In many ways, the steamy, sprawling, Top End capital of Darwin is a microcosm of everything tourists associate with the ‘real’ Australia: constant 30+ degree weather, leathery, slow-speaking locals, rustic (but always full) pubs, crocodiles, sports, Aboriginal culture, prehistoric bushland, waterholes and lush palms.

Yet for Aussies, there is another side to Darwin. There’s something sacred and intoxicating about the place; something that is at once instinctively familiar and dangerously exotic.

Darwin, more than any other city in the country, has a healthy dose of drama about it. Unlike the manmade flair of Sydney and Melbourne, Darwin’s cosmopolitan centre is secondary to its breathtaking natural setting – in fact, it is dwarfed by it. Hugging the Timor Sea, surrounded by Litchfield National Park and the Casuarina Coast Reserve and within touching distance of Kakadu National Park, the star attraction in Darwin is definitely nature.

Whether you’re having a beer and watching the most spectacular sunset you will ever see at the Darwin Yacht Club or watching prehistoric monsters leap from the Adelaide River on a Jumping Croc Cruise, it’s the wildlife and scenery that will leave you enchanted… and more than a little frightened.

Things are done that little bit differently in Darwin. There are tubs of stubby-coolers at the entrance to every establishment, as a cold one doesn’t stay too cold in the top end. Vegemite is kept in the fridge (so is the red wine!) and locals brazenly sail very rickety looking Hobie Cats across croc and box jellyfish-infested water.

What’s that old saying: ‘You’ll never know if you never go’? Ernie Dingo had it right. See it and believe.

Darwin City/CBD

The heart and hub of Darwin has plenty to see and do. If you’re interested in the political side of life, take a trip to Parliament House, where you can take a guided tour and learn about the history of Darwin’s political scene. To indulge your arty side, head over to one of the many Aboriginal art galleries, such as the Aboriginal Fine Arts Gallery, where you can find both traditional and contemporary creations. Wanna get wild? Head to Crocosaurus Cove to feast your eyes on the biggest crocs and the most dangerous snakes in Oz. Now that you’ve worked those legs to the point of collapse, go and lie down in the George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens or Bicentennial Park and have a little siesta. Or head to nearby Mindil Beach if you feel like a dip!

Fannie Bay

This Darwin suburb has a slightly amusing name and a range of activities to keep you happy. Start by investigating the city’s history and cultural side at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (the Cyclone Tracy exhibit brings home the devastation the 1979 disaster wreaked) and then head south to hit up the Fannie Bay Gaol for a more rugged portrayal of Darwin’s colonial history. If you want a little relaxation, head to the East Point Reserve for a scenic walk, bike ride or just a BBQ and chill. You’ll also find Lake Alexander at East Point, a popular swimming spot for both locals and visitors.

Casuarina

This area is located in Darwin’s north and is home to the NT’s biggest shopping plaza (which, it has to be said, is not saying much), Casuarina Square. It’s biggest appeal is its hearty air-conditioning, which draws locals en masse during the cloyingly steamy wet season. Once shopping’s done, head to Casuarina Beach for a dip in cool waters and a chill on the clean sands and then head over to Casuarina Coastal Reserve for a picnic under the trees. Perfection.

• The temps stay pretty high throughout the year, but being tropical, Darwin has only two seasons, the dry (June to August) and the (very) wet (January to March).

• The dry season is waay more pleasant, as humidity levels can reach 90% in the wet. So from the moment you step out of the shower in the morning, you’ll feel damp, sweaty and bothered.

• The average temperature is 30°C all year. The difference is in the humidity, which can make you feel as though you’re wading through soup.

• Exploring this hot and humid city can prove mighty dangerous when it comes to dehydration, sunstroke and a bad case of sunburn. Make sure to wear adequate sun protection and drink plenty of water.

• Darwin’s critters can be a little scary (think: snakes, crocs and jellyfish). Always be wary of your surroundings, obey warnings and rules and dress sensibly.

Hiring a car is the best bet for travelling around Darwin – especially as it fees you up to explore the wonders that lie a little further afield. But there’s also a handy and cheap bus service run by the NT Transport Group.

Australia’s vast Northern Territory capital city, Darwin, parlays a rich Aboriginal past that dates over 40,000 years and a bounty of natural wonders to draw visitors from around the world.

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.

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.

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.

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.