Darwin Local Customs

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There’s an Australian brewery advertisement saying “A big, big thirst needs a big, big beer…”. Throughout Australia, the ‘standard longneck’ beer bottle is 750ml (26 fluid ounces), while the normal ‘stubby” is half that at 375ml (13 fluid ounces). Back in 1958, the local Darwin brewery decided to meet the big, big thirsts of Territorians by putting beer in big, big bottles – of 2.25 litres (78 fluid ounces) known as “Darwin Stubbies”! As far as I can find out, these are the largest beer bottles in regular use anywhere, even though the capacity has now been reduced to 2 litres (just over 69 fluid ounces).

Truth be told, I didn’t see any anyone in Darwin actually drink from these, though I saw plenty of people drinking beer. No, they’re really just tourist items. If you have forgotten that essential souvenir for Uncle Fred, they may be just what you need provided you can pack them into your hand luggage, as they are available (second photo) from the airport departure lounge!

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The Northern Territory has always had a big-drinking “frontier” image, borne out by statistics showing beer consumption is twice the national average. Several factors are relevant. There is a higher proportion of males than elsewhere in Australia (109M:100F, compared to national 98M:100F) leading to a ‘blokey’ culture; the low population density and isolation, particularly for people with no local connections in remote areas, is a contributing factor. Even in Darwin there is a palpable feeling of distance from other parts of the world. There also are indigenous social problems, too complex to explore here, which have led to government restrictions on alcohol usage.

Alcohol drinking in public is restricted to certain areas in the Northern Territory. Sadly, we found quite a substantial amount of litter around the city area of Darwin, most resulting from peoples’ drinking habits. These photos of what look to be the remains of a heavy night, were taken on a stroll through Bicentennial Park. While I don’t wish to categorise this as a ‘warning’, it might be wise to avoid areas such as this at night.

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There’s nothing new about the sun setting at the end of the day – it’s been doing that for quite a while! It’s not even unknown for it to appear to splash into the ocean. What is unique is that watching this happen seems to be THE Number One pastime for most of Darwin’s population!

Come the end of the day, Darwinians head in their thousands for the beachfront areas, or the clubs on the foreshore, thankfully not continuing their lemming-like herding instincts by diving in! There they congregate, with cameras or stubbies in hand, sitting or standing and contemplating the big red light going out! Then, it appears, they return the next night, and the next... It’s either some form of obscure cult, or something of a statement on the standard of television up there.

when you clear the security, there is free internet available in the domestic departure lounge. the immigration and customs do not open half an hour or so before the flight departs, so you can sit in the domestic departure area and connect to the internet.

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On April 23rd 1982 this statue of the Claypot Water Bearer was presented to the City of Darwin by the people from the Greek island of Kalymnos.

It commemorates the founding of their "Sister City" relationship and for forging mutual cultural and commercial interests.

On Mitchell Street you will come across this plaque commemorating the first ever air raid on the Australian mainland on 19th of February 1942. Darwin felt the full brunt of two devastating air raids.

The same force that destroyed Pearl Harbour 10 weeks earlier dropped twice as many bombs on an unprepared Darwin. Nearly 300 people were killed and hundreds more were wounded.

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On the first of July each year Territorians celebrate Territory Day, marking the commencement of Self Government in the Territory on 1 July 1978. The day is celebrated in a number of ways, including the famous Territory Day fireworks (both public and private) and the presentation of the Territory Day Award.

Australians speak English as their first language. While the country is committed to multiculturalism - which, on one level, means that most major organisations will have translators and interpreters - in suburban and regional areas people who do not speak English will experience difficulties.