Darwin

Sitting on one of the most beautiful harbours in the country, Darwin City is a gateway into the heart of Australia. Its northern position means this relatively small capital city is often the first port of call for international visitors, and its location has given rise to a city that is both culturally diverse and uniquely Australian.

The tropical climate sees only two seasons and not much variation in its usually low thirties temperature. During the Dry Season from May to September, Darwinians spend a lot of time outside enjoying the warm days and balmy evenings. The Wet Season sees the humidity rise, and is the time for the wild weather Darwin is famous for. Spectacular lightening shows and cyclones can be entertaining, but the locals know only too well that it can sometimes get dangerous.

Having been destroyed twice, once by World War Two attacks and once by the infamous Cyclone Tracey, Darwin City is now in its third incarnation. Sitting on a peninsula, the spacious city is characterised by low-rise modern buildings and wide streets lined with palms and fragrant tropical plants. The ordered inner city gives way to the chaos of the urban fringe, which spreads out into areas of tropical foliage and mangroves on its outskirts.

Compared to other capital cities, Darwin’s 100 000 strong population is relatively small. However a heavy tourist flow ensures the city has all the facilities you would expect from any major city. With a strong indigenous population as well as immigrants from nearby South East Asia and other parts of the world, Australia’s most modern capital city is also its most cosmopolitan. The age of the population reflects the age of the city, with the average Darwin resident being just thirty-one.

The mix of indigenous and Asian people in the population carries over into the culture. Local cuisine is often a unique mix of traditional aboriginal foods and Asian spices, making for dishes that are both delicious and distinctive in flavour. Visiting Darwin’s famous markets offers a real taste of the eclectic nature of the city, with foods from all corners of the globe available for consumption, as well as a variety of arts and crafts from local artists. Arts in Darwin have a strong Aboriginal theme, reflecting the area’s heritage.

For a small city, Darwin really knows how to party. The nightlife here is fantastic, with an increasing number of options for those who like to head out after dark. Pubs, clubs and cafes line Mitchell Street, and if you’re lucky you may be treated to some live music. An outdoor cinema and theatre performances entertain those with a taste for drama, and venues are often visited by international acts.

With such a small population, the streets of Darwin are never overcrowded even in peak hour traffic. Most people get around by car, even though there is a public transport bus and ferry service running seven days a week. There are plenty of hire car services around the city and streets are well signposted, so there’s not much chance of getting lost. For the more athletically inclined, bicycle tracks run throughout the city.

Darwin’s vibrancy, diversity, friendliness and temperamental weather give it the kind of character only an Australian city could have. An oasis on the edge of the desert, Darwin epitomises the ideal Aussie city.