Darwin Harbour

Stuff the lawn mowing, washing, vacuuming, dusting and all the other things that have not been done around the house for the last 12 months, 5 knots of wind and an early afternoon low wins. Launched at East Arm Ramp and made my way through the maze of markers, boats, moorings and floating infrastructure across East Arm.

 Although it’s only been 6 weeks since last on the harbour it is changing rapidly. It looks like a new channel has been put into a new wharf under construction at the port in between Shelly Island and the old boat ramp. Channel markers already in position. Be carefully around Shelly Island as there are lots of poles sticking out of the water now!

Made my way across to Wickham Point and while the weather was great could not find any fish so made my way to West Arm via Little West Arm and had a ball with Queenfish. Lost count after 20 but would have landed 40 or 50 of them. No they weren't big, 30 – 55 cms., but it was fun catching and watching them herd up the bait into the shallows then go ballistic into the ball.

Found small Barra in West Arm.

While the environmental reports regarding the development going on in the harbour all give the green light there is some doubt in my mind. Having just travelled through East Arm via the mouth of Middle Arm, Little West Arm and West Arm to my untrained eye the water in East Arm was totally different to that of the other Arms. Water in other arms was much clearer!!! If anyone is flying into or out of Darwin have a look out of the window and see if there is a visible difference!

Remember, “if you never never go, you’ll never never know”.

Tight lines,

Jim Churchley