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photo credit: Tourism Australia

Australia’s only tropical capital, Darwin is a modern city nestled on a harbour more than twice the size of Sydney’s. Feel the tropical breeze in your hair as you cruise the balmy waters of Australia’s Top End at sunset. Darwin is truly multicultural, with more than 50 nationalities making up its 100,000 population, including the area’s traditional landowners, the Larrakia Aboriginal people.

Darwin is a fascinating blend of cultures, with an amazing mix of festivals, beachside night markets, museums and nightlife. This city is closer to Jakarta than to Canberra and is a gateway for many Asian destinations. Dramatic landscapes – from coastlines, savannah woodlands and rugged escarpments to deep gorges, waterfalls and billabongs – are all within reach.

You can reel in a barramundi on a fully-equipped guided fishing boat and watch crocodiles in the wild by day. At night, enjoy either ‘barra’ or ‘croc’ for dinner from the barbecue while you sit outdoors under the stars and sample Darwin’s buzzing society in any of the city’s many pubs or clubs. Whether you’re interested in discovering more about the natural environment, Aboriginal culture or the pioneering history of Darwin, you can see it all at the various attractions and national parks scattered throughout the region.

WalksDarwin is a great walking city. The Darwin Visitor Information Centre has a free heritage map that details 17 places of interest. Walk around Fannie Bay to the East Point and the Darwin Military Museum (5 kilometres) or visit the George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens and stroll among palms, orchids, mangroves and every species of boab in the world.

Mindil Beach Sunset MarketsMindil Beach Sunset Markets are a Darwin institution. Be one of the thousands who throng around the 200 stalls on Thursday and Sunday evenings from April to October. There is a dazzling array of market food, arts and crafts to purchase while performers create a treat for our senses. With nearly 60 food stalls from more than 30 different countries, the hardest part about eating at the markets is making a choice. Crowds flock to the beach to watch our famous sunset as it dips, fiery red, into Darwin Harbour.

Territory Wildlife ParkWonderfully re-created natural habitats house Northern Territory wildlife at the Territory Wildlife Park. With monsoon rainforest boardwalks, lagoons with bird hides, a walk-through aviary, an aquarium with stingrays and sawfish, and a nocturnal house with marsupials such as the bilby you will meet many of our local animals here.

Crocodylus ParkLarge estuarine crocodiles leap high out of the water to catch their food in the main pond of Crocodylus Park. Only 15 minutes drive from Darwin, Crocodylus Park is a privately-funded wildlife research and breeding facility that is open to the public. The Park specialises in wildlife conservation, management and sustainable use. There is an educational museum dedicated to crocodiles. You can meet other local and exotic wildlife here too.

Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern TerritoryAboriginal art and material culture, visual arts, craft, South-East Asian and Oceanic art and maritime archaeology, Northern Territory history and natural sciences are among the collections here. There are five major permanent galleries, a touring gallery, educational facilities for school groups, a theatre and the Cornucopia Museum Cafe with harbour views.

Darwin Military MuseumUncover the city’s wartime history at the Darwin Military Museum. During World War II, Darwin was bombed 64 times and 12 ships were sunk in the harbour. The museum is located at East Point Reserve, just a few minutes’ drive from the city centre and a favourite spot for sunset picnics. It is also home to a colony of agile wallabies.

Australian Aviation Heritage CentreThe Australian Aviation Heritage Centre houses an impressive collection of the Territory’s aviation history and reminds us of Darwin’s frontier role in World War II. A B-52 bomber on loan from the United States is the prized exhibit at the centre, which is 10 minutes out of Darwin. Also on display is a B-25 Mitchell bomber, Mirage and Sabre jet fighters and rare Japanese Zero fighter wreckage.

Australian Pearling ExhibitionThe Australian Pearling Exhibition at the Darwin Wharf Precinct tells the story of our pearling history, from the days of the lugger and hard-hat diving, to modern farming and pearl culturing techniques. The exhibition, a time capsule of facts and stories from Australia’s Pearl Coast, reveals an industry steeped in mystery, danger and romance. In Darwin’s city centre, the Smith Street Mall has a range of specialty shops linked by arcades to surrounding streets. There are numerous Aboriginal art galleries, unique jewellery stores featuring Territory gems, Australian gold and beautiful saltwater pearls, high-end fashion boutiques and trinket shops to be explored.