Considering relocating from Adelaide to Darwin? The enviable Darwin lifestyle is attracting more and more Adelaide residents, especially those wanting to enjoy the outdoor activities, expanding industries and friendly community offered in the Northern Territory. However, before you are able to embrace your new life in Darwin, you need to prepare for your interstate move from Adelaide!
There’s no doubt that an interstate move can feel overwhelming at first, especially as you will be relocating over 3,029 kilometres! Allied Moving Services has the right experience and expertise for your next interstate relocation, and our dedicated interstate removalists in Adelaide as well as our interstate removalists in Darwin will ensure your move is as smooth as possible. You can follow our helpful moving guide to learn about living in Darwin and how you can best prepare for your big interstate move from Adelaide!
Living in Darwin
Darwin can often be overlooked as a capital, but the relaxed lifestyle, high quality of life and career opportunities is making it a hot destination for interstate moves! You’ll love the strong sense of community and progressive attitudes in Darwin, thanks to its smaller and younger population - the median age being 31. We break down the basics of living in Darwin and how it compares to life in Adelaide.
WORK & CAREER
In Darwin, the largest industries are mining and service industries. The renewable energy sectors and oil and gas industries are also growing, providing many opportunities for employment. After the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, the healthcare industry in Darwin and the Northern Territory is rapidly expanding so is perfect for those looking for exciting career development.
HOUSING
Darwin has one of the lowest median house prices of the Australian capital cities at $590,000, according to the Northern Territory Economy. This is compared to Adelaide’s average of $900,000. However, renting in Darwin is more expensive than in Adelaide. The cost of a three-bedroom apartment in the city centre of Darwin is estimated to cost $2,855 a month, compared to Adelaide’s price of $2,572.
Much like Adelaide, the closer the Darwin suburb is to the water, the more expensive it will be. Some popular suburbs include NightCliff, Rapid Creek and Parap. If you are moving as a family, we recommend looking at suburbs such as Wulagi and on the pricey side, Roseberry and Bakewell.
TRANSPORTATION
When it comes to getting around Darwin, the major form of transportation is by car. Petrol is a little more expensive than in Adelaide, $1.74 a litre in Darwin (Adelaide’s average is $1.63). There is public transportation in the form of the bus system, which is efficient and relatively reliable. To use the buses, you can pay by using cash or with a Tap and Ride card, which is Darwin’s version of the Metrocard. If you are a keen cyclist, you are in luck! Darwin is quite flat and there are multiple shared bike paths so it's easy to cycle around and commute.
CLIMATE
The climate is quite different to Adelaide. Darwin has two distinct seasons, the Wet season (from November to April) and the Dry season (from May to October). During the Wet season, you’ll experience average temperatures ranging between 24 to 32°C and with high humidity. There’s significant rainfall as well as some pretty spectacular lighting storms to witness! In the Dry season, there are warm and sunny days with temperatures from 21 to 31°C.
THE CULTURE & LIFESTYLE
If you want the best that the great outdoors has to offer, you can’t go past Darwin! There’s so much to enjoy, such as hiking, canoeing, fishing, and wildlife spotting. There is a myth that outdoor swimming spots are best avoided, but there are actually multiple safe areas including beaches, waterholes, creeks and falls, which you can swim in. Just keep an eye out for any signs advising not to swim and monitor any reports about crocodiles in the area. Keep in mind that during the Wet season (November to April) some of the outdoor activities can’t be enjoyed due to bad weather.
Not a fan of the outdoors? Darwin is home to a burgeoning arts and culture scene, with a mix of artists from the Tiwi islands, Kakadu and other remote areas. There is a wide range of festivals and events held in Darwin, such as the Darwin Fringe Festival, the Aboriginal Art Show, Electric Storm and the Pride Festival. Darwin also offers a wide variety of delicious cuisines and fresh markets, and due to its close proximity to Asia, there is a great variety of food to try. Darwin is even known as the Gateway to Asia!
Planning your move to Darwin from Adelaide
Now that you understand what life will be like when living in Darwin, it is time to begin planning your interstate move! We explain how to best plan for your move from Adelaide to Darwin.
PACK BELONGINGS AND FURNITURE
Packing can be a dreaded task, but as you are relocating such a vast distance, it’s important that your belongings and furniture are packed properly so they are safe and secure for the journey.
As packing last minute is not recommended, it’s best to start on your packing as early as possible and do a little every day. Start with seasonal or less frequently used items. Ensure you have the right packing materials such as moving boxes, bubble wrap, and packing tape, and don’t forget to label your boxes. You can take the stress off and ensure your items are packed properly by using a professional packing service.
MOVING YOUR CAR OR VEHICLE
Having a car in Darwin can make life a lot more convenient so you may wish to bring your car with you from Adelaide. To transport your vehicle to Darwin, you have two options. The first is driving your car from Adelaide to Darwin which will take at least 31 hours of driving time. The second option is to use a vehicle transportation service. This is an ideal option if you don’t have the time or stamina to do the excessive driving yourself. It also has the benefit of saving you the cost of petrol, and the incidental expenses along the way like accommodation and food.
RELOCATE WITH PETS
We know that pets are part of the family so it’s understandable that you would want your pet to make the move with you to Darwin. Before you relocate, take your pet to your local vet in Adelaide for a check-up and let them know about your move. You should also update their microchip and collar with your new address. Because it is a long distance from Adelaide to Darwin, it’s best to use a pet transportation service. They will have the right expertise and resources to get your pet to their new home in Darwin, safely and efficiently.
CONSIDER STORAGE
An interstate move can be unpredictable at the best of times so we recommend using a secure storage service to provide you with much-needed flexibility and convenience. Short-term storage will enable you to safely store items which you want to take to your new home, but aren’t quite ready to bring with you. In the case of needing to keep your items safe and sound for longer periods of time, long-term storage is better suited. However, if you choose a storage provider, such as Allied Removalists Australia, they can deliver your stored belongings and furniture directly to your door (even if you are interstate).
DO YOU NEED REMOVALISTS?
A key aspect of planning for your move from Adelaide to Darwin is to decide whether you will try to handle the move yourself or enlist the help of professional removalists. Because it is a significant move, with multiple logistics to keep track of, you should consider carefully which option is more beneficial in the long term. Usually, this will likely depend upon whether it is better value to use removalists when moving to Darwin.
It can be surprising to learn that it actually tends to be more cost-effective to use removalists when moving interstate. This is due to the range of costs you must account for when moving yourself, such as petrol, packing materials, the time taken to pack and move yourself (including taking time off work), renting a truck or van, and any other incidental expenses. Once you start adding up all these significant costs, it’s easy to see how it is more beneficial to use professional movers.
A moving company has the advantage of saving you valuable time and energy as they have the experience, a high level of training and the right professional equipment to handle your relocation from Adelaide to Darwin and carefully look after your belongings.
Don’t forget there is also the added benefit of moving companies being able to offer multiple services, like pet relocation, storage, and transit insurance. This can provide a more competitive deal when compared to using numerous service providers for all your relocation requirements. To ensure you make the right decision for your needs, ask your removalist for a quote on your interstate move from Adelaide to Darwin