It is late evening in early June and I am setting at a table overlooking the Cullen Bay Marina in Darwin. Earlier in the day we arrived in Darwin, the capital and largest city in Australia's Northern Territory (NT). Darwin has a tropical climate with two main seasons, wet and dry, with temperatures ranging from warm to hot. Since we wanted to avoid hot, humid weather our visit to the city named after Charles Darwin was during the dry season (May-September).
Darwin, a modern, cosmopolitan and multicultural city, is located on the Timor Sea. It is the gateway to Asia. The main reason why the city is so modern is that it was rebuilt twice. Once after WWII and the second time after Cyclone Tracy in 1974. Today Darwin attracts visitors from around the world. Tourism is Darwin's main industry. It is the hub for most visitors to Kakadu National Park, Litchfield National Park and Katherine Gorge.
Darwin, the city at the "Top End" of the Northern Territory
When you travel in the outback for awhile a stop light is an immediate sign that you are back in an urban environment. We encountered a number of traffic lights approaching Darwin. Darwin and its surrounding area has a population of over 110,000. A city this size is quite noticeable given the sparse population throughout the NT.
As soon as we arrived in Darwin we checked into Discovery Parks Caravan Park. It was hot and there were very few camping sites left.
Downtown Darwin
That afternoon we explored the downtown area of Darwin. The city sits on a bluff overlooking Darwin Harbor, with Frances Bay to the east and Cullen Bay to the west. We began our explorations in downtown waterfront area near the Stokes Hill Wharf where you will find upscale cafes, stores and a wave pool.
Along the waterfront area in Darwin you will also find many apartments and hotels.
In the waterfront area the wave pool is a popular place.
The waterfront is a perfect place to relax.
Both the downtown waterfront area and Cullen Bay are home to many nice restaurants and coffee shops. We enjoyed a coffee at the Coffee Club in the waterfront area.
In the wharf area downtown you find dining choices from a steakhouse to seafood restaurants.
After exploring the downtown waterfront area near the wharf later that evening we dined in Cullen Bay.
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| Paddling, Cullen Bay Marina, Darwin, NT © Spaswinefood |
Darwin, the city at the "Top End" of the Northern Territory
When you travel in the outback for awhile a stop light is an immediate sign that you are back in an urban environment. We encountered a number of traffic lights approaching Darwin. Darwin and its surrounding area has a population of over 110,000. A city this size is quite noticeable given the sparse population throughout the NT.
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| Arriving in Darwin, NT © Spaswinefood |
Downtown Darwin
That afternoon we explored the downtown area of Darwin. The city sits on a bluff overlooking Darwin Harbor, with Frances Bay to the east and Cullen Bay to the west. We began our explorations in downtown waterfront area near the Stokes Hill Wharf where you will find upscale cafes, stores and a wave pool.
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| Stokes Hill Wharf, Darwin © Spaswinefood |
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| Darwin Harbor © Spaswinefood |
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| Beach near Stokes Hill Wharf © Spaswinefood |
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| Darwin Wave Pool © Spaswinefood |
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| Wave Pool, Darwin © Spaswinefood |
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| Relaxing in Darwin © Spaswinefood |
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| Coffee Club, Darwin © Spaswinefood |
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| "Where will I meet you?" "The Coffee Club" © Spaswinefood |
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| Chow Restaurant, Darwin © Spaswinefood |
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| Wharf Area, Darwin © Spaswinefood |
After exploring the downtown waterfront area near the wharf later that evening we dined in Cullen Bay.
Cullen Bay
Cullen Bay you can stroll the restaurants in boardwalk area overlooking the Cullen Bay Marina.
That evening our fellow travelers decided to check out different places for dinner. Two members of our group went to a buffet dinner at the Seafood on Cullen. They raved about this place.
I dined at Yots Greek Taverna. Three members in our group dined at the market. Open air markets are quite common in Darwin. From all reports the open air markets are fun to explore.
Yots Greek Taverna has a great view overlooking the Cullen Bay Marina.
