Darwin is fast becoming a popular destination for holiday goers seeking the perfect balance of excitement and relaxation. Whether it be unwinding on the waterfront, hiking the beautiful national parks or flying overhead to remote areas for an outback experience, Darwin is the doorway to the perfect top end experience.
If you don’t know much about Darwin here are a few facts.
- It is the capital city of Australia’s Northern Territory and is located on a rocky peninsula bordered by the Timor Sea.
- In 2014 Darwin is the second fastest growing capital city in Australia and currently has a population of approximately 150,245.
- Tourism and Mining are the primary industries within Darwin
- Port Darwin is Australia’s primary outlet for live cattle shipping to South East Asia.
- Darwin is rich with indigenous culture. The Larrakia people are the traditional owners of the greater Darwin region and lived in the area long before European settlement.
Darwin’s climate is best described as having two seasons instead of four, the wet season and the dry season. The dry season is a very popular time to visit typically beginning in May and finishing in October. Humidity is low, there is very little rainfall, nights are balmy and days are warm.
The wet season is a great contrast, typically from November through to April, when the region really comes to life! It is lush, green, wildlife is abundant, fishing opportunities are excellent and the floodplains are full of water.
Darwin not only exhibits beautiful wildlife and scenery, it is also rich with culture and is the site of a number of historic events.
Founded in 1869, the city of Darwin was originally known as Palmerston before being renamed ‘Port Darwin’ in 1911 by Royal Navy Captain John Lort Stokes. The city of Darwin is named after British evolutionist Charles Darwin who was a shipmate aboard the HMS Beagle during the course of John Lort Stokes surveying of Australia in 1839.
In 1871 gold was discovered 270 km south of Palmerston (now Darwin), in a town called Pine Creek. Workers found traces of gold whilst digging holes for the construction of the Overland Telegraph Line. This resulted in the 1871 gold rush, which spurred great development in both Pine Creek and nearby Darwin.
On 19 February 1942 Japanese forces piloted two air raids on Darwin making it the first enemy attack on Australia during World War II. The damage was extensive with many community buildings being destroyed and allied ships sunk in the Darwin Harbour. The Japanese launched a total of 60 air attacks on Darwin between 1942 and 1943.
The Darwin Military Museum is certainly an interesting and informative experience. It allows visitors to pay their respect to those who we lost during World War II and explains the events that unfolded after that fateful day in 1942.
www.darwinmilitarymuseum.com.au
The top end is home to some of the most amazing wildlife that the great outdoors has to offer. On a visit you can expect to see a vast range of species in their natural habitat. This includes large aggregations of bird life, salt-water crocodile’s, frogs, fish, buffalo and many more stunning animals. It may seem like too much too see in such a short time but believe it or not it is possible. These spectacular creatures were once only on display from a distance, but now visitors can experience aerial and up close encounters with the newest adventure tourism team at The Outback Floatplane Adventures.
We’ve read the signs, seen the news and heard the tales. Swimming in crocodile inhabited waters is dangerous. The top end waterways are home to the largest number of saltwater crocodiles in the world and it is important that we respect the. When visiting or on a tour it is important to be aware of your surroundings, read the caution signs and listen to your tour guide.
If you have seen the sights and are looking for an evening activity, head down to Mindil Beach Sunset Market for a bite to eat and some entertainment. With over 60 food stalls boasting different delectable cuisines, going hungry is not an option. If its retail therapy that you need, there are 130 craft vendors ready for you to peruse, or simply relax and listen to some local musicians.
Make sure you come and say hi to the Outback Floatplane Adventures team, we have a stall at the night markets and would love to meet you and answer any questions you have.
Mindil Beach Markets are held every Thursday 5-10 PM & Sunday 4-9 PM from the last Thursday in April until the last Thursday in October.