket from Injalak in Arnhem Land and had resolved to travel there for a visit once in Kakadu, arranging a permit, we were told, was fairly easy from Jabiru and whilst there we could do a hill top tour of some spectacular rock art.  The great advantage of the Fair is to see so many stunning pieces under the same roof, but also to have a huge variety of art from different regions, reflecting the diversity of Indigneous art today - dot painting to rark to weaving, totems and screen prints. It was well worth the effort and we were eager to visit some of the art centres on our travels that we had come across exhibiting at the Fair. 

So much to see, but after nearly 2 hours the boys were becoming impatient and it was time to move on. Next stop the wave pool which was fun for all.  We felt guilty for forgetting the sunscreen and all got a little pink around the edges in the tropical sun. Our drive home had us hunting in vain for cold beer, which is not so easy to find in the Top End on a Sunday.  Alas we finally found a case of cold Corona to take back to camp.  The kids all slept en route after a long day out in Darwin.