Darwin is a small city in terms of its population but it has an awfully big heart. Its very lively with many different pursuits on offer. Its between the kimberleys and kakadu/Arhemland, the most beautiful places I've ever seen. So its a good base from which to go on camping/conservation trips etc..
Favourite spots:
Mindil beach markets- food and crafts stalls, fortune-tellers and performing artists, all right beside mindil beach, every Thursday night. You can bring your own drink and eat your dinner with friends on the beach while watching the sunset- heaven. The deck chair cinema is very difficult to find but worth the effort. This is an outdoor cinema with oldfashioned reclining deck chairs. You can get a cold beer and sit under the stars watching a good movie. The vic hotel- a bit rough and ready but great fun with friendly staff and plenty of free booze prizes. A big buffet dinner is available for $5, which you can dance off later. Dancing on the tables is encouraged. Live music downstairs, dance music upstairs.
What's really great:
I especially liked the people I met there. The backpackers will make it all the way up to Darwin tend to be of the more adventurous variety. They are more varied in nationality and age then the ones I met on the east coast. Most of the Australians I met who were settled in Darwin were not originally from Darwin. This gives the place a youthful, transient, fun-loving, up-front atmosphere that I just fell in love with.
Accommodations:
YHA, 69 Mitchell street. It had a great swimming pool over looked by a huge eating area. Its design was very conducive to meeting people and it is very well run with very obliging staff. The rooms are clean and air-conditioned.
Nightlife:
The Vic, Smith Street
Hangouts:
Shennanigans
Restaurants:
'69', 69 Mitchell street - an understated mainly outdoor seated restaurant with amazing food.
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