The Northern Territories can be a fearsome and  frightening place when you consider the hardship early settlers had to endure when they came here to this very hot state.  Situated on a harbour twice the size of Sydney harbour and overlooking the Arafura Sea, plus being geographically closer to Asia than Sydney, Darwin is home to countless ethnic groups, together with the ever-present strong Aboriginal culture.   

A gold rush in the 1870's saw the population swell, and then the discovery of pearl shell in the mid 1880's created an industry that lasted well into the next century.  Darwin was also an important base for Allied forces and was heavily bombed by the Japanese during WWII.  More recently, the city was struck by Cyclone Tracy on Xmas Eve, 1974, which razed much of the city.  In rebuilding, the developers took the opportunity of modernising their city.  Today, you will find museums, markets, art galleries and nightlife to entertain you in the city, before venturing further afield.

It is the state that gives you the dry and vast open spaces around Uluru and Alice Springs at the southern end, and the fantastic lush green vegetation of Kakadu National Park and Lichfield National Park in the north.

Then there's the Darwin Beer Can Regatta, held at Mindil Beach in July, where the race boats are made out of beer or soft drink cans!!  The city is especially proud of the Mindil Beach Sunset Markets, which are held twice a week during the dry season, and could probably be said to be the finest example of Darwin's multiculturalism.  On July 1, Territorians celebrate Territory Day, the only day of the year, apart from the Chinese New Year, when fireworks are permitted above the skies of Mindil Beach.