Darwin

Darwin -  Apparel Doth Proclaim

Beauty is permanent and eternal. Attraction is changing and ephemeral. The One remains. The Many of the One change. You can get into beauty through attraction or reach attraction through beauty. In this world, these attractions, the Many, are the invitation to the bosom of beauty from the heart. And so, Shakespeare is right. Attraction is indeed an invitation. And like beauty, the infinity of the here and beyond, attraction, the infinity of the here and now, is inexhaustible. It has neither beginning nor end. Yes, the cover of the book matters! Darwin with its sunshine and the beaches, the first taste of the cover, is waiting.

Darwin is located at the Top End. The Top End includes Darwin, UNESCO World Heritage Site, that is Kakadu National Park which lies east of Darwin, Litchfield National Park and Arnhem Land. Located in the Nothern Territory as its capital, Darwin is in the Outback of Australia, that is, including the Central Australia, the place where very few people live.

After visiting Esplanade and Lamerro Beach, and going shopping at the Shopping Centre in Smith Street Mall and from there move on to get  the feel of majestic Christ’s Church Cathederal, Casnarina Coastal Reserve and East Point Reserve, the next place is Nature’s Wonderland in the Northern Territory with the musical name, Kakadu.

Kakadu National Park gives the impression of an artist who is caught in an inspirational fit having before her an empty canvas. And she just picks the brush and begins to break the boundaries between animals and forest, between escarpments and waterfalls, between plains and rocks all of which are brought together under the same roof to live in grandeur, the grandeur of the creations of the human mind.

They are all there in this ecological wilderness where waterfalls run down the planes like antelopes, wriggling and rolling, where lily spreads beautifully like a carpet of coral reef  along South Alligator river and where the more you move around the closer you get to the melody of natural balance until, if the  patience to explore further could be nursed, the place is reached that returns the visitor to the primordial peace, made possible by human beings living in harmony with Nature.

It is this message of the peace profound as the promise for living in harmony with Nature that you cannot miss as you travel around in Australia. It is not just the given but what is done with the given that transforms the living space and so doing, leaves the footprints on the paper, in the garden, on the street, in the park, indeed in any place where the creative mind finds the home for the making of wonders.

That’s what is happening all over the parks here in Australia, in the buildings that fly, the sands in which forest grow, and here in Kakadu National Park,  with the abundance of wildlife and ancient Aboriginal paintings, with its Maguk Falls, Gunlom Falls, Twin Falls, Jim Jim Falls and the aboriginal rock art sites in Nourlangie and the wildlife regions Ubirr, Yellow Water Billabong, Cooinda, Mamukala Wetlands and Anbangbang Billabong, all centres of magnetic attractions for the visitors, yes here in Kakadu National Park, where ecological wonders cover a long stretch of land that grows to infinity with contact in imagination.

In addition to all this comes thst which competes equally as visitors’ priorities in Kakadu National Park. This park can boast to be the home of the longest continuous surviving human culture in the world. The culture of the Aborigines. The Descendants of the First Australians, the Aborigines, still live in Kakadu today. It is in recognition of its unique natural and cultural attributes, Kakadu National Park is accorded double World Heritage by the United Nations.

Of all the capital cities of Australia, Darwin is the least populated. It was originally named Palmerston after the British Prime Minister but was later changed to Darwin in 1911.  A place which was named Port Darwin was discovered by John Lort Stokes on HMS Beagle. The captain of the ship John Wickham gave the place the name Darwin after Charles Darwin.

The fate of Darwin has been very grim. A base for the action against the Japanese in the Pacific in the World War II, Darwin was bombed many times with loss of lives. And just when it was recovering, the Cyclone Tracey struck in 1974 and swept away 70% of the city. When the city was rebuilt, it has, like other capital cities of Australia, a Central Business District (CBD).

Now you have been to the Northern Territory and Darwin and have seen you would say. We agree but not enough because that’s not all,  we hasten to add,  until you come to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, another World Heritage Site in Australia.  Like Kakadu National Park, you can dance to the name of Uluru-Kata Tjuta which is a compound name for Uluru, also referred to as Ayers Rock and Kata Tjuta also known as Mount Olga. Both are in the Northern Territory.

