DARWIN

Darwin is the Northern Territory’s capital city with an immigrant population of more than 50 nationalities, including Asian-born Australians, Aboriginals, Europeans, particularly Greeks, and Chinese. Darwin itself is a city that has fought hard to survive. In its short history, it has experienced the gold rush of the 1890s, life as an Allied frontline during World War II and almost total destruction in 1974. Despite having been twice rebuilt, it has grown into a multicultural modern city, with a relaxed atmosphere, great beauty and a distinctly Asian feel. It is small and colourful. The climate is hot, but the dry season has low humidity, making it the best time to visit.

Attractive Smith Street, one of the city's main business area

The heart of Darwin’s shopping area is Smith Street Mall, with its glass air-conditioned plazas shaded by tall tropical trees. Always full of buskers, tour operators offering trips, locals and visitors, the mall is a favourite meeting place. Noteworthy buildings include the 1890 Victoria Hotel, one of the few old structures in town to survive Cyclone Tracy. During the dry season, many outdoor events are held at Raintree Park, at the northern end of the mall.

 

City of Darwin

 

ALICE SPRINGS

Capital of the Outback

Alice Springs is named after the Alice Spring permanent waterhole, near which a staging post for the overland telegraph line was built in the 1870s. Situated in the arid centre of the continent, Alice Springs has long been an icon of modern Australian history, shaped in the hearts of explorers, pioneers, pastoralists and miners. Nestled between the East and West MacDonnell Ranges, ‘Alice’ is famous for its beautiful desert landscapes, colourful outback characters, opportunities for adventure and a strong Aboriginal culture. Alice Springs is a big, bold friendly town with lots of quirks, culture, things to see and do, and an adventurous free-spirit all its own! Alice Springs is one of those places where there’s always more than meets the eye.

 

 

 

Alice Springs Town Council: Visitor Info 

CROCODILE

The world’s largest reptile is the Northern Territory’s very own Saltwater Crocodile, or Salties in the vernacular of the locals. This incredible carnivore has sat atop the food chain of the Top End (a geographical region encompassing the northernmost section of the Northern Territory), for 100 million years. Salties can grow up to seven metres and weigh over 1,000 kilograms, but the average sized male any traveller in the Northern Territory is likely to see will be around five metres. Crocodiles can live for up to 70 years. The largest confirmed crocodile from the Northern Territory was trapped in the Mary River in the 1980s and measured a bit more than 20 feet.

Crocodiles have 68 fearsome teeth in their jaws that replenish constantly if broken off. A large croc can exert more than two tonnes of pressure with its bite. Crocodiles can swim as fast as 10 kilometres per hour and can run over open ground as fast as 11 kph for short bursts. 
 

 
Private swap with Gloria from Northern Territory

ROAD TRAINS

The Australian Road Trains are the longest trucks in the world.  They have 3 or more trailers and are 53 metres long,  hauling 115 metric tonnes and can have up to 60 wheels. They travel at a top speed of 85 kilometres an hour. The longest road train in Australia is 1474.3 metres. Road trains are an integral part of the Australian Outback, just like kangaroos, red dust and endless horizons. Unlike most other states, the Northern Territory relies heavily on triple road trains in excess of 115 tonnes as a major form of transport. 

Road trains are used extensively between southern capital cities, Darwin and other parts of the Territory. Road trains shrunk the Australian continent to a more manageable size. The long road trains are banned on the majority of populated roads since they would bring a lot of inconvenience and traffic when driven in the large cities.

Private swap with Gloria from Northern Territory

 

NOURLANGIE ROCK

Kakadu National Park is a World Heritage-listed national park covers almost 20,000 square kms and is 253 kms east of Darwin the capital city of the Northern Territory, Australia. More than one-third of all bird species recorded in Australia live in Kakadu National Park; as do more than 60 mammal species, 117 reptile species, 1,700 plant species and at least 10,000 insect species.
Nourlangie Rock is a looming ancient escarpment of slowly eroding red rock creating sheer cliffs rising above the Kakadu wetlands. The sacred site is the keeper of one of the best local collections of Aboriginal rock art and a gateway to some of the most amazing views in Kakadu. The paintings provide a fascinating record of Aboriginal life over thousands of years. With paintings up to 20,000 years old, this is one of the longest historical records of any group of people in the world. Nourlangie Rock is significant to Aborigines as home of the Lightning Dreaming.

Nourlangie Rock, Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory, Australia 

Private swap with Gloria from Northern Territory