From catching a million-dollar fish to getting up shut and private to a leaping crocodile within the Adelaide River, right here is our checklist of the most effective issues to do in Darwin!
The capital metropolis of the Northern Territory of Australia is usually unknown by worldwide guests regardless of being extra multi-cultural than Australia as an entire.
Over 30% of Darwin’s inhabitants is born abroad. With its tropical local weather and large worldwide aptitude, there are many superior and enjoyable issues to do in and across the metropolis.
Darwin is thought for its various wildlife, notably the saltwater crocodiles that make seashores unswimmable. It’s additionally recognized for its lush nationwide parks that enable guests to rise up near wildlife.
Being a tropical metropolis, Darwin has two essential seasons – the moist and dry.
In the course of the moist season (November to April), many locations are flooded and inaccessible, and street journeys are close to unimaginable. So the best time to go to the Northern Territory and Darwin is from Could to October within the dry season.
Regardless of having the smallest inhabitants of the capital cities in Australia, Darwin presents every part you want in a metropolis together with nice entry to meals and leisure plus some epic out of doors actions to take pleasure in.
There are additionally some unimaginable day journeys to take, equivalent to visiting the Tiwi Islands or varied nationwide parks.
Many individuals head to Darwin earlier than tackling Kakadu Nationwide Park, Australia’s largest nationwide park. It’s only some hours drive from Darwin to Kakadu Nationwide Park, however don’t rush by Darwin as a result of it’s a tremendous metropolis to go to!
So let’s get into our checklist of issues to do in Darwin, Australia.
READ MORE: If you happen to’re on an epic road trip to Broome, why not proceed east and head to the NT to discover extra of Australia?
The Greatest Issues to Do in Darwin
If the outside is your calling then begin your day waking up in a nationwide park, exploring waterfalls and swimming in waterholes. Then head out to the Adelaide River for recognizing saltwater crocodiles, or go fishing or mountaineering, or take a day journey to the Tiwi Islands.
If you happen to’re a eager historical past buff or love an excellent museum and artwork gallery, immerse your self in Darwin’s wealthy Aboriginal tradition, historical past, and humanities earlier than heading to a museum and studying of its half in WWII.
Foodies and metropolis slickers can even have a wild time right here exploring the Darwin Harbour and the road markets earlier than having fun with an evening out on Mitchell Avenue Darwin. Or stroll alongside the Darwin Waterfront for the most effective views.
It doesn’t matter what you’re into, a while within the prime finish is assured to present you a few of your greatest recollections in Australia.
Right here is our checklist of superior issues to do in Darwin Northern Territory.
1) Leaping Crocodile Cruise
One of the vital standard issues to do in Darwin is to go on an Adelaide River cruise to see saltwater crocodiles.
You’ll be amazed seeing how shut you will get to the saltwater crocodiles as they leap out of the water. The 6-hour Adelaide River tour continues to the Fogg Dam Conservation Reserve to discover the floodplains and forest.
The beauty of this cruise is that it runs year-round so when you go to Darwin in the course of the moist season, you possibly can nonetheless take pleasure in it.
2) Watch A Movie in Darwin’s Deckchair Cinema
Darwin’s tropical local weather makes it the right place to take pleasure in an open-air cinema. Operated by the Darwin Movie Society, movies screened right here are sometimes obtainable to native audiences.
The Deckchair Cinema runs day-after-day in the course of the dry season and screens a variety of flicks together with household favourites, Australian and overseas movies.
Positioned on the sting of Darwin Harbour, audiences can watch the solar set over the ocean and revel in a meal and drink within the tropical backyard setting earlier than the flicks begin.
You should purchase scorching meals, wine, beer and delicate drinks and your typical cinema snacks to take pleasure in.
3) Spend the Day at Litchfield Nationwide Park
One of many prime sights close to Darwin Australia is Litchfield Nationwide Park.
Positioned 90 minutes drive south of Darwin, Litchfield is dwelling to a few of the prime Darwin points of interest together with Wangi Falls, Florence Falls, Tolmer Falls and the Magnetic Termite Mounds.
