Traveling to Australia will not be complete without visiting the capital of the country’s northern territory, Darwin. After visiting Darwin, it is up to you if you want to visit other cities like Melbourne and Sydney. Darwin is surrounded by water and features numerous beaches and parks. You will also be left speechless as everything around you is just beautiful, be it natural landscape or buildings. The city is also known for its museums and night entertainment options. If you have no idea what to do to enjoy the best time in Darwin, you have come to the right place. Continue reading to learn more about the best things to do in Darwin, Australia.
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1. Discover Darwin attractions on a hop-on, hop-off tour
Have you ever tried the hop-on, hop-off bus before? If you have not, this is your chance. Get off the bus when you find something interesting you want to spend more time on. And when you are satisfied, wait for the bus to come and get on it. The bus stops at popular sites such as Darwin Military Museum and Cullen Bay Marina.
Book Tours : Darwin Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour
2. Have a look at the Darwin Aviation Heritage Centre in this sightseeing tour
To enjoy the best tourist attractions in Darwin, you need to book this five-hour tour because you will get to visit Parliament House and Palmerston Town, among others. The most interesting attraction you are going to love is perhaps Darwin Aviation Heritage Center that boasts a collection of 19 different types of aircraft.
Book Tours : Darwin City Explorer Tour
3. Chill out at the Wave Lagoon
When it gets scorching hot in Darwin, there is no better place than Darwin Wave Lagoon to chill out. Have fun splashing the water and swimming in the city’s public swimming pool. You can also bring your own shade tents to protect yourself from the sun. But please note that you need to get permission first from the officials.
Wave Lagoon
Address: Kitchener Dr, Darwin City NT 0800, Australia
Website: Wave Lagoon
Opening hours: 10am - 6pm (daily)
Price: 7 AUD (5 USD)
4. Stroll through Darwin Botanic Gardens
Relax your mind and feel peaceful as you stroll through Darwin Botanic Gardens. Covering 42 hectares (103.8 acres) of land, the gardens are known for the collection of tropical and northern Australian species. Among the prettiest flowers there are varieties such as bromeliads and orchids. Sit on the bench or relax under a canopy–it really is up to you.
Darwin Botanic Gardens
Address: The Gardens NT 0820, Darwin, Australia
Website: Darwin Botanic Gardens
Opening hours: 7am - 7pm (daily)
Price: Free
5. Visit Chinese Temple and Museum Chung Wah
Get to know Chinese culture a little better through dropping by Chung Wah Society that has its own temple and museum. For many generations, Chinese culture has impacted the lives of the people in Darwin significantly. In the museum, you can enjoy a collection of heritage objects, photographs, and memorabilia of Chinese people, whereas in the temple you can see people worshipping the Buddha. It is a great place if you wish to seek tranquility.
Chinese Temple and Museum Chung Wah
Address: 25 Woods St, Darwin City NT 0800, Australia
Website: Chinese Temple and Museum Chung Wah
Opening hours: 8am - 4pm (daily)
Price: 4 AUD (3 USD)
6. Take your children to Territory Wildlife Park
Every child loves animals and we believe that you, as an adult, also feel the same kind of love for animals. That is why you need to take your children to this zoo and let them encounter the northern