Darwin, NT

  Of course Australia holidays in Darwin would be incomplete without sampling the vast array of cuisines on offer. Eating at the wharf which overlooks the sea is a great place to start if you want to enjoy the pleasures of outdoor dining. Darwin offers authentic delicacies from all over Asia in addition to the local Australian favourites.  

  For incomparable sunsets, head to the Esplanade which faces west to the bay of Port Darwin. There are international hotels and delightful old tropical style homes facing the bay. Join the joggers, power walkers and leisurely walkers who make the most of extensive walking trails. The trails offer exceptional views from various lookout points and a series of memorial sites. At the northern end of the Esplanade you will find Aquascene which is where hundreds of fish of a variety of species gather to be hand fed. Species include catfish, diamond-scaled mullet, milkfish, Estuary rock cod, teira bat fish, common shovel nosed ray and toad fish.

  Darwin weather has two distinct seasons - the Wet and the Dry. 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. Darwin's weather can be extremely hot during the summer months of December - February. Maximum temperatures in Darwin and the Northern Territory during the summer can exceed 40C. January and February is the heart of the Wet season when monsoon hits the city and dumps heavy afternoon and overnight rain. The rain is often welcome after the Dry as it swells waterfalls and floods wetlands, turning the arid countryside very green with an abundance of wild flowers blooming everywhere.   The average temperatures at this time of year range from 24.6C to 31.9C with humidity extremely high - as high as 70 per cent in December and January. Rainfall amounts are typically monsoonal with as much as 1000mm falling in March, although the average is actually just 360mm. In March the rains begin to subside. But Darwin in April usually brings strong winds that dry out the land. Temperatures drop to 24C with a high no more than 32C and living becomes more bearable.