| With a population of 120900 Darwin is the least | | | | Darwin is also known for its abundance of dangerous |
| populated of all capital cities . | | | | animals from king brown snakes to red back spiders |
| Over time Darwin has grown from a pioneer outpost | | | | but the infamous salt water crocodile is probably the |
| to one of the most vibrant and multicultural cities in Oz. | | | | most fierce and common you’ll come across. (A |
| The original inhabitants of Darwin are the Larrakia | | | | German backpacker was killed a few years back |
| people , and in 1839 HMS Beagle sailed into the | | | | after swimming in an area where saltwater crocodiles |
| harbour whilst surveying the area. John Clements | | | | were known to inhabit.) 40 minutes out of Darwin city |
| Whickham named the area Port Darwin after a fellow | | | | centre you can visit crocodile farms which are a much |
| shipmate, famed scientist Charles Darwin (known for | | | | safer way of seeing one in the flesh, which have been |
| the theory of evolution). | | | | producing skins and meats to make luxury items such |
| Having been almost entirely rebuilt twice, once due to | | | | as handbags, shoes for many years. |
| Japanese air raids during the second world war, and | | | | Darwin is also known for its consumption of |
| once in 1974 when it was devastated by cyclone | | | | “Amber Nectar”, this is very much true if you |
| Tracy, Darwin is one of Australia's newest capitals. | | | | head down Mitchell street where you will find |
| Darwin has 3 of the worlds largest national parks | | | | numerous clubs and bars serving the coldest beer |
| Kakadu, Litchfield and Nitmiluk also known as Katherine | | | | (during the 40 degree heat). Also Mitchell street has |
| Gorge. The Katherine River and Edith falls and local | | | | lots of backpacker hostels making each night a party |
| surrounding areas hold great ceremonial significance to | | | | night. |
| the Jawoyn people, who are the custodians to the | | | | Darwin and the Northern Territitory climate is broken |
| area. Katherine gorge is made up of 13 gorges, rapids | | | | down into 2 seasons. Being in the tropics (close to the |
| and falls which follow the Katherine river all the way | | | | Equator) October to April is known as the wet season. |
| from Kakadu. During the dry season (April to October | | | | Temperatures will get up to 40 degrees in the wet |
| ) the Katherine gorge waters are placid making it ideal | | | | season and that doesn’t include the humidity factor, |
| for canoeing and swimming but I would strongly | | | | between April and October it reaches highs of 35 |
| recommend not swimming as the waters are rife with | | | | degrees with little humidity. |
| freshwater crocodiles (not that they’re as | | | | If you want to experience real grass roots Australia |
| dangerous as Estuarine or as they’re more | | | | then Darwin is the place to do it from the red sand |
| commonly known Saltwater Crocodiles!). Boat tours, | | | | outback to vast aridness found on the flat long |
| canoeing and white water rafting trips can be booked | | | | stretches of highway then the Northern Territories has |
| in Darwin through most travel agents or through | | | | it all. |
| Darwins backpackers hostel's. | | | | |