HELP Cairns or Darwin

[355cala]

I am moving from vic to warmer weather in march and cant decide between darwin or cairns. I should have no trouble getting work at either as i am a steelfixer by trade and also a rigger, crane driver and scaffolder i am just after peoples opinions on both citys, fors and against, good points and bad points. ( i am a 30 year old male and have never been to either place) Thanks.

[Sheeds]

Hey mate,

If you like lots of backpackers and a good night life then go to Cairns.
Plenty of new estates and housing developments being built and my mate who is in the construction industry up there is never out of work and can always get plenty of overtime.

That said another mate who is a carpenter is also making a mint up in Darwin at present. Its a little hotter than Cairns all year round and has less backpackers and more "ocker aussies" as he puts it.

I will always be biased to Cairns for the mountains, rainforests, creeks and waterfalls so close by and you still have the reef close too for fishing plus excellent game fishing off Cairns too and the tip is only a drive up the coast right.

Darwin is slightly less developed and also good for fishing but probably more focus on estuary and pelagics up there; they also have good 4x4 action.

anyone else want to add to this???

[two dogs]

mate, ive just moved back to cairns and been here for a week and i absolutly love the place! moved here at the worst time of year though- rain and heat and lots of it, but the lifestyle and feel to the place is pretty good! i`ve only been to darwin once when i was younger so cant really speak about the place too much but it wasnt for me. i`ve lived in alotta places in QLD from the thurs island(cape) to the goldy and other than the sunshine coast id have to say that cairns would be my pick. dont bother in mackay, drive thru townsville and make up ur own mind, but there are plenty of things to do round here and theres alot of country to explore.There are still plenty of turkeys around but you get that anywhere you go. Out of the two id give Cairns the thumbs up for sure.

[Duk]

Lived in both - both good with +ve & -ve for them - Darwin a bit more "distant" from anywhere - do both. . . . ! ! !