| ooking Timor Sea in Australia’s northern | | | | an array of food stalls while looking over the arts |
| coastline is Darwin, the capital city of the Northern | | | | and crafts from local artists. |
| Territory. Darwin has a permanent population of | | | | There are many other attractions in Darwin, with |
| around 110,000 people, but really comes alive | | | | some of them being: |
| during the Dry Season when the tourists flock to | | | | - Crocodylus Park is a crocodile museum displaying |
| the city. Because of Darwin’s warm | | | | everything you need to know about the Crocodile. |
| weather and tropical climate, the nightclubs and | | | | There are breeding and rearing crocodile pens, |
| hotels are buzzing with activity each night as the | | | | plus many other animals on display such as lizards, |
| people enjoy a relaxed outdoor lifestyle. If you | | | | snakes, wombats, dingoes, birds and buffalo. |
| want to experience some true Australian cuisine | | | | - Visit Acquascene at Doctor’s Gully to |
| then make sure you try Kangaroo, Barramundi | | | | witness the fish feeding frenzy. At particular times |
| and Mud Crabs, or for the real experience try | | | | during the day when the tides are right, wild fish |
| some Buffalo or Crocodile. | | | | come in to be fed. |
| On the 19th of February 1942, the Japanese | | | | - Darwin Crocodile Farm is a breeding ground for |
| raided Darwin with 188 planes attacking the city, | | | | crocodiles to be farmed for their skins as the |
| dropping more bombs than were dropped on | | | | leather is highly durable and unique with its |
| Pearl Harbour. Along with the 15,000 Allied soldiers | | | | individual patterning. The crocodile farm is also |
| that were based in Darwin at the time to support | | | | open to tourists, with the best time to visit being |
| the war, there were also 2,000 permanent | | | | feeding time. |
| residents, down from its original 5,000 due to the | | | | - The Territory Wildlife Park is a 400 hectare |
| war. Darwin came under attack another 58 times | | | | open range sanctuary situated 56kms outside of |
| during 1942 and 1943, but none were as | | | | Darwin. It is on natural bushland and contains |
| devastating as the original attack. Today you can | | | | animals and plants native to the Northern |
| still see remnants around the city from World | | | | Territory, including an aviary, an aquarium, natural |
| War 2. | | | | lagoons and a nocturnal house. |
| With Darwin being so far north in Australia, it has | | | | - Majestic Orchids houses Australia’s |
| 2 very distinct seasons, one being Wet, and the | | | | largest tropical orchid farm, set across 2 hectares |
| other being Dry. The dry season tends to run | | | | and with over 300,000 blooms. |
| from April/May through to October, with the wet | | | | - Windows on the Wetlands is on the Arnhem |
| season seeing most of the rain fall between | | | | highway overlooking the Adelaide River floodplains. |
| December and March. Darwin sees very little rain | | | | It offers spectacular views across the Top End |
| falling between May and September, and come | | | | Wetlands, with the Wet Season the floodplains |
| November the days become very hot and humid | | | | are under water, and the Dry Season they are |
| in the build up to the wet season. Don’t | | | | baked in the sunlight. |
| be put off from Darwin in the wet season though | | | | - The Darwin Wharf Precinct is a great place to |
| as the days are warm and the stunning waterfalls | | | | relax and enjoy your dinner at a restaurant |
| and rivers are at their best in the Kakadu National | | | | overlooking the water. There are also tours that |
| Park. | | | | go through old World War 2 tunnels. |
| Darwin is a good base to explore the Top End of | | | | - Operating over the Dry Season, the Deckchair |
| Australia with good access to the World Heritage | | | | Cinema overlooks Darwin Harbour creating a |
| listed Kakadu National Park, Litchfield and Nitmiluk | | | | stunning backdrop to enjoy a glass of wine and |
| (Katherine Gorge) National Parks, the Tiwi Islands | | | | watch a movie. |
| and Arnhem Land. Try your hand at fishing for | | | | - The Myilly Point Heritage Precinct is made up of |
| Barramundi with one of the many tour charters | | | | 4 houses set in their original location and are |
| from Darwin, or experience the crocodiles out in | | | | perfect examples of pre World War 2 Darwin |
| their wild habitat on one of the jumping crocodile | | | | architecture. |
| tours on the Adelaide River. Head to the Mindil | | | | - The Darwin Botanic Gardens have displays of |
| Beach Sunset Markets and watch the sunset | | | | orchids that thrive in the humid conditions, along |
| over the ocean, and afterwards have dinner from | | | | with baobab trees, palms and mangroves. |