:
The heart of the Top End of Australia: Darwin
Words Julija Zivanovic and Chris Whitelaw Pics Supplied
To celebrate the upcoming release of our all-new Top End and Gulf Atlas & Guide, we’re providing another sneak peek at the book. This time we explore the wonderland that is Darwin. Keep reading for more.
Aerial shot of the Northern Territory's capital: Darwin (Credit: Tourism NT/Shaana McNaught)
We’re thrilled to announce that the 1st Edition Top End and Gulf Atlas & Guide, written by travel writer and photographer Chris Whitelaw, will be released next month. With its rugged coastlines, spectacular landscapes, native wildlife and incredible Aboriginal rock art, the Top End of Australia should be on every traveller’s bucket list.
Aussies have long enjoyed visiting this warm-temperature area, especially during the southern winter, otherwise known as the dry season (‘the Dry’) in northern Australia. We recommend visiting the Top End during the Dry (April–October) so you can fully enjoy all the nature activities on offer without being constrained by the punishing wet season (‘the Wet’).
Now, this is the third piece in this series, following on from the highlights/best of the Top End and Gulf region, and then our pre-trip preparation tips for heading off on a trip to this incredible region. If you didn’t get a chance to read those, you can do so by hitting the corresponding links. Otherwise, welcome to the third part where we’ll cover the heart of the Top End, and the capital of the Northern Territory: Darwin.
Keep reading to discover just what makes our northernmost capital so magical. Plus, learn how you can grab a copy of the book when it’s released in a couple of weeks!
The northern frontier
A lovely Darwin Harbour sunset (Credit: Robert Crack)
The Darwin region spans about 28,000 square kilometres fronting the Timor Sea. The flat, low-lying coastal country embraces the floodplains of the Adelaide, Mary, Wildman, South Alligator and East Alligator Rivers, which drain into the Van Diemen Gulf. Further inland, rugged hilly terrain grades to undulating savannah plains.
Most of the region’s population is concentrated in the Greater Darwin metropolitan area, which includes the satellite city of Palmerston, collectively numbering around 180,000 residents. Scattered along, or close to, the Stuart Highway to the south are the towns of Batchelor, Adelaide River and Pine Creek, with Daly River further west. Just 60km (25 minutes by air) north of Darwin lie Bathurst and Melville Islands, known as the Tiwi Islands.
Historically, this tropical northwest tip of the NT was an isolated frontier that could only be reached by sea, and Darwin was a colonial outpost that struggled for survival at the very edge of the continent. Since those early days, the region has been connected to the rest of Australia by road, rail and modern communications. But the fact remains that Darwin is closer to Bali than Bondi; it’s about 4000km by road from Perth and 4.5 hours flying time from Sydney; closer to the capital cities of three Asian countries than it is to Canberra.
Aboriginal heritage
Aboriginal men performing a traditional dance (Credit: Tourism Australia/James Fisher)
First Australians of some 40 major language groups live throughout the region, and their strong traditional ties with the land and sea have been recognised in successful native title claims. Vast areas of land are held as Aboriginal freehold, governed by land trusts under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1976. The Northern Land Council is the peak body for most Aboriginal groups in the region, except for the people of the Tiwi Islands, who are represented by the Tiwi Land Council.
The greater Darwin area is the ancestral home of the Larrakia people. Their name for the area is Garramilla, meaning ‘white stone’, referring to the colour of rock found here. Their traditional lands extended from the Cox Peninsula in the west to Gunn Point in the north, Adelaide River to the east and inland for about 70km to the south. The Larrakia — also known as ‘Saltwater People’ due to their strong cultural connection to the sea — are the Traditional Owners of the Darwin region. Their rich Aboriginal culture is found in every corner of the region.
Tourism
Sunset cruising on Darwin Harbour (Credit: Tourism NT/Che Chorley)
The region hosts more than a million visitors every year, making tourism one of its largest industries, second only to mining. While Darwin has its own multitude of attractions, many visitors use it as the perfect base to explore the natural wonders of the surrounding area — the bird-filled wetlands of Fogg Dam, the waterways of the Mary River teeming with barramundi, the towering waterfalls of Litchfield National Park and crocodile-spotting tours on the Adelaide River.
World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park and the spectacular Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge in Nitmiluk National Park are only a couple of hours drive from the city. The unique Tiwi Islands are a short boat ride away. Marine tourism adds to the mix with sport fishing, reef diving and whale watching.
Tick these off the bucket list!
Birdwatching on Fogg Dam — enjoy the natural beauty of the Fogg Dam wetlands, renowned for the number and variety of waterbirds that flock here year-round. Seeing the colourful mass of birds, some of which are endemic to the region, is a unique experience we highly recommend.
Florence Falls in Litchfield National Park — swim in the emerald-clear plunge pool of Florence Falls in a grotto surrounded by fern-covered cliffs and dense rainforest.
Mindil Beach Sunset Market — wander Darwin’s famous outdoor markets for an eclectic range of street food and more than 60 stores selling arts and crafts, against the backdrop of spectacular sunsets over Fannie Bay. Open from the end of April to October (check specific dates online).
(Credit: Danita Delimont)
Barra fishing on the Daly River — go fishing on the beautiful Daly River, one of the best barramundi fishing waterways in the NT, or join in the annual ‘Barra Classic’ or ‘Barra Nationals’ competitions.
Find out how you can grab a copy …
The above is an edited extract from the recently produced Hema Top End and Gulf Atlas & Guide, due to be released in early April 2025. This 1st Edition guidebook provides extensive and up-to-date information on the whole Top End and Gulf region, including 5 of the TOP 4WD trips and 22 atlas pages. It also features detailed national park and track inset maps — all field checked by the Hema Map Patrol — visitor information, history and culture, all the best campsites, trip planning tips and much more.
This easy-to-use guidebook takes the difficulty out of planning a road trip to this incredible part of our country. Keep an eye out for the release soon!
Related articles
The best of the Top End and Gulf
Pre-trip planning tips for the Top End of Australia
Free and budget campsites: Northern Territory
0 comments