Overlooking Timor Sea in Australia's northern coastline is Darwin, the capital city of the Northern Territory. Darwin has a permanent population of around 110,000 people, but really comes alive during the Dry Season when the tourists flock to the city. Because of Darwin's warm weather and tropical climate, the nightclubs and hotels are buzzing with activity each night as the people enjoy a relaxed outdoor lifestyle. If you want to experience some true Australian cuisine then make sure you try Kangaroo, Barramundi and Mud Crabs, or for the real experience try some Buffalo or Crocodile.

On the 19th of February 1942, the Japanese raided Darwin with 188 planes attacking the city, dropping more bombs than were dropped on Pearl Harbour. Along with the 15,000 Allied soldiers that were based in Darwin at the time to support the war, there were also 2,000 permanent residents, down from its original 5,000 due to the war. Darwin came under attack another 58 times during 1942 and 1943, but none were as devastating as the original attack. Today you can still see remnants around the city from World War 2.

With Darwin being so far north in Australia, it has 2 very distinct seasons, one being Wet, and the other being Dry. The dry season tends to run from April/May through to October, with the wet season seeing most of the rain fall between December and March. Darwin sees very little rain falling between May and September, and come November the days become very hot and humid in the build up to the wet season. Don't be put off from Darwin in the wet season though as the days are warm and the stunning waterfalls and rivers are at their best in the Kakadu National Park.

Darwin is a good base to explore the Top End of Australia with good access to the World Heritage listed Kakadu National Park, Litchfield and Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) National Parks, the Tiwi Islands and Arnhem Land. Try your hand at fishing for Barramundi with one of the many tour charters from Darwin, or experience the crocodiles out in their wild habitat on one of the jumping crocodile tours on the Adelaide River. Head to the Mindil Beach Sunset Markets and watch the sunset over the ocean, and afterwards have dinner from an array of food stalls while looking over the arts and crafts from local artists.

There are many other attractions in Darwin, with some of them being:

- Crocodylus Park is a crocodile museum displaying everything you need to know about the Crocodile. There are breeding and rearing crocodile pens, plus many other animals on display such as lizards, snakes, wombats, dingoes, birds and buffalo.

- Visit Acquascene at Doctor's Gully to witness the fish feeding frenzy. At particular times during the day when the tides are right, wild fish come in to be fed.

- Darwin Crocodile Farm is a breeding ground for crocodiles to be farmed for their skins as the leather is highly durable and unique with its individual patterning. The crocodile farm is also open to tourists, with the best time to visit being feeding time.

- The Territory Wildlife Park is a 400 hectare open range sanctuary situated 56kms outside of Darwin. It is on natural bushland and contains animals and plants native to the Northern Territory, including an aviary, an aquarium, natural lagoons and a nocturnal house.

- Majestic Orchids houses Australia's largest tropical orchid farm, set across 2 hectares and with over 300,000 blooms.

- Windows on the Wetlands is on the Arnhem highway overlooking the Adelaide River floodplains. It offers spectacular views across the Top End Wetlands, with the Wet Season the floodplains are under water, and the Dry Season they are baked in the sunlight.

- The Darwin Wharf Precinct is a great place to relax and enjoy your dinner at a restaurant overlooking the water. There are also tours that go through old World War 2 tunnels.

- Operating over the Dry Season, the Deckchair Cinema overlooks Darwin Harbour creating a stunning backdrop to enjoy a glass of wine and watch a movie.

- The Myilly Point Heritage Precinct is made up of 4 houses set in their original location and are perfect examples of pre World War 2 Darwin architecture.

- The Darwin Botanic Gardens have displays of orchids that thrive in the humid conditions, along with baobab trees, palms and mangroves.