Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
THE DARWIN SHOPPING SCENE
Darwin's best buys are Aboriginal art and crafts, pearls, opals, and diamonds.
For a good range of authentic Aboriginal artworks and artifacts at reasonable
prices, check out
Raintree Aboriginal Fine Arts,
20 Knuckey St. (
&
08/8941
9933
). For a heavyweight investment in works by internationally sought-after
artists, visit the Aboriginal-owned
Aboriginal Fine Arts Gallery,
on the second
floor on the corner of Knuckey and Mitchell streets (
&
08/8981 1315
). Its
website at
www.aaia.com.au
is a useful guide to art and artists.
The world's best South Sea pearls are farmed in the Top End seas. Buy, or just
drool in the window, at
Paspaley Pearls,
off Smith Street Mall on Bennett Street
(
&
08/8982 5515
).
The World of Opal,
44 Smith St. Mall (
&
08/8981
8981
), has a re-creation of an opal mine in their showroom. If you fancy a pink
diamond (the world's rarest) from the Argyle Diamond Mine in Kununurra (see
“Kununurra,” in chapter 9), you can get them at
Creative Jewellers,
27 Smith
St. Mall (
&
08/8941 1233
), an Argyle-appointed supplier that buys direct from
the mine. They also stock the champagne diamonds for which Argyle is
renowned and other Argyle diamond colors, as well as South Sea pearls and
opals. They try to fashion pieces for overseas visitors in a short time frame to
match your traveling schedule.
Jokes about “snapping handbags” abound in croc country, but for your own
croc-skin fashion statement, head to
di Croco,
in the Paspaley Pearls building
in Smith Street Mall (
&
08/8941 4106
). You'll find bags, purses, wallets, card
holders, belts, pens and other accessories, all made from saltwater croc skins
farmed locally.
WHERE TO STAY
April through October is the peak dry season; hotels usually drop their rates
November through March, which is the wet season.
VERY EXPENSIVE
MGM Grand Darwin
Attached to Darwin's casino on Fannie Bay,
this grand hotel is well priced for such an upscale place. The complex resembles
a tropical palace with its white blocky architecture and 7 hectares (18 acres) of
gardens on Mindil Beach, next to the Botanic Gardens. The rooms are a cocktail
of European-style/contemporary Spanish furniture, and the tropical elegance of
timber louvers and potted palms. All rooms have king-size beds and balconies. It's
worth paying a little extra for an ocean-facing room in the dry season so you can
watch Darwin's great sunsets. A longish beachside stroll brings you to the Museum
and Art Gallery, and the Mindil Beach Sunset Markets take place right outside
on Thursday and Sunday nights. A free shuttle runs four times a day to the city.
Gilruth Ave., Mindil Beach, Darwin, NT 0800.
&
1800/89 1118
in Australia, or 08/8943 8888. Fax 08/8943
8999. www.mgmgrand.com.au. 97 units, all with bathroom. A$216 (US$140) double; A$324-A$700
(US$211-US$455) suite. Extra person A$44 (US$29). Children under 14 stay free in parent's room with exist-
ing bedding. AE, DC, MC, V. Free valet and self-parking. Bus: 4 or 6.
Amenities:
3 restaurants; 3 bars; night-
club; outdoor pool; children's pool; access to nearby 9-hole golf course and 20 tennis courts; exercise room;
Jacuzzi; sauna; concierge; tour desk; car-rental desk; business center; 24-hr. room service; massage; baby-
sitting; free guest laundry; same-day dry-cleaning/laundry service; VIP suites. In room: A/C, TV/VCR w/pay
movies, dataport, minibar, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron, safe (suites only).
EXPENSIVE
Saville Park Suites Darwin
Built in 1998 and renovated in 2001, this
eight-floor hotel and apartment complex, a block from Smith Street Mall and
overlooking the Esplanade, is one of Darwin's most comfortable, elegant lodgings.
Value
