Darwin’s (Garramilla)harbour is one of the largest in the world – it’s 58 times the size of Sydney’s (Warrane) – but most locals only ever view it from the shoreline. We pass by it on commutes, catch glimpses from office windows, maybe admire a sunset with a drink in hand. But recently, I swapped my usual workday lunch for something slower, saltier and altogether more memorable: a 90-minute Darwin Harbour Lunch Cruise. With bubbly and barramundi on hand, I saw my city with fresh eyes and felt its pulse in a whole new way.

SWAP THE CITY'S BUZZ FOR CALM COASTLINES

I’m a lucky Territorian. My work desk has vast harbour and city views. But it’s not free of traffic noise, constantly reminding me that although Darwin is small, it’s still a thriving capital city. On the streets, there’s a different buzz, thanks to the cafes and restaurants that ooze Darwin’s outdoor charm and epitomise its dining scene. While visitors and locals gravitate to these places in droves, it wasn’t until my friends and I jumped aboard Darwin Harbour Cruises’ 25m power-catamaran, Charles Darwin, for a lunchtime cruise around the harbour that we fully appreciated our most northern capital’s beauty. We’d forgotten how different Darwin looks from the water: low-rise buildings standing atop ochre cliffs, clusters of mangroves giving way to sandy shores and a handful of swaying palms waving gracefully at us as we glide by. It’s peaceful, supplying a calmness that soothes you from the inside out.