Positioned between Queensland and Western Australia on Australia’s northern coastline, and overlooking the Timor Sea is Darwin, the capital of the Northern Territory. During the Dry Season in Darwin, the city really comes alive with an influx of tourists coming to the city, swelling its permanent population of around 110,000 people. The tropical climate and warm weather all year ensures the people of Darwin enjoy a relaxed outdoor lifestyle, with the nightclubs and hotels buzzing with activity each night. Darwin is also a good place to try true Aussie cuisine, with things such as Buffalo, Kangaroo, Mud Crabs, Crocodile and Barramundi on offer.
On 19th of February 1942, 188 Japanese planes raided Darwin, dropping more bombs on the city than Pearl Harbour. At the time Darwin had a population of about 2,000 people, but this had swelled with an additional 15,000 Allied soldiers based in Darwin due to its strategically-placed naval port and airbase. Between 1942 and 1943, Darwin came under attack another 58 times, but none were as devastating at the attack on the 19th of November. Today there are still remnants from World War 2 around the city.
Because of Darwin’s location, unlike a lot of Australia that has 4 seasons, Darwin only has 2, a Wet Season, and a Dry Season. The wet Season tends to run from November through to March/April, with most of the rain falling between December and March, and the dry season running from April/May through to October. November sees the days becoming very hot and humid because of the build up to the wet season, whereas in the dry season there is very little rain between May and September. Don’t be put off by the wet season though as this is the best time to see the spectacular waterfalls and rivers in Kakadu National Park from the air.
Darwin is a good base to explore the Top End of Australia with good access to the World Heritage listed Kakadu National Park, Litchfield and Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) National Parks, the Tiwi Islands and Arnhem Land. Try your hand at fishing for Barramundi with one of the many tour charters from Darwin, or experience the crocodiles out in their wild habitat on one of the jumping crocodile tours on the Adelaide River. Head to the Mindil Beach Sunset Markets and watch the sunset over the ocean, and afterwards have dinner from an array of food stalls while looking over the arts and crafts from local artists.
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