Darwin
Darwin, the capital of the Northern Territory of Australia is a small cultural melting pot of various ethnicities and exhibits a wonderful smorgasbord of colourful local practices chequered with exotic external influences. Local Aboriginal artists and crocodile hunters exist in perfect harmony with Asian musicians and shopkeepers. The cosmopolitan appeal of Darwin is in itself a major tourist draw. This multiculturalism coupled with relaxed way of life makes the city a favourite choice for a rejuvenating long haul holiday.
Tourist Spots in Darwin
Darwin has a world of cultural, historical, and natural attractions. The following tourist hotspots rank among the most popular crowd pullers.
- Darwin Wharf Precinct
- Fannie Bay Gaol
- Australian Aviation Heritage Centre
- Browns Mart
- Adelaide River War Cemetery
- Lyons Cottage
- Bicentennial Park
- George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens
- Lake Alexander
- George Brown Botanical Gardens
- Casuarina Coastal Reserve
- Charles Darwin National Park
- >Northern Territory Parliament House
- World War II Oil Storage Tunnels
- East Point reserve
- Berry Springs
- Tiwi Island Tour
- Aquascene
- Crocodylus Park
- Adelaide River Jumping Crocodile Cruise
- Batchelor Butterfly and Petting Farm
- Territory Wildlife Park
- Litchfield National Park
Shopping Attractions in Darwin
Darwin is a wonderful place for picking up Aboriginal arts and crafts as well as fine pearls and crocodile leather products. Similarly, one can choose from a wide array of rare pink diamonds. However, shopping is by no means restricted to such exotica and there are scores of options for both bargain hunting and vanity shopping. A good way to go about shopping is to start with the city centre’s Smith Street Mall before checking out the surrounding streets. Take your cue from the following list of shopping attractions in Darwin.
- The Mindil Beach Sunset Markets
- Parap Village Markets
- Paspaley Pearls
- Nightcliff Markets
- Raintree Aboriginal Fine Art Gallery
- Rapid Creek Sunday Market
- Big Flea Market Rapid Creek
- Creative Jewellers
- Tiwi Art Network
- Aboriginal Fine Arts Gallery
- Top End Gold Honey
- Casuarina Square
- Kunwinjku Aboriginal Art
Eating Out in Darwin
There is no dearth of cafes, pubs, and restaurants in Darwin. Whether you are looking for something pocket friendly or some place which burns a hole in your pocket, Darwin will spoil you for choice. The following list contains some of the best cheap as well as expensive eating places in Darwin.
- Buzz Café
- Cornucopia Museum Café
- Hanuman
- Pee Wee’s Beachfront Café
- Tim’s Surf & Turf
- Casuarina Square
- Shennanigan’s
- The Tap
- Lewinsky’s
- East West Restaurant
- Char Restaurant at Admiralty
- Redsalt Bar and Grill
- Essence Restaurant
- Evoo Restaurant
- Dragon Court Restaurant
Hotels in Darwin
Darwin also has plenty of accommodation facilities. There are ample choices for cheap, mid range as well top of the line ultra luxurious accommodation options. Use the following list to narrow down your search.
- The Cavenagh Backpackers
- Youth Shack, 69 Mitchell Street, Darwin
- Melaleuca Backpackers
- Value Inn
- Globetrotters Lodge YHA
- Darwin Holiday Apartments
- Feathers Sanctuary
- FreeSpirit Resort Darwin
- Grungle Downs Tropical Bed and Breakfast
- Latitude 13.08
- Moonshadow Villas
- Mount Bundy Station
- Pell Mell Farm Stay
- Bamurru Plains
- Dragonfly House
- Skycity
Preferred Airlines to Darwin from UK
Emirates | British Airways | Virgin Atlantic | Cathay Pacific | Etihad | Air New Zealand | Singapore Airlines | Thai Airways
Airports in Darwin
The city is served by Darwin International Airport which is located at a distance of approximately 13 km from the City Centre. It serves as the main gateway to the Northern Territory. The General Aviation Precinct of the airport is set to see a major expansion programme in the near future.
Best Time to Visit Darwin
Darwin is the northernmost state capital in Australia. The city has a tropical climate with two main seasons. One is the dry season, which lasts from about May to October. The other is the wet season, which stretches from November to April. The wet season is characterised by torrential downpours and high humidity. The dry season is the preferred time to visit. The days are balmy, while nights are cool and crisp.
Transport in Darwin
Buses and private car hire are the most commonly used modes of transport. Taxis are available as well. There are a number of international car rental companies that are located at the airport.