Darwin Hotels

Small in relation to other major cities, the regional capital of Darwin is nonetheless one of the most modern in the country. The tidy cosmopolitan town on the Timor Sea, provides world class recreation, sports, beachfront, parks and gardens. Copious festivals throughout the year unmask Darwin as a lively and convivial destination. With national parks the size of some nations within close proximity, Darwin is a city with magnetic appeal.

Attractions

Sports fishermen prize the river system in and around Darwin, in addition to the pristine coastal waters, for rich schools of barramundi, snapper and jewfish.

If you enjoy the beach, Darwin is a superlative city. Casuarina Beach and Mindil Beach are the most popular, despite occasional visits by box jellyfish and saltwater crocodiles. Both contain numerous sites of interest, beyond the inherent opportunity soak up some sun.

Casuarina Coastal Reserve protects native fauna and flora between Rapid Creek and Buffalo Creek and features World War II artillery observation posts, as well as sacred aboriginal landmarks.

The sunset markets at Mindil Beach feature multicultural vendors and cuisine, a vibrant slice of Darwin life.

George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens has a wealth of plant life that spans the considerable range of the Northern Territory. For a practical look at the natural habitat of the area however, explore the national parks around Darwin. Kakadu National Park, at half the size of Switzerland, is a popular destination. With waterfalls, canyons, wildlife and Aboriginal rock art, the park also contains 30% of endemic bird life in Australia and was the location of the first Crocodile Dundee film.

Similarly beautiful, Litchfield National Park is a short drive from downtown Darwin and features falls, sandstone formations, immense termite mounds and superb trails and campgrounds.

Events

Although Darwin has less than 125,000 people, the city has a full slate of festivals and events on tap.

A premier sports city, the Marrara Sports Complex hosts cricket, soccer, rugby, Aussie Rules football, basketball, field hockey and believe it or not, more sports, throughout the calendar year. Darwin also hosts the Arafura Games every two years, with participation by Asia-Pacific nations.

The Darwin Cup is second only to the Melbourne Cup in terms of horse race event importance in Australia. The event on the first Monday of August is a holiday in the Northern Territory.

The Darwin Symphony Orchestra plays regularly at the Darwin Entertainment Centre, the paramount venue in the city. Once complete however, the Darwin Waterfront project will support a number of superb recitals and concerts.

Bassinthegrass is a popular music festival held every May at Darwin’s Amphitheatre, with a diverse ensemble of acts from around Australia and the world.

With a reputation as the premier festival for the “Top End” of Australia, the Darwin Festival is the most popular annual event in the city, with a line-up spread over 18 days that includes cabaret, film, visual arts, dance and music.

Climate

A tropical monsoon climate provides Darwin with some erratic weather. Spectacular storms, cyclones and torrential rains are not uncommon. A long dry spell between April and November contributes to record sunshine in the city.

The mean temperature fluctuates very little from month to month in Darwin, with the annual average maximum and minimum at 32°C and 23°C. The monthly mean minimum never dips below 19°C, while the maximum never hovers above 34°C. If you want to avoid the rain, come in June, July and August.