What most of Australia thinks Darwin is like, compared to how it actually is

IT’S often imagined as the “wild west”. But here’s why the Northern Territory is vastly different to how most Australians perceive it.

Aerial of a part of Darwin city looking out over to Darwin Harbour in the Northern Territory.

IT’S often imagined as the “wild west”, or not imagined at all.

But Darwin is a tropical, cosmopolitan city in the midst of a building boom.

Many people who live there pride themselves on their lifestyle and often ask “why would you live anywhere else?”

Darwin is at the centre of the Federal Government’s plan to further develop “Northern Australia”, a move set to benefit the nation.

Filthy-rich multinational investors have their eyes — and money — on the city too.

But as Territorians head to the poll booths today to vote on the future of the Northern Territory, the majority of Australia won’t think twice about this large chunk of itself, if history is anything to go by.

The beauty of the NT has all too often been overshadowed nationally by scandal and its remote location.

The CLP’s reign has been chaotic and they’re now facing being the first one-term government in the Territory’s history.

A view of Darwin harbour from a city high rise apartment.

Since taking office in August 2012, the Country Liberal Party (CLP) government has seen an astonishing 16 cabinet reshuffles amid a string of scandals.

Among them, a masturbating minister who filmed himself in the act inside Parliament House and used the defence “it was Sunday”; a member for Arnhem who pleaded guilty to the physical assault of her niece who had slept with her partner; a politician who publicly shamed a music star with ailing health; a taxpayer funded booze-fest; homophobic slurs; a failed coup; and the Don Dale youth detention saga.

According to NT Chief minister Adam Giles, it’s not all bad.

This week he took credit for the NT’s low unemployment rate, its highest rate of indigenous employment and high school attendance and improved school outcomes.

“It hasn’t always looked the prettiest and I take full responsibility for that, but when it comes to style over substance, our substance has been at record levels and that’s what we should be judged upon,” Mr Giles said.

The Darwin waterfront.

His government didn’t take into account of poor polling, which - if accurate - is giving a landslide victory to Labor.

But there’s much more to the NT than its politics.

The NT is home to many people from the oldest living culture on Earth; Aboriginal Australians, who truly make it the spiritual heart of the country.

Entrenched in culture and history, having been destroyed and rebuilt twice — once during WWII in 1942 and again by Cyclone Tracy in 1974 - Darwin is a contemporary city on the edge of azure seas, fringed with palm and frangipani trees.

It’s a far cry from the outback country town many paint it to be.

Mix 104.9 Darwin host and talkback queen Katie Woolf has lived in the Northern Territory for 12 years.

There’s nothing quite like a Darwin sunset.

She said there was a common perception from outside the NT by those who hadn’t visited that it was “the Wild West”. But according to Ms Woolf, they’re wrong.

“People outside the Territory don’t seem to recognise it as a big city but in reality there are major investment opportunities, large businesses based here and it is a bustling hive of activity socially, economically and certainly politically,” Ms Woolf told news.com.au.

“A lot of people don’t realise the NT is a really cosmopolitan place, a lot more sophisticated, multicultural and exciting than they might think.”

Ms Woolf said the NT was overlooked in national news coverage and rarely on the radar of most Australians.

“Maybe this is because we seem so far away, sometimes what goes on in other cities seems to overshadow the NT and our population isn’t as large,” she said.

According to Ms Woolf, the recent expose on the abuse of children in Don Dale juvenile centre — which was featured heavily in national media — shouldn’t define the NT.

An oasis in East Point, Darwin.

“It’s important that a juvenile correction is adequately looked into, not just in the NT but all over Australia,” she said.

“Sometimes a terrible story like the one we saw on Four Corners needs to be reported to shine a light on significant issues. but, it is also important not to judge the whole Northern Territory and the people that live here on one report.

“Darwin like any city has it’s problems but there are so many amazing people doing wonderful things that for the benefit of the community that Aussie’s should take the time to visit the city and experience it for themselves.”

The Northern Territory has been dubbed a “gateway to Asia” for more than just its proximity and cheap flights to Bali.

“There is major investment from multinational companies such as Inpex and Landbridge spending millions of dollars in the NT and also putting us on an international business stage,” Ms Woolf said.

The Darwin skyline.

“Tourism is obviously a massive drawcard with so many amazing places to see like Litchfield and Kakadu National Park, as well as Uluru and plenty of other hidden gems in Central Australia like the MacDonnell Ranges.

“We also have one of the largest Defence hubs where defence personnel from all over the world take part in major army, navy and air force exercises.

While smaller than most of Australia’s capital cities, the NT has a thriving sports, arts and entertainment scene. The annual Darwin gala ball is the largest outdoor event of its kind in the southern hemisphere.

But it’s far from the only grand scale event on the Territor’s social calendar.

Nighttime Darwin city skyline.

“The award-winning Vivid lights many will know from the Sydney Opera House are set to light up Alice Springs Desert park in September,” Ms Woolf said.

“We also have a Darwin Cup Carnival which rivals that in Melbourne, but with beautiful consistent weather. The likes of Gai Waterhouse travel to the Top End to experience the fantastic racing and glamour of the event.

“There are also amazing arts and culture experiences, including the Darwin Festival. And, major sporting events like the V8’s and NRL and AFL teams travelling here to play.”

Darwin is also the base for Australia’s National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre which was set up after the Bali bombings in 2002. It’s a key element of the Australian Government’s disaster and emergency medical response to incidents of national and international significance.

“Aussie’s should be aware of the fact that the Territory is not just a beautiful place, it is also culturally … politically … and economically significant,” Ms Woolf said.

Originally published as What most of Australia thinks Darwin is like, compared to how it actually is