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Darwin

Travoley
Darwin
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Darwin Travel Guide

  • About Darwin

Tropical Darwin is Australia’s most northerly (and most individual) state capital. Closer to Bali than Bondi, its laidback, small-town vibe makes it a very different proposition to the shiny metropolises of the country’s East Coast.

The city takes its name from naturalist Charles Darwin, and its proximity to Asia has attracted plenty of immigrants, which has shaped this once rough-and-ready frontier outpost into a youthful, multicultural seaside city.

Often overlooked by first-time visitors, Darwin has plenty to offer. Twice it’s had to come back from the dead – firstly aftermbeing flattened by WWII bombs, secondly after Cyclone Tracy ripped it apart in the 1970s – which makes its goodtime spirit all the more remarkable.

The city has a thriving festivals scene, a lively strip of pubs and restaurants and a plethora of museums and galleries. You’ll also find beach markets and (in the form of the multi-million dollar Waterfront Precinct) a modern spread of hotels, eateries and wave lagoons.

Thanks to its location, there’s also much to entice outdoor lovers. Kakadu and Litchfield National Parks both sit within a few hours’ drive and it’s the city’s mix of unhurried urban living and world-class natural beauty that draws many of its visitors.

Kakadu in particular is an astonishing place to visit, its plains and escarpments home to a long Aboriginal heritage. 4-wheel drive tours and croc-spotting cruises are popular, while back in the city, sailing and fishing trips are both big draws.

Before you arrive in Darwin, it’s best to time your trip carefully as the city’s weather can be unpredictable. Average temperatures are the same year round but there are six changes of season, including distinct dry and wet periods. The latter (at its peak from January to March) can spark tropical cyclones, monsoon rains and hurricanes, rendering some roads impassable.

  • Darwin History

From tropical backwater to sophisticated metropolis, Darwin has undergone an incredible metamorphosis.

Long before the Brits arrived, Darwin was home to Aboriginal people who had trading routes with Southeast Asia and imported goods from south and western Australia.

The Dutch made an appearance in the 1600s, creating the first European maps of the area.

But the first British person to discover Darwin’s harbour was John Stokes, captain of the Beagle, in 1839. He named the area after former shipmate and naturalist, Charles Darwin.

While the Overland Telegraph Line was being laid between Port Augusta and Darwin, workers uncovered gold near Pine Creek, about 200km (125 miles) south of Darwin. Miners and machinery flooded the city and in the early 20th century, an airport sprung up and further gold was discovered at Tennant Creek.

However, by the start of WWII, Darwin remained isolated, with a population of just 2,000 and limited infrastructure and road links.

The arrival of 10,000 Allied troops to defend the northern coastline immediately made Darwin a target. In 1942, Japanese bombers raided the city 64 times, killing around 900 people and destroying 77 aircraft and several ships.

In the 1950s, the town grew steadily, spurred on by the discovery of uranium and iron ore. In 1959, Darwin was granted city status.

By the early 1970s however, Darwin was still pretty cut off from the rest of the country, particularly during the wet season when roads became impassable.

Then, on Christmas Eve 1974, the city was almost entirely wiped out by Cyclone Tracy, which dealt out the highest wind speeds ever seen on the Australian mainland. The 45,000-strong population was suddenly depleted, as residents were evacuated.

The rebuilding that followed has resulted in a well-planned, modern city, which continues to thrive today.

  • Did you know?

The didgeridoo originally came from Arnhem Land, east of Darwin.
The B52 bomber at the Aviation Heritage Centre is one of only two on display in the world outside the USA.
The Ghan train first rolled into Darwin from Adelaide on 4 February 2004.

  • Weather in Darwin

Darwin is dominated by two distinct seasons: the wet season, which runs from early November to the end of March, and the dry season from April to October. Expect hours of torrential rain daily during the wet season, and very high humidity. The dry season is characterised by cool crisp nights and warm days. Visit at the start or end of the dry season to avoid the tourist crowds. May is best time if you want to explore the bush but the wet season is ideal to experience flowers in bloom, wildlife mating and breeding, and raging waterfalls.

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