In Darwin for ocean sailing and the food scene

Overlooking the Timor Sea, Darwin is a city that is truly at the geographical and cultural antipodes. It is certainly the starting point for a trip to Litchfield National Park, famous for its waterfalls and huge termite mounds, and to Nitmiluk National Park, renowned for the spectacular Katherine Gorges with their rugged cliffs. However, if you decide to spend at least a day here, you’ll find yourself swept up by the quirkiness of its attractions, including boogie boarding – that is, the artificial waves signalled by a siren at the Wave Lagoon amongst the palm trees. Above all, from the Darwin Sailing Club you can set sail on a yacht or catamaran to go fishing for barramundi and golden snapper, perhaps stopping off at the Tiwi Islands, 90 per cent of whose inhabitants are Aboriginal. The food scene is just as exciting: whilst you might start with fish and chips on Darwin’s waterfront, you’ll also be tempted by Indonesian chicken soup and fresh seafood at the Mindil Beach Sunset Market – a food market held right on the tropical beach at Mindil. Near the East Point Nature Reserve, too, it’s highly recommended that, after a refreshing dip, you sample the dishes prepared by Pee Wee. Meanwhile, at Ella’s tables, Minoli De Silva takes your taste buds on a journey all the way to Sri Lanka. The George Brown City Botanical Gardens are undoubtedly a feast for the eyes, but the immersive experience amongst the exotic baobabs would not be complete without a lunch at Eva’s, the restaurant housed in a disused church that naturally specialises in dishes centred on organic sustainability.