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Region Path: | Oceania | Australia | Northern Territory | Darwin

Darwin - Destination Darwin

Darwin, the capital of the Northern Territory, surprises many people. Instead of the rough, tough, frontier town most expect, Darwin is a lively, modern city with a young population, laidback lifestyle and cosmopolitan atmosphere.

An extremely multicultural city Darwin is home to around 60 different ethnic groups.  Its close proximity to Asia has made it a gateway for travellers both entering and leaving the country.  Thus, Darwin is a great place to catch up with fellow adventures and exchange travel stories.  It is also the prefect launching pad to the natural wonders of Kakadu and Litchfield National Parks.

Darwin has a varied and interesting history.  First named Palmerston it was a long time before the city was officially recognised as the regions centre.

Renamed Darwin in 1869 after evolutionist Charles Darwin the town's maturity came with the discovery of gold.  During World War 2, the city was attacked 64 time and 243 people lost their lives.

 

Moreover, on Christmas day 1974, Cyclone Tracy stuck and virtually wiped the city off the map, the remodelling that followed turned the city into its present modern day form.

The city centre is a compact area.  The Stuart Highway loops through the city exiting north and south.  The main shopping area is Smith Street.  Darwin is easy to get around on foot with plenty of watering holes along the way.

Population:   88,000 people
Time zone:    Central Standard Time GMT +9.5hrs
Telephone code:  08

Images courtesy of the Northern Territory Tourist Commission