The Mindil Beach Sunset Market is a "Must Visit" for any tourist in Darwin. The market or it is more like a carnival, opens only on Thursday and Sunday evenings during the dry season from May to October.
At Mindil Beach, there is literary something to make everyone happy, whether it is food, music, things to do, arts and crafts, or just watching the sun set.
We start with food, since I am a hardcore foodie :P
The gorgeous meat on the grill that I suggested to everyone who asked me for a recommendation. Clouds of hissing perfumed fumes rise as dripping fat trickle on to the white hot coals. In the end, I didn't eat this myself - enticed away by more choices as we browsed the sprawling market.
Local game meat, if you are game enough. Crocodiles are common in the rivers and billabongs (ponds) of tropical Australia. Water buffaloes are also well established in Australia's top end.
We tried the oysters from the oysters and shrimps stall. The oysters from South Australia were great - fresh, juicy and plump.
My stomach was filled by these Asian style grilled BBQ seafood. Savoury flavours, plump and juicy octopuses, squid, mussels, scallops and prawns. There were several stalls selling these grilled yummies.
My fav food of the day was this Pork Hock Meal. Savoury, moist and tender meat with crispy skin.
There are many arts and craft stalls - more than food stalls, actually. This stall selling toy aeroplanes crafted from used beer cans is just one of the many interesting craft stalls. Other craft stalls sell paintings, quilts, beads, carvings and many more.
At Mindil Beach, you will be tempted to play with the simple toys and games that once amused you greatly.
Pause and be mesmerised for while by a beautiful rendition of "Evita" by the beach.
Be moved by the awesome drums and didgeridoo performances. Inspired merry makers dance to the rhythmic music spontaneously.
Enjoy your food picnic style on the narrow grassy strip between the stalls and the sandy beach.
Or you can choose to picnic on the sandy beach while waiting for the sun set.
Frolicking on the beach as the sun dips over the horizon into the Indian Ocean.
Some of the hottest action at Mindil Beach starts only after the sun set.
Aknowledgement: My visit to Darwin was graciously supported by Northern Territories Tourism Australia and Singapore Press Holdings.
Mindil Beach Sunset Market
Address:Mindil Beach off Gilruth Avenue (near the Darwin casino)
GPS: 12.448687,130.829336
Hours: Thursdays 5:00pm to 10:00pm. Sundays 4:00pm to 9:00pm. (Opens only during the dry season from May to October)
Date visited: 25 Aug 2013