Darwin is a modern capital city highly valued by its diverse and highly multicultural population, with a strong position in business and industry.

Darwin is arguably Australia’s most cosmopolitan city, boasting a population made up of people from more than 60 nationalities.

The city’s multicultural mix is particularly highlighted by its many exciting cultural festivals and weekly food and craft markets.

Darwin is treasured country to its traditional owners, the Larrakia people, who are prominent and active members of the local community. Many still adhere closely to their traditional beliefs and customs.

Relaxed yet sophisticated

Darwin has evolved from its days as an incredibly laid back frontier town and while it still retains its relaxed charm, it has become a highly sophisticated city. Many visitors are surprised to find that it has accommodation, eateries, clubs, pubs, museums and other amenities that are at least equal to, and often better than, what you’ll find in the southern cities.

In business and industry circles, Darwin is described as Australia’s gateway with South East Asia. It’s closer to the Indonesian capital of Jakarta than it is to Canberra, and is about the same flying time from Singapore and Manila as it is from Sydney and Melbourne.

Darwin is the main service centre for a wide range of industries headed by mining, offshore oil and gas production, pastoralism, tourism and tropical horticulture. The Port of Darwin is also the main outlet for Australia’s live cattle export trade into South East Asia.

Lord Mayor profile: Kon Vatskalis

Kon Vatskalis, Lord Mayor of Darwin.

Born and raised in Greece where he studied Public Health before migrating to Australia in January 1983. Kon studied at the Western Australia Institute of Technology and Murdoch University, completing a degree in Environmental Health and post-graduate studies in Environmental Science and Public Sector Management.

Kon moved to Darwin in 1993 where he has worked as Manager for Environmental Health for the Department of Health, Clinic Manager for Danila Dilba, elected to Member for Casuarina in 2001 after which Kon worked as the NT Regional Manager for the Leukaemia Foundation prior to being Elected Lord Mayor of the City of Darwin in August 2017.