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Wave
crashing on beach |
In the far north of Australia's
Northern
Territory lies Darwin,
the smallest of the country's regional capitals. It is a place full of history,
recreational opportunities, and numerous interesting activities. It is relatively
secluded, but there are few places that provide such an opportunity for viewing
wildlife and Australia's unique outdoors.
Darwin is actually closer to Jakarta and Singapore than it is to Melbourne
or Sydney.
The Asian influence is strongly felt here, and this contributes to the unique
flavour that Darwin provides. For beach lovers, history buffs, and outdoor enthusiasts,
Darwin is worth a visit.
HISTORY
The Northern Territory was settled by the British, who claimed the area as
their own for fear of it being claimed by France
or the Netherlands first. Several towns were proclaimed the territory's capital,
but all were abandoned for various reasons. In 1869, Darwin was established.
The port was first discovered thirty years prior by John Stokes, who named it
Darwin after his shipmate Charles Darwin.
As with everywhere in Australia, European settlement of the Northern Territory
was both difficult and violent. The Aboriginal residents did not want to give
away their land or give up their way of life. Many of the indigenous people
wound up in government reserves, Christian missions, or working as stockmen
or domestic help on cattle stations.
In the early 1870s, Darwin had a short growth spurt, which was provoked by
a gold rush in nearby Pine Creek. However, when gold fever died down,
so did the population boom, and Darwin remained a small centre.
Darwin was more affected by the events of World War II than any other city
in Australia. Its close proximity to Asia - specifically Japan - made it an
important strategic base for allied forces. The city was attacked 64 times,
and over 200 lives were lost. The war finally connected Darwin to the rest of
country, as military convoys needed to get to and from the city easily. This
provoked the surfacing of the road to Alice
Springs, and Darwin was no longer secluded from Australia.
In 1974, Darwin suffered another great loss when Cyclone Tracy hit. She brought
wind speeds estimated as high as 280 kilometres (174 miles) an hour. 66 people
were killed, and only 400 of the 11, 200 homes in Darwin survived. This prompted
the rebuilding houses, and other structures since in a 'cyclone-proof' manner.
Today, Darwin is an important centre for mining and administration in the Northern
Territory. It also remains a popular tourist destination.
CLIMATE
Regardless the time of year, Darwin maintains a consistent temperature of about
30 to 33 Degrees Celsius (86 to 91 Degrees Fahrenheit). The 'Wet Season' runs
from October to March. Humidity levels can get quite high, but spectacular electrical
storms can also occur. It should be noted that it is during the wet season that
cyclones can form.
TRANSPORTATION
Darwin's airport
offers both domestic charter and international flights. Most airports in the
country have flights to Darwin, although some may require a layover in other
cities, such as Brisbane
or Alice Springs. Bus service also connects Darwin to the rest of Australia,
and there are routes from Western
Australia and Queensland,
and one that runs straight up from Alice Springs.
Within Darwin, public
transportation is easily accessed, although full bus service only occurs
from Monday to Friday. Services are restricted on Saturdays, and non-existent
on Sundays. This is not considered to be a barrier for travelers, as taxi service
is available throughout the city. Darwin also has an extensive bicycle path
system, and rental shops are abundant.
WHAT TO SEE AND DO
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Pearls
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INDO-PACIFIC MARINE AND AUSTRALIAN PEARLING EXHIBITION
A once unattractive harbour has been turned into a hotspot for tourism in Darwin.
The
Wharf Precinct is home to numerous tourist attractions, such as the
Indo-Pacific
Marine and Australian
Pearling Exhibition.
Indo-Pacific Marine is a unique aquarium that houses a variety of sea-life,
including coral. The Marine is filled with small tanks, and each of these represents
a separate ecosystem. These are kept as natural as possible, with new fish only
being introduced to feed some of the carnivorous fish, such as stonefish or
angler fish. A full living coral reef is one of the most impressive displays
here.
The Australian Pearling Exhibition showcases the history and advancements made
in the Australian pearling industry. Everything from luggers and hard hat divers
to modern farming is looked at. Modern pearl culture techniques and other aspects
of the industry are shown through audio visual and static displays. Industry
relics are also housed here, all of which paints a vivid picture of a dangerous,
yet romantic industry.
DARWIN CROCODILE FARM
Located 30 minutes outside Darwin in Noonambah
is the Darwin
Crocodile Farm. Over 8, 000 crocodiles and alligators reside at the
farm, and they are kept in as natural a habitat as is possible. Snowy Mcarthur,
the world's largest white saltwater crocodile at over 4 metres (13 feet) long,
resides here. Many of the crocodiles living here were removed from the Northern
Territory, because of the hazard they pose to people.
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Crocodile
on Darwin Crocodile Farm |
Crocodiles are bred at Darwin Crocodile Farm, and several different species,
including American alligators and Australian freshwater crocodiles, can be viewed.
A number of birds can be observed as well. Tours of the farm are available.
Generally, tour guests will be able to see a crocodile feeding, an exciting
sight which should not be missed. Specialized tours can also be arranged, and
crocodiles, accompanied by an experienced handler, can be brought to almost
any social function under arrangement.
HOWARD SPRINGS NATURE PARK
35 kilometres (22 miles) south of Darwin is Howard
Springs Nature Park. At one point, the springs were viewed as a solution
to the unreliable water supply in Darwin. Water was piped to railway dams and
overhead tanks in Darwin and other areas around the city. This was used as a
stop-gap method until the completion of the Manton Dam in 1942.
Howard Springs Nature Park was the first Reserve in the Northern Territory.
It is 283 hectares (699 acres), featuring an impressive diversity of habitats,
including monsoon forests, riverine areas, and extensive swamp systems. There
is also an abundance of wildlife living here including Pygmy and Magpie Geese,
Radjah Shelducks, and Whistling Ducks. A 1.8-kilometer (1.1 mile) walking track
goes through the park, which is adorned with signs explaining the area's vegetation
and wildlife. Crocodile-free swimming is offered here, and the swimming hole
is located in a scenic area of the park that is surrounded by a lush forest.
MUSEUM & ART GALLERY OF THE NORTHERN TERRITORY
In a tropical garden on the Darwin Harbour at Bullocky Point, is the Museum
and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory. There are five permanent
galleries here, plus a touring gallery, an educational facility, and a museum
shop and café. Displays here highlight Australian natural and maritime history,
as well as events in the area's past, such as the Cyclone Tracy disaster. The
art gallery features visual art, south east Asian art, and an impressive collection
of Aboriginal Art from the Northern Territory. The annual Telstra National Aboriginal
Art Award and the Torres Straight Islander Art Award are both held here.
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Scuba
divers with underwater wreck |
BEACHES & WATER SPORTS
Darwin is surrounded by numerous beaches, but it is important to note that
between October and May swimming is out of the question. This is due to the
large amounts of extremely dangerous box jellyfish in the waters. Throughout
the rest of the year, swimming in Darwin is great, and there is no shortage
of beaches to pick from: Mindil,
Vestey's
and Mandorah
are just a few. The area also provides some excellent scuba diving opportunities.
Several WWII wrecks are located off Darwin Harbour, and these provide an ideal
habitat for marine life. There are a number of tour groups who will take visitors
out to these spots throughout the course of the year.