For dinner I ordered Papoutsakia (an eggplant dish) and a sparkling wine.
As I ate my dinner the view from my table was awesome.
All was quite on the water, except for a female team practicing their paddling. Maybe, they were getting ready for a dragon boat race. As the evening light began to fade more dinners arrived.
Both Cullen Bay and Darwin' downtown wharf area is home to many coffee shops and restaurants (see Tripadvisor).
After dinner I explored the Cullen Bay area while waiting for my fellow travelers. It was relaxing to just checkout the views along the boardwalk area.
There was even a small park with a crocodile statue. Reported spottings of saltwater cocodiles are not uncommon in the Darwin area.
Visitors to Darwin will find spa services in the Cullen Bay area.
I finally caught up with my friends the sun was setting over Cullen Bay. It was a beautiful sunset that day.
While our stay in Darwin was far too brief we did get a sense of some of the great things this Northern Territory town has to offer. Yes, there are botanical gardens, museums, etc. but I am mostly a wine, food and spas explorer. When given a very short timeline the priority for me was to check out the local foodie scene.
Off to see the "Top End" beyond Darwin
After leaving Darwin we headed for Kakadu National Park. Just outside Darwin where we stopped to visit the Window on the Wetlands Visitors Centre.
We took the time to visit the centre and check out the view of the wetlands.
Our Northern Territory adventure through the "Top End" took us from Litchfield National Park to Darwin. From Darwin it was onto Kakadu National Park in Jabiru. After Jabiru we traveled to Cooinda Caravan Park, a another area of the park that we explored before heading back to the Katherine. It was a pleasant drive back down the Stuart Highway to Katherine. Along the way we stopped in at the historic Pine Creek for lunch at Mayse's Cafe.
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| Exotic North Indian Cuisine, Cullen Bay © Spaswinefood |
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| Lola's, Cullen Bay, Darwin © Spaswinefood |
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| Lola's, Cullen Bay Marina © Spaswinefood |
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| Seafood on Cullen, Darwin © Spaswinefood |
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| Cullen Bay Marina, Darwin © Spaswinefood |
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| Yots Greek Taverna, Darwin © Spaswinefood |
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| Dinner, Yots Greek Taverna © Spaswinefood |
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| Papoutsakia, Yots Greek Taverna © Spaswinefood |
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| Sparkling Wine, Yots Greek Taverna © Spaswinefood |
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| Cullen Bay Marina, Darwin, NT © Spaswinefood |
Paddling, Cullen Bay Marina © Spaswinefood
All was quite on the water, except for a female team practicing their paddling. Maybe, they were getting ready for a dragon boat race. As the evening light began to fade more dinners arrived.
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| Table for Two, Yots Greek Taverna © Spaswinefood |
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| Boatshed Coffee House, Cullen Bay, Darwin © Spaswinefood |
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| Golden Orchid, Cullen Bay © Spaswinefood |
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| Cullen Bay, Darwin © Spaswinefood |
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| Crocodile Statue, Cullen Bay © Spaswinefood |
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| Spa, Cullen Bay, Darwin © Spaswinefood |
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| Cullen Bay Spa, Darwin © Spaswinefood |
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| Sunset, Cullen Bay, Darwin © Spaswinefood |
Off to see the "Top End" beyond Darwin
After leaving Darwin we headed for Kakadu National Park. Just outside Darwin where we stopped to visit the Window on the Wetlands Visitors Centre.
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| Important Sign, Window on the Wetlands Visitors Centre © Spaswinefood |
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| Window on the Wetlands Visitors Centre, NT © Spaswinefood |
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| Window on the Wetlands © Spaswinefood |
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| Mayse's Cafe © Spaswinefood |
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| Notice Board, Mayse's Cafe © Spaswinefood |
In the land down under clearly, there is so much to do and see in the "Top End" of the Northern Territory. I invite you to join me in my travels in Australia and elsewhere at Spaswinefood.
Sharon
June 2015
Darwin, Northern Territory
Australia
Darwin, Northern Territory
Australia
© Spaswinefood
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