Darwin tourism just dandy

Lonely Planet has named Darwin as one of the top 10 cities in the world to visit, suggesting the tourism industry could be set for a boost in the Northern Territory capital.

It was the only Australian city to rate a mention in the Best in Travel publication’s top 10.

Darwin came in last behind big names like London, Muscat, Bangalore, Cadiz, Stockholm, Guimaraes, Santiago, Hong Kong and Orlando.

Lonely Planet described Darwin as a “hip city to visit” with a “pumping nocturnal scene, magical markets and world-class wilderness down the road”.

As tourism operators struggle to cope with the high Australian dollar and the growing appeal of cheap Asian holidays, perhaps Darwin represents some hope for the sector.

While it might not be known for its fine dining or impressive shopping, foreign tourists are more likely to opt for an all-Australian experience, so why not set up shop in Darwin?