What else do I need to know?

What is the weather like?

Darwin has a tropical climate, so the weather can broadly be described as either hot and sticky or hot and dry. The temperature hovers around 29-33C or 85-92F. For more in depth climate information consult the Australian Bureau of Meteorology.

Can I swim in the ocean?

Swimming in the ocean between the months May and September is generally safe although it is best to stick to patrolled beaches. Outside of this period the risk of being stung by a box jellyfish is very real. Crocodiles are also more active in this period.

How far is it from the beach?

Casuarina campus is very close to Casuarina beach, which is a long expanse of golden sandy beach. It is the main swimming beach for the northern suburbs of Darwin.

What sort of things are there to do?

Darwin is famous for its outdoor lifestyle. The tropical climate and scenic beauty of Darwin and its surrounds encourages people to get the most out of life. Fishing, camping, swimming, canoeing and four wheel driving are popular outdoor past times. In Darwin itself there are things like the outdoor markets, glorious sunsets on the beach and plenty of sporting and cultural events. Of course there are plenty of movie theatres, shopping malls, restaurants, cafes, bars and nightclubs too.

What sort of clubs and activities are on-campus?

As is normally the case with universities, the Charles Darwin University has a wide range of clubs and societies.

Can I go scuba diving?

Whilst Cairns is the scuba diving capital of Australia, Darwin has scuba diving as well. There are smaller coral reefs as well as numerous shipwrecks in Darwin Harbour from World War II bombing raids by the Japanese. See Tek Ventures Diving Services.

What sort of shopping is there?

Darwin has a wide range of shopping available. A large air-conditioned mall, Casuarina Shopping Square, is a short walk from the university's Casuarina campus. Darwin city has a wide variety of shops, cafes, restaurants, bars and clubs whilst the various outdoor markets offer a real taste of Darwin.

Will I need a car in Darwin?

Whilst a car can be useful in Darwin it is not a necessity. Casuarina campus and the main shopping and residential areas are well served by public transport and there is also a comprehensive network of bicycle paths around the city.

Will I be able to find a car or bike easily in Darwin?

If you do decide to buy a car there are dozens of car dealers strung out along the Stuart Highway from the City to Palmerston. You should be able to purchase a serviceable vehicle for between $1500-$5000 AUD (USD$700-2400). Registration can be paid six monthly or yearly and the amount depends on the engine size. There are numerous bicycle shops in Darwin with a wide range of models and prices.

What is the public transport like?

Public transport consists of buses and on the main routes they are reasonably frequent and cheap.

Will I have to live on campus?

Where you live is entirely up to you. Accommodation is provided on-campus, and there are also plenty of houses and apartments available to rent in the neighbouring suburbs. Refer to our accommodation page.

What sort of living options are there?

On-campus accommodation is all single rooms. These rooms have share kitchen (self catered) facilities. In some buildings a shower and toilet facilities are shared between two single rooms, whilst others share a communal arrangement.

Private rental accommodation is available throughout Darwin mostly through realtors although sometimes directly with the owner. The Saturday NT News is the best place to look for shared accommodation (roommates wanted).

Houses have typically three or four bedrooms. Many of these are elevated to allow for better cooling in the tropics. There are also plenty of condo style apartments available especially in and around the central city area.

What would be the best location to live in?

The most popular suburbs for students are Alawa, Nakara, Brinkin, Rapid Creek, Nightcliff, Coconut Grove, Tiwi and Jingili - all of which are adjacent to or close to Casuarina campus. Many students also choose to live in the city (10 miles (16 km) from Casuarina campus) to be closer to likely sources of part time work and the nightlife. There is a bus route that connects the city to Casuarina campus so a car is still not essential if you live away from campus. Some locations and styles of housing are more expensive than others. The normal rental that a student would pay close the campus would be AUD$360 per month per room in a house or apartment.

Is it difficult to find a place?

As a rule the rental market is fairly tight between May and October, but students still should not have too much trouble finding suitable accommodation.

What kind of churches are there in Darwin?

Due to the very multi-cultural nature of Darwin, there is a wide range of places of worship to suit almost everyone.

Will I be able to find work if I want it?

The best time for casual employment is in the dry season (May to October) when many tourists visit Darwin. The Saturday NT News is usually the best source of employment advertisements, although employment agencies and backpacker hostel notice boards can also be worthwhile sources of information.

How many international students are there?

There are usually around 300 international students studying at Charles Darwin University at any one time.

What sort of services are there on campus?

Casuarina campus has a post office, a bookshop, several 24hr computer labs, cafes, an Automated Teller Machine (ATM), a gymnasium, a bar, four sports fields, some free parking areas, a Chinese garden and much more.

What are the people of Darwin like?

Darwin is probably the most relaxed and tolerant of any city in Australia. This is partly due to the tropical climate, the multicultural society and there is a frontier spirit that still remains.

What are the lecturing staff like?

The lecturing staff are drawn from all over Australia and the world. They are generally very approachable and helpful.

How does the grading system work?

At Charles Darwin University we use the usual Australian Grading system:

Grade	Explanation	Equivalent to:
HD	High Distinction	85-100%
D	Distinction	75-84%
C	Credit	60-74%
P	Pass	50-59%
PU	Pass Ungraded (some units are assessed only on the basis of pass or fail)
PC	Pass Conceded	n/a
F	Fail	n/a
FA	Fail Absent	n/a
I	Incomplete	n/a

See our teaching methods page for more information.

Does each course (subject) have a textbook?

Most courses have a reading list and there is seldom a textbook that covers the entire subject material. Students are expected to be widely read and to research/study outside the materials presented in lectures.

Is there someone I can go to at Charles Darwin University if I have any problems or concerns?

There is an International Students Officer, resident tutors at North Flinders International House and counsellors with the Support and Equity Services.

Is Darwin safe?

Darwin and the Charles Darwin University offers a very relaxed and friendly environment. Like all major cities it has crime and students should be aware of their own security and that of their possessions. The university has security staff and a 24-hour emergency phone number and staff are always willing to assist students with security concerns.

Are there computers with free Internet access available?

There are several 24 hour computer labs with free Internet access. There are also computers in the library and a dedicated computer lab with free Internet access in the student residences.

What sort of fitness options are there?

There is a modern well-appointed weight training facility on campus as well as a range of sports available. For runners, cyclists, roller-bladers and walkers there are miles of multi-use paths around picturesque coastal and greenbelt areas of Darwin.

What should I pack?

Lots of t-shirts! Darwin is tropical all year round. In the dry season it can get slightly cooler so a tracksuit and a cardigan or sweater is advised.

Will I be able to do any travelling while I am there?

There is ample opportunity to travel as semesters are only 13 weeks long with a one-week break in the middle of each semester. There is approximately five weeks off between first and second semester as well. The big break lasts around 13 weeks between November and February. There are also 12 public holidays in the Northern Territory, most of them fall on Mondays or Fridays.

Can I do volunteer work in the community?

Volunteer work is a great opportunity to meet locals and get to know more about the Darwin community. Service learning opportunities exist at Charles Darwin University. Please contact the International Students Officer.

Can I undertake an internship?

Charles Darwin University offers limited number of internships. Please contact the International Students Officer.