There’s only one way to start your trip to Darwin and that’s with a Welcome to Country ceremony performed by either the elders of the Larrakia people or traditional owners they have given permission to. Predating colonization, the Larrakia use this ceremony to lay out guidelines and etiquette expected of any visitor. For my ceremony, I met with Liam Stansfield, Auntie Cindy, and Leigh Fowlestone of the Youth Mill, an organization in the Northern Territory that focuses on nurturing young Indigenous artists. Not only did they welcome me to Darwin, I had the chance to break bread and learn more about their traditions.

What happens when you combine Sri Lankan cuisine with fresh Northern Territory produce? The mouthwatering dishes found at Ella by Minoli, of course! Named after the jungletown Chef Minoli DeSilva remembers as paradise on earth, everything about Ella is designed to bring diners a sense of home and nourishment. Interestingly enough, when I sat down here, I had the realization that for all my culinary experiences, I’d never tried Sri Lankan cuisine before! You’ll have to see what I tried – especially the very unique Aussie twist on a well-loved dish that Chef Minoli and her mom created when playing around with different ingredients. YUM!

If you really want to see what a melting pot of cultures and cuisines Darwin is home to, you have to head to the Mindil Beach Sunset Markets. It all began back in 1987 when four people wanted to bring the night markets of Southeast Asia to the shores of Mindil Beach. Today you can find over 200 different stalls and, of course, an absolute gorgeous sunset over Timor Sea. During my visit I got to try one of my favorite dishes as well as get a reminder that I am very much still in the land down under. 

No trip to Australia is complete without planning a few days away from the city and into its famous Outback. When in Darwin, make the 90 minute drive out to Finniss River Lodge, a newly opened luxury safari lodge in the Northern Territory’s wetlands. Spend your day on expeditions with the lodge’s expert guides and then come back to relax in luxury while taking in the vast views. You’ll have to see what animal I met with my guides, Rowdy Sutton and Chase Johnson, who is also the lodge’s general manager!

While in the Northern Territory, you don’t want to miss the natural beauty of Litchfield National Park. Covering around 1,500 square kilometers, the park is known for its unique features as well as the stunning waterfalls sprinkled throughout. I joined Jack Tanner of Cyaround Australia Tours to learn more about the creatures that call this place home as well as see one of these waterfalls for myself.

Easily the best way to end a day in Darwin, at least during dry season, is to head over to Darwin Harbour and catch one of the films Deckchair Cinema is showing that night. It’s an outdoor, independent cinema operated by the Darwin Film Society, which means most of what they show is not usually available to general audiences. I met with James Parker, who is both the manager of Deckchair Cinema and the Darwin International Film Festival, to learn more about the pre-cinema experience which includes an incredible sunset, globally-inspired food and drink offering, and some live music.