Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
How many scary animals is there around Darwin? Are the crocodiles everywhere? Is there a lot of snakes, poisonous ones? How about the bugs? And how devastating are the cyclones? Is Darwin at risk of damage like say Miami is in the US?
How many scary animals is there around Darwin? Are the crocodiles everywhere? Is there a lot of snakes, poisonous ones? How about the bugs? And how devastating are the cyclones? Is Darwin at risk of damage like say Miami is in the US?
Wildlife are not a risk unless you put yourself in a risky situation, eg swimming in open rivers.
Not sure how bad bugs, mosquitoes etc are up there, but they can render a place very unpleasant.
Cyclones though occur every year in northern Australia, but building codes and better weather warning systems in place than those in the distant past, ensure that damage and loss of life is minimal.
Wildlife are not a risk unless you put yourself in a risky situation, eg swimming in open rivers.
Not sure how bad bugs, mosquitoes etc are up there, but they can render a place very unpleasant.
Cyclones though occur every year in northern Australia, but building codes and better weather warning systems in place than those in the distant past, ensure that damage and loss of life is minimal.
Casuarina beach is a gorgeous beach close to Darwin. Signs all over to watch for crocs. Did not see anyone in the water.. When i was there in 2008 a croc bumped someone on a kayak.. to get them in the water then followed as they paddled back to shore.. I was happy my mates had a swimming pool
Casuarina beach is a gorgeous beach close to Darwin. Signs all over to watch for crocs. Did not see anyone in the water.. When i was there in 2008 a croc bumped someone on a kayak.. to get them in the water then followed as they paddled back to shore.. I was happy my mates had a swimming pool
It is well known crocs can take you in open water, not just in rivers and estuaries:
This makes activities like scuba diving and snorkelling hazardous.
The name salt water crocodile is also a misnomer, as they are in fresh water holes and billagongs as well.
But seriously, stick to swimming pools or major popular swimming spots. If there is no one else (or only a few people) in the water, stay out. If there is a sign warning of crocs, stay out. Check the swimming pool before you dive in as well, crocs have been known to turn up in those on occasion.
Snakes: there are a lot of them, many venomous, and I know plenty of people who have encountered them just walking on the footpath in Darwin. But generally they won't attack unless they feel threatened, so give them plenty of space and time to move away.
Cyclones: Darwin's actually not a high risk due to the Tiwi and Bathurst Islands. Tracy was unusual in its track. But there is certainly some risk.
Bugs: Get a bottle of Tropical Strength Rid or Aerogard as soon as you get here and use it liberally.
Darwin's climate is classified as tropical savannah with distinct wet and dry months. Far North Queensland (Cairns, Townsville) has a tropical climate, while the South East is more humid subtropical (Brisbane, Gold Coast). Because most Australian cities have temperate, very mild climates, they try to project a "tropical image" in the city with Palm trees and all like LA and Florida, which imo is totally foolish (especially in central Melbourne and Sydney). The only true place in the country that should have Palms is the tropical regions as previously mentioned.
Well our temperate areas are pretty mild, Perth's climate is like LA, LA is not a tropical but a Mediterranean climate. I mean the French Riviera is a similar latitude to Tasmania and they have palm trees.
How many scary animals is there around Darwin? Are the crocodiles everywhere? Is there a lot of snakes, poisonous ones? How about the bugs? And how devastating are the cyclones? Is Darwin at risk of damage like say Miami is in the US?
Yes Darwin is in the cyclone risk zone, but the last cyclone that did any real damage was Tracy in 1974. A lot of the current buildings built since then are built to withstand cyclones (that's no guarantee, of course, but they've taken precautions against cyclones and flooding).
Yes there are lots of crocs, but as with anywhere you can control the risk...there are snakes, like the taipan, but again being conscious and knowing what to do in an emergency (say in a case of snake-bite) is the key.
Also during November to March it's not safe to swim. Not so much because of crocs or sharks (although those are always a risk, albeit a very slim risk) but jellyfish: the box jellyfish and irikanji are very dangerous, indeed they can be deadly. Plus the frequent lightning and torrential downpours mean you probably won't be swimming much in the ocean or anywhere else during the 'Wet' anyway.
If it did happen it would be another very expensive tourist and millionares playground.
Airlie Beach already has some apartments etc that make it look like Acapulco. Plus you have some super-exclusive resorts in the Whitsundays, Hayman Island is well known.
Does Australia have any cacao plantations? You know, the trees that chocolate comes from.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
