Introduction
Darwin is the northernmost city of Australia and capital of Northern Territory. The city is far more near to Singapore and Manila than to Sydney and Melbourne. Due to large number of immigrants from Europe and Asia, the city boasts of a cosmopolitan population. Darwin is often referred to as the Young City of Australia because of its dominant youth population. The relaxed attitude of the people, clean and green atmosphere, well planned parks, and beautiful beaches make Darwin a popular tourist attraction between domestic as well as international tourists.

What to do
Darwin has numerous parks and a stroll in the morning in anyone of them will make you fit to face the rigorous schedule planned for the day. Sightseeing should be your first option when out in the town during the day. Evenings can be spent in visiting the Mindil Beach Market where you get ample opportunity to shop, dine, and be entertained. The city has enough nightclubs, bars, and pubs to take care of your nights.

City at a Glance

12°28’ S 35ºS Longitude 130°51’ E Population 86,600 Language English Religion Christianity Telephone Code 08

History
Darwin was in ancient times inhabited by the Larrakeyah tribe who were replaced by the European settlers in the year 1869. The first European ship entered the harbour of Darwin in 1839, but an overland route to the far north could be explored only in 1862 with John Mcdouall Stuart’s successful expedition to north coast.

The city in the beginning started functioning as the terminus for the Overland Telegraph, which began operations in 1872. A party clearing the Telegraph line discovered gold near Pine Creek in 1870 at a distance of around 250 km south of Darwin that marked the beginning of the famous Pine Creek gold rush. The discovery of gold attracted a new set of settlers who were of Chinese origin.

In February 1942 however, the city was devastated by the Japanese raids. In the year 1974, the city was again ravaged by Tracy’s Winds on the Christmas Day, killing many people and destroying the city completely. Today, the city has overcome all these tragedies of the past and has developed itself as one of the most modern cities in Australia.

Weather and Best Season to Visit
Darwin experiences a moderate climate throughout the year. June and July are the coldest months here with temperature hovering between 19°C and 30°C. October and November are the hottest months and temperature range between 25°C and 33°C. December to March is the time for heavy showers combined with high– intensity storms.

May to September with its mild days and balmy nights therefore, forms the ideal time to visit this city.

HIGHLIGHTS
State Square
The State Square is the administrative centre of the Northern Territory and houses the Parliament House, the Supreme Court, and the Northern Territory Library. The parliament here is the only one after the National Parliament in Canberra to be built in the last 90 years.

Supreme Court
The mosaic set into the floor of Supreme Court is often used for a concert or musical recitals. It also houses a nice all – day coffee lounge and restaurant here to serve you during the breaks.

Indo – Pacific Marine & Australian Pearling Exhibition
Located in the Wharf Precinct of Darwin, the exhibition deals with the history of pearling industry in Australia. In the same building is situated the Indo – Pacific Marine Aquarium displaying coral ecosystem, clown fish, sea horses, and butterfly fish.

East Point
East Point is a part of the undeveloped bushland near Fannie Bay and a good afternoon destination. Many people throng this place in the evening to have an enchanting view of the sunset.

Beaches of Darwin
Mindil and Vestey’s are the most popular beaches in Darwin along with Casuarina in the east, which is officially designated for the nudies. Mindil Beach Market in the evenings is one of the best places to savour Indian, Thai, Malaysian, Portuguese, Greek, Chinese, and Sri Lankan cuisine.

PLACES NEARBY
Litchfield National Park
At a distance of around 140 km south of the city is Litchfield National Park, a wide sandstone plateau. It constitutes four waterfalls, patches of rainforests, and Reynolds River System making it a perfect holiday destination.

Howard Springs
The spring, situated at a distance of around 35 km from Darwin is a pleasant swimming hole amidst wild forests. Darwin Crocodile Farm
Situated at a distance of around 40 km south of the city this farm boasts of around 8000 fresh and seawater crocodiles in this park. A visit to the farm during the feeding time in the afternoon can be a good experience.

Important Festivals and Exhibitions
Fares and festivals, which are celebrated with great opulence are a way of life in Darwin. FREEPS is the short form for Free Recreation and Entertainment for Everyone in the Parks and organised every month in the dry season with local music acts, clowns, face paintings, food stalls, rides, displays, and sporting activities.

Also in the dry season, the city celebrates the Festival of Darwin, which is a showcase of city’s vibrant art and cultural scene. Diverse programmes like family events, parades, concerts, dance performances, and visual arts exhibitions are organised here during this period.

Other important festivals in the city include May Day, Royal Darwin Show in July, and the Beer Can Regatta in August.

AFTER HOURS
During after hours you can consider visiting the Darwin Entertainment Centre, which hosts exciting performances of dance, drama, comedy, musicals, and concerts, that are performed by local as well as international artists. Besides, most nightclubs, pubs, and bars, in the city are situated in the Central Business District all of which are thronged by revellers at night.

SHOPPING
Mindil Beach Sunset Market marks the beginning of Dry Season in Darwin. The market that is held every Thursday is set amongst a shady canopy of monsoon vine forest trees and a grove of coconut palms. Here you will find food stalls preparing cuisine from over 20 countries, more than 200 local artisans selling a colourful array of goods, imported art and craft from around the world, and buskers, tarot readers, masseurs/masseuses, and a good variety of local and travelling musicians. In short, a great shopping experience.

Other markets in Darwin are Parap Village Market, Rapid Creek Sudnay Markets, and Nightcliff Market.

WHERE TO STAY
The accommodation options in the city include guesthouses, some upper class hotels, camping grounds, apartments, hostels and motels. A good range of accommodation options can be searched around the beaches.

WHERE TO EAT

It is not difficult to understand the variety in the cuisine that the city serves in its restaurants and markets. With a population mix of more than 60 countries, you can be assured that the food from your home country would be served in at some place or other. The popular cuisines are fisherman’s soup from Thailand, curries from India, tabouleh from Lebanon, potato cakes and deserts from Slovenia, and last but not the least the authentic Australian cuisine. Smit St. Mall and periodic markets like Mindil Beach Market are the best place to enjoy food in Darwin.

TRAVEL INFORMATION
Air Travel Resources
Darwin International Airport situated at a distance of 6 km from the city is well connected to almost all the cities of Australia as well as many places in South East Asia, particularly Indonesia by regular flights.

Land
The city of Darwin is connected by the other places in Australia by three road routes, the Western Australian Route, the Queensland Route, and from Alice Springs.

Local Transport
Darwin has an excellent public transport system, which should be used in order to travel comfortably within the city except on Sundays when buses are off the road. Besides, the city has an extensive bicycle pathway and bikes can be rented easily from most of the backpacker’s hostels.