The smallest of Australia’s capital cities is unlike anywhere else in the country. Surrounded on all sides by a seemingly unending sweep of natural beauty, Darwin conjures images of ancient Indigenous art gracing the walls of Katherine Gorge, the magnificent Termite Mounds of Litchfield National Park and sacred Aboriginal land in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park. But this little city is also a thriving cosmopolitan center, albeit with a treasure trove of natural riches and balmy tropical weather.

It’s only here that you can find an almost one-to-one ratio of people to ancient saltwater crocodiles (and almost rub noses with them), visit ‘Australia’s Pearl Harbour’ and spend an afternoon strolling through beachfront markets, before choosing from a string of multicultural harborside restaurants.

Indeed, Darwin wears its closer proximity to Indonesia than Sydney as a badge of pride, boasting some of the strongest southeast Asian culinary influence in the country, showcased in the capital’s only hatted restaurant, Hanuman.

It’s the art scene that puts the feather in Darwin’s cap, with world-class street art placed on the map by the annual Darwin Street Art Festival, and the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, which offers one of the largest exhibits of Australian Indigenous art in the world.

Our tip: visit Darwin during the dry season, between mid-April to mid-November, when you can enjoy balmy days on the beachfront at the seasonal Mindil Sunset Markets and cool nights in buzzing restaurants along Mitchell and Smith Street.

Please note that due to current restrictions some operators may be temporarily closed. Check their websites for the most up-to-date information.