Located on the Timor Sea, Darwin, the capital city of the Northern Territory, is the least populous of all Australia's capital cities with only 124.800 inhabitants. However, it has grown from a pioneer outpost and small port into one of Australia's most modern and multicultural cities. It's proximity to Asia makes it an important Australian gateway to countries such as Indonesia, the next stopover for World ARC, and East Timor. Having been almost entirely rebuilt twice, once due to Japanese air raids during World War II and again after being devastated by Cyclone Tracy on Christmas Eve 1974, the city became one of the most modern capitals in Australia.
The two largest economic sectors are mining and tourism.The most important mineral resources are gold and zinc along with many others. The energy production is mostly offshore with oil and natural gas from the Timor Sea, although there are significant uranium deposits near Darwin.
Cruelly, it isn’t safe to swim in the waters that surround Darwin: crocodiles and jellyfish are a problem. If one is in need of a local dip, one place to go is Lake Alexander at East Point Reserve, 10 minutes from the centre of town.
Darwin what to see?
Aquascene, situated at Doctors Gully. This special attraction is where hundreds of fish come to shore at high tide to be fed by hand.
Australian Pearling Exhibition, located at the entrance of the Darwin Wharf Precinct, offers an informative insight into the pearling industry in northern Australian waters. Good to see the difference between the Tahitian pearl culturing techniques.
Deckchair Cinema also at the Wharf Precinc, this is Darwin's only open-air cinema.
World War II Oil Storage Tunnels are interesting constructions in Darwin built during World War II . Today, there are two tunnels open for visitors.
Kakadu National Park is located 130 kilometres east of Darwin and it is worth a visit to this World Heritage. It covers over 19,000 square kilometres, and is made up of contrasting landscape. The park features great natural beauty and sweeping landscapes, as well as internationally important wetlands. The park is extremely important to Aboriginal people, and many communities still occupy the region. The Aboriginal art sites of Kakadu National Park are a unique artistic achievement that provides an outstanding record of human interaction with the environment over tens of thousands of years.
Darwin what’s on?
Mindil Beach Sunset Markets, held every Thursday and Sunday night from April to October, these are Darwin's largest and most popular weekly markets. They feature a multitude of stalls offering international cuisine, arts, crafts and entertainment. The combination of great food and an electric atmosphere make a visit a must. Other popular markets worth visiting are the Saturday morning Parap Village Markets, the Sunday morning Nightcliff Markets, Rapid Creek Markets (Darwin's oldest markets) and Palmerston's Friday night markets. Darwin Entertainment Centre, is the leading entertainment venue in the Top End, and is situated centrally in the CBD. Host to a variety of events, the centre provides facilities for a range of organisations, from smaller community stage shows, to school concerts, through to larger performances. There's plenty to see and do! |