Darwin Travel Forum

Hi! Am planning a 10-day trip to Darwin with a family of 8 (from 2 yrs to 62 yrs old!) in late May. Have a few questions to ask:

1) The flight I intended to book will land in Darwin at 2.30am. Is it possible to get a rented car at that timing? Any car rental company to recommend?

2) Would like to book an apartment with cooking facilities as my mum is a vegetarian. Any recommendations?

3) Saw a few advices on Darwin's attractions :) Besides Darwin, any nearby places (like Kakadu or Katherine?) to visit? Preferably family friendly places.

Appreciate your advice!

Sharon

Hi! Am planning a 10-day trip to Darwin with a family of 8 (from 2 yrs to 62 yrs old!) in late May. Have a few questions to ask:

1) The flight I intended to book will land in Darwin at 2.30am. Is it possible to get a rented car at that timing? Any car rental company to recommend?

2) Would like to book an apartment with cooking facilities as my mum is a vegetarian. Any recommendations?

3) Saw a few advices on Darwin's attractions :) Besides Darwin, any nearby places (like Kakadu or Katherine?) to visit? Preferably family friendly places.

Appreciate your advice!

Sharon

Hi! Am planning a 10-day trip to Darwin with a family of 8 (from 2 yrs to 62 yrs old!) in late May. Have a few questions to ask:

1) The flight I intended to book will land in Darwin at 2.30am. Is it possible to get a rented car at that timing? Any car rental company to recommend?

2) Would like to book an apartment with cooking facilities as my mum is a vegetarian. Any recommendations?

3) Saw a few advices on Darwin's attractions :) Besides Darwin, any nearby places (like Kakadu or Katherine?) to visit? Preferably family friendly places.

Appreciate your advice!

Sharon

From what I've noticed looking online, housing prices look really expensive in Darwin. The wife and I are planning to move to Darwin within the next 2 years. She'll be Nursing and I'll be attending the Uni.

We would like to find an area with reasonable prices within an easy drive of the Darwin Hospital and the University. Is it possible to find a nice condo(apartment) for under 250K or a nice house (2+ bedroom, newer home etc) for under 400K in nice area? ie. not crime ridden or the like. Or are most decent areas in Darwin going to cost a lot?

Hi!
Im packing up my car and driving from Melbourne to Darwin early January for a new life. I was just wondering what people thought of a young female driving in the outback by herself.
My friend was going to do the trip with me but pulled out!!! I will need my car in Darwin so this is why I want to drive up there. Driving is also cheaper than putting it on the Ghan (Way too expensive)and I can pack more stuff to take with me.

My trip is roughly as follows (Im flexible depending on what happens)

Day 1: Melbourne - Port Augusta

Day 2: Port Augusta - Jims place (just south of Alice although I will try to make it to Alice Springs if I can but doesn't seem likely)

Day 3: Jims place - Mataranka

Day 4: Mataranks - Darwin

I will be sensible and take days off or shorter days if I need a rest. My only concern is driving in isolated areas by myself. I will take extra petrol and water and if i break down dont go away from my car... I have had the lecture!

What do you guys think?

Anna

Is darwin water safe enough to be drank straight from the tap without boiling?

Hey there! Well, I've booked a bed at Frogs for next week. I still need someone, anyone, to allay my fears. We all know, or read, that Frogs offer a 24-hr check in service. I've read elsewhere, though, that this is not necessarily the case. Someone arrived at 2a.m. and this poor soul had to face the torment of trying to locate the nightwatchman who was apparently not at the premises.

I do not know the truth in this claim (though I sure hope not!), but there WILL be someone around to check me in right? I'll be arriving at around 3a.m. or so.. and I don't wanna be caught out.

Best regards,
Zahidyne

Hi everyone, I have never been to Darwin before but am very keen to go there for a holiday and if I like it enough would like to move there for a fresh start to life, as I would like a change and different opportunities than what it has to offer where i currently am! So, would be great if you could give me an overview on the city, with population, jobs, accommodation, renting, schools (i have a 2 yr old son), and anything else which may be of interest.
Look forward to your replys people! Thanks! xx

I will be moving to Darwin at the end of this month and will be working in the city hence would like to suss out accommodation in this area. What are the real estate agents listed in Darwin? From my search there is homestead realty and PRDnationwide.. are there any others based there?

How far is it to commute by public transport from a suburb like woolner or fannie bay to Darwin cbd? What is the costs and commuting time ?

