NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

DARWIN’S WATERFRONT, IF YOU’LL EXCUSE THE CLICHÉ, REALLY DOES HAVE SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE: FROM WATERSIDE FUN TO THE FABULOUS OUTDOOR DECKCHAIR CINEMA AND FROM SECOND WORLD WAR AND ROYAL FLYING DOCTOR SERVICE HISTORY TO LIVELY DRINKING AND DINING AT SPOTS LIKE HOT TAMALE AND CHOW. EAT STREETS

Ask anyone where to eat in Darwin and will be quick MINDIL BEACH SUNSET MARKET off the tongue: a melting pot (operating Thursdays and Sundays during the dry season) that’s home to throngs of food stalls representing the multiculturalism of the city and hosting one of the best sunsets to boot. But it’s not the only market in town: PARAP on a Saturday is a true VILLAGE MARKETS local’s spot that sells Darwin’s best laksa (MARY’S LAKSA); MARKETPLACE, also MALAK on Saturdays and operating in the dry season, is an organic farmers’ market; while Sunday’s makes an excellent NIGHTCLIFF MARKETS brunch spot with the likes of local legend and pork banh mi from KEN’S CREPES HA HONG. For a spot of fine dining try local institution DARWIN, dishing up HANUMAN owner Jimmy Shu’s unique fusion of Thai, Nonya and Tamil cuisine; and for elegant al fresco Italian with a twist, a visit to pop-up on the CUCINA SOTTO LE STELLE NIGHTCLIFF is a must; on Wednesday, Friday FORESHORE and Saturday nights those in the know gather here at communal tables draped with checkered tablecloths for wood-fired pizzas.

MUST DO

It wouldn’t be a trip to Darwin without watching the sun set over BEACH. MINDIL

Each evening, locals and visitors alike gather on the sand to see the show: the red orb of a sun setting the sky ablaze with a painter’s palette as it inches closer to the flat-as-a-tack horizon of the Arafura Sea. Or get out on the water itself for a sunset cruise on HARBOUR, Champagne in hand, with DARWIN a local operator like or SEA DARWIN DARWIN HARBOUR CRUISES.

WALK THE WALK

For shady relief from the tropical heat, take to the GEORGE BROWN DARWIN BOTANIC just north of the CBD near Mindil GARDENS Beach; its 42 hectares are threaded with walking trails through different pockets including rainforest, desert rose displays and even a collection of African and Madagascan baobab trees. Stop for refreshment at EVA’S in a gorgeous old BOTANICAL GARDENS CAFE church building. From here, you can also join the kilometre-long LARRAKIA COASTAL WALK from Mindil Beach to MAGNT.