Travel Australia - by Craig Hill

Northern Territory - Travel Australia

Darwin - the capital of Northern Territory

January 21st 2008 21:45

Darwin is the northern most city of Australia and capital of Northern Territory. It was named in honour of Charles Darwin.

The city is one of Australia's most cosmopolitan cities with a population made up of people from more than 60 nationalities and 70 different ethnic backgrounds thus making Darwin's many cultural activities some of the most exciting and authentic in the country.

Darwin is a sophisticated city boasting great accommodation, clubs, eateries, museums and pubs while its other attractions for both residents and tourists such as kilometres of unpolluted beaches (Casuarina and Mindil Beach) and extensive parks and gardens retains the city's relaxed charm.

The weather is at its best from May to September each year when its 71,933 (Census 2006) residents enjoys mild days and balmy and cool nights. Temperatures are at its lowest during June/July at around 19-30 degrees celsius and at its highest in October/November when daily temperatures are between 25 and 33 degrees.

Between December and March there is a distinctive Wet Season period due to the city's monsoonal climate with plenty of rain and frequent high intensity storms.

There are many tourist attractions and things to do in and around the city. Darwin has many Aboriginal art galleries in the city - all within walking distance - which feature various styles of artwork.

Experience the fun of fish feeding at Doctors Gully, just a short walk from the Esplanade. This unique experience lets you feed a wide range of fish including milkfish, mullet, catfish, bream and batfish while they tickle your fingers as they take bread from your hand!

The Parliament house is another tourist attraction of the city with free public tours every Wednesday at 10.30am and Saturday at 9.00am and 11.00am.

The NT Chinese Museum and Chung Wah temple on Woods Street boasts a fascinating display of photos, stories and history of the Bombing of Darwin, Chinatown, Market Gardens the temple, and more.

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Posted By: Arnold - Category: Northern Territory

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How much of a draw card is language for Australia?

May 25th 2007 06:26

By English being so dominant, has Australia increased or decreased its appeal to overseas tourists? I ask this question because Federal Aboriginal Affairs Minister Mal Brough has called for young Aboriginals in central Australia to learn English. Critics say forcing these people to learn English will increase the depletion of native languages.

It brought me to think how many of the things that draw tourists to Australia - animals such as the Kangaroo or Wallaby or locations such as Uluru, are actually identified using Aboriginal language. With this is mind, is the push for the universal speaking of English in Australia actually removing some of the appeal for people to visit Australia.

Of course, terms that we identify with have been used for some time, so one could argue that the appeal of native language has been established and not built on. But will the disappearance of native languages remove something very Australian from this land?

At the very least, maintaining native language is important for the aboriginal people to have a connection to their past.

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Posted By: Glen - Category: Northern Territory

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How about Nauru or Christmas Island for a holiday?

March 15th 2007 08:54

Eighty odd Sri Lankan asylum seekers were on Christmas Island, but will be moved to sunny Nauru to be processed. Pretty lucky bunch of people, getting to have a little holiday on an island off the coast of Australia. Or not.

For one, their claims for asylum should be processed on the Australian mainland and laws to change that, which were brought in by the Howard government are quite frankly a joke. What is more of a joke however, is Kevin Andrews (who seemingly thinks his job is to represent only a small percentage of the electorate). His comments were that these latest actions would act as deterents for people coming to Australia illegally.

Sorry Kevin, but it isn't illegal to seek asylum in another country. Sorry Kevin, but running from a situation where your life is threatened isn't illegal. The UN will only work if countries like Australia, adhere to the charters we have agreed to and ratified.

You're out of touch with the electorate Kevin.

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Posted By: Glen - Category: Northern Territory

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Darwin and Pearl Diving

August 4th 2006 10:58

I would never have guessed Darwin was a place associated with diving, but the British Australian Telegraph Residence Museum is perhaps one place to prove that the city has a long association with it. Otherwise know as Lyons cottage, the museum has a great section dedicated to the area’s pearl diving period.

Keeping on the water theme and the museum also contains a section on the maritime history of Darwin, which dates back to the first European explorers. Admission to Lyons cottage is free and open most days of the year.

For those even more interesting, there is the Australian Pearling Exhibition on Kitchener Drive. Entry is $6.60 for adults and children are half the price. Here you’ll find a more indepth history of the industry, which is now long gone. Pearls in Australia remain big business, but due to the nature of the industry, overfishing really left the oceans in the area understocked. These days few licences are granted and farming of pearls is more widespread.

I would have thought crocs would have been a major disruption to the diving myself!

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Posted By: Glen - Category: Northern Territory

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Cricket in Darwin and Cairns

July 4th 2006 04:08

Marrara Oval Darwin

Darwin and Cairns aren’t traditionally known as being a home for cricket. I would suggest because cricket is a summer sport and summer in Darwin would not provide very hospitable conditions for international cricket. Imagine it! The players would have to wear ice vests and the groundsmen would have to be constantly on the ready to cover the pitch in case of a sudden downpour.

There are cricket fans and players in Darwin though. I would also base my trip to Darwin around a scheduled cricket match and to combat the heat, the powers that be have scheduled some international matches there in winter. A fine idea in my opinion.

There is a host of teams playing in the top end series including A teams from Australia India, Pakistan and New Zealand as well as local state teams of Queensland and Northern Territory. The series includes a number of one day matches and Twenty20 matches being played at Gardens Oval and Marrara Stadium in Darwin as well as Cazalys Stadium and Fretwell Stadium in Cairns.

This is a an excellent opportunity for those in the top end to see some very competitive cricket and adult tickets start at as little as ten bucks each. Cricket Australia seems quite committed to taking cricket outside the traditional capital cities and to be honest I’d love to be sitting in the warmth watching some top quality cricket right now.

More info: http://www.cricket.com.au/default.aspx?s=topend2006

Image coprighted, but used for the purpose of review.

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Posted By: Glen - Category: Northern Territory

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Darwin - croc country

June 20th 2006 08:23

Darwin is located in Australia’s far north and seeing as it is winter it is probably the sort of time you want to head up there. Otherwise it is going to be both stinking hot and rainy season, which doesn’t sound all that much fun, though others may disagree.

Darwin is the capital city of the northern territory and it has the facilities expected from a capital city, but with only 90 000 people isn’t plagued by the hustle and bustle of much larger capital cities. A port town with some well developed harbour side attractions and atmosphere, the city has come back from the past misfortunes of Hurricane Katrina and bombing during World War 2 to be a popular destination for travellers and transients alike.

The main disappointment is the dangerous water animals. When it is as hot as it gets in Darwin (30 C in winter) you would want to swim. Problem is that deadly box jelly fish and saltwater crocodiles are in the ocean up that way. Benefit of this on the other hand is you can go to one of the parks to see crocs in a safe environment.

To get a look at the city centre of Darwin, jump on one of the Tour Tub buses, which is a free service taking you to the main attractions in Darwin. You can Get on and off as you wish as it takes a regular loop – something every city should have. At the end of June you may want to get along to the V8 Supercars – a very popular weekend of racing in Hidden Valley.

Darwin has its own events and attractions – those unique in a way, but that can be found in any city – museums, restaurants etc. What is different about Darwin is the mix of people and what comes from that. Indigenous culture mixed with European yes, but add in the variety that comes down from Asia and those from the southern states willing to make the big change to the removed humid part of the nation. It is a strange but interesting blend of people that gives the city a feel of its own.

Image from wikipedia. author gave permission to reproduce image

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Posted By: Glen - Category: Northern Territory

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