Tropical Darwin - Australia's Gateway to Asia

	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

	Pearls in a Shell

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.

	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.

	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.