EZTrip.com International Destination Guide and Hotel Listings

Established during the construction of the Overland Telegraph Line, the town of ADELAIDE RIVER was the supply head for Darwin's defence during World War II and consequently suffered sporadic Japanese bombing after 1942. Today the town, 110km south of Darwin, provides little more than a lunch-stop along the Stuart Highway. You may, however, want to visit the town's war cemetery where many of the victims of the air raids are buried. Officially, 243 people died as a result of the eighteen months of Japanese bombing, which began in February 1942, but it is thought that the actual death toll may have been up to four times as high. Enquire at the Mobil Roadhouse for camping space, or try the Adelaide River Inn (tel 08/8976 7047; rooms $70-90, dorms under $20), which also provides counter meals and has a restaurant .

Just south of town, the old highway forks west along a rolling 75-kilometre scenic drive before rejoining the main road at Hayes Creek roadhouse. After the first 17km you'll come to the turn-off for Robin Falls , a pretty little cascade reached after a ten-minute scramble up the creek bed from the car park, while a further 17km marks the turn-off for Daly River.