You can even try the Misplaced Metropolis in Litchfield Nationwide Park. As a powerful assortment of towering sandstones, the Misplaced Metropolis seems like an historic man-made metropolis though it’s all pure.
A day journey to Litchfield Nationwide Park is effectively definitely worth the go to to benefit from the swimming holes on the base of a few of the waterfalls. In the course of the moist season, it’s possible you’ll even spot a crocodile or two.
4) Swim within the Darwin Metropolis Lagoon
Since swimming within the ocean shouldn’t be allowed (you possibly can thank the crocodile inhabitants for that), when you want some reduction from the warmth, take a dip within the Darwin Metropolis Lagoon.
The lagoon is a sectioned-off space from the adjoining Darwin Harbour and is rather like being on the seashore.
Constantly replenished with recent seawater which is filtered by a positive mesh display, the lagoon is dwelling to fish, algae, and Cassiopeia jellyfish, which all assist keep a wholesome marine atmosphere.
The lagoon is patrolled by lifeguards from 9am – 6pm.
5) Or Swim within the Wave Pool
For individuals who want a bit of extra motion within the water and need to really feel some swell, the Wave Lagoon is among the prime points of interest in Darwin.
Overlaying an space of 4,000 sq. metres, this wave pool rolls out 10 completely different wave patterns, from light swells to waves as much as 1.2 metres excessive.
The wave pool has a 20-minute breach between every cycle. The deepest level is 2 metres and the water is chlorinated salt with a concrete backside.
Boogie boards and tubes are equipped, and the lagoon additionally features a shallow water play space for youthful youngsters.
6) Fish for the Million Greenback Barra
Probably the greatest issues to do within the Darwin space is fishing. Tourism NT launched an Australian-first marketing campaign in 2015 by tagging and releasing barramundi all by the Northern Territory.
The marketing campaign, Million Greenback Fish, has helped enhance the NT’s fame as top-of-the-line locations on the earth to fish. It runs yearly from October to March to draw extra guests to the High Finish over the tropical summer season months.
Tourism NT releases the tagged barramundi every season so there are many possibilities to win.
To get entangled, you simply must register online, go fishing and catch a tagged barra. Confirm the tag and discover out what your prize is.
In response to Tourism NT, there is just one 1 million greenback barramundi and 100 value $10,000 every. What are you ready for?!
7) Examine Out the World Warfare II Darwin Oil Storage Tunnels
These giant tunnels are one of many coolest locations to go to in Darwin. The tunnels had been constructed throughout WWII to guard oil saved in Darwin from Japanese bombing.
The tunnels are a brief stroll from the Darwin metropolis middle and the Esplanade. They supply historic info and show Darwin’s wealthy historical past throughout WWII together with images of the courageous women and men who served from Australia.
8) Benefit from the Immersive Expertise at Darwin Army Museum
The wealthy navy historical past of the Northern Territory and Australia is respectfully displayed within the Darwin Army Museum. The museum gives a studying expertise and shows a wide range of artifacts and data.
The spotlight of the Darwin Army Museum is the Defence of Darwin Expertise, a strong, immersive and interactive expertise within the drama of the Japanese bombing of Darwin because it unfolded.
The Defence of Darwin Expertise is an audio-visual journey the place you possibly can hear first-hand accounts from the women and men who survived the horror of that morning on 19 February 1942.
9) Take a Ferry to the Tiwi Islands
The Tiwi Islands are 80 km north of Darwin. Leap on board a 2.5-hour ferry and uncover the wealthy indigenous tradition and historical past of the Tiwi individuals.
Comprised of two essential islands – Bathurst and Melville – many of the residents are of Aboriginal descent and also you’ll meet a few of them on cultural and wildlife excursions.
The Tiwi individuals are well-known for his or her conventional way of life, stunning artworks, vibrant materials and textiles and keenness for soccer.
Spend the day on the Tiwi Islands, find out about Aboriginal artwork and tradition, take within the unimaginable sundown and discover out why it’s nicknamed the ‘Island of Smiles’.
