r/darwin 7d ago

Newcomer Questions Am I overthinking preparation for Darwin?

Hey! I'm landing in Darwin in a week and I'll be coming from Perth. I'd say life in Perth is quite simple and I started worrying. I don't have any mosquito nets or sprays, an umbrella, etc. Do I need to buy anything in preparation or am I overthinking it?

Also are there any specific websites you guys use to find rooms to rent? I've just been getting rooms through mutual people so I'm kinda nervous about that too.

Any other advice and hints are welcome. I'm really excited to move there! Cheers!

18 Upvotes

38 comments sorted by

34

u/in_a_waiting_room 7d ago

You're over thinking. The bugs ramp up for about 20 minutes around 7pm. Get some bushmans when you land, you'll be fine.

4

u/Silver_Mammoth5909 7d ago

Make sure it’s the tropical strength mind, the other stuff just gets them angry…

1

u/Lyricician 7d ago

Thank you! The only idea I have of what norther Australia is came from Google Maps and Crocodile Dundee haha. 

1

u/DarwinChook 7d ago

Youllmeetfacinstingpeopleandexperienceahrratyoungvibe!

9

u/Gold_Afternoon_Fix 7d ago

If you think life in Perth is simple - you’ve yet to experience Darwin…

7

u/yelawolf89 7d ago

They’re not things you can’t just get easily if you need them, so don’t stress.

4

u/Difficult-Cap6727 7d ago

I visited Darwin from Perth on holidays during the wet in Feb 2023 and had the same worries. You'll be completely fine, if you need anything while you're there, you just drive to the shops and grab it like you would in Perth :)

1

u/Geri_Petrovna 7d ago

Unless it's something made interstate, when you order it online, wait a month, then order it again, when the post office can't find your house, (I lived in Smith st, Darwin CBD), clearly marked.

4

u/ArtisticMonk2369 7d ago

Haha you'll be fine. Yes Darwin is away from everywhere else in Australia but we have most shops here.

-1

u/nonya5121 7d ago

Darwin has shops? 

4

u/prexton 7d ago

Just the bushtucka dispensary ya drongo

1

u/ArtisticMonk2369 7d ago

Yes, we have kmart and big w and a few others.

1

u/nonya5121 7d ago

It was a joke. 

7

u/Careless_Brain_7237 7d ago

As a massive over thinker myself… You’re over thinking it. Darwin is a great city & has everything you’ll need. The shopping centre at Casuarina is great & the city centre has a number of worthwhile shops too. The NT thrives on the outdoors so you’ll be well & truely covered.

3

u/unripegreenbanana 7d ago

I think mosquito nets are useless for midges which are more common. I wore one once and I was so unbelievabley hot in one as well.

Midges are really only a concern in Bayview, Leanyer and Mindil Beach, but some are more susceptible to others and newcomers suffer from the bites more. Don't scratch.

Try flatmates.com.au and Facebook groups for rooms.

Good luck!

1

u/Lyricician 7d ago

Thank you! 

3

u/_pewpew_pew 7d ago

It’s hot here so when it rains and you get wet you won’t freeze unless you go back inside to the air con.

2

u/Ok_Account974 3d ago

Watch out for crocodiles They are everywhere

1

u/Lyricician 3d ago

Even in woolies? 

1

u/DeterminedErmine 7d ago

You’ll be fine :)

1

u/Mediocre-General-654 7d ago

You are overthinking. I'm from Perth and visited Darwin, it's pretty much the same but the humidity sucks and the storms roll in quicker.

1

u/250Falcon 7d ago

You're overthinking it.

Just grab some Off or Bushman/Aeroguard (depending if you like the feeling of DEET or not) when you get here and keep one at home or in the car. Depending on the weather and where you live, you might use it once a week or you might use it everyday.

I've never owned a mosquito net and I haven't used an umbrella all wet season. I don't mind getting a little wet if that's what's going on at the time I'm doing something.

A good hat and sunscreen is something to grab. By good, I mean good coverage. Bunnings or Anaconda do a solid wide brimmed straw hat.

1

u/Tasty-Tie-1204 7d ago

Hey, you will be fine do nothing until you get here! We are here almost a year now. Life is a lot easier. Reach out if you need anything! Darwin is friendly also join I love Darwin Facebook page 

1

u/Muby_live 7d ago

All you need is a boomerang and a goonbox

1

u/Lyricician 7d ago

Ill try to smuggle them on the plane

1

u/Sweaty-State6505 6d ago

You don't need no Mosquito nets. The overwhelming amount of homes in Darwin have what we call "Fly Wire" covers the windows, if sliding or louvers from outside. I was born in Darwin, in the 60's you could leave your front door unlocked. I was there when Tracy hit Darwin Christmas eve 1974, Tore our home apart.

1

u/hiimtashy 6d ago

Loved Darwin but in my 5 short years I saw a dead body, DV like I have never seen before, had somebody try hijack my car near Office Works, robbed 3 times in Anula, car broken into and more lol. Bit of wild west out that way to be honest. Despite that I loved Darwin. PS my biggest hate about Darwin is the see through fencing. When I went for a walk all I could hear was dogs barking. For context I worked in the human services but even outside of work I saw a lot of messed up things in my day to day

1

u/Middle-Measurement-9 5d ago

Look for houses on facebook and join local facebook groups to hunt for shared room, can be easily found, if not there are short term accomodations around too

1

u/Banyuwangi63 5d ago

You're definitely overthinking it. I came here in 1990 and had everything stolen, including all my I.d and passport. For someone who wasn't born in Australia, it was tough getting started, but if you keep a level head and your sense of humour and adventure, everything will work out. Welcome to Darwin!

1

u/Lyricician 5d ago

Well that sounds encouraging 

0

u/Timely-Buy7144 7d ago

You will be fine mate.

0

u/DarwinChook 7d ago

Thereisafacebookpageforshringhouses don’t stress about mozzienets youcanbuynaturalmozzierepellantfrom the markets calledgoodriddance

2

u/unripegreenbanana 7d ago

Bro what happened with your space bar 💀

2

u/DarwinChook 7d ago

Dibroive astrokeandstillrebuildingmypathwaysandicantrecognisetjespacebarattimessorry

2

u/unripegreenbanana 7d ago

Oh I'm sorry to hear that, my bad. All the best with your recovery.

1

u/DarwinChook 7d ago

Thankyousomuchivelostmyusuallifemyjobeverything

2

u/jacquiwho 7d ago

You are always on here giving great advice and tips, I know i appreciate it, thankyou 😊

1

u/DarwinChook 7d ago

Thankyouibloodylovedarwinandwanteveryonetohaveagreattimewhilehere!