Epsom netball teams and the Darwin Academy sides at the end of the last match of the tour

Some retail therapy - and about time too!

This morning, the tour party was ceremoniously brought together at the Travelodge Mirambeena Resort, where we will spend our last two nights, for some serious retail therapy before our final netball fixtures in Australia.

Shopping has been surprisingly rare on this trip - the coaches are even having a hard time deciding who should be this year's Super Shopper, an award given on the final evening in previous years -  so the girls were keen to make up for lost time in Darwin's boutiques and department stores.

The morning was rounded off with a Duckabout Tour - a land and sea tour of the city aboard "Ride the Croc", a Vietnam War-era amphibious vessel. Individual girls were even trusted to drive this touring tank!

The afternoon was a bittersweet one as our adventure was coming to an end. Playing against Darwin Academy sides, the 1st VII lost 5-15, although they had the satisfaction of drawing the final quarter. The 2nd VII won their match comfortably with a 15-8 scoreline, while the 3rd  VII lost a nailbitingly close game 13-14. The respective captains, Nat Sciver, Emma Albon, and Sam Duff, were poised in their final speeches, much deserving the recognition they have received over these final few matches.

After the games, our driver, Nigel, scooted us all onto the coach and through the backroads of Darwin in time to catch the final rays of a spellbinding Australian sunset on Mindil Beach, where we were also able to make up for more lost shopping time at the weekly beach market. While the stunning views, local crafts and Asian food were excellent, Mrs Drinkall said the chocolate ice cream was definitely not.

The girls ended the evening by horrifying the staff (for a brief moment) with their temporary tattoos - parents, be warned.