Any help would be grateful!!!!!!!!! Please advice

I'm currently living in the US and thinking about moving to Darwin. I have a few questions.

I'm wondering about postal service. Is there a national(reliable) postal service that works similar to the USPS? Also, do companies like UPS/Fedex exist and if so, what are shipping customs like as far as receiving international packages?

Also I'm intrigued by the wet/dry seasons. I'm wondering about the general weather patterns, for instance in Florida(USA) there are chunks of the year where it will cut loose rain all afternoon then dry out by the end of the day and lead to clear night sky. Is it like that or does it rain all the time during the wet season? Is there danger of having home flooding, etc?

As far as employment goes, I'm a Computer/IT professional. Would there be many opportunities for a career in that line of work? I can be fairly flexible in regards to finding a job, but it'd be nice to find something I already know how to do and enjoy.

Also are there particular neighborhoods that are safer to live in than others? How much of a concern is home/automobile safety as far as theft etc?

Thanks in advance for helping me out in making this decision.

hello everyone...just want to know wether flying from singapore to darwin by tiger airways the ticket includes visa or do we have to apply separately...thank you

I'm moving to Melbourne from Darwin, I'm thinking between driving down or flying down, I'm wondering how much I have to pay for petrol. I'm driving a V6 Camry and I think the driving distance is about 3800km according to whereis.com directions.

IF anyone can give me a bit info on this and other relevant tips, it'll be appreciated, thanks

Is there anywhere in Darwin or nearby that you can camp on the beach? Let me know if you knew, thanks

I'm looking at options of getting to Sydney after a trip overland from London to Singapore. I'm not sure if I should fly from Singapore to Sydney directly or fly into Darwin and drive to Sydney. This is a trip I'd really like to do but am weighing up the costs.

Can anyone tell me what they think you'd spend in petrol on this trip? I guess it depends which way you go but any estimates would be great. If I can get a relocation car it would keep costs down too.

Thanks,

K

I'm looking at options of getting to Sydney after a trip overland from London to Singapore. I'm not sure if I should fly from Singapore to Sydney directly or fly into Darwin and drive to Sydney. This is a trip I'd really like to do but am weighing up the costs.

Can anyone tell me what they think you'd spend in petrol on this trip? I guess it depends which way you go but any estimates would be great. If I can get a relocation car it would keep costs down too.

Thanks,

K

I've just got a job in a hotel in Darwin, so currently awaiting visa application approval before I set out there. Just wanted to find out more about the city. I've lived in Australia the past 3 years although I'm Singaporean - mostly in the Blue Mountains, Sydney and a short stint at Ayers Rock.

If someone can point me to some useful websites that would be great. The ones that I've found so far are for tourists and not for like 'LIVING' there.. if you know what I mean.

And since I dont know anyone there, was hoping to make a few friends here so that I can convince someone to show me around when i get there.. anyone game? :)

Hi guys, I will be working at the Royal Darwin Hospital for 3 months from August to October, and am really keen to find out on some local spots to buy and catch mud crabs, go fishing for and eat barramundi, and listen to some good live music. Also, I'll be living near the hospital; is it silly to think I can communte on a bicycle down the cycle tracks I have seen on the maps - in terms of distance and heat? Looking forward to flying up tomorrow!

Hi everyone,

Do I need to declare health supplements? I fibre supplements which contains veg powder.

Regards,
Pearlyn

Hi everyone,

Do I need to declare health supplements? I fibre supplements which contains veg powder.

Regards,
Pearlyn

Hi!

I am looking for travel buddies to camp at Edith Falls (depart from Katherine). I cannot drive but I am willing to share the cost.

I will be at Katherine from 7-9 Aug and would like to visit Edith Falls on 10 Aug to camp for 1 night and depart for Darwin on 11 Aug to check in for a flight by 1750. If anyone is going in the same direction as I am during this period, please let me know!

Thanks!

Pearlyn

I'm planning a trip with my fiance from the Top End to the Red centre with a 4wd starting from the 2nd January. Is this a really stupid idea?? I know it is the Wet Season, and I don't mind the rain if it means there will be less tourists, but will everything be closed?? Has anyone out there experienced the Wet in Jan? I have some friends who experienced a really monsoonal March.

If we feel this is not going to work...we may travel from Adelaide to the Red Centre?? Has anyone out there done this?? is this a better idea?

Hi everyone!!!

I will be going around Australia for 2 months starting from 2 Aug and am very excited!!! This is my first solo trip! Been thinking for years, finally able to do it!!! Yay!!!

