A list of suggested things to do in Darwin includes pursuing a million-dollar fish and watching crocodiles leap in the Adelaide River.
Many international tourists often bypass the capital of Australia’s Northern Territory, even with its vibrant multicultural ambience.
In Darwin, over 30% of its inhabitants were born in foreign countries, and thanks to its tropical weather and global ambience, there’s a plethora of delightful activities to partake in throughout the city and its surroundings.
The city is famed for its varied wildlife, particularly the saltwater crocodiles that render beach swimming perilous. It’s also famous for its plentiful national parks, which offer the chance to witness wildlife from close quarters.
Experience the Jumping Crocodile Cruise
Engaging in an Adelaide River cruise to witness saltwater crocodiles is a favoured activity in Darwin.
Throughout the 6-hour excursion, you can see saltwater crocodiles closely as they jump from the water. The tour also encompasses visiting the Fogg Dam Conservation Reserve to investigate the floodplains and woodland.
A benefit of this cruise is its year-round operation, permitting visitors to experience it even during Darwin’s wet season.
You can watch a movie at Darwin's Deckchair Cinema
The Darwin Film Society runs an outdoor cinema in Darwin, a notable attraction for local inhabitants, offering them the chance to view a diverse range of films amidst the city’s tropical weather.
Operating daily throughout the dry season, the Deckchair Cinema displays an array of films, encompassing family favourites, Australian cinema and international movies.
Located on the fringes of Darwin Harbour, attendees can observe the sunset across the ocean. Moreover, they can partake in a meal and drink in a tropical garden before the film screenings.
Customers can buy hot meals, wine, beer, non-alcoholic beverages and conventional cinema treats for pleasure.
Consider spending a day at Litchfield National Park
Litchfield National Park is regarded as one of the premier attractions near Darwin, Australia.
A 90-minute drive south of Darwin, Litchfield is celebrated for its prime attractions, including Wangi Falls, Florence Falls, Tolmer Falls and the Magnetic Termite Mounds.
A day expedition to Litchfield National Park is suggested to savour the swimming holes at the base of several waterfalls. Crocodiles may also be observed in the wet season.
Catch the Million Dollar Barra fish
Darwin is celebrated for its superb fishing prospects, highlighted by Tourism NT’s 2015 campaign, a first in Australia, involving the tagging and releasing barramundi throughout the Northern Territory.
The Million Dollar Fish campaign has enhanced the NT’s status as a prime fishing destination. Conducted annually from October to March, it seeks to lure additional visitors to the Top End during the humid summer months.
Tourism NT introduces tagged barramundi each season, furnishing abundant chances to secure a win.
To join in, sign up online, engage in fishing, and reel in a tagged barra. Verify the tag and uncover your reward.
Per Tourism NT, one barramundi carries a value of 1 million dollars, while 100 barramundi are valued at $10,000 apiece.
The Darwin Military Museum offers an immersive experience
The Darwin Military Museum thoughtfully displays the abundant military history of the Northern Territory and Australia, presenting a thorough educational experience through various artifacts and information.
This museum presents the Defence of Darwin Experience, an encompassing and interactive exhibit that highlights the Japanese bombardment of Darwin.
The Defence of Darwin Experience delivers an audio-visual journey, incorporating firsthand narratives from those who survived the events on 19 February 1942.
The operational hours span from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day.
Entry fees are $20 for adults and $10 for children.
The location is Lot 5434 Alec Fong Lim Dr, East Point, NT.
You can also choose to swim in the wave pool
The Wave Lagoon in Darwin is a favoured destination for those pursuing aquatic activities and a thrilling experience.
Covering a space of 4,000 square meters, the wave pool features ten distinct wave patterns, varying from gentle swells to waves that reach up to 1.2 meters.
The wave pool incorporates a 20-minute pause between each cycle. The deepest point is 2 meters, and the water, treated with chlorinated salt, rests above a concrete bottom.
The lagoon supplies boogie boards, tubes, and a shallow play area for younger children.
The operational hours are daily from 10 am to 6 pm.
