Darwin: Things To Do

Start your trip to Darwin with a wander around the city centre to orientate yourself and soak up some of it's history. Smith street includes a pedestrianised shopping mall and Mitchell street is the place to find a drink. The Esplanade includes some public and historic buildings and opposite is Bicentenial park, which offers much needed shade from trees and great views over the water. There is a lot of history to discover, especially to do with world war 2, with lots of heritage trail signs - look for Lyon's cottage, government house, Brown's mart, survivors lookout and the town hall ruins.

Darwin's waterfront precinct is accessed from the CBD by a walkway and lift, to get you down from the hilltop that Darwin CBD sits upon. Once you are down here you will find a pleasent and modern area to walk around with plenty of attractions to discover. The lagoon (free) is a safe place to swim and with a manmade beach. The adjacent wave lagoon ($8) is a wave pool with parasol shading for a relaxing and fun activity. There is also an aqua park, the convention centre, stokes hill wharf (a great place for dining), the RFDS tourist centre (see below), WW2 tunnels (below), and a few restaurants.

This market is a Darwin institution and not one to be missed if you are there on the right day. Come down and take a look at the intersting local products on offer (crocodile skull, anyone?), see a performer, grab some street food, then head down to the sandy beach to watch the sunset over the water whilst you enjoy the cooler evening temperatures. It is open on Thursdays and Sundays during the extended winter period.

Kakadu is best seen over a couple of days, but if you only have 1 day spare, be sure to still go and see this iconic national park. You will see incredible Aboriginal rock art, fantastic bird life on a cruise, epic views, and if you have a 4x4, some stunning waterfalls. The easiest option is to take a tour, but you can do it on your own if you have access to a car - it's a couple of hours to the park entrance - leave early and plan for a long day in order to do it justice. We recommend seeing rock art at Ubirr and / or Burrungkuy, doing a yellow water cruise, and at least one short hike. With a 4x4, try going to Jim Jim falls or Gunlom.

The "other" major national park on Darwin's doorstep is much less well known that it's neighbour Kakadu, but it is very popular with locals, especially for it's swimming holes, and you will be sure to have an incredible day if you journey to Litchfield National Park. You will find plenty of hiking trails, some incredible termite mounds, scenic lookouts, waterfalls, and some wildlife. Getting here takes around a 2hr drive, so allow a full day to explore.

If you live on the east coast of Australia, you may find seeing a sunset over the water a bit of a rarity. Darwin faces west however, so it has plenty of options for finding a delightful place to enjoy the sunset and watch the sea and the sky turn orange, which it does with regularity in the northern territory due to it's sunny tripocal climate. Mindil beach is the top spot, espcailly when the makret is on (see above), but you could also try Cullen bay, Fannie bay, the Nightcliff foreshore or on the water itself with a sunset cruise.

There are two attractions competing for your interest in crocodiles. One of them, Crocosaurus cove ($36), is right in the Darwin city centre and has the famous "cage of death", where you can join the corcs in a plexglass "cage". They also have turtles, fish, a reptile house, whipray encounters, feeding baby crocs, and different feedings / talks. Crocodylus Park and Zoo ($40 entry, cruise $15 extra) is a 15min drive out of town and is more research focused. It has thousands of crocs on display, offers cruises and feedings, plus other animals like lions and meerkats.

MAGNT is the Northern Territories state museum and art gallery in one. It has some facinating exhibits, particularly the one focused on cyclone tracey - especially the harrowing audio recording of the event - and you can meet Sweetheart, the massive stuffed crocodile. Territory history and a martime gallery are also covered, plus they have things for kids, a store and a cafe. Temporary exhibits are always on, so check out their website for the details.

It will take you 15min on a bus from the city centre, or a 10min drive.

The George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens is a stunning tropical garden filled with native and international tropical plants. It's a delightful place to walk around, with plenty of shade, a small waterfall, a water fountain, many other features, and a cafe and visitor centre. It's just 5min drive north of town, or it will take around 20min with a bus ride and short walk. 

Darwin's high temperatures don't always lend themselves to having a day at the beach, espcially during the middle of the afternoon, but there are plenty of options if you want to relax and take things easy for a day. Mindil beach is the obvious choice, and it shouldn't be too busy compared to other state capital beaches, but you can find quieter options. In the city, Vestey's beach in Fannie bay is just along the coast, and further along that that is Nighcliff and Casuarine beach. A 15min ferry ride from Cullen bay can also take you to Wagait Beach and Dundee Beach. Don't forget about the man-made beaches at the Waterfront precinct too, where you can find safe swimming. Always check the safety signs at beaches.

