No Passport Series: Bali at home

With a geographical location in close proximity to the South East Asian island this certainly works to Darwin’s advantage when it comes to a Bali alternative. Tropical weather, palm trees, fragrant frangipanis filling the air and a laid-back no-rush lifestyle that will have you feeling relaxed as soon as you land. And no crazy traffic here, in fact the complete opposite.

The Lagoon Bar at the Mindil Beach Resort offers that swim up bar experience, synonymous with Bali resorts, for the ultimate unwind and the novelty of not having to leave the pool for a cold drink or cocktail. Or for that beach club experience you can meander down to INFINITY for a blissful day of lounging on the sunbed engrossed in a novel, swim in the glistening infinity pool with a famous Darwin sunset as the backdrop or take in the smooth tunes played daily while sipping on a cocktail or grazing on a sumptuous platter. Paradise.

Venture further away from the resort, or not, and you’ll find the South East Asian influence continues in the local markets as you pass by the amazing smells of Indonesian satays and Malaysian laksa’s, Asian greens, exotic fruits and stunning tropical flowers, you could easily mistake yourself for being in Asia.

Waterbomb Park in Bali is usually a drawcard for many holiday goers but Darwin has it’s own natural swimming holes, steeped in history and minerals and less of the chlorine. Experiencing a swim in these gifts from mother nature are genuine pinch-me moments as you are surrounded by the stunning scenery and soothing waterfall sounds. Litchfield National Park is home to many swimming holes (some open seasonally) including Florence, Wangi and Tolmer Falls and the fun cascading pools of Buley Rockhole, all easily accessible on a day trip from Darwin. There is also the salt chlorinated Wave Lagoon at the Darwin Waterfront which offers year-round safe swimming for all ages and rolls out 10 different wave patterns from gentle swells to waves up to 1.2 metres high, with boogie boards and tubes all supplied. There is so much to enjoy, taste, market shop and places to relax you will feel that complete r and r you would have seeked elsewhere, but in our own backyard.