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has been a cricketer, captain, coach on two continents, commentator and selector – he has seen it all.
Lonely Planet Names Darwin a Must Visit City in 2012 Lonely Planet has named Darwin as one of the top 10 cities in the world to visit in 2012, within its annual Best in Travel publication. Northern Territory Tourism Minister Malarndirri McCarthy said the accolade confirms our tropical harbour city offers the special x-factor that travellers seek. “Darwin is now a must visit holiday destination for travellers around the globe and the only destination in Australia to be handpicked by Lonely Planet,” Minister McCarthy said. “Our modern multicultural city boasts a vibrant waterfront development and an easygoing outdoor lifestyle.
Our myriad of al fresco bars and restaurants, wharf eateries and local beach-side markets feature a melting pot of Asian foods, Aboriginal and Tiwi Art, fragrant flowers and tropical fruits. “Darwin’s attractions include an inner city nightlife - famous for thousands of visitors partying in the streets - and a gateway to world famous national parks and cultural heritage sites,” she said. According to Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2012 publication, Darwin offers a “pumping nocturnal scene, magical markets and restaurants, and world-class wilderness areas just down the road, today Darwin is the triumph of Australia’s Top End. It’s now a hip city to visit…”
Darwin steals Sydney’s title as ‘Fun Capital’ of Australia
There are not many events that make a nation stand still, but at around 3.00pm EST on the first Tuesday of November, everyone in the nation will be glued to a TV screen to watch the outcome of the 151st Melbourne Cup. The most fascinating thing about the Melbourne Cup is that regardless of if you have followed Horse Racing for years or if you simply tune in for one day a year, everyone can enjoy the event, and most people can carry on like they are experts. Everyone has a different take on the day, for me, it is one our busiest days of the year, as we have a continual flurry of bets from the beginning of the day until the race jumps. TopSport have never had too much success on Cup Day, in 2007 when Efficient won the race, John Singleton was in a helicopter flying to the Salt resort in Kingscliff. He realized the big race was only minutes away so he landed the chopper at the Murwillumbah racecourse and rang us up and backed Efficient to win $200,000, only three minutes prior to the race being run. Simply due to him being friends with the owner. Our poor luck continued last year when Dad was sitting at a table having lunch for the call of the card function in Melbourne. One of our clients said, how about you give me $10,000 on Amercain at $15. After an hour passed and a few more bottles of wine consumed, the same client said, ‘This race only happens once a year, you had better double the bet!’ Probably goes down in history as one of the most expensive lunches of all time! For racing enthusiasts this day is about proving their punting prowess, hypnotizing their non-racing buddies with an endless amount of stats and numbers to make the decision to pick the winning runner all the more confusing! For the ladies, the day gives them
Melbourne Spring Carnival How and who in the big race....
a chance to dress up in the latest
racing cred, when the conversation turns to picking a winner, tell your friends, ‘That horse couldn’t run 3200 metres down a well!’ The other important factor is the jockey and the trainer.
For everyone out there who only follow the horses on Cup day it always nice to have something to contribute to the conversation, closer to jump time as well as giving yourself the chance to have bragging right for the next twelve months.
Some trainers have the formula to win the race, Bart Cummings the obvious standout. Other recent winners include Alain de Royer Dupre, Mark Kavanagh, Greame Rogerson and Lee Freedman. When the conversation turns to Bart, remember to tell everyone he is going for the ‘Bakers Dozen’ this year. When looking for jockeys, you very rarely find an unheralded jockey that wins the big race. They do not necessarily need to have tasted success before, but they do need to be a top tier rider. Look for Glen Boss, Craig Williams, Damien Oliver, Luke Nolen or Michael Rodd.
fashion, and have a couple of glasses of champagne. Generally their attire at the conclusion of the day is markedly different to when they set out.
Firstly, it is important to be realistic prior to placing a bet on the Cup, this race is one of the hardest to assess. Firstly the distance of 3200 metres is one that is rarely raced over throughout the year, which makes the formline hard to gauge, and in addition to this the field is always at a capacity 24, which means luck plays a major part in the running of the race. However, with this all being said it also presents you with the opportunity to receive plenty of value if you are lucky (or wise) enough to pick the winner. As mentioned previously the distance of the Cup is 3200 metres. This is probably the most important piece of the puzzle when trying to find the winner. Only a select group of horses are proven two-milers, so you can immediately cross off any horse that has attempted to run the distance and has failed. To improve your
After all this, go through the field pick out a few runners to give you an interest and enjoy the day, and remember if you don’t succeed on Cup Day, pick up your shoes, put them under your arm, because Ladies Day (Oaks Day) is only 48 hours away!
Tristan Merlehan Director Topsport
For all the odds for every tournament check www.topsport.com.au UpFront Aust ralia
Every weekend Darwin is scattered with open-air markets in Parap, Nightcliff and Rapid Creek. Stallholders move in to peddle their wares and share a smorgasbord of home cooking and locally made arts and crafts. The weekend markets are a Darwin institution - not just a place to bargain hunt but a place to socialize and ease into the city’s tropical style.
Every evening from April to November, locals and travellers gather in a thicket of foliage at the bottom of a cliff by the shores of Darwin Harbour. As the sun sets, the growing crowd begins to recline on rows of stripy deckchairs, reminiscent of those found on the beaches of Brighton. They’ve come to watch an outdoor movie at the Deckchair Cinema.
For the perfect end to a perfect day, book a sunset cruise either on a romantic pearl lugger, catamaran or seacat. The fiery red sunsets, calm waters and warm tropical breeze make this a must-do while in town.
Take a day trip to Litchfield National Park, The crystalclear swimming holes and pleasant bushwalking trails make this park a favourite daytrip among Darwin locals, especially only being an hour’s drive from the city.
Florence Falls are a good pick, offering visitors twin waterfalls, plenty of shade and a refreshing plunge pool. Whether you jump on a cruise to see jumping crocs, jump in the ‘Cage of Death’ in Darwin’s CBD or meet Sweetheart at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Darwin knows its crocs. Darwin’s Waterfront Clubs is where you want to park yourself at about 6 PM any night of the week. Darwin’s Ski Club, Sailing Club and Trailer Boat Clubs, all es-
sentially neighbours, sit overlooking Fannie Bay in prime position to witness Darwin’s iconic sunsets. Each of the Clubs offer casual dining and are perfect open-air venues with plenty of space for kids to run around. You know you must be somewhere special when Darwin’s mandatory footwear uniform of thongs is not permitted. Evoo, SKYCITY Darwin, taking its name from the initials of Extra Virgin Olive Oil, boasts to be Darwin’s premier dining experience. With a number of accolades under its belt, the degustation menu with matching wines is the piece de resistance.
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