The 'capital' of northern Australia is closer to Jakarta than it is to Sydney, and closer to Singapore than it is to Melbourne. Darwin has a relaxed, cosmopolitan and tropical atmosphere.

The wet season (October to March) is the best time to visit Darwin. Everything is green, there's no dust, barramundi fishing is at its best and there are spectacular electrical storms.

In the late wet/early dry season, the rain is less frequent and the humidity drops.

Whatever season you arrive in, the temperature will most likely be between 30°C and 33°C (86°F and 91°F).

Language: English is the everyday language.

Time: +8.5 (end March-end Oct), +7.5 (end Oct-end March)

Flights to Darwin

Darwin's airport is 4 miles north of the town centre.

Places to stay in Darwin: hostels, guesthouses, motels, holiday flats, and a clutch of up-market hotels, mostly clustered along the beach. The city's many caravan parks are all several km out of town

Darwin overlooks the Arafura Sea and sits on a harbour twice the size of Sydney harbour. Waterfront activities include superb dining, cruising, or wreck-diving.

Why not sample the local seafood delights or dishes from Asian and European influences. For the more adventurous diner, why not try crocodile, buffalo, camel or emu washed down with a cold beer or a good wine at a restaurant?