10) Stroll or Cycle the Heritage and Tradition Path on the Darwin Waterfront Precinct
A few of Darwin’s most vital historic websites may be discovered on the heritage and cultural path across the Darwin Waterfront Precinct.
On the Darwin Waterfront, you’ll go to the location of the primary European settlement, WWII oil storage tunnels, town’s first street, the wharf space that was closely bombed in WWII, the Navy’s 1928 Pump Home and a major native Aboriginal website.
Strolling across the Darwin Waterfront is a stunning solution to spend a day within the metropolis.
11) Berry Springs Nature Reserve
If you happen to’re searching for an exquisite place to chill off and loosen up, go to Berry Springs Nature Reserve. There are some pretty shaded picnic and barbeque services areas near the pure swimming holes.
If you happen to go to from March to April, you’ll see stunning native flowers within the park blooming.
The waterhole is calm and you probably have a eager eye, you’ll spot some aquatic life too (I noticed a bit of turtle!).
This pretty spot in Darwin Northern Territory is family-friendly and excellent for a straightforward day trip.
Close to Berry Springs, you’ll additionally discover Territory Wildlife Park, an area wildlife sanctuary with many animals. Territory Wildlife Park focuses on analysis and conservation, in addition to family-friendly actions.
Heading to the recent springs and the Territory Wildlife Park in Berry Springs is among the prime day journeys from Darwin.
READ MORE: Don’t miss our in-depth skilled information full of the best Australia travel tips and advice.
12) Eat Your Means By Mindil Seaside Sundown Markets
The Mindil Seaside Sundown Markets function in the course of the dry season and showcase Darwin’s multiculturalism. With over 200 stalls, you’ll discover unimaginable native and worldwide delicacies on provide from many meals stalls in addition to an array of arts, crafts and providers stalls.
Stroll by the markets and revel in tasting meals from all around the globe.
The markets often function from the final Thursday in April till the final Thursday in October yearly.
13) Then Catch a Sundown on Mindil Seaside
Take a break from consuming your manner by the markets and stroll right down to the seashore to look at an epic sundown.
Watching the solar setting over the ocean right here is just beautiful and it’s no shock that the world attracts in large crowds.
14) Bathe in Tjuwaliyn (Douglas) Scorching Springs
Positioned a few hours out of Darwin, the recent springs are effectively value a go to when you’re within the space. The springs are as scorching as 60 levels so swimming is really helpful within the cooler swimming pools downstream.
You can also make this a day journey or camp in a single day within the Douglas Daly space and park.
The Park is owned by the Wagiman individuals, and the Wagiman ladies have the cultural duty of taking care of this land.
Because the Park is a crucial place for girls’s enterprise ceremonies, the Wagiman ladies retain the precise to shut the park ought to they want to perform ceremonies on their land.
15) Go to the Northern Territory Museum and Artwork Gallery
One of many prime issues to do in Darwin is to see the Museum and Artwork Gallery of the Northern Territory. Overlooking Fannie Bay in Darwin, the museum is dwelling to internationally famend creative, cultural and scientific collections and analysis packages.
The artwork gallery holds free exhibitions showcasing and celebrating native artists from the NT and Australia on the whole.
Exhibitions within the museum are dynamic and punctiliously curated to supply loads of enjoyable and attention-grabbing shows for guests of all ages.
You can even go to Sweetheart, a big male saltwater crocodile that gained notoriety within the Seventies for attacking dinghies at a preferred fishing spot.
His physique was offered to the museum in 1979 the place a taxidermist ready Sweetheart as a pores and skin mount and in addition a skeleton, which is held within the museum’s assortment. Rise up shut and see his whopping 5.1m and 780kg physique.
16) Get pleasure from a Night time Out on Mitchell Avenue
For an evening out in Darwin Metropolis, all of the motion is on Mitchell Avenue! With the recent and humid climate, beers go down simple right here in Darwin and also you’ll discover a vary of nightclubs, bars and pubs alongside the road.
You may take your self bar hopping or pub crawling, making some associates alongside the way in which (locals are very pleasant).
