Charles Darwin University

Darwin
Northern Territory 0909
Web address: www.cdu.edu.au
ADS contact phone: +61 (8) 8946 7089
ADS contact fax: +61 (8) 8946 6642
Relevant campuses: Casuarina, Menzies School of Health Research.

Community and surrounds

The main campuses of the Charles Darwin University are located in and around the city of Darwin on the tropical coast of Australia’s Northern Territory. Darwin is well planned and pollution free. It is a relatively flat city with green parklands, a port and beaches.

The city has a population of around 120,000, made up of over 60 different nationalities. Half of the population is under 30 years old, creating a vibrant, multicultural society. Darwin is a harmonious mix of three distinct cultural groups – the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Asian and European. It has important links with the Asian region, being as close to Singapore and Manila as it is to Sydney and Melbourne.

The area’s main industries include mining and the development of petroleum resources, cattle, tourism, horticulture and fishing. Every year, tens of thousands of international tourists visit Darwin and the surrounding wilderness areas, including the World Heritage-Listed Kakadu National Park.

Climate

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 to 33 degrees Celsius. There are two main seasons known simply as “the Wet” and “the Dry”. The Wet is brought by the northwest monsoon winds and usually begins to arrive in November. At this time the temperature is over 30 degrees Celsius and the humidity rises until the rains begin in December. By May the weather is cooler and dry with temperatures around 24 to 28 degrees Celsius. From June to August the night temperature can fall as low as 16 degrees Celsius.

Cost of living and accomodation

International students living off campus will need around $230 to $350 per week ($12,000 to $15,000 per year) to cover living expenses including accommodation. Establishment costs can add an extra $2,000.

Approximate rental costs in Darwin are: one-bedroom furnished flat $130 to $170 a week; two-bedroom furnished flat $150 to $230 per week; three-bedroom furnished flat $250 to $350 per week. North Flinders International House offers on-campus student accommodation, starting at $123 a week (self-catering room).

Campus descriptions

Casuarina is a modern, purpose-built campus on 56 hectares of tropical parkland. All major facilities are a few minutes walk from one another. These include an extensive library and computer laboratories. On-campus facilities and services include banking, a bookshop, post office, childcare, medical centre, food and beverage outlets, gymnasium and hairdressing services. The campus is 15 minutes' drive from the centre of Darwin and a short walk to the beach. It is less than a kilometre from the Casuarina Shopping Centre, which has supermarkets and a large cinema complex.

Casuarina campus, including Menzies School of Health Research, has around 6,000 students.

The Menzies School of Health Research is in the grounds of the Royal Darwin Hospital (approximately four kilometres from Casuarina campus).

International student population

The Charles Darwin University had around 300 international students enrolled in 2003. Students come from over 50 different countries, the majority from Asia.

Family and community services

Darwin has a public and private hospital and a range of private general practitioners and specialists. Within the Darwin area, there are 20 childcare centres, 35 primary and preschools and 10 secondary schools including government and non-government schools. These are located centrally in most suburbs.

Darwin has 76 ethnic groups listed and more than 50 ethnic organisations. The Multicultural Council of the Northern Territory also provides services for ethnic communities. Assistance with interpreters, translators and overseas qualifications can be obtained from the Office of Ethnic Affairs. Multilingual radio broadcasting is available in 29 languages through the radio station TopFM (located at the university’s Casuarina campus).

There is a range of employment opportunities available in Darwin. The city is a major administrative centre for the surrounding region. More than half of the private sector workforce is in wholesale or retail trading. There is an expanding tourism industry, which is seasonal.

Childcare facilities

The Charles Darwin University Childcare Centre is located on Casuarina Campus. Its hours of operation are from 7:30am to 6:00pm Monday to Friday. Approximate fees are: weekly $180, daily $45 or half day $25. A waiting list may exist for this facility. There are numerous childcare centres in the Casuarina and Darwin areas.

Facilities for special needs

The Charles Darwin University is committed to supporting students with a disability. A range of services are provided to assist these students including mentoring, tutoring, adaptive technology and other services as required in consultation with the Student Facilitator (Disabilities) and the relevant lecturer(s) involved in the program of study.

Foods for different cultures

There are many international cafes, restaurants, and supermarkets where meals and supplies can be purchased. Students requiring special foods to meet religious needs will find them readily available. There are a small number of outlets that supply halal and kosher food products in Darwin. Vegetarian food products are readily available in Darwin. There are a number of multicultural markets that offer a vast array of foods and produce from around the world.

Religious facilities

Darwin has churches and worship centres for most major religions. These include Christian churches of all major denominations, a Buddhist temple, Chinese temple, Hindu temple, and Islamic mosque.

Darwin is a very tolerant society encouraging freedom of religion. There is a prayer room on the Casuarina Campus.

Public transport

From the airport: Darwin airport is an international terminal serviced by domestic flights as well as connections from South East Asia. The airport is six kilometres from the city and there is a regular shuttle bus. A weekly train service links Darwin to the southern States of Australia.

Charles Darwin University offers a free pickup service to all international students arriving in Darwin. AusAID students must complete the Arrival Details form provided in their pre-departure package and return it to the AusAID Liaison Officer. Students will be taken to their initial accommodation on campus at North Flinders International House.

Getting around: Public buses are clean, economical and reliable. There are well-scheduled bus services linking all suburbs. Concession fares are available to students with a student card (around $1.00 a ticket). Bus Number 4 runs through the Casuarina campus. Bus services are less frequent on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. There is an extensive array of bicycle paths.