Community Displays | Batchelor NT
Thursday: 10 July
Right Around Australia – Batchelor Old General Store Display
Early Morning Departure
We rose early and were ready to depart by 7:30 am. Roger and Carol took on the task of towing the Bubsie trailer, which allowed Warren and Desiree to travel at a slightly faster pace, though the hills still presented some challenges for their vehicle.
Arrival in Batchelor
We all enjoyed a smooth journey to Batchelor, where we were scheduled to display at the General Store. Batchelor proved to be a quiet, neat, and tidy town with limited activity, though it serves as an important gateway to Litchfield National Park and attracts over 250,000 visitors annually through tourism.
The town has a church, though we learned that one of its main members had sadly passed away last year, which has affected the congregation.
Adapting to Circumstances
Upon arrival, we discovered that the General Store was permanently closed. However, we noticed the Information Centre was conveniently located opposite, with public toilets and a dump point for caravans nearby – making it an ideal alternative location for our display.
We unloaded Bubsie and Roger took her for a scenic drive up to the museum and back through town, showcasing our vintage car against the backdrop of this historic settlement.
Community Interest and Team Logistics
Several tourists and locals came over to view the car and learn about our journey. As the morning progressed, our team began splitting up for practical reasons. Warren and Desiree departed early to head to Darwin for tire maintenance, while Pieter and Veronica took the scenic route through Litchfield National Park on their way to Darwin.
Photo Session and Departure
By 11:30 am, most of the tourists had moved on to their next destinations. Roger and Glenda seized this quieter moment to drive Bubsie around to the local church for some photographs, capturing the car against another piece of Batchelor’s community heritage.
With our display complete and photos taken, we reloaded Bubsie and made our way to the school property where we’ll be staying for the weekend, ready for the next phase of our Northern Territory adventure.
Thursday: 10 July Continued…
Right Around Australia – Mindil Beach Sunset Market Display
Setup and Location
We arrived for setup at 3 pm and were pleased to secure an excellent spot near one of the main entrances. The afternoon heat was quite intense, but the temperature became more comfortable as the sun began to set over the markets.
Continuous Community Engagement
From the moment we finished setting up, we experienced a constant stream of visitors eager to learn about Bubsie and our journey. The interest was so strong that we distributed 80 show bags and an additional 130 books throughout the evening – testament to the genuine enthusiasm of Darwin’s market-goers.
Photo Opportunities and Radio Response
Countless photos were taken as visitors wanted to share images with relatives and friends who couldn’t be present. We were particularly pleased to meet people who had specifically come looking for Bubsie after hearing our story on the radio and learning that we’d be at the markets tonight.
Evening Atmosphere
The evening concluded beautifully with Bubsie illuminated under our display lights, which always showcase the car to its best advantage. Market regulations required us to remain until 9 pm, which gave us plenty of time to connect with the diverse crowd.
Culinary Exploration
During the evening, team members took turns exploring the impressive variety of food options available at the markets. The culinary diversity provided everyone with plenty of delicious choices for dinner, adding to the overall enjoyment of this vibrant Darwin experience.
The combination of enthusiastic community response, beautiful sunset setting, and excellent food made for a memorable evening showcasing Bubsie at one of Darwin’s most iconic locations.
