The Northern Territory of Australia and Darwin
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Where is it
The Northern Territory occupies the top middle of Australia and is commonly referred to as "The Top End". Darwin (its capital) is on the coast in the tropics.
Refugees
Darwin is a common target of entry for refugee boat people who sail across from Indonesia and beyond. Once found in Australia's waters their boats are impounded in our harbour and the refugees are processed through the courts and are then sent down to Broome in Western Australia where they have an immigration facility. Illegal fishermen are constantly being apprehended in Australia's territorial waters and are a great problem with their huge catches. They have their boats impounded which are later burnt and the illegal fishermen are fined and sent back to their own country.
Statistics
Population of the Northern Territory is around 130,000.
Population of the Darwin Territory is around 100,000.
Area of the Northern Territory is 1,483,000 square kilometres.
There are around 62,000 titled parcels of land.
The area of the largest is 90,051 square kilometres.
The area of the average is 25 square kilometres.
Life style
Darwin is the most expensive city to live in due to our isolation from the other main centres. We do not have a train line so everything is brought up by roadtrain. These are semi trailers and the Northern Territory is the only place that semi trailers are allowed to pull three trailers instead of two. This means the total length of each truck is 150 feet, an awe-inspiring sight. We enjoy a very relaxed lifestyle in Darwin. Living in the tropics provides us with lush vegetation and Darwin has been planned around gardens and parks with wide streets. Tourism has an important impact on our economy and building is booming, with Darwin cited as having the fastest growing economy in Australia.
Multiculturism
We have a very multicultural society here in Darwin. There are many mixed marriages. We have a large Phillipino, Thai and Greek population, along with Vietnamese, Indian, Italian, and Chinese and practically any other race. This means we can enjoy their cultural events and their food, as many have restaurants and market stalls.
Sports
One handed Crab tying
Cockerroach racing
Underwater hockey
Cricket
Aussie Rules
Rugby League
Hockey
Baseball
Netball
Basketball
Solar car racing

All sports are played here with sporting fixtures being held throughout the year. Many are played as indoor events during the Wet Season. The ice hockey team claims the championship as no team has ever come to Darwin to defend the title.

The Weather
It is hot all year round, with two distinct seasons, the Wet and the Dry. The Dry Season begins in May and goes through to October, and the Wet season occurs during the remaining months. The Dry Season temperatures are very pleasant with the mercury going down overnight to around 18 degrees Celsius and up to about 28 degrees during the day with no humidity (and no rain). General temperatures for our Wet Season are 28 to 33 degrees with high humidity. The Wet Season this year has been the wettest on record with 2.4 metres of rain so far. The Dry Season is a very popular time for tourists to visit and we know we can plan an event months ahead and know that it will be fine on the day!
Crocodiles, Jellyfish and Sharks
It is unfortunate that we cannot swim in the sea during the Wet Season because our waters are full of deadly box jellyfish and crocodiles are often caught in our harbour and surrounding creeks. The crocodiles caught in traps are relocated to the two crocodile parks in Darwin. These parks in themselves are great tourist attractions.

Sharks are not a problem because the crocodiles take care of them.

Tourists Attractions
Both Litchfield National Park and Kakadu National Park are at their best during the Wet Season and are probably the best drawcard we have, along with Ayers Rock, for tourists to come to Darwin and the Northern Territory. Kakadu is renowned for its prolific wildlife in the wetlands (floodplains) and for its aboriginal rock art. In Jabiru, the town that services the area, there is a hotel that is built in the shape of a crocodile - a remarkable place. Litchfield Park has wonderful waterfalls and rockholes and is closer to Darwin, only an hour's drive away. Our nearest large town is Katherine some 400 kilometres away and here you can find a huge gorge system. Boat trips through this area are very popular. Alice Springs is approx 1100 kilometres from Darwin. Ayers Rock is another 700 kilometres out of Alice Springs but we have excellent roads in the Northern Territory and these distances are all part of living where we do. With the relaxed lifestyle we enjoy up here it is no wonder we are happy here.
Contact marshall_alan@hotmail.com
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