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About Darwin
Tropical Darwin is a vibrant, yet relaxed, modern city with stunning landscapes, great restaurants, crocodile adventures, and close proximity to national parks.
Darwin, the capital of the Northern Territory, is a vibrant, modern city and home to about 150,000 residents hailing from a wide diversity of nationalities and ethic backgrounds – including a large community of Aborigines.
Because of its location at the top end of Australia and its proximity to Southeast Asia, Darwin is the gateway to the continent for many travelers- especially from the Far East. This proximity to Asia’s financial markets makes the city an important international and national business and service center, as well.
Darwin has a tropical climate with two distinct seasons – dry and wet- and, in fact, tropical horticulture is one of its primary industries.
With incredible landscapes and relaxed outdoor lifestyle, tourism plays an important role in Darwin’s economy, as well. Visitors from around the globe enjoy Darwin’s world-class, waterfront restaurants, ethnic street food, crocodile adventures, hiking trails, and accessibility to some of the country’s outstanding attractions such as Kakadu National Park, Nitmiluk National Park, and the Tiwi Islands.
Aborigine art is prominently displayed in the galleries in the busy city center as well as in the night market located on Mindil Beach Sunset Market. The market is a great place to pick up souvenirs, try some local cuisine, and watch the sun set over the beach. Speaking of sunsets, Darwin is famous for its amazing twilights – don’t miss the chance to sit on the beach in the evening, with a bottle of beer in hand, watching the sun descend into the sea.
If you’re wondering about the origin of the city’s name, here’s a fun fact. In 1839, European sailors reached Darwin aboard the HMS Beagle. The captain of the ship named the harbor for his previous shipmate, Charles Darwin, who had taken a 5-year voyage around the globe on the ship.
During World War II, Darwin was bombed by Japanese planes - the same planes that bombed Pearl Harbor- and the city and the port suffered significant destruction. Following the war, they were both restored. To learn more about the role of Darwin during World War II and the war’s impact on the city, be sure to visit the Darwin Military Museum.
The ancient dock area of the city, Stokes Hill Wharf, is a great evening destination where you will find restaurants, pubs, and music – and a breathtaking panoramic view of the harbor. Another special attraction in the city is the Deckchair Cinema, a magnificent open air cinema located on the Darwin Harbor, which screens a wide range of local and international films (during the dry season, of course!) Purchase dinner from one of the local caterers, grab a drink, and sit back to enjoy the film under the open sky.
Crocodiles are part of life in Darwin, and both the freshwater and saltwater species can be found in the ocean and rivers around the area. Saltwater crocodiles – known locally as “salties” – are often said to resemble dinosaurs in terms of their size and appearance. These reptiles can be seen at several wildlife parks in the area, including Crocosaurus Cove, Kakadu National Park, and Crocodylus Park, and jumping crocodiles are the main attraction at the Adelaide River.
Darwin is the starting point for visits to the nearby national parks, Litchfield and Kakadu. Litchfield, one of the favorites of both locals and tourist, has stunning waterfalls, swimming, overnight accommodations, off-roading tracks, and scenic hikes. Kakadu, a “living cultural landscape,” is an ancient Aboriginal home and a breathtaking natural wonder – a paradise for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. The huge national park, one of the largest in Australia at over 7200 square miles, features lush rainforests, rugged terrain, and a wealth of wildlife.
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Tropical Darwin is a vibrant, yet relaxed, modern city with stunning landscapes, great restaurants, crocodile adventures, and close proximity to national parks.
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Looking for some interesting things to do in Darwin? Here are some recommended attractions and sights for you.
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Attractions in Darwin
- Historic Center, Darwin
- Australian Aviation Heritage Center, Darwin
- Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Darwin
- Leanyer Recreation Park, Darwin
- Darwin Military Museum
- Mindil Beach, Darwin
- Parap Village Market, Darwin
- Crocosaurus Cove, Darwin
- George Brown Botanic Gardens, Darwin
Popular Itineraries in Australia
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