Entrance fees are $8 for those aged 15 and above, $6 for those below 15, and free admission for children under 3.
Explore the culinary delights of Mindil Beach Sunset Markets
The Mindil Beach Sunset Markets function during Darwin’s dry season, displaying the city’s multicultural aspects. The markets feature over 200 stalls providing a range of local and international foods, arts, crafts and services.
Visitors can navigate through the markets and try international dishes from different areas.
The markets usually run from the last Thursday of April to the last Thursday of October each year.
Enjoy watching the sunset on Mindil Beach
You can take a ferry to the Tiwi Islands
The Tiwi Islands are situated 80 km to the north of Darwin. Visitors can embark on a 2.5-hour ferry journey to delve into the indigenous culture and history of the Tiwi people.
The area includes two principal islands, Bathurst and Melville, and most inhabitants are of Aboriginal heritage. Throughout cultural and wildlife tours, you can encounter some of them.
The Tiwi people are recognised for their conventional way of life, stunning artworks, vibrant fabrics and textiles and a passion for football.
Visitors can allocate a day to spend on the Tiwi Islands to learn about Aboriginal art and culture, relish the stunning sunset and uncover why it is termed the ‘Island of Smiles’.
Visit the Heritage and Culture Trail at Darwin Waterfront Precinct
The heritage and cultural path through the Darwin Waterfront Precinct highlights some of Darwin’s most historically significant sites.
In this area, visitors can explore a variety of historical locations, including the initial European settlement, WWII-used oil storage tunnels, the original city road, the heavily bombarded wharf area from WWII, the Navy’s 1928 Pump House, and a crucial local Aboriginal site.
Strolling around the Darwin Waterfront offers a delightful way to utilise a day in the city.
The Berry Springs Nature Reserve is a nature reserve
Berry Springs Nature Reserve is a picturesque destination for those desiring relaxation and a refreshing escape. The reserve presents shaded picnic and barbecue areas near the natural swimming pools.
Between March and April, the Park displays the blossoming of lovely native flowers.
The waterhole is tranquil, and with keen observation, you may also witness some aquatic life (I noticed a tiny turtle!).
This spot in Darwin, Northern Territory, is family-friendly and perfect for a laid-back day excursion.
Close to Berry Springs, there is also the Territory Wildlife Park, a regional wildlife sanctuary that concentrates on research and conservation and provides family-friendly activities.
One of the best day expeditions from Darwin involves visiting the hot springs and the Territory Wildlife Park in Berry Springs.
Visit the World War II Darwin Oil Storage Tunnels
The enormous tunnels in Darwin stand out as noteworthy tourist draws. They were built during WWII to protect oil stores from Japanese air raids.
Positioned at a distance from the Darwin city centre and the Esplanade, they provide historical insights and highlight Darwin’s crucial role during WWII, featuring photographs of the Australian servicemen and women who served with courage.
The opening hours span from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily from May to September and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. from October to April. The venue is closed from 7th to 25th December.
Admission is $8.50 for adults and $5.50 for children.
You can visit the Aboriginal Fine Arts Gallery
With a rich 50,000-year history, Aboriginal culture encompasses vital elements such as artistry, Dreamtime narratives and conventional ceremonies.
At the art gallery, visitors can delve into various traditional and contemporary Aboriginal art and crafts, submerging themselves in Aboriginal culture.
Visitors have the opportunity to explore Aboriginal art, which includes items such as paintings, bark creations, baskets, carvings, and more. There’s also a range of didgeridoos available for selection.
The location is 44 Mitchell Street, Darwin City, NT.
You can visit the Northern Territory Museum and Art Gallery
One of the popular activities in Darwin is visiting the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, which is located overlooking Fannie Bay. The museum houses internationally acclaimed art, culture and science collections and conducts research programs.
The art gallery hosts exhibitions featuring local artists from the Northern Territory and Australia.
The museum exhibitions are curated with care to provide various engaging and informative displays for visitors of all ages.
Visitors can see Sweetheart, a well-known male saltwater crocodile who gained fame in the 1970s for his encounters with dinghies at a popular fishing location.
