BLUEPRINT TRAVEL UPDATE:

Exploring Australia’s Tropical Top End from Darwin, the Northern Territory’s Capital

This past week, we had an eventful time in the Darwin region of Australia, also known as the Top End. Besides the Red Desert of Uluru, many people think of this region when they think of the landscapes and wildlife of Australia because of Crocodile Dundee, which was filmed in this part of Australia. And yes, there really are enormous saltwater crocodiles all around this area. Wherever we saw pools of water or a shoreline, we avoided approaching the water, knowing that a crocodile could be lurking right under the surface.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CROCODILE DUNDEE The crocodile from the movie just passed away in December. You can read more about the beloved creature that resided in Darwin in this article. READ MORE

These animals, while often between 10-17 feet (3-5 meters) long, are so stealthy and agile that most animals and humans have very little chance of getting away from them if within their territory and water source. We got the opportunity to see them in their natural habitat through different river tours with crocodiles swimming in the water and resting on shore. We also stopped at some pubs throughout the Top End area that had their own pet crocodiles on their properties, another aspect that aligns with the culture portrayed in the Crocodile Dundee movie.

This region was unlike anywhere else we’ve been in Australia. Even the city had a wild and rugged vibe to it. And what it lacked in European refinement, it more than made up for with a “wild-west” personality. People come to the Northern Territories to find themselves, go on off-the-grid adventures, start a new life, etc. The Top End also has the largest concentration of Aboriginal people in Australia, making it a diverse and unique part of the country. (The region is hard to inhabit due to the climate and European settlers did not displace as many the people of this area.) We loved getting to learn more about this diversity, including the different Aboriginal people throughout the area and the influx of Asian immigrants in this part of the country, which has had a large impact on Darwin.

BLUEPRINT TRAVELERS' GUIDE FOR VISITING DARWIN AND THE TOP END OF THE NORTHERN TERRITORY

NEWS ARTICLES WE ARE FOLLOWING:

There is a lot going on in the world right now that we are talking about and following. Much of what happens in the United States has major effects on the policies and economies of the world and we feel it first hand when talking to locals about their daily lives and hardships and the conversation often leads to United States politics. We want to find ways to weave these perspectives into our writing and blog posts. For now, we will share some articles that are less impacted by the geopolitical chaos of the world right now.