No_Fear

I am planning a trip to Australia and wanted to get some opinions on visiting Darwin.

Thanks.

Elizabeth_S

Hi No Fear - I see this is your first posting - couple of suggestions

- search "Darwin" in the text box at the top of the page
- make your title more descriptive of the information you are seeking - instead of "Opinions Please" try a title like"Seeking information about visiting Darwin"

Happy New Year!

Neil_Oz

A couple more suggestions: when planning an overseas visit it's a good idea to get hold of a good guidebook, which will give you the background from which you can start asking specific questions on boards like this.

Also, it's difficult to give advice without having some idea about you, your interests and what you want to get out of your trip. How much time are you able to give to your Australian trip? Are you on a tight budget? Do you have a rough itinerary already? Do you prefer cities to wild places? Are you into native wildlife or, like me, wonder what sort of casserole a wombat would make? Etc.

I know this all sounds as though you have to pass a test before you can start posting on Fodors, but it's not meant that way.

lizF

This is such an open question. For answers please be more specific i.e. what time of year you would be there and your interests. If you are into varied and fantastic night life, historic ruins then forget Darwin. If you want to see a part of the World which is unique then Darwin and its surrounds are for you.

lizF

sorry - make that " IS " for you.

Neil_Oz

I think you had it right first time, Liz.

No_Fear

Thanks for all your suggestions on posting questions.

I will be in Australia in March. I have 3 days planned in Darwin. I plan to go to the Kakadu National Park.

The other cities I am visiting are Sydney, Melbourne, Cairns, Alice Springs/Ayers Rock

I am just rethinking whether to go to Darwin or not and wanted some feedback.

Hopefully this is more specific.

Thanks again.

margo_oz

Kakadu is interesting - but it depends on what else is on your itinerary.

Darwin - just a staging post really. We did a 2-day Kakadu tour, and would have liked more time.

DownUnder

Yes there is not much to see in Darwin and it really is quite an effort to get there. A long flight etc. however it is the gateway to Kakadu and in my opinon the only reason for going there.
And you ask the questions the way you want to!

lizF

You are right Neil is is/was "are". It is obvious now that I have/had taken to the plonk more than I originally thought.

AndrewDavid

No Fear

We used Darwin as our jumping off point for Kakadu and Arnhemland. I believe we spent 3 or 4 nights in the park :2 at Jabiru and one or 2 at Coiinda . We stayed at the Lakeview resort in Jabiru no pool , but the town has a huge one and took our meals at the local social club across the road which was a lot of fun. There is a very good bakery in Jabiru

We spent a day on a tour w/ Lord's that took us into Arnhemalnd to see some fabulous rock painting and meet some of the local band. Excellent and then also floated down one of the Alligator rivers also w/a local guide

You need to be at Cooinda the night before so you can do the dawn trip out onto the Yellow water( we did stay there 2 nights)

We also did a wild life spotting and food searcgh w/ a great team of a young ozzie and an older aboriginal woman on the local groups water buffalo farm Fascinating we even ate grubs!

cheers

AndrewDavid

pat_woolford

Hi AndrewDavid, Jabiru was really knocked about in Cyclone Monica earlier in year, "trashed", according to my step-daughter. She and her family used to live there, but are now in Darwin and her husband has spent most of the past 8months in Jabiru working on much of scientific and geological equipment ruined by cyclone.

AndrewDavid

Dear Pat, I am very sorry to hear this . Were many people hurt. We really enjoyed our time there. Happy New Year to you and Mike

cheers
AndrewDavid