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Darwin
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 Darwin, the capital of the Northern Territory, was first settled in the 1860s. Originally the name of the settlement was Palmerston, its port named Port Darwin. The name Darwin for the town came to be widely used by the inhabitants, and in 1911 that name became official. The average temperature exceeds 30-degrees Celsius every month of the year, and its climate is heavily affected by the monsoon season, with much of the yearly rain falling between November and March, a period in which tropical cyclones are often a threat.
Darwin has, probably more than any Australian city, had its share of calamities over the years. During World War 2, in 1942, it suffered losses of life and property when bombed by the Japanese. Further devastation followed in 1974, when on Christmas Eve Cyclone Tracy almost completely levelled the city. Pioneering spirit though has overcome these events, and the twice-built city has thrived, now boasting a cosmopolitan population in excess of 87,000 people.
Compact in size, the city is easily navigable by foot, well signposted for those driving, and pleasingly flat for those who cycle. The Tour Tub, an open-air bus, is a fine way of getting a feel of the city and seeing its major attractions, including the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, the Overland Telegraph Museum, Fannie Bay Gaol, the Botanic Gardens, Indo Pacific Marine, Australian Pearling Exhibition, World War 2 Oil Storage Tunnels, East Point Military Museum and fish feeding.
The main shopping precinct is in the city centre, with Smith Street Mall and Knuckey Street the places to go. All modern wares are to be found there, along with a great range of Top End Aboriginal and Islander artwork. After a day of touring and shopping the Mindil Beach Sunset Market offers a wide array of food and a fine beach on which to relax, have a drink and take in the view.
The city has 3 public golf courses, a motor sports complex and a horseracing track, in addition to facilities for most popular sporting activities. Those looking to swim are well served by public swimming pools, important as the sea is often unsafe, especially between October to May, due to deadly box jellyfish. Checking with a local all-year round is the policy you should follow before swimming in the sea.
Darwin also serves as good base from which to explore some of the spectacular natural attractions of the Top End. The vast Kakadu National Park is 140 kilometres east, the Adelaide River 112 kilometres west, and the Litchfield National Park 170 kilometres south. The flora, fauna and scenery of the region is a must see, and tours for these locations and more can be taken from Darwin.
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