The museum received his body in 1979, where a taxidermist prepared it as a skin mount and a skeleton. Visitors can see his impressive 5.1m and 780kg body up close.
The Art Gallery is open from 10 am to 4 pm every day.
Cost: FREE
The address is 19 Conacher St, The Gardens, NT Darwin.
Experience an evening on Mitchell Street
Mitchell Street in Darwin City serves as the central node for nightlife. The warm, humid climate creates a lovely environment to explore nightclubs, bars and pubs along the street.
Visitors can engage in bar hopping or pub crawling, forging connections with the locals, renowned for their amicable nature.
The typical Australian dress code, which includes t-shirts and thongs (flip-flops), might not be permissible in all venues, though it is widely accepted in most.
One can enjoy a cruise along the Mary River Wetlands
Visitors can savour a picturesque cruise, complete with lunch, while navigating the Mary River Wetlands in Australia, an ideal outing for nature lovers.
During the wet season in the Top End, the Mary River Wetlands are engulfed, forming a residence for a variety of birds, crocodiles, and additional wildlife.
A method to experience the Mary River Wetlands while touring Darwin in the Northern Territory is by securing a boat expedition.
This allows one to admire the natural splendour of the Darwin region and spot regional wildlife.
Experience a sunset cruise on Darwin Harbour
Darwin, Australia, is celebrated for its spectacular sunsets, and a sunset harbour sail is a particularly endorsed method to observe the vibrant hues.
Embark on a 2.5-hour sail in Darwin, where you can relax and admire panoramic ocean views while obtaining enlightening commentary about the region’s historical and cultural significance and fauna.
Take a walk in the Darwin Botanic Gardens
Situated 2 km north of Darwin city, the George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens span 42 hectares and are celebrated for their displays of North Australian and other tropical species.
Two notable walking trails within the gardens include the Tree Walk, which highlights 18 significant trees, and the Matboerrma Walk, which provides insights into how the local Larrakia people use native plants for traditional uses.
The operational hours are from 7 am to 7 pm every day.
Explore Stokes Hill Wharf and its top attractions
Stokes Hill Wharf is the main pier in Darwin Harbour and is a favourite destination. It hosts the Bombing of Darwin tourist spot and the Royal Flying Doctor Service Darwin Tourist Facility.
The initial operations of the RFDS in the NT in 1939 and the Bombing of Darwin in 1942 are pivotal historical occurrences that have shaped the resilience and determination of the populace.
Visitors at Stokes Hill Wharf can savour the welcoming ambience of Darwin Harbour, where options to dine at open-air restaurants, engage in leisure fishing, and enjoy complimentary live entertainment on Wednesdays and Sundays during the dry season are available.
One can enjoy a bath in Tjuwaliyn (Douglas) Hot Springs
The hot springs, situated a few hours away from Darwin, are worth visiting if you find yourself nearby. The springs can attain temperatures of 60 degrees; hence, taking a dip in the gentler pools downstream is recommended.
You have the option to turn this into a day trip or choose to camp overnight in the Douglas Daly area and Park.
The Wagiman people are the owners of the Park, and the cultural duty of caring for this land is entrusted to the Wagiman women.
The Wagiman women possess the authority to close the Park for their ceremonies, as it is a vital location for women’s business ceremonies.
The opening hours are confined to the dry season (April to November) and accessible throughout the day.
Watch the daily fish feeding at Aquascene
The routine of daily fish-feeding at Aquascene started 50 years ago when a resident tossed bread remnants to mullet during a high tide. Nowadays, visitors gather to see and participate in this fascinating event.
Bread trays are routinely supplied, enabling participants to feed mullet and milkfish. Other fish species, such as catfish, rays, cod, diamondfish and parrotfish, can also be spotted in the shallow waters.
Because of the eight-meter tides in Darwin Harbour, the fish at Aquascene are only available shore-side for a restricted duration each day. Kindly refer to the website for the most current feeding times.
Admission costs are $15 for adults and $10 for children.
The location is 28 Doctors Gully Rd, Larrakeyah, NT.
