About Darwin

Located off the Timor Sea, Darwin is the capital of Northern Territory. Though it is the smallest of all Australian capitals, it is the largest city in the sparsely populated Northern Territory.

Thanks to its glorious sunsets and incredible natural landscapes, tourism has been a critical part of Darwin's economy. It is also the gateway to the Kakadu National Park and the Nitmiluk National Park that houses the famous Katherine Gorge. The city's close proximity to Asia means you'll also find major Asian influences, especially in the vibrant dining scene and lively night markets.

Darwin offers experiences galore - balmy beaches, luxury cruises, thrilling water adventures, rich Aboriginal art and culture, exquisite galleries, fascinating museums and vibrant markets. Hop between natural and cultural destinations like the Litchfield National Park, Berry Springs Nature Parks, Tiwi Islands, Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT), etc.

Although there are experiences for visitors of all ages, Darwin’s crocodile encounters are a standout attraction. There are many Darwin cruises that offer incredible wild encounters with these apex predators, and despite your safe distance, you’ll see them as they leap out of the water, snap and roll!

Along with its crocs and cruises, you’ll find rich Aboriginal heritage, which is evident in the art that is in full bloom in the city’s galleries, museums and streetscapes! Explore them and more in this incredible capital!

Darwin Cruise Experiences

Adventure

2 Cruises

From $50

Dinner Cruises

2 Cruises

From $121

Sunset Cruises

2 Cruises

From $109

Featured Cruises

5 Cruises

Darwin Harbour Sunset Fish ‘n Chips Cruise

Enjoy a tropical sunset cruise on board an eco-friendly vessel. Take in the sights of Darwin with scrumptious serving of fresh fish & chips.

Duration 1hr

From $109

Charles Darwin Dinner Cruise

Darwin’s famous dinner cruise onboard Charles Darwin with delicious buffet dinner, featuring local seafood & special menu of regional delicacies

Duration 2hr

From $137

1Hr Jumping Crocodile Cruise

Come face-to-snout with the crocs of the Adelaide River on a purpose-built vessel. Watch in awe as they showcase their incredible hunting skills.

Duration 1hr

From $50

Darwin Adventure Boats

Here’s a Darwin adventure that combines the thrill of jet boat spins & airboat slides along mudflats & mangroves, before jetting off to Timor Sea.

Charles Darwin Sunset Cruise

Memorable sunset cruise on Darwin Harbour. Enjoy the beautiful sunset of the Top End with an informative commentary from expert guides.

Duration 2hr

From $121

See All Cruises

Know Before You Go

Best Time To Visit

Darwin has two distinct seasons – the dry season sees the major share of visitors every year, with many of the city’s popular events and festivals happening around this time. But don’t let the wet season deter you, you’ll find Darwin at its tropical best with lush greenery and incredible evening storms. As a bonus, you’ll avoid the crowds at the city’s top attractions. But it is also important to note that some of the tours and experiences might be limited to the dry season.

Public Holidays

Sunday, 1 January: New Year's Day
Monday, 2 January: Additional public holiday for New Year's Day
Thursday, 26 January: Australia Day
Friday, 7 April: Good Friday
Saturday, 8 April: Day following Good Friday
Sunday, 9 April: Easter Sunday
Monday, 10 April: Easter Monday
Tuesday, 25 April: Anzac Day
Monday, 25 December: Christmas Day
Tuesday, 26 December: Boxing Day

Other public holidays declared by the state and territory governments:
Monday, 1 May: May Day
Monday, 12 June: King's Birthday
Monday, 7 August: Picnic Day

Events & Festivals

Darwin Festival (August)
Darwin Festival is an annual arts and cultural event which celebrates the city’s diverse artistic and cultural scene through performances, exhibitions, workshops and community events. The festival runs for several weeks and attracts both locals and visitors, transforming the city into a bustling hub of creativity and entertainment.

Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (August)
The Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF) is an annual event that celebrates and showcases the  Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art and culture. It brings together artists, art centres, and community-owned enterprises from all over Australia. The fair provides a platform for these artists to exhibit and sell their artwork directly to the public, ensuring they receive fair and ethical returns for their creations.

Mindil Beach Sunset Market
The Mindil Beach Sunset Market is a joyous experience peppered with delicious food, gorgeous sunsets and good vibes! With over 200 unique stalls offering everything from local and international cuisine to an array of art, crafts, jewellers, leatherworkers, tailors, masseurs & more!

School Holidays

TERM 1 SCHOOL HOLIDAYS 2023
Northern Territory: 7 April to 16 April

TERM 2 SCHOOL HOLIDAYS 2023
Northern Territory: 24 June to 17 July

TERM 3 SCHOOL HOLIDAYS 2023
Northern Territory:  23 September to 8 October

TERM 4 SCHOOL HOLIDAYS 2023 - 2024
Northern Territory: 16 December 2023 to 29 January 2024

Accommodation

Hotels, motels, holiday retreats, waterfront resorts, lodges, homestays, premium apartments, name it and you will find one to suit you in Darwin. With beach-facing views or private pools, you can find your dream holiday retreat in Darwin. Budget-friendly dorms, farm-stays and lodges are also available throughout the region.

Dining

With its northern neighbours in South-East Asia, fresh catches straight from the ocean, and a thriving indigenous culture, Darwin’s dining scene is all about fusion foods, exotic flavours and unique local produce.

Enjoy bush tucker dishes inspired by the Aboriginal culture and find everything from fresh fish, Moreton Bay bugs, lobster, oysters, kangaroos, alligator, crocodile, pork, to steaks at all major eateries. Also available are cuisines like Thai, Indian, Chinese, Italian etc. to suit the international palate.

Transport

Darwin has an international airport situated near the city, with connectivity to all major Australian airports and international locations. Convenient airport shuttle buses and taxi services are available for pickup and drop at the airport. Darwin also has a dedicated rail line called the Ghan train, operated by the Great Southern Rail from Darwin to Adelaide via Alice Springs.

Darwin Tourist Information

Public Conveniences

Darwin is equipped with a well-functioning Visitor Information centre. For any help, drop in at the George Brown Botanic Gardens Information Centre and get travel advice, maps, brochures, planning tools and booking-related information from the knowledgeable and trained staff.

There are block toilets or Exeloos throughout Darwin, with about 50 of them open to the public. All government parks and recreation centres also have well-equipped restrooms.

Shopping & Market Hours

Apart from the Mindil Beach Sunset Market, shopping centres and outlets around the CBD, there are many local markets, in and around Darwin. All markets feature stalls offering international food items, arts, crafts and entertainment.

Popular markets in Darwin are the Sunday morning Nightcliff Markets and Rapid Creek Markets, the Saturday morning Parap Village Markets, and Palmerston's Friday night markets. Check for days when these markets are open and get to know the market timings, before you head out on a shopping spree.

Medical Services

For any emergency, dial 000 to instantly connect with police, fire or ambulance emergency services. All hospitals are listed in the directory facility accessible at 1223. Major hospitals in the area are:

  • Royal Darwin Public Hospital
  • Darwin Private Hospital