Darwin is Australia’s only tropical capital city. It sits on a vast harbour, enjoying a relaxed outdoor lifestyle and warm weather all year round.
Surrounded on three sides by the sea, harbour views are everywhere - from hotels, restaurants and as you make your way around the city.
With an average age of around thirty, Darwin is a young city full of energy and optimism. Asia is just across the water (Bali is the closest major centre outside the Territory) and Darwin’s diverse population of around 120,000 gives the place a vibe unlike anywhere else in Australia. You can get a real feel for it at the many outdoor markets and festivals, and a taste at countless restaurants.
For all the damage it caused in 1974, Cyclone Tracey couldn’t remove Darwin’s colourful history. The culture, art and involvement in local life of the Larrakia people - the area’s traditional landowners - are celebrated here. The story of the telegraph has a strong association with Darwin, and the place has a unique WWII history.
Darwin is also a great base to explore extraordinary places like World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park, Litchfield and Nitmiluk National Parks, the Tiwi Islands and Arnhem Land.
Climate
The Territory’s tropical north experiences warm, sunny weather for most of the year. Maximum temperatures average around 32° Celsius.
Many consider the tropical summer, from December to March, the most beautiful time of year. Summer rains bring the landscape to life amid dazzling storms and heartbreakingly beautiful sunsets.
In the dry season, from May to October, cool nights punctuate the reliably warm, sunny days.
At the end of the year, the build up, or pre-monsoon season, begins and humidity starts to rise again.
|
Month
|
J
|
F
|
M
|
A
|
M
|
J
|
J
|
A
|
S
|
O
|
N
|
D
|
|
|
32.4
|
32.2
|
32.7
|
33.5
|
32.6
|
31.2
|
30.6
|
31.7
|
33.0
|
34.1
|
34.2
|
35.4
|
|
|
25.2
|
25.0
|
24.9
|
24.4
|
22.6
|
20.8
|
19.7
|
20.9
|
23.3
|
25.1
|
25.5
|
19.9
|
|
|
393.2
|
329.7
|
258.3
|
102.6
|
14.3
|
3.0
|
1.3
|
1.6
|
12.8
|
52.1
|
124.0
|
36.3
|
Getting here
With its proximity to Asia, Darwin International Airport is well connected to Dili, East Timor; Denpasar and Kupang, Indonesia; Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and Singapore. Bali is just two hours away; Singapore, four. Making for easy access and connections to the rest of Asia and beyond.
Darwin also enjoys direct domestic services with Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Cairns and Alice Springs.
Perhaps the most romantic and unforgettable way to get here, however, is by train. On the legendary Ghan, with twice weekly services from Adelaide via Alice Springs.