Geography Darwin, Northern Territory

darwin skyline east point in 2007

darwin lies in northern territory, on timor sea. city proper occupies low bluff overlooking darwin harbour, flanked frances bay east , cullen bay west. remainder of city flat , low-lying, , coastal areas home recreational reserves, extensive beaches, , excellent fishing.

darwin closer capitals of 5 other countries capital of australia: darwin 3,137 kilometres (1,949 mi) away canberra. dili (east timor) 656 km (408 mi), port moresby (papua new guinea) 1,818 km (1,130 mi), jakarta (indonesia) 2,700 km (1,678 mi), bandar seri begawan (brunei) 2,607 km (1,620 mi), , ngerulmud (palau) 2,247 km (1,396 mi) darwin.

even malaysia , singapore farther away @ 3,350 km (2,082 mi), manila (philippines) @ 3,206 km (1,992 mi), , honiara (solomon islands) @ 3,198 km (1,987 mi). ambon, indonesia, 881 km (547 mi) away darwin.

along importance gateway asia, darwin acts access point kakadu national park, arnhem land, , northerly islands such groote eylandt , tiwi islands. largest city in area, provides services these remote settlements.

city , suburbs


map of darwin suburbs

darwin , suburbs spread in approximately triangular shape, older south-western suburbs—and city itself—forming 1 corner, newer northern suburbs in another, , eastern suburbs, progressing towards palmerston, forming third.

the older part of darwin separated newer northern suburbs darwin international airport , royal australian air force base. palmerston satellite city 20 km (12 mi) south of darwin established in 1980s , 1 of fastest growing municipalities in australia. rural areas of darwin including howard springs, humpty doo , berry springs experiencing strong growth.

mitchell street in darwin cbd

darwin s central business district bounded daly street in north-west, mcminn street in north-east, mitchell street on south-west , bennett street on south-east. cbd has been focus of number of major projects, including billion dollar redevelopment of stokes hill wharf waterfront area including convention centre seating 1500 people , approximately 4,000 square metres (43,000 sq ft) of exhibition space. development include hotels, residential apartments , public space. city s main industrial areas along stuart highway going towards palmerston, centred on winnellie. largest shopping precinct in area casuarina square.

the expensive residential areas stand along coast in suburbs such larrakeyah , brinkin, despite slight risk these low-lying regions face during cyclones , higher tides. inner northern suburbs of millner , coconut grove , eastern suburb of karama home lower-income households, although low-income territory housing units scattered throughout metropolitan area. suburb of lyon addition northern suburbs. development , construction took place in 2009 , 2010 , became home number of affluent darwin residents , local/recently posted military families above rank of sergeant or flying officer.

climate

a wet season storm @ night in january

darwin has tropical savanna climate (köppen aw) distinct wet , dry seasons , average maximum temperature remarkably similar year round. dry season runs may september, during every day sunny, , afternoon humidity averages around 30%.

the driest period of year, seeing approximately 5 mm (0.20 in) of monthly rainfall on average, between may , september. in coolest months of june , july, daily minimum temperature may dip low 14 °c (57 °f), lower, , temperature lower 10 °c (50 °f) has never been recorded in city centre. outer suburbs away coast, however, can record temperatures low 5 °c (41 °f) in dry season. exceedingly lengthy 147‑day period during 2012 dry season, 5 may 29 september, darwin recorded no precipitation whatsoever. prolonged periods of no precipitation common in dry season in northern australia (particularly in northern territory , northern regions of western australia) although no-rainfall event of extent rare. 3pm dewpoint average in wet season @ around 24.0 °c (75.2 °f).

extreme temperatures @ darwin post office station have ranged 40.4 °c (104.7 °f) on 17 october 1892 13.4 °c (56.1 °f) on 25 june 1891; while extreme temperatures @ darwin airport station (which further coast , routinely records cooler temperatures post office station located in darwin s cbd) have ranged 38.9 °c (102.0 °f) on 18 october 1982 10.4 °c (50.7 °f) on 29 july 1942. highest minimum temperature on record 30.7 °c (87.3 °f) on 18 january 1928 post office station , 29.7 °c (85.5 °f) on both 25 november 1987 , 17 december 2014 airport station; while lowest maximum temperature on record 18.4 °c (65.1 °f) on 3 june 1904 post office station , 21.1 °c (70.0 °f) on 14 july 1968 airport station.

the wet season associated tropical cyclones , monsoon rains. majority of rainfall occurs between december , march (the southern hemisphere summer), when thunderstorms common , afternoon relative humidity averages on 70 percent during wettest months. not rain every day during wet season, days have plentiful cloud cover; january averages under 6 hours of bright sunshine daily. darwin s highest bureau of meteorology verified daily rainfall total 367.6 millimetres (14.47 in), fell when cyclone carlos bore down on darwin area on 16 february 2011. february 2011 darwin s wettest month ever recorded, 1,110.2 millimetres (43.71 in) recorded month @ airport.

the hottest month november, before onset of main rain season. heat index rises above 45 °c (113 °f), while actual temperature below 35 °c (95 °f), because of humidity levels find uncomfortable. because of long dry season, darwin has second daily average sunshine hours (8.4) of australian capital sunshine april november; perth, western australia averages more (8.8). sun passes directly overhead in mid october , mid february.

the average temperature of sea ranges 25.8 °c (78.4 °f) in july 31.5 °c (88.7 °f) in december.

darwin occupies 1 of lightning-prone areas in australia. on 31 january 2002 early-morning squall line produced on 5,000 cloud-to-ground lightning strikes within 60-kilometre (37 mi) radius of darwin alone – 3 times amount of lightning perth, western australia, experiences on average in entire year.