Traveleye on Darwin (Northern Territory, Australia)

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Overview:

Cyclone Tracy, which devastated Darwin in 1974, saw to it that the town is far more modern looking than its isolated situation might suggest. Stretching around 3 mls N to S, the compact city centre consists of a series of wide main roads, paralleling the sea-facing Esplanade, after which the city straggles N along the Mindil and Fannie Bay beaches as far as East Point Nature Reserve. Shops and restaurants are concentrated along the S end of the 3 main streets, and many of the best hotels straddle the Esplanade. Another area of interest is Darwin Harbour, at the SE end of town overlooking Frances Bay, which has been redeveloped as the Wharf Precinct, offering a mix of attractions, bars and restaurants. Overall, the city has a well-spaced, flat feel, just as well if you're to move around comfortably in the intense heat of the dry season.

Locality:

Darwin is the capital of the Northern Territory, in the far N of the continent, within easy flying distance of Indonesia. It is 925 mls N of Alice Springs, 100 mls W of Kakadu National Park, 158 mls W of Jabiru, 7½ mls SW of the international airport, connected by shuttle buses and taxis. It is located on a spit of land overlooking the Timor Sea and surrounded by mangrove swamps.

Entertainment/Facilities/Attractions/Things to do:

Darwin is particularly suited to couples and families, especially those with children keen on the environment. Accommodation is plentiful and virtually all accommodation post-dates Cyclone Tracy and comprises mainly mundane skyscraper blocks, with a few striking exceptions. Mostly 3- to 5-star hotels, with a scattering of lower-grade motels too.

Darwin is fringed with beaches (the best are Mindil and Fannie Bay), although they all attract deadly box jellyfish, Oct to May. Naturist beach at Casuarina.

Although most of Darwin's city-centre shops lack distinction (they're often best as refuges from the intense heat outside!), this is a good place to shop for Aboriginal art. Several markets, at Parap (Sat) and Mindil Beach (Thurs).

Activities and entertainment in Darwin include: pearling exhibition and World War II storage tunnels at Wharf Precinct; modern Christchurch Cathedral; Fannie Bay Gaol; East Point Nature Reserve; fish feeding at Aquascene; Crocodylus Park for crocodiles and other wildlife.
Nightlife: range of bars and cafes, including Irish-themed pubs; cinema complex and performing arts centre; casino at MGM Grand hotel.

Diners have a few good restaurants in the city centre and Wharf Precinct; otherwise, most hotels have their own eateries. A good place to sample barramundi, a type of fish.

Local excursions include trips to Kakadu National Park and smaller Litchfield National Park, both with crocodiles, waterfalls and wonderful birdlife; Kakadu also has Aboriginal rock art. Fishing charters. Flights to Bathurst and Melville Islands. Arnhem Land Aboriginal Reserve (permits needed to enter).