Darwin is the Northern Territory’s tropical capital city. The attitude here is as laid-back as the nights are balmy, which makes it a city tailor-made for kicking back with a cold beer.
Looking out over the Timor Sea, Darwin is closer to Bali than it is to the rest of Australia, and Asia’s influence can be felt, heard and tasted throughout the city. Nowhere is this diverse influence felt more than in the wonderful food that can be found in the city.
As the sun sets on the weekends, Darwin plays host to the exceptional Mindil Beach Sunset Market. Here you can find cuisines ranging from French to Indonesian and everything in between. The market also features arts and crafts stalls with handmade jewellery, clothes, Aboriginal artefacts and ornaments from South East Asia.
Although Darwin has a reputation for being a mining town, there is much more to the city than that. There’s lots to see and do in town and its perpetually relaxed atmosphere makes it seem like more of a country town rather than a state capital. The heat in Darwin means that people tend to dress down, keeping it casual with shorts and thongs (flip-flops) wherever they go, be it a casual cafe or nice restaurant.
Darwin is a city prone to various seasonal weather extremes, which means it’s worth planning ahead and deciding when the most suitable time to go is. Most people prefer to go during Australian winter, from May to September, when Darwin’s dry season brings balmy weather and spectacular sunsets.
If you fancy visiting when there are less tourists to compete with, then visit Darwin during the monsoon months, from January to April. This is the perfect opportunity to bear witness to the full force of Mother Nature as she turns the landscape into a spectrum of lush greens that are illuminated by afternoon electrical storms. It’s beautiful and powerful thing to witness.
If you feel like escaping the heat of the afternoon, the Museum & Art Gallery of the Northern Territory offers the chance to enjoy air-conditioned rooms and fascinating exhibits. This superb museum and gallery is home to a beautifully curated collection that reflects Darwin’s history, location, and indigenous culture. The collection of Aboriginal art on display is a particular highlight, with carvings from the Tiwi Islands, bark paintings from Arnhem Land, as well as dot paintings from the desert.
No visit to Darwin would be complete without getting out in nature. Jump in your rental car and drive 45 minutes south of the city and you’ll end up at Berry Springs Nature Park. Here you’ll find a series of adjoining waterholes surrounded by nature with lawns that are perfect for sunbathing. There are also barbecuing facilities and some food kiosks run by local farmers where you can buy delicious homemade ice cream. There’s no better way to spend an afternoon.
