The leap that pays off

When Emma Reid first arrived in Australia as a young health worker from Ireland, Darwin wasn’t necessarily part of the plan.

'I didn’t know much about it,' she says. 'It was really just word of mouth, friends and other travellers kept saying how good it was and how much opportunity there was.'

Curious and open to new experiences, Emma decided to head north, a decision that quickly paid off.

Now living and working in Darwin on a working holiday visa, Emma has found both opportunity and lifestyle.

'There are definitely jobs here if you’re willing to put yourself out there,' she says. 'You need to be proactive, talk to people and keep trying, but the opportunities are there.'

For Emma, it’s not only about work. It’s the relaxed lifestyle and the people that stand out.

'It’s more relaxed than the bigger cities. It’s not overwhelming, you can actually enjoy where you live,' she says. 'And the sunsets and sunrises are incredible.'

With national parks, wildlife and a tropical environment at her doorstep, Darwin and the Northern Territory offer a very different experience to other capital cities whilst maintaining access to big-city cultural amenities like theatre, yoga, gyms, Pilates and meditation.

It provides great opportunities to work and earn money, and to travel and enjoy your downtime in some truly spectacular environments.

'I originally came just to do a few months of regional work,' Emma says. 'Now I’m thinking I’ll stay much longer.'

Her advice to others considering the move?

'Just do it. It’s a great place to live and work, and it’s definitely worth experiencing.'