Darwin
 If you've never visited Darwin, you could be in for a surprise - an enjoyable one. Virtually rebuilt in 1975 after cyclone Tracy, Darwin is young, modern, cosmopolitan and tropical.
Wide streets and shady parks, a pedestrian mall, a huge range of restaurants, trendy pubs and clubs, the nightlife strip of Mitchell Street, the tourist venues of the Wharf Precinct and the upmarket housing of Cullen Bay, Tipperary Waters and Bayview Haven complete the picture.
Moving away from central Darwin, the city's surrounds are equally attractive. The northern suburbs feature cool elevated houses and lush gardens filled with palm trees, frangipani, crotons and other tropical species. Likewise, the city of Palmerston, 15 minutes drive south east of Darwin, is one of the fastest-growing parts of Australia, and its new suburbs feature the latest in tropical housing design and facilities. Further south is the shire of Litchfield, where residents enjoy the freedom of large blocks of land and the simplicity of a rural lifestyle.
Darwin reflects and celebrates dozens of cultures reflected in its many festivals, markets and restaurants. In fact, the city is a shining example of how people from diverse backgrounds can live happily alongside one another. You'll particularly notice the influence of Indigenous and Asian cultures, especially when it comes to art, food and festivals.
Population:
Darwin city and suburbs: 70,000 approx.
Palmerston: 20,000 approx.
Litchfield: 16,000 approx.
Climate: Two distinct seasons: dry season from May to October with fine mild weather, wet season from November to April with humidity, tropical showers and spectacular thunderstorms.
Shopping: Major shopping centres and pedestrian malls in Darwin and Palmerston with shopping precincts and corner stores in most suburbs.
Education: Variety of government-run, church-run and independent schools from pre-school to secondary and tertiary training. Charles Darwin University campuses in Darwin and Palmerston.
Health: Royal Darwin Hospital and Darwin Private Hospital, a range of general practitioners and local and visiting specialists, health clinics, range of dentists and other health professionals.
Transport: Excellent roads with almost no “peak hour” traffic, range of cabs and rental vehicles. International airport, only 2.5 hours flying time to South East Asia, tourist rail service.
Housing: Diverse range to suit every lifestyle. Range available includes solid brick executive style homes, tropical houses elevated to catch breezes, town-houses, duplexes, apartments and units.
Media: Four television services: the ABC, SBS, Southern Cross Darwin and Channel Nine. Subscriber cable television is available in most of Darwin and Palmerston. Several local commercial and community FM and AM radio stations (MIZ 104.9, Hot 100.1, 8DDD, 105.7 and 8TOP 104.1). Receive several national network stations including ABC radio, Triple JJJ 103.3 and Austereo. The daily local paper is the NT News. The Darwin and Palmerston Sun are delivered free each week. National and international publications are also available.
More Information: http://www.darwin.nt.gov.au/
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