Below is my Itinary, please comment.

Current itinary:
2 Aug : Fly to Darwin and reach on 3 Aug 2am in the morning - got to think of how to get to City or else I sleep in airport.(advice needed here)

3 - 6 Aug, Fri to Sun: Explore Darwin City - they got weekend beach markets!!!!

7 Aug, Mon : Litchfield National Park - plunge pools, plunge pools here I come...

8 - 10 Aug, Tue to Thurs : Katherine - Katherine Gorge and thermal pools....Ooooo

11 - 13 Aug, Fri to Sun : Alice Springs

14 - 20 Aug, Mon to Sun : Adelaide

21 - 27 Aug, Mon to Sun : Kangaroo Island/Tasmania/Melbourne

28 Aug - 15 Sep (3 weeks): Fly to Cairns and travel down by bus with stops all the way to Sydney, includes 1 week stay in Brisbane with friend

15 - 29 Sep (2 weeks): Reach Sydney and stay with a friend

30 Sep - 2 Oct : Travel out to Gold Coast with friends

3 - 5 Oct : Blue Mountains (will stay till 10 Oct if nice, if not, venture further away e.g. to hunter valley etc)

10 Oct: Take internal flight from Sydney to Darwin (7.40pm to 11.40pm, 4hrs) and Tiger back to Singapore (3.15am to 6.20am, 3.5 hrs). Any cafes or places I can rest during the wait?

hey guys,

I'll be heading down to Darwin next week for a 6-months internship...maybe you could tell me something about how and where to find accommodation for 6 months (like shared student accommodation etc.)

I'll probably spend most of my working time at the CD University - do you think it's better to look for an apartment near the university building or rather somewhere in the city center (and take the local bus to casuarina...?)

Any idea what's the average monthly rent of a typical student's apartment in Darwin??

thanks for any advise!!

Hi everyone!

I am from Singapore and plan to visit Darwin by myself in mid July. I really wish to have a working holiday visa so that I can work and stay in Darwin longer. But Singapore is not one of the "reciprocal country". Does anyone know how I can apply for the visa in this case?

I plan to camp overnight at Litchfield National Park on my own instead of joining a tour. Do I need to bring and pitch my own tent at the camping grounds or are there readily pitched tent for rent? On the other hand, what other accommodations would you recommand?

Oh, are there buses that I can take from Darwin to Litchfield? I can't drive...yet.

I will be taking a coach from Darwin to Katherine and then fly to Sydney. What is the budget airfare like for this? I did research but just want affirmation that I am not paying more than I should.

Thanks!

sadly, i will only have a few days to spend in darwin before i fly on to singapore...how can i see it all??? what mustn't i miss? what part of darwin would be nice to stay in (under $150 night)?

thanx for the help...

Hi guys,

We are going to Darwin at the end of june and fly out 7 days later. Do you have any advice on what we can do and see in this time. I've heard that to see Kakadu we need about 3-4 days, will we need to do a tour for this? Or is it easy enough to drive yourself?

Are there plenty of accomodation around kakadu or will we have to camp? If anyone can recommend the best way, we like to be independent and don't really want to do a tour unless completely necessary. And we don't really want to camp as we will be doing that before we get there. We are on a budget so i was wondering if accomodation is really expensive? We usually pay around $65 for a double room so woldn't want to pay much more than that...any ideas?

Do you recommend we see any other places like litchfield?

We really appreciate any advice..many thanks!

Amy :-)

Has anyone here attended the Uni in Darwin? The wife and I are thinking about moving to Darwin in a couple of years from Canada (wife will be a full fledged Nurse then) and I was thinking on attending University. How is it? Whats the average age of students there?(I'm 31).

Has anyone here attended the Uni in Darwin? The wife and I are thinking about moving to Darwin in a couple of years from Canada (wife will be a full fledged Nurse then) and I was thinking on attending University. How is it? Whats the average age of students there?(I'm 31).

I'm traveling to Darwin in about a month and I'm wondering what is the temperature of the Timor Sea this time of year. I'm thin, with very little body fat to keep me warm, so I'm trying to decide whether to pack my wet suit.

Thanks, Ed

I'm going to be working in Darwin for three months this summer, and wondered what health insurance is like there. Is is like in Europe, where you pay 50Euros a month and can get a heart transplant for free? Or like America where you pay $500 a month and have to take the doctor out to dinner before he'll treat you? Somewhere in between?

Think I might need some dental work...

Julia