However beware that the same old costume code in Australia of t-shirts and thongs (flip-flops) received’t be permitted in all places (however can be in most locations).
17) Browse By Different Markets
No Darwin expertise is full with out visiting all the opposite markets across the metropolis too.
On a Saturday morning, try the colourful Parap Markets and see why it’s the native brunch hotspot. You’ll discover scrumptious laksa, ice-fresh-fruit shakes, Cambodian prawn pancakes, Indonesian satays, Lebanese snacks and extra.
Don’t go away with out choosing up some Humpty Doo Spices (the butter rooster is superb)!
Then see Malak Market within the northern suburbs for natural produce, domestically handmade crafts and nice leisure.
For all of the fantastic tropical fruits, Asian greens and dust crabs, head to Rabid Creek Markets on a Sunday morning.
Then full your Darwin expertise at Nighcliff Markets the place locals take pleasure in dwell music, have their tarot learn, take pleasure in a espresso and a few scrumptious sweets.
18) Sundown Cruise Darwin Harbour
Darwin Australia presents a few of the most beautiful sunsets you’ll ever see, and a sundown harbour cruise is among the greatest methods to expertise the pure colors.
Hop on a 2.5-hour cruise the place you possibly can loosen up and absorb sea views whereas having fun with some commentary and native perception into the historical past, cultural significance and wildlife round Darwin.
19) Cruise the Mary River Wetlands
Nature lovers will take pleasure in this excellent expertise in Australia of visiting the Mary River Wetlands on a cruise with lunch.
The High Finish moist season transforms the Mary River Wetlands into an inland sea the place you’ll see an abundance of birds, crocodiles and wildlife species.
Reserving a ship tour is the simplest solution to see the Mary River Wetlands whereas visiting Darwin within the Northern Territory.
This can be a nice solution to expertise the pure great thing about the Darwin space and see some native wildlife.
20) Go to the Aboriginal Superb Arts Gallery
Aboriginal tradition has an in depth historical past relationship again 50,000 years and contains many essential components equivalent to paintings, Dreamtime tales and conventional ceremonies.
Flick through the standard and modern Aboriginal artwork and craft on show and expertise Aboriginal tradition on the artwork gallery.
Right here you possibly can view Aboriginal work, works on bark, hand-woven baskets, carvings and extra. There’s additionally a variety of didgeridoos obtainable.
21) Stroll By the Darwin Botanic Gardens
Located simply 2 km north of Darwin metropolis, the George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens cowl 42 hectares and are recognized for his or her collections of north Australian and different tropical species.
Two strolling trails throughout the gardens value mentioning are the Tree Stroll, masking 18 vital timber within the backyard, and the Matboerrma Stroll which gives details about how the native Larrakia individuals use native vegetation for conventional functions.
22) Stroll Round Stokes Hill Wharf and its High Points of interest
Stokes Hill Wharf is the primary wharf in Darwin Harbour and one of many prime points of interest within the space. It’s dwelling to the Bombing of Darwin vacationer attraction and the Royal Flying Physician Service Darwin Vacationer Facility.
The RFDS’s first operations within the NT in 1939 and the Bombing of Darwin in 1942 are historic occasions that helped forge resolve and resilience of the individuals.
Round Stoks Hill Wharf it’s also possible to benefit from the relaxed and pleasant vibe of Darwin Harbour with seaside alfresco eating places, spots for leisure fishing and free dwell leisure on Wednesdays and Sundays in the course of the dry season!
23) Partake within the Every day Fish Feeding at Aquascene
Starting over 50 years in the past, the every day fish feeding ritual began when a close-by resident began throwing bread scraps to some mullet at excessive tide. Guests immediately come to see and take part on this spectacle!
Trays of bread are equipped at common intervals and contributors can hand-feed mullet and milkfish. Different species of fish can be seen within the shallows equivalent to catfish, rays, cod, diamond fish and parrotfish.
Since Darwin Harbour is topic to eight-metre tides, the fish that go to Aquascene solely come to the shore for a number of hours every day. Make sure you check the website for the newest feeding occasions.
