ljohns23

Hello OP! I currently live in Darwin and have been here for around 18 months. We arrived from Leicester, UK in November 2013 during the midst of the build up/ going into wet season and I hated it. Everyone would say not to worry about it, as the dry season is worth the heat and humidity. It wasn't until the end of the dry last year, around August time that I really started to enjoy it - Probably after we had guests come to stay and we were showing them around and all there is to do. I think most of it had to do with homesickness, coping with the drastic change in weather. This wet season just gone was a lot easier. I have gone from hating Darwin to turning down jobs in Melbourne and Brisbane to stay here because the lifestyle is so good and relaxed. Yes it is expensive, but the salaries up here generally reflect that. Even since I have been here I have noticed a lot of change, lots of cafes and restaurants opening up, lots more events, markets and free open air cinema and entertainment. I can assure you that whilst it might take some time to adjust to, you will thoroughly enjoy it. The longer you're here the more places you will discover, not a lot is advertised so talk to people and they will tell you their tips! A majority of people are very friendly. There is a larger indigenous population up here and it can be quite off putting when they are in large groups and drinking, but I live in the city and you can certainly avoid the places where trouble hangs out. Just like you would at home. Plus, they rarely acknowledge you. It is a strange social problem but has obviously been ongoing for some years. Relax and enjoy the dry season and in the wet season, stay indoors in the AC, watch the storms and look forward to the dry...!

Hi Steve, Very easy - Download the form from the NT Licensing website, fill it in - You'll need some identification, passport, bank card etc. Take your completed form to the MVR, there are a few in and around Darwin. You have to queue up to be seen, I would get there early on a weekday morning. Take a number and they do the rest. I was in and out within around 20 minutes after putting it off for months. With your license you don't really need any other form of ID up here. You'll get an email when you need to renew it so won't need to go to the MVR again. Link is here for the forms: http://www.transport.nt.gov.au/mvr/licensing/faqs/overseas-licence P.S. You have a photo taken there so make sure you brush your hair..

Hi! First post - Be nice! Myself and partner moved to Darwin in November last year. Before this we had been to Australia on an extended holiday travelling from Perth along the coast up to Brisbane. We both work in insurance (yawn) and were offered jobs over here, initially in Sydney for OH but they could place us both in Darwin. So we accepted. We read about Darwin online (limited info) and were furiously scanning the PIO forum for some up to date information on Darwin. There isn't a lot out there. We arrived in November, just for the onset of the 'wet' season. Ridiculously humid. I remember the plane doors being opened and you could feel the heat creeping up the aisle. The first few months were a struggle because of the heat. I don't think we would ever get used to it, but we will definitely be more prepared for the next wet. OH will not, for instance, wear a long sleeved shirt into work during the months of November - April. Particularly, not a light coloured one. Having said that, the storms are fantastic and its an experience. You won't ever live in a place like Darwin again that's for sure. Weather at the moment is beautiful. Blue skies, sunshine. The reason you want to move out here right? Housing is in short supply, but you will find somewhere. When we arrived people drove us crazy with this and we were panicking we would not be able to find somewhere before our accommodation (provided by our employer) ran out. We were due to vacate on the 20th December, so had visions of being homeless on Christmas Day... Obviously, we found a unit and we love it. We live in the city (AKA the four 'busier streets' in Darwin.) Yes, rent is expensive and people constantly moan about how expensive it is. But having never lived in another part of Australia, it doesn't bother us. It's all relative. Darwin itself took some getting used to and the weather was the big thing for us, along with how small it is. We have previously lived in Leicester and Cardiff so used to being in a busy city, however, the quietness of the place is something which we really enjoy now. Traffic is minimal to what we were used to, everyone is friendly, there are some beautiful beaches and places to visit. We may look to move on in a year or so, as we are only planning on being in Aus for the duration of our 457 but Darwin looks to be a brilliant place for families. Lots to do, mostly free and everyone loves to be outdoors. There were some things which concerned us when we first moved here, reports of crime etc but having been here over six months, I haven't seen anything which I wouldn't have seen in the UK. I hope this helps. Anything in particular you want to know just shout!