Off the Map

Down Under in Darwin

Darwin couldn't be farther from Adelaide if it were in Russia. That is perhaps a bit exaggerated, but the contrasts are undeniably stark. Darwin is a small town (less than 100,000), but the biggest town for about 1000 square miles. That kind of isolation adds weight to what in the states would be another comfortable community. This manifests itself physically in the glorious government buildings. Think 19th century colonial India's big, white, sprawling British architecture. Its just what you want to see in a tropical capital.

Dignified colonial buildings aside, Darwin is essentially a resort town. I've heard that a lot of 'unconventional' locals live in Darwin, but I've yet to see anyone on the streets other than backpackers and pensioners. Highrise resorts abound. In that sense I'm a touch disappointed. I was lead to believe Darwin was a rough and tumble frontier town. From my admittedly short experience, its more of a provincial Sunshine Coast. That said, its beautiful. Within my first 30 min in town I ran across a 2ft goanna (an Aussie lizard) and by my first evening I had seen a stunning sunset followed by a night sky flush with Flying Foxes (look 'em up if you don't know). I also found Baramundi fish and chips at a hole in the wall joint hidden amidst fishing warehouses on an industrial pier. It was unquestioningly the best battered amphibian I've ever feasted upon.

posted by Jason @ 12:16 pm