Event Information
Destination: Darwin, NT
Darwin City is the tropical capital of Australia's Northern Territory, which comprises one sixth of the continent, equivalent to France, Italy, and Spain put together. The population of over 100,000 boasts a lively mix of more than 50 nationalities. Darwin's traditional owners, the Larrakia people, are prominent and active members of the community.
Known in the past as a laid back frontier town, Darwin has evolved into a highly urbanised capital. Darwin City has more art galleries than pubs. It is the main service centre for mining, offshore oil and gas production, tourism and tropical horticulture.
Location
Located on the coast of the Timor Sea, Darwin is set on a rocky peninsula that stretches into one of the most beautiful natural harbours on the northern Australia coast. Darwin is four hours flying time from Australian capital cities with regular air connections to Singapore and Bali. The Ghan, the legendary outback train, runs regularly between Darwin and Adelaide. Darwin also has a cruise ship port.
History
The Larrakia people lived in the greater Darwin Region before European settlement. They had trading routes with Southeast Asia, South and Western Australia. In 1839, HMS Beagle sailed into Darwin Harbour and the ship's captain named the port after Charles Darwin, the British naturalist. The city was founded in 1869 and its population rapidly expanded after the discovery of gold at nearby Pine Creek in 1871. The didgeridoo - famed instrument of indigenous Australians - originally came from Arnhem Land, just east of Darwin. During World War II Darwin was a major military base for allied troops in the Pacific. It was attacked twice in 1942 by the same fleet that bombed Pearl Harbour.
