Darwin - a place to be

Darwin is a sort of funny and young city. Everybody loves Darwin and its climate, especially during the dry season that goes from May to November.

The city is attractive and full of attractions and places to experience. On the local guide that you can find at the visitor information centre there's a full list of attractions, that spreads from indoor to outdoor, from cultural activities to sportive ones. The guide deals with Darwin, its suburbs and most of the Top End.

I've already written about the Stuart Highway from north to south and some of the places that are interesting to stop by and in this post I'll write about Darwin itself.

I've been there more than three months ago, end of June and beginning of July. At this time the weather is not really wet, the temperature is nice and warm and lots of places come alive, as the Mindil Beach Sunset Market, one of my favourite spot in the city.

Settled in 1869 due to the development of gold mining and the Overland Telegraph Line, meant to connect Darwin to Adelaide and Australia to overseas, Darwin went through a couple of catastrophes, experiencing the tragedy of being bombed during the Second World War (1942) and the strength of Cyclone Tracy that hit the area on Christmas Eve 1974. The history of the city is everywhere and easy to access, with the free entrance to the Museum and Art Gallery of the NT. It's even possible to immerse yourself back in the 1974 and listen to Cyclone Tracy coming and hitting the coast. 

In addition, the museum is home of diverse and fascinating art from aboriginal culture and the close asian countries.

Why not taking a tour in the Parliament House, that is home to the NT Library too, where is easy to access internet or find lots of books and information? It is situated just close to the main street of the city, just 5 minutes by walk and it sits on top of the hill where it is possible to overview Darwin Harbour and the beauty of the ocean, shining during day time. Just one minute from the Parliament House, you could reach the Surviver Lookout that opens the view to Darwin Wharf and to the modern waterfront. If you walk down the hill, you'll find the convention centre, an incredible modern structure close to the lagoon and the wave pool, stop over for relaxing time and a swim, or just for an ice cream ;)

Other interesting place to see on the opposite side of the city are: Cullen Bay, nice and stylish bay with lost of restaurant and cafè, plus luxurious boat parked in the marine; Fannie Bay with the sailing club, the Fannie Bay Gaol and the George Brown botanic gardens, just close to Skycity Casino and Mindil Beach. This beach is a festive place, due to the markets on Thursday and Sunday and becomes more catching during the Territory day, on the 1st of July when everybody meets on the beach and after dawn starts to shoot fireworks on the beach. There's a big firework show proposed and managed by the city that would amuse and entertain whoever is on the beach.

It's absolutely a city to see, visit and maybe live for a short while!! Other attractions are all around the cities and easy to see and access, just even taking a self guided walk tour around it! A young, liveable and warm city that has not to be missed ;) Enjoy it!!