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Darwin
From the Arrival Guides 2007
Darwin is located in the far north of the Northern Territory on the edge of the Timor Sea. It is closer to several Southeast Asian capital cities than its own in Canberra.
The tropical climate is similar to that of South-East Asia with only two main seasons - wet (Oct - Feb) and dry (Mar - Sept) but its always warm. The temperature ranges from 24-32C and the wet season can be very, very humid. Darwin is a thriving and prosperous city with lively bars and a wide-ranging cosmopolitan cuisine. It is the gateway to "Top End" outback adventures such as the World Heritage Kakadu National Park and Litchfield National Park. Darwin is the most multicultural (75 nationalities) city in Australia with its large aboriginal population (25%) and a diverse range of immigrants from Asia........
........It's the administrative capital of the Northern Territory and is called the capital of tropical Australia; it is lush and green, full of tropical plants and the perfume of Frangipanis. The cyclone season is from November to April when there are stunning electrical storms and predictable afternoon rains. The city was virtually rebuilt after being devastated by cyclone Tracy in 1974. Central Darwin is compact and easily explored on foot although the suburbs spread out for 12-15 km. In the past Darwin has had a reputation for hard drinking and a casual outback attitude to culture and refinement. But in recent years it has become very cosmopolitan with fabulous multicultural markets, shopping centres, casinos, nightclubs, a smorgasbord of restaurants and of course pubs galore........
........The Stuart Highway (The Track) is the only road out of town and runs 2,800 km south to Adelaide but since 2004 Darwin has a rail link to the great southern cities of Adelaide, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney. The Ghan passenger train service runs twice a week........
DO AND SEE:
Museum & Art Gallery of the Northern Territory
The museum has a good selection of local artifacts including maritime and natural history exhibits, aboriginal art and a room where you can "experience" the power of Hurricane Tracy.
Address: Conacher St, Bullocky Point, Fannie Bay;
Tel: +61 (8) 8999 8201
Mindil Beach Sunset Market
Epitomising outdoor living this is a very popular rendezvous for families, open Sunday 4pm-9pm and Thursday 5pm-10pm during April to October. There are usually 200 stalls selling aboriginal arts and crafts along with musicians and entertainers. A great place for sampling a wide range of food from 60 different food stalls including - Thai, Malay, Indonesian, Chinese, Indian, and Greek. There are other markets at Parap (Saturday morning), Rapid Creek (Sunday) and Nightcliff (Sunday).
Crocodylus Park
Everything you ever wanted to know about crocodiles and then a lot more. They also have a good collection of other Australian animals.
Address: 815 McMillans Rd, Berrimah (nr airport);
Tel: +61 (8) 8922 4500;
www.wmi.com.au
Outdoor Deck Chair Cinema
Open from April to November showing mainly art and non-mainstream films in the fresh air.
Address: Kitchener Drive, Wharf Precinct ;
Tel: +61 (8) 941 4377
www.deckchaircinema.com
The Didgeridoo Hut
This aboriginal owned and run shop/workshop is half an hour by car down the Arnhem Highway from Darwin. If you ring Janis in advance you may be able to meet and watch artists at work and watch a didgeridoo being made.
Address:1 Arnhem Highway, Humpty Doo;
Tel +61 (8) 8988 4457;
www.didgeridoohut.com.au