24) Go Tenting
A good way to understand nature’s magnificence in Australia is an efficient quaint tenting journey in a nationwide park.
Spend the day in a nationwide park exploring waterfalls, and spend the evening by a campfire watching the celebrities.
Think about waking as much as scenic riverside places, pure swimming holes and various fauna at Litchfield (only one.5-hour drive from Darwin) or Mary River (round 1-hour drive from Darwin) nationwide parks.
Simply be aware that there are few fundamental guidelines for tenting: camp within the designated areas, keep away from the water’s edge, take note of hearth bans, use pits offered for campfires and guarantee they’re extinguished if you go away.
A be aware on Crocosaurus Cove: Crocosaurus Cove is among the most really helpful issues to do in Darwin and can be dwelling to the Cage of Dying the place you possibly can dive with a crocodile. Nonetheless, I’ve chosen to omit it from the checklist to additional discourage this type of wildlife tourism in Australia. For extra info, try our guide to sustainable tourism.
Darwin Journey Information
Now that you understand what to do in Darwin, we need to enable you to make your different plans as effectively by sharing superior lodging and locations to eat within the metropolis.
Greatest Lodging – The place to Keep in Darwin
There are all types of locations to remain in Darwin metropolis centre for any funds. From low-cost beds in hostels to luxurious rooms with views of the seashore, you’re positive to seek out one thing you want if you go to Darwin.
These are a number of of our prime suggestions.
The Greatest Hostel in Darwin – Darwin Hostel
Darwin Hostel presents every part you want when staying within the metropolis. It’s clear, comfy, has a hammock and daybeds by the pool and is inside strolling distance to the outlets and The Esplanade within the metropolis centre.
Workers are pleasant and useful and may give you all the ideas and journey info you want.
Greatest Finances Lodging for {Couples} – Paravista Motel
This great little motel is inexpensive and positioned in a pleasant and quiet a part of Darwin. Beds are comfy, rooms are clear and have all the fundamental facilities wanted for a keep within the metropolis.
Located near all town’s prime points of interest and the Darwin airport, this motel is an efficient budget-friendly choice for brief stays in Darwin.
Greatest Mid-Vary Lodge in Darwin – Cullen Bay Resort
Positioned in Darwin Metropolis, Cullen Bay Resort has spotless rooms and flats which might be well-appointed with all services you want for a relaxed and gratifying keep.
After all, there may be additionally a swimming pool for reduction from the Darwin warmth. It’s positioned close to Mindil Seaside and the Darwin Botanic Gardens.
Greatest Luxurious Lodge in Darwin – Mindil Seaside Resort
For a bit of escape from town, take pleasure in a luxurious and beachfront expertise in Australia at Mindil Beach Resort.
The resort is nestled on 30 acres of tropical gardens and presents beautiful lodging and eating choices, an infinity-edged pool, spa remedies and even an exquisite non-public seashore.
You’ll really feel such as you’re in a Bali resort however nonetheless be within the coronary heart of town.
Greatest Eating places in Darwin
Regardless of being a small metropolis, Darwin presents an amazing culinary expertise with cuisines from all around the globe for all budgets.
The meals itself may be thought of one of many prime points of interest within the metropolis!
Finances: Darwin Laksa
Darwin Laksa is a superb meals stall on the Mindil Seaside Sundown Market and is notorious for its quick however deliciously candy menu. For fast and funds eating, get your self some laksa!
Mid-range: Hanuman Restaurant
Located within the coronary heart of town centre, Hanuman Restaurant is among the hottest eating places in Darwin (and personally one among my favourites in Australia).
Its intensive menu will take you on a culinary journey and also you’ll discover scrumptious fusion and influences from Thailand and India.
Excessive-Finish: Pee Wee’s on the Level
To splurge and splash out on in Darwin, go to Pee Wee’s on the Level. Superbly set on the East Level Nature Reserve, the menu displays the produce, local weather and multiculturalism of the Northern Territory and showcases glorious produce of the High Finish.
Pair their scrumptious recent fish with an award-winning wine checklist and also you’ve bought your self a luxurious evening out within the metropolis.
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