| DARWIN |
 The
'capital' of northern Australia is closer to Jakarta than it is to Sydney,
and closer to Singapore than it is to Melbourne, so it's no surprise that
it looks outward to Asia as much as it looks inland to the rest of
Australia. This proximity and familiarity with Australia's northern
neighbours is reflected in the town's relaxed, cosmopolitan, tropical
atmosphere.
Population: 70,250 OrientationDarwin is in the far north of the Northern Territory, west of Arnhem Land. Darwin's centre is a fairly compact area at the end of a peninsula. Most of what you'll want in central Darwin is within two or three blocks of the main shopping centre, Smith St mall. The suburbs spread a good 12 to 15km (7 to 9mi) to the north and east. Darwin's airport is 6km (4mi) north of the town centre. The transit centre, where buses arrive and depart, is in the centre of town. Accommodation in Darwin includes hostels, guesthouses, motels, holiday flats, and a clutch of up-market hotels, mostly clustered along the beach. The city's many caravan parks are all several km out of town. Darwin's proximity to Asia is signalled by the large number of Asian eateries - there are plenty of these, as well as lots of takeaway spots, around Smith St mall. Asian-style markets, such as the one held at Mindil Beach on Thursday nights during the dry season, are the best places to find cheap eats. When to GoAsk any Territorian when the best time to visit Darwin is and invariably they'll say the wet season (October to March). Everything is green, there's no dust, barramundi fishing is at its best, prices drop, there are spectacular electrical storms and all the tourists have gone home. The tourists have gone home for a reason - the humidity is often unbearable, roads are impassable, swimming in the ocean is impossible, and cyclones are something of a worry. Late wet, early dry is probably the best season, as the rains taper off and the humidity drops. Whatever season you arrive in, the temperature will most likely be between 30°C and 33°C (86°F and 91°F). If street parades are your thing, make your way here in August for the Festival of Darwin and the Beer Can Regatta. EventsThere are beach parties and rock concerts on May Day, more to celebrate the absence of box jellyfish and the start of swimming season than to pay tribute to International Labour Day. The Royal Darwin Show is held in July. Darwin's legendary thirst for beer is celebrated at the Beer Can Regatta in August, when a series of boat races are held for craft constructed entirely of beer cans. Other August festivities include the Rodeo and Mud Crab Tying Competition, and the Darwin Cup horse race. |
