You may have heard in the news that the Australian city of Darwin has narrowly escaped a brush with Cyclone Monica. A cyclone is the southern hemisphere's equivalent of a hurricane, and Monica, classed as a category five storm, could have done some significant damage to the city. It wouldn't be the first time that Darwin has been ravaged by storms, and, arguably, if Monica had hit the city Darwinians would have been better prepared than ever before. They learned a particularly hard lesson on Christmas Day 1974, when Cyclone Tracy made landfall at Darwin, killing 71 people and flattening the recently-expanded city. During that event the local airport's wind meter registered a wind speed of 135mph - before it was blown away.
So over the years Darwin has seen its fair share of destruction. As well as being in the path of cyclones, it was the only Australian city within range of Japanese bombers during the Second World War. Lying right on the northern coast of the country's Northern Territory, it's a city that's not only exposed, but remote. But there's nothing backwards about Darwin - it's a thriving center for trade and the Australian military, and with a population in excess of a hundred thousand people there's plenty going on for visitors to enjoy.
As well as being a great - if somewhat remote - part of Australia for backpackers and tourists to enjoy, Darwin is also a regular stop-off for cruises moving around the north coast of Australia and the Great Barrier Reef. If you're taking a cruise on this itinerary, Darwin will be about the biggest settlement you come across on your whole trip, and could well be the start or end-point.
One event you should not miss if you're in Darwin at the right time of year is the Darwin Beer Can Regatta. Darwinians are well-known as beer lovers, and this even commemorates their relationship with the amber nectar. Participants gather on the city's Mindil Beach and, in teams, construct rafts made entirely out of beer cans and bottles. After these vessels have been tested for seaworthiness, a race takes place. The Regatta has attracted a number of other events and side-attractions, so as well as being enormous fun to watch there's usually plenty for the whole family to see and do.
Frommer's Australia 2008 (Frommer's Complete)
Australia (Country Guide)
Australia (EYEWITNESS TRAVEL GUIDE)
The Fatal Shore: The Epic of Australia's Founding
Americans' Survival Guide to Australia and Australian-American Dictionary