In their newest guidebook out Monday, travel company Lonely Planet released their "Top 10 Cities to Visit in 2012." Coming in at #10: our very own Darwin, Australia.
Citing Sydney and Melbourne as "too boring," Darwin's Waterfront Precinct, Indigenous art collections and Mindil Beach Sunset Market were touted as top reasons to visit the NT capital city. Being that this is also croc country, the "pumping nocturnal scene, magical markets and restaurants, and world-class wilderness areas just down the road" were also listed as reasons to book a trip.
“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," said Northern Territory Tourism Minister Malarndirri McCarthy in an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald.
The impact this desirable rating has on Top End tourism will be interesting to follow in the coming months, particularly considering Darwin's weather patterns (travellers will likely want to wait until March or April for drier weather and more access to the national parks outside the city.)
Lonely Planet's Top 10 list also appears to be marketing other international cities with big events happening next year: 2012 Summer Olympics host city London topped the list at #1. Stockholm, Sweden (#5) became a must-visit destination for Stieg Larsson fans. Chile defied the odds through an 8.8 magnitude earthquake and rescued 33 trapped miners, placing Santiago at #7. And Orlando, Florida, coming in at #9, will host the 61st NBA All-Star Weekend in February.
