It’s officially here: Welcome to the Darwin build-up season

For the next month or two, us NT residents are probably all at risk of ‘going troppo’. Yes, it’s officially the start of the build-up, writes Kate Dinning.

Mango daiquiri taken by Kate Dinning

It’s officially here: welcome to Dalirrgang, the Darwin build-up season.

For the next month or two, we’re probably all at risk of ‘going troppo’.

It’s affectionately known as ‘Mango Madness’ – and it’s not just because it is the beginning of one of the best seasons in the NT – mango season – it’s also because it’s so hot that it may just drive you mad.

I wanted to start today’s column with a list of the things that I love about the NT, for you to read at the times when you’ve showered and are immediately covered in sweat again.

For the moments that you need to be reminded why you’re here when you get into your car after it’s been parked on the street for a mere 10 minutes, and your iPhone won’t play music until it’s reached a normal temperature.

For when you walk outside at a ridiculous hour of the morning to try and get some sort of outdoor exercise before the heat, and the humidity all but punches you in the face as soon as you open the door.

Yep – in those times, read on.

Flame tree at East Point. Picture: Kate Dinning

Because, yes, it’s hot – but we still have some of the best spots in the world to swim in. Taking a Sunday drive from the city to one of about five spectacular swimming spots of your choice is a really, really nice way to beat the heat.

We have adventures. We’ve got cold beers and open roads.

We have the kind of sunrises and sunsets that make us feel alive.

We have loads of Territory spirit. And honestly, I think we all secretly like having ‘lived through’ a build-up or two.

If we didn’t have weather that made us feel like we’re tougher than everyone else (we are) – we wouldn’t have the good stories.

Our ‘summer’ is so different from everyone else’s – and thankfully this year we’ve already had a couple of early rains, so everything is alive and bright and warm.

Take notice of the beauty – it’s everywhere.

The glistening of the glassy ocean at first light on the Nightcliff foreshore. The way it reflects onto the cliffs and turns them a fiery red that reflects how it feels to be outside at that very moment. The magpie geese take up residence at East Point and atop residential palm trees without a care in the world. You won’t get that down south!

Cold coffee season. Picture: Kate Dinning

Mango season prefaces the next best season of the Territory trees: Flame Tree season. November brings blankets of red when the Poinciana trees flower, and it’s impossible to not slow down and ignore the heat for a moment to take in their beauty.

If you’re looking for ways to beat the heat – there are a few lovely places you to hang out that are airconditioned. Treat yourself to a massage, take your kids, mates, or colleagues to Kingpin and enjoy some activity in the airconditioning – or really ‘beat the heat’ and go ice skating. Go to one of our amazing local cafes and get an Iced Coffee - it’s cold coffee season now.

On the days when sitting in the Aircon isn’t going to cut it, I suggest heading to the Waterfront and just moving from water activity, to water activity. Take your pick from the Wave pool, the Lagoon, and the Aqua Park – and finish it off with a Mango Daiquiri from Snapper Rocks.

Get yourself an insulated water bottle, donate any thick or tight clothing, and invest in a handheld fan for the markets and the footy – in my experience, people are only looking at you because they want one too!

And the best bit? Know that living through Mango Madness means it’s almost ‘have you seen the radar?’ season!