There is something extraordinarily awesome about Uluru. There is no stone, indeed no rock like Uluru in any other place in Australia. This may explain the halo of sacredness with which the local Aborigines envelope this sandstone rock formation. It towers above the surrounding countryside and like geometric circle, looks like it can always spread out to occupy the earth. ‘Uluru’ in the language of the local Aborigines is a place name that applies to both rock and waterhole on top of the rock.

In spite of its historical tribulations, Darwin remains the hub of the Northern Territory and the invitation to the natural, historical and aboriginal attractions of the state.

When to go

Towards the end of autumn and during winter, from May to September (the dry season) is a great time to go to Darwin.  The humidity is quite low and the nights are very pleasant, there are a lot of outdoor festivals during this period, making it perfect for locals and tourists alike. During summertime in Darwin there is the wet season which means plenty of rainfall, floods and extreme weather conditions. In spring the weather gets very hot and humid with occasional rain starting to develop more heavily towards the end of the year.

Average minimum and maximum temperatures

• Summer   25 C – 32 C
• Autumn    23 C – 31 C
• Winter      19 C – 30 C
• Spring      24 C – 33 C

What to do and see

Darwin is an amazing getaway destination. If you’re an open-minded, adventurous type or just keen for a great new outback experience than the tropical north is for you. Head to Doctors Gully, from November to March hundreds of fish come into the shores for hand feeding.

Try something new and indulge your taste spuds with local cuisine’s including crocodile, kangaroo, buffalo and more. You’ll never know if you don’t try it. If fishing’s your thing or you want to catch some fresh fish then go down to Darwin harbour and try your luck at catching a barramundi.
Check out the Darwin museum and art gallery for a grand collection of past and contemporary Aboriginal art. Learn of the battles, struggles and resilience of the Darwin people during WWII or the horror and devastation caused by cyclone Tracey in 1974.

Go on a tour to the Tiwi Islands and be transported to another world of lush rainforests, endless white beaches amidst a tropical landscape. Learn the traditions of the Tiwi people, including painting and weaving. Enjoy some billy tea and damper – local style, and at night watch a smoking ceremony performance to cleanse the land of evil spirits.

Hotspots – Darwin Festival (August annually)

Come to Darwin’s major annual festival featuring an array of top quality music, comedy, theatre, art displays and dance shows performed by local and international talent.

Darwin is Northern territory’s state capital. Darwin was christened on 9th of September in the year 1839 after the world renowned scientist Charles Darwin. In 1869 a suitable site was located, and a settlement was promptly established. Gold was later discovered at a place known as Pine Creek towards the end of the century around the 1880s that drew more inhabitants towards the colony and helped accelerate its expansion. In 1911 Darwin became its official name.

The population density is above 120,000. On 19th February, 1942 a bombing invasion during the Second World War on Darwin port marked the beginning of the Japanese incursion on Australia; from 1942 to 1943 more than 60 air raids where dispatched on Darwin ultimately the city recovered and was reconstructed over time, yet another disaster surfaced On 25 December 1974 a cyclone struck and damaged over three-quarters of the towns’ buildings. Due to extensive construction a great part of the city is modernized and new. Darwin has tropical climate with distinct dry and wet seasons. The rainy season falls between Decembers all the way to March, it is compared to the monsoon rains.

Accommodation is in abundance in Darwin’s CBD and just next to the harbour; choices include five -star Hotels and resorts, Holiday apartments, Motels, also available are yachts and houseboats, not leaving out backpacker hostels. In spite of its diminutive size Darwin comprises great restaurants not forgetting cafe. In the range of open-air choices alfresco dining, waterfront bistros, poolside restaurants, outdoor bars, are a dime a dozen and are quite frequented. The seafood variety is top scale with ample fresh barramundi caught from rivers close by, also available are Spanish mackerel, snapper, queen fish and Black Jewfish, all of which are caught off Darwin’s coast.

The city boasts of its Historical sites, National Parks, museums. A unique course of events is lined up all through the year, which includes the yearly beer-can regatta that occurs in August.

Then there is the Second World War hand dug Oil Storage channels, and the Cyclone Tracy exhibit, hosted by the museum. You can choose to experience the wonders that include tours to see Jumping Crocodiles of river Adelaide from the rivers bridge, or the lovely Litchfield Park.

Darwin is the capital city of Northern Territory. It is the most northerly city of Australia.

Darwin got its name in 1911 before which it was known as Palmerston. The initial habitants of Darwin, apart from the aborigines, were the European explorers and the army who didn’t want any other European power to set foot into Australian continent through this city.

Darwin has always been a lifestyle city rather than commercial centres like Sydney and Melbourne. With the help of gold find and an army base for World War II, Darwin’s population experienced a boost. However, natural disasters like cyclones also kept many people from settling down in this city.

Darwin provides a much laid back feel that is sought after many tourists. In terms of natural beauty, it provides the same level of pleasure for the eyes as any other tourist attraction in Australia, if not more. Palm trees along a shimmering blue ocean provide a sense of tranquillity. This relaxed atmosphere is spread around the entire city by all the residents.

Sunset markets, wharf side eateries and aboriginal art centres are also famous to cater for needs of different tourists.

Darwin is an entry point for the Northern Territories and innumerable treasures. Tiwi Islands, waterfalls of Lichfield National Park, Adelaide River, Berry Springs are easily accessible from Darwin. Alice Springs, Australia’s central town is also very easily connected to Darwin thus making Darwin a very central base for all these excursions.

Working in Darwin.

Darwin, the capital city of the Northern Territory, is the heart of Australia’s world-renowned red outback. Rich in wildlife, Australian history, culture, and a unique climate, Darwin is a great city to study in, and experience the rugged Australian outback.

If you’ve already decided to study in Darwin, you may be unaware that you also have the option of working in Darwin during your stay. Working, taking part in an internship, or helping out with a volunteer program is an exciting way to gain experience not only in your chosen field, but also in an overseas environment.

Regardless of your field of expertise, Darwin has plenty of dynamic and exciting jobs ranging from working on an outback station, to horticultural farm. These hands on jobs are a fantastic way to gain a greater understanding of Australian agriculture, and the foundations of Australian farming and stock.

Remember, if you intend to work while staying in Darwin, some jobs will require long hours. This can sometimes interfere with your responsibilities to your University, school or TAFE course. Your first priority should be the course you’ve chosen to study and you will be required to complete a certain number of contact hours with your course. As long as you don’t let work restrict you from achieving your best results in study, this shouldn’t be a problem.

Most University, school, and TAFE campuses in Darwin will have a Career Development Office or Program, which is a great place to go for assistance when looking for part time work, and advice on job applications in Australia. If you find that your particular campus doesn’t have this facility, AA education network are happy to give you advice, and help you as much as they can to find appropriate part-time work.

Another option is to take up a simpler casual part time job, allowing you to dedicate more of your time to studies, and putting a bit of money in your pocket for holidays, weekends, and more travel. In Darwin there are job opportunities in hospitality, as it is quickly becoming a booming tourist destination. There’s bound to be casual work that would suit you, with varying wages.

Remember, you’re only able to work in Australia if you have a current and valid working visa. If you are unsure which visa is the right one for your circumstance, or are unsure about how to obtain a visa, AA Education Network are happy to help and assist you with an inquiries you have.

In Darwin, you’re able to enroll in courses such as English language, participate in a working holidays, as well as attend courses at University’s and TAFE Institutions. AA Education Network are eager to assist you through these different processes, and lend advice to you whenever you need it.

If you’ve decided Darwin is where you’d like to visit, you have endless options of work experience, backpacking, and studying.

For more information on how AA Education Network can help you, whether it be from VISA applications to selecting your courses, from travel insurance to booking your flights to Australia.