Darwin is the capital of the Northern Territory. The city, with 110,000 inhabitants, is reputably the most multicultural of all Australian cities with over 50 nationalities represented. This multiculturalism is reflected in the markets, restaurants and annual festivals. The hot tropical weather creates an ideal place for outdoor living, and promotes the lay back, relaxed lifestyle associated with Australia. The need for constantly keeping your liquid intake high, to offset dehydration, has been one of the major forces assisting in the development the famous ‘Darwin Stubby’, an oversized beer bottle.
Since its settlement by Europeans in 1869 Darwin has suffered through the Second World War and cyclone Tracey, to become a busy, open town with wide streets lined with lush foliage. Being such a strategic position in Australia, Darwin has an army and airforce base plus a naval facility. The port is also a very important asset for the Northern Territory, where live cattle, minerals and gas are the major exports, from a harbour twice the size of Sydney.
Darwin has some very interesting festivals being the starting point for the Solar Challenge, otherwise called the ‘Brain Sport’, the road race between Darwin and Adelaide of solar powered vehicles. Also there is the world famous Darwin beer can regatta, the Barra Nationals or the Adelaide River Show, a rodeo and camp draft with arts and crafts show, to name just a few.
With being so close to some of Australia’s most significant tourist and sightseeing attractions, such as Kakadu World Heritage Park and Katherine Gorge and being a good base to explore the red centre for Alice Springs, Uluru and the Kata-Tjuta, Darwin is a must see destination.
|