POTTED FROG

Best served alfresco*. Adapts to a variety of different pot types.
*Serving suggestion only

MAGNETISM

While termite mounds are a pretty common sight across the Territory, there are only a few spots where you can see the more unusual magnetic termite mounds. These occur only in open treeless plains and are aligned on a north-south axis to minimise their exposure to the harsh Australian sun. I've seen a few on private properties around Fogg Dam but the best place to get a viewing of these architectural marvels is in the very popular Litchfield National Park (about 100km south of Darwin, a popular recreational spot for locals and tourists alike).

CEDAR MANGROVE

A somewhat unremarkable tree that can be found in estuarine regions of northern Australia.
I was quite taken by the fact that the flowers smell like a mixture of red wine and ciabatta bread.

Honest.

MARKET STAR

Star apples, also known as cainito or milk fruit, belong to a special food group that I like to simply refer to as Vitamin Purple.

Being something of a novice consumer of this tropical delicacy, I can confirm that eating the flesh too close to the rind will result in close encounters of the sticky latex variety. So unless you're the type that enjoys a dose of PVA-like gloop with your fruit then take care. As the skin is also inedible, to serve they should be sliced open and the halves scooped out.

Only very subtly scented, this refreshingly sweet treat from the West Indies tastes very similar to a lychee, though its texture is more akin to a very ripe apricot. Available from now until November, they keep quite well out of the fridge (a welcome asset in the tropics!) If you get hold of some while they're still a little green, they can keep over a week at room temperature (yes, for the tropics this is a long time). Ready to eat once they're soft and dark purple.

SPOTLIGHT ON SPECIES - THE APOSTLEBIRD

One of the great things about camping in the Australian bush is the general tendency for local wildlife to crash join your party. Well, I think that's what often happens...maybe it's just me. While this 'hi, what you doing?' habit is less welcome if it's say, something that can kill you (and as every enlightened tourist knows, Everything in Australia Can Kill You), sometimes your nature bonding companions are nothing more than a charming mob of very precocious birds wearing prepare-to-die expressions.

RAPID CREEK MARKETS

Rapid Creek markets are Darwin's only undercover setup, and specialise in a cornucopic variety of fresh produce and prepared food. While all of Darwin's markets have a number of takeaway food stalls, Rapid Creek mostly focuses on fruit and vegetable produce, trinkets are pretty thin on the ground here.