We are a hidden secret to many parts of Australia, yet alone globally.
Darwin, the NT’s capital city at the northern tip of the Top End, is known as Australia’s Asian Gateway. It is a small population over a sprawling space. We are roughly the same time distance by air, to Singapore as Sydney.
Now that we have entered the Dry Season (May-October) we have hot dry weather for six months. Perfect for all outdoor activities, sporting, camping, sightseeing, cultural and historical exploring. Did I mention Markets? Outdoor markets everywhere during this time of year and festivals... did I mention Italian, Greek Thailand, etc etc, Super 8 sports cars, horse racing carnivals and many artistic/entertainment festivals.
Currently the Arafura Games 2019 is on, which highlights the Asia-Pacific regions, taking its name from the Arafura Sea, north of Darwin. Featuring many countries participating across 17 sport disciplines and a para sports program. It also includes locals. The friendly games!
Historically, Darwin was heavily bombed, starting on 19 February 1942 by the same Japanese air commander that bombed Pearl Harbour USA, ten weeks earlier. Many raids and historical connection with US troops. We still have a large contingency of American troops living on base, south of the city, as well as representation of all branches of the Australian defence forces.
Great national parks, bike paths and outdoor facilities. Wonderful indigenous cultures, including visible ancient rock art and current living and breathing nations of people.
The World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park, three hours east of Darwin in the western edge of Arnhem land. (Remote Arnhem Land, is a 90,000 square-kilometre reserve in the north-east corner of the NT)
Other great natural parks such as Litchfield are very easily accessible across a full day’s visit. Too many parks and reserves to name here! Great waterholes, waterfalls and swimming sites (during the Dry Season.) Harbour and fishing cruises on our Darwin harbour, which is effectively, three times the size of Sydney Harbour. Houseboat tours on the Mary River. Fishing EVERYWHERE!
Saltwater Crocodiles and freshwater crocodiles - take your pick! 🐊🐊🐊 Then there’s crocodile tours on the Adelaide River (jumping crocs), cage of death in the city and more. Crocodyllus Park and Territory Wildlife Park showcasing crocs and other local and overseas animals. (Swim only where it is safe... seriously) My backyard pool is totally okay for relaxing in without crocs! Lol..
Many local museums with varied displays. Maritime museum showcasing traditional vessels used by our original trade partners through Asia with the indigenous nations at our Museum and Art Gallery of the NT. Aviation and military museums, historical airstrips, WW2 gunnery holds, WW2 oil storage tank tunnels etc.
Our own casino if you are into gambling as well as the associated restaurants and entertainment.
Due to our very multicultural population in Darwin, there are so many cafes and restaurants from diverse cultures. Such an immersion and infusion of flavours.... yum......
Depending on the time of the lunar month, HUGE tides, wall of water moving back and forth. Have been 0.2metres at low tide changing to say a 7.8 metres on high tide. Great beach sand to walk along if low tide.
Sunsets... glorious sunsets in the Dry Season. Spectacular... short and sharp!
Wet Season? October to end of April. Heat, humidity, storms, wonderful storms... electrical light shows, monsoonal rains and beautiful and rapid greening everywhere.... lush and tropical. An occasional cyclone but these are a rarity.
I’ll stop there...... 🦘🐊🌴🐟🐸
