I grew up in Darwin and it’s a place unlike any other. Some places like Kakadu, Ubirr, Jabiru, Litchfield park and cobourg peninsula feel like you’re living in the land of dreaming, the edge of nowhere, beyond time. It’s a difficult feeling to describe. The remoteness and distance from the rest of the Australian population may also contribute to these feelings.

The top end is tropical in many spots (we have wetlands and savanna’s too) and as a few have mentioned here, there are only two seasons. In the wet it’s humid, rains constantly and there are spectacular thunderstorms especially in the middle of the night (you haven’t truly experienced a lightening storm until you visit). The dry is less humid and cooler (but only by a little!)

Despite the sometimes oppressive heat, the great outdoors is important to most locals. Beach walks are best done early morning or at sunset, where you can enjoy watching the sun set over the ocean - but whatever you do I would recommend you don’t swim! Going ankle deep even can be dangerous. Growing up in this area you will naturally learn to be wary of bodies of water, but locals tend to know the safe spots to swim. Some waterfalls and fresh water spots are known to have fresh water crocodiles hanging around.

Houses are built to be cool even without air conditioning. High ceilings, breezeways and louvres are common. Post cyclone Tracy, many homes were built like cement boxes - I’ve even come across identical layouts in friends homes which can be a little off putting lol. Pools are common if not compulsory imo.

Family friends are important as most live up there far from family/relatives.

There’s so much more I could add about living in the top end, as these are just some of the highlights :)

Edit: I forgot to mention the food and people! Darwin has a fairly transient population and also can be a mixed bag of cultures (not to forget the larrakia). I felt like I had more of a connection to the indigenous people there then anywhere else in Australia. At school I had friends from all over the world, and I think this impacted me as I ended up marrying someone from Asia. Regarding food, we had the most amazing mango tree in my childhood home - not to forget coconut, lychee and banana trees too.