Infamous Fanny Bay Gaol

Darwin NT 0800 (Pop (110 000)

Darwin is the Northern Territory’s capital and thriving tropical seaport. It is located on Fannie Bay in the ‘Top End’ and original and still current inhabitants are the Larrakia language Aborigines. White ‘discovery’ occurred in 1830s with the area named after Charles Darwin. The building of the Overland Telegraph (1871) ensured its future as a settlement and as a result also the need for a prison (Fannie Bay Gaol (1882-1979). Further population growth was due to nearby gold finds and the pearling industry.  An important part of Darwin’s recent history concerns Cyclone Tracy (1974) - Australia’s worst natural disaster damaging or destroying over 90% of the city. Markets include Parap, Palmerston Rapid Creek and Nightcliff. Royal Darwin Show (July), Darwin Beer Can Regatta (Aug), National Aboriginal Art Award (Aug or Sept), Festival of Darwin (Sept).

Tourist Attractions & Info:
Bicentennial Park, Parliament House, Government House (1879), World War II Oil Storage Tunnels, Chinese Temple Open (8am-4pm) daily. Fannie Bay Gaol, British Australian Telegraph Residence Museum (1925), Stuart Memorial, Botanical Gardens (1870s), Christchurch Cathedral, Northern Territory Museum of Arts and Natural Sciences, East Port Fortifications (1936), Australian Aviation Heritage Centre.

Nearby:
Mary River Crossing (120 km s-e) scenic wetlands area of paperbarks, billabongs, riverbanks & prolific birdlife. A national park has been proposed for this area to incorporate a dozen conservation areas. Litchfield NP (100 km s-w) 1 500 sq km park of gorges, waterfalls (Florence, Wangi, Tolmer, Surprise Creek), termite mounds, unusual rock formations & bushwalks (Tabletop Track, Florence Creek Walk, Wangi Falls Walk). Blyth Homestead (1928) stands as a reminder of early pioneer days. Tiwi Islands comprise Melville & Bathurst Islands (80 km n) and are known for their Tiwi art and crafts, rugged escarpments, beaches, waterfalls and forests. Tours run during the dry season).

Visitor Information Centre: Tel (08) 8941 1824 or Tourism Top End, cnr Knuckey & Mitchell Sts. Tel (08) 8936 2499 or 1300 138 886.