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Cycle of Seasons
The ebb and flow of nature in the Top End is largely dictated by an annual monsoon cycle that has been in place for around 8,000 years. Europeans generally refer to ‘the wet’ (October to March) and ‘the dry’ (April to September) but to local Aboriginal people, the seasons have always been more complex.
For indigenous people, what characterises a season is not just about rainfall and sunshine, but which plants or fruits are flowering, which animals are having offspring, which are on the move or which are best to eat. Having an intimate understanding of the changes in season is crucial to the traditional lives of Aboriginal people as they travel through their country.
The indigenous people of the Top End recognise six seasons.For more information click here.
January and February make up the bulk of Top End’s tropical summer, considered by many as its most beautiful time of year. A predictable daily ritual of sunshine and afternoon storms refreshes the landscape and encourages an explosion in animal and plant life. Rivers flow, plains flood and waterfalls roar - these are particularly dazzling sights from above in a light aircraft or helicopter.
As the heavy rains begin to ease in March and April, rivers subside and the transition from wet to dry begins. Fish, a main food source for the indigenous people, are plentiful in the rivers and billabongs as they feed frenetically in the run-off from the floodplains. This is considered the prime fishing time for anglers, who flock to huge tidal rivers around Darwin, Kakadu and Katherine to catch barramundi, many over a metre long.
Relatively cool weather arrives in May, and until July, nights are crisp and the mornings are misty with temperatures ranging from 17-23 degrees C during the night and a very pleasant 29-32 degrees C during the day. The early fires typical of this time of year stir the animals, marking the beginning of hunting season for the Aboriginal people. The clear skies of this dry season herald the onset of outdoor activity and festivity in the Top End, where celebrations like the Darwin Festival feature performances staged in parks, under canopies of palm trees and the clear night sky.
Birds in their millions converge on waterholes and rivers during August and September as the reduction in rainfall forces waterholes to contract. This makes observing them easy for birdwatchers, who come to witness up to a third of Australia’s bird species congregated in one place. Hunting for animals that flock to the scattered water sources is a traditional Aboriginal activity at this time.
From October to December, dark, threatening clouds roll across the sky, but rarely deliver rain. This is the season of spectacular electrical storms, a phenomenon that is eagerly anticipated by locals who watch the show from beachside restaurants and outdoor pubs. This is the time when termites begin building their nests, the rare and unusual formations that spring from the landscape at places like Litchfield National Park.
Does the Wet effect tours and accessibility?
Tours and attractions operate year-round in the Top End with the majority of locations across the region, including Litchfield Park and Kakadu National Park, being open throughout the year. However, due to restricted road access, some destinations can close seasonally between December and May.
Major attractions like Wangi Falls in Litchfield National Park are normally accessible all year round, but may also close periodically due to excessive rainfall which can cause dangerous conditions.
Walking in the Top End
There are many opportunities to experience the real feel of the Top End when taking to the walking trails. If you are planning to explore the Top End on foot, there are a number of points to consider:
• carry plenty of drinking water
• take notice of the signs at all times
• keep to the walking trails
• adhere to advice from guides
• carry protection, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent
• carry a map of the area
• wear good solid walking shoes and appropriate clothing
• talk to a local about guided walking tours.
For further information call Tourism Top End 1300 138 886, to email click here.
Thinking of going fishing?
Another huge attraction in the Top End is the chance to haul in a giant barramundi - arguably the tastiest of all fish. Fishing is a favourite pastime for locals and visitors alike, with the usual migration each year during the ‘barra’ season of hundreds of keen anglers heading for the Top End’s excellent fishing grounds.
Whether blue water, reef or estuary fishing, the Top End offers the lot for those on organised fishing tours, or for those visitors who prefer to do it independently.
Restrictions and regulations do apply. Our advice is to obtain a copy of the ‘Fishing The Territory’ brochure.
To view a list of fishing tours and charters within the Top End, click here.
Events in the Top End
Darwin and the Top End host many wonderful and exciting events throughout the year. Visitors come from far and wide to join in the festivities that colour our land. Before you plan your travels to the Top End, be sure to check our events calendar to make sure you don’t miss out on any events that may be taking place during your stay.
More importantly, take note of major events such as the V8 Supercars, the Darwin Cup Carnival and the Darwin Festival. These events draw thousands of visitors to the Top End. We suggest that you book accommodation well in advance over these events.
Today's weather and forecast by the Bureau of Meteorology
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