Sign in with Facebook"Capital City Of Australia's Northern Territory" Darwin by Mikebb
Darwin Travel Guide: 685 reviews and 2,049 photos
We arrived in Darwin on the 1st August for a 10 day holiday taking in several of the major attractions of the Northern Territory. After a few days in the city we visited Litchfield National Park, then onto Katherine for several days including an afternoon cruise through the gorge and finally 2 days in the World Heritage listed Kakadu National Park before returning to Darwin.
In February 1999 I visited Kakadu National Park during the Wet Season and was amazed to see in certain areas the extent of water covering the land as far as I could see. I was determined to return one day with my wife and see this land in the Dry Season.
This was a holiday of contrasts as the "Territory" still retains the character of a remote frontier, isolation, a rugged country at times subject to harsh weather conditions and experiencing 2 seasons: The Dry, and the Wet.
Darwin has all the facilities and most of the infrustructure you expect in a much larger city. This is partly due to its isolation within Australia and also due to the city being destroyed by Cyclone Tracy on Christmas Eve 1974. Nothing was left and the city was completely rebuilt. There is a video of the aftermath on my Things To Do Tips.
John Lort Stokes, Captain of the ship Beagle discovered Darwin Harbour in1839 and named it after a former shipmate, British evolutionist Charles Darwin.
The new settlement of Palmerston was established during February1869 by George Goyder, Surveyor-General of the Colony of South Australia. The City Of Darwin now stands on this land.
The development of the Overland Telegraph to the Southern States of Australia combined with the establishment of the 1100 mile submarine cable between Darwin and Banjoewaingi, Java in 1871 to complete the communication link to Europe and London was most important in the development of the city.
In February1942 the bombing of Darwin by the Japanese forces resulted in a massive build up of forces which contributed to the development of the city. The first raid by 188 aircraft caused massive damage to the city, including the sinking of 8 ships in the harbour. 251 people were killed and a further 350 wounded in that raid. The Japanese airforce continued attacks on Darwin with over 60 raids in the period to November 1943.
Reviews (30)
Magnetic Termite Mounds.
Off The Beaten Path
(5)
These magnetic mounds are much smaller than the Cathedral mounds and resemble tombstones. Where we stopped to view the... more travel advice
Termite Mounds - The Cathedral Mounds.
Off The Beaten Path
(5)
As you drive towards Litchfield National Park you will see Termite Mounds on the land either side of the road. These... more travel advice
Tolmer Falls - Litchfield National Park
Off The Beaten Path
(5)
Our stop at Tolmer Falls was short and limited to several minutes on the viewing platform to take a few photographs. It... more travel advice
Florence Falls - Litchfield National...
Off The Beaten Path
(5)
Spectacular twin falls set amongst rainforest make Florence Falls ideal for hiking , swimming and photography. The falls... more travel advice
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Comments (13)
Excellent page on this interesting Australian city with its wharf, museum and other attractions. The waterfalls look just great and remind me of Norway.
Mike, great page about Darwin. Good thing you met up with Sweetheart in the museum -- and not out in the wild. The photos of the Wharf Precinct and the different waterfalls are excellent. Too bad about the slow service at breakfast. Cheers, Bill
Fine tips on a place I have never heard much about. Interesting that the termites also built a cathedral, not only people. Thanks for including the link to that video on the aftermath of the 1974 cyclone.
Mike, it looks like you had an excellent few days at the Top End! 'Sweetheart' croc does look like quite a beast but your delicious Barramundi tip reminded me of my New Guinea days! I think you are right about the Florence Falls steps!
Darwin and the N.T. will certainly be on my list of stopovers if I ever make it "down" that way...Great page Mike..Ive just been reading your restaurant tips...and its dinner time here...I really shouldn't do that...mix the two!
litchfield looks far more interesting than darwin. termite mounds - made by termites? what am i missing. beautiful park, beautiful pictures.
Wonderful page Mike! Like Lew said, love the tree in the water. Darwin is a fabulous place. Putting on my list of places to see. Thanks for the lovely tour!
Excellent tips, Mike! I hope to make it to Darwin on the Ghan some day.
An enjoyable page on an interesting place, Mike. I was interested to see how far the wharf area redevelopment has come along since our visit.
Very nice tips. I just realized now that I will need another extra month for my future visit ;-) Notes been taken and Litchfield National Park is added to the list :)