Each day at high tide swarms of fish converge on Doctor's Gully to be hand fed by visitors. This has been happening since the 1950's and you can go down (a short walk from the CBD) to feed them yourself by getting a ticket and food at Aquascene. Check the website for the feeding times as they vary depending on the tides.

Darwin has plenty of incredible day tours and special activities to try. These are the options - click the links for more info; Mary River Wetlands cruise is an alternative to the croc jumping or Kakadu tours; 00Seven Jetski or Off Road tour; Fishing charters; Skydiving with Top End Tandems or Skydive Territory; Scenic flights; V8 driving experience; Bombing of Darwin tour; History and Wartime Experience Tour; Airboat ride with Wildlands; Top End Safari Camp, Airboat, Crocs, Islands, and more, with Matt Wright Tours, ; National Park Day tours (Kakadu, Arnhem Land and Litchfield); and Harbour Cruises. Click the link for more.

Darwin's hot weather has often called inhabitants to go for a cold beer throughout the cities history. Head down to Mitchell street in the city centre and join the locals for a cold one in the middle of a hot day or in the evening as the sun goes down. Mitchell street is the nightlife centre of Darwin with penty of options across a 500m long stretch. If you prefer something with a view, there are some bars in the Waterfront precinct too. Click the link for a few recommendations.

About 1hr drive east of Darwin is the Adelaide River, which is teeming with crocodiles. There are several operators on the river, each of which will take you on a boat cruise along the river to search for the crocs and entice them to jump out of the water by dangling some raw meat for them. This approach of feeding wild crocs is not the best for them (nor for teaching them that boats = food!), but it's a popular thing to do and gives you a spectacular view of these incredible creatures. There are three operators - Original jumping crocodile cruises, Spectacular jumping croc cruise, and Adelaide River Cruises with cruises usually lasting 1hr.

This large wildlife park displays a collection of native animals ranging from crocodiles, to birds, to fish, and dingoes. They have aquariums, a nocturnal house and lots of natural beauty as you walk around the park. There is a cafe and gift shop on site. Located 50km sout of Darwin, you will need a car to get you there which takes around 45min from the CBD. It is close to Berry Springs (see below), so consider doubling up a visit with here.

It's not often you get a chance to watch a movie outdoors and this cinema is the place to do it. Steeped in history, outdoor cinema's are historical gems in tropical and outback Australia and it's great that this one is still thriving. Located next to the waterfront precinct and CBD, you will find it showing a selection of family favourites, independent and Australian films across seven nights per week during the dry season (April - November), and less frequently on other occasions. Food and alcohol is available for purchase and seating is on one of 250 deckchairs of 150 straight-backed chairs.

On Stokes Hill Wharf in the waterfront precinct, this exhibit helps you to understand the Royal Flying Doctor Service that is vital to the NT and outback Australia as an emergency service. There are a couple of planes on display, one of which can be looked around, plus exhibits about world war 2 and the history of the RFDS. It's done really well and uses innovative technology like VR and holographic talking "historical" characters.

Tunnels were dug underneath Darwin during world war 2 as a safe place to store oil. Stop by for an interesting look at this engineering feat and to read about and see photos of wartime history in the Northern Territory.

"A Territory Story" Exhibition, housed in the state library, is a display of the NT's history and culture with a focus on the people, places and events that shaped it that state. There are 10 different themes explored and you can "Reflect under the Tree of Knowledge, jump on a Bond’s Tour Bus like the intrepid travellers of the past, or hear straight from the Stolen Generations".

The Tiwi islands lay north of Darwin and compromise of two large inhabited islands (Bathurst and Melville) plus many smaller uninhabited ones. You take take a day tour via the 2.5hr ferry ride to experience the Aboriginal culture on the islands with SeaLink or AAT Kings.

Crab Claw island is another tour option offered by SeaLink which takes you around the Cox peninsula to the remote Crab Claw Island Resort for a seafood buffet.

Departures are from Cullen Bay, just north of the Darwin CBD.

This pretty marina is a nice spot to grab some lunch or diner, take in a sunset, or just to have a walk around whilst enjoing the waterside views and checking out the shops. This is also where you can take a ferry to Mandroah, the Tiwi islands (see below) or Groote Eylant; charter a fishing boat; or take a City of Darwin Cruise at sunset.

One of the best walks to do in the city is to start from the Nightcliff jetty before walking all along the rugged foreshore, then crossing the footbridge to walk along the foreshore or beach of Casuarina. This can be done in reverse too. Allow at least 1hr for the walk. A bus from the CBD to nightcliff might take around 40min and driving 20min with travel to or from Casuarina taking a little longer. Some more walking options are included at wearelocals.com.au/best-walks-in-darwin/

This museum is located in East Point reserve (see above) and in a heritage listed area with fortifications and gun turrets. A heavy focus is on the 1942 attack by Japanese forces which was the largest foreign attack on Australia in history. The Defence of Darwin Experience is a immersive interactive exhibit which covers this in great detail. You will also find weapons, photographs and other objects on display. Outside in the gardens you can find a range of military vehicles. To get here takes a 15min dive from the CBD. Public transport doesn't get close to the entrance.

This precinct includes four heritage homes that were built in the 1930's in a style that is perfect for Darwin's tropical climate - think raised on stilts and with openable louvres to let the air flow through. Burnett House (pictured) is the one you can visit, either self guided or on a heritage tour, to appreciate the historic architecture and learn about living in 1930's Northern Territory. Get there with a 20min bus ride or walk, or a 5min drive. It's next to Cullen bay (see below), so consider visiting there at the same time.

North of the city, this peninsula is an area of forest and open grassland. It has great views, a mangrove boardwalk, Dudley point lookout, the miltary museum (see below) and safe swimming location Lake Alexander. It is also well known for it's wildlife, with a chance to see wallabies, possums, reptiles and butterflies as you walk around. A 30min bus ride can get you close to the reserve, or drive there from the CBD in 10min.

Tjuwaliyn (Douglas) Hot Springs park is a protected area that is home to a natural hot spring that is great to visit to get in the warm waters and relax - check the water temperature before wading in. Note that part of the site is a sacred Aboriginal womens site which Men must stay away from and nobody should swim in. There are designated areas for swimming, so stick to the signposted areas. It's located 200km and 2hr drive away from Darwin and note that the last 7km is unsealed road. Due to the distance, consider combing a visit with going to Litchfield national park or Kakadu.

South of Darwin by 50km, Berry Springs is a great natural area to cool off in and relax. There are also some bushwalking trails. Howard Srpings, which is half the distance to Darwin, is another option which has man-made wading pools.

If you head out of Darwin towards one of the National Parks, especially Litchfield, you will likely come across a number of strange vertical mud structures. These are termite mounds, aligned North / South, and some are severla meters high. The best place to see them is a viewing boardwalk on Litchfield Park road - see the link for more details - which has information boards.

This histroic building was once used as accomodation for railway staff. Typical of the time, it is raised up on stilts to allow for good air flow and it has an enclosed veranda, one of only three remaining pre-war houses that has this feature. It has limited opening hours, so check the website for the details. 

This museum is dedicated to aviation history in Darwin and includes a number of displays of historical aircraft including a B52 bomber, an F11C strike fighter, and the remnants of a crashed Japanese Zero aircraft shot down in world war 2.

Get there with a 10min drive or a 20min bus ride.

This gaol is a historic site that opened in 1883 and closed in 1979 with buidlings each for both male and female prisoners. Open wednesday to sunday 10am to 2pm. Get there by taking a bus for 20min, or drive there in 10min, from the CBD.

The population of chinese immigrants at one time outnumbered that of the europeans. This city centre temple and museum will tell you the story of chinese people in the NT from 1874 onwards through objects, photos and memorabilia.

The Humpty Doo Hotel is one of those slightly mad iconic outback hotels that you just have to stop off at. It's on the road towards Kakadu and not far from Stuart Highway, so it's easy to plan a visit. The structure itself is nothing great however, especially compared to some of the old outback pubs, but it still has plenty fo character and a rich history (inclduing in song). Just down the road you can also see the giant corcodile with boxing gloves. It takes 30min to drive here from Darwin CBD.

The Northern Territory Parliament House is open for self guided tours of the public area. Guided tours, that should be pre-booked, are available on friday's at 10.30am from April to October.

The Old Qanats Hangar is a building from 1934 that was built for the England to Australia route which required many refueling stops along the route. Located in Parap, a short drive from the CBD, the hangar is now home to the Motor Vehicle Enthusiasts Club. You can go down "for a chat and a wander around" to check out the building and some of their vehicle collection. Entry is free but a donation is welcomed.

Darwin has a small casino in a great spot by Mindil beach. It has hundreds of machines and some tables, several bars and restaurants, a spa, and a resort hotel. The casino is open 10am to 4am.