The capital city of the Northern Territory lies along the Timor Sea, which means kilometres of pristine beaches and the opportunity to enjoy numerous water based activities. Mindil Beach remains one of the most popular and also features the famous Mindil Beach markets. The area has something for everyone whether looking for cultural entertainment, exciting night-life or great food. Two national parks lie not far from the city and offer some of the most beautiful natural environment in the country.
The Waterfront
The waterfront provides the chance to take cruises in the ocean or along the waterways. Locals and tourists alike enjoy fishing in the ocean, lakes and rivers of the region. Off the coast, anglers have the chance to catch a variety of species that include barramundi, Black Jewfish and Snapper along with Spanish mackerel or queen fish. The local lagoon attracts many who prefer sunbathing and swimming without having to worry about the commonly seen salt water crocs. The location also features a wave pool. Lake Alexander is another swimming destination that additionally offers water skiing or long boat tours.
Mindil Beach Sunset Market
Shopping is quite popular with locals and tourists alike, and the markets here offer a multicultural experience. Whether interested in finding something from China, India, Morocco or South America, you will enjoy browsing through the many crafts and wares. The area also offers the opportunity to tantalise your taste buds with cuisine from around the world. Enjoy the free, live entertainment while strolling along, which includes musical performances provided by artists from various countries.
Culture
Make a stop at the Northern Territory Museum and Art Gallery and learn more about the history and culture of the area. See the Aboriginal inspired works of local artist Albert Namatjira. The Darwin Entertainment Centre regularly hosts a variety of concerts and live theatre performances. If feeling up to the challenge of coming face-to-face with some of the native predators, take a tour of the Crocodylus Park and Zoo. The facility serves as a research centres and enables guests to watch the reptiles feed three times a day.
Botanical Gardens
If looking for a quiet spot with spectacular scenery, head to the George Brown Botanical Gardens, known locally as the Darwin Botanical Gardens. The history of the destination dates back to 1886 and is the perfect place to unwind. Here guests have the chance to take walks and encounter rainforests, waterfalls and fountains. There are also picnic areas and plenty of open spaces for playing.
Dining and Night-life
Mitchell Street offers a wide variety of bars, restaurants and other attractions. Some of the more frequented venues include the Monsoons, which has an Asian flair that includes cane furnishings and dark wood. Besides drinks, many come for lunch and enjoy the menu that features burgers, curries and salads. Nearby lies the Wisdom Bar and Cafe along with The Tap a few blocks down.
The quirky Hanuman is the place to go when hungry for Indian or Thai dishes. The venue provides the chance to eat indoors or out. The Noodle House across the street remains a favourite for steamed chicken and rice.
Nature
If needing to escape the city for the day, travel 100 kilometres south of Darwin to Litchfield National Park. While most of the locations in this spectacular landscape are accessible by conventional vehicle, some areas require a 4WD during the rainy season. Spanning 1,500 square kilometres, the park has everything from sandstone plateaus and unusually massive termite mounds to an abundance of swimming holes and cascading waterfalls.
Approximately 180 kilometres east of Darwin lies the expansive Kakadu National Park. The landscape covers over 19,000 square kilometres and boasts everything from floodplains to escarpments that rise high above sea level. Chartering a flight over the area is a great way to take in the full view of the land and the only way to see the spectacular Jim Jim and Twin Falls during the wet season. As the Aborigines have occupied the area for around 40,000 years, the park features more than 5,000 historical rock art locations. Kakadu also is the perfect place for birdwatchers, as the location serves as home to almost 300 species. More than 60 mammal species and 1,600 plant species also reside here.
Darwin has so much to offer and the great thing is that it does not have to be expensive to visit this amazing city. Flight comparison sites, such as Cheapflights.com.au regularly publish deals on flights to Darwin. You can read more about Australia’s fastest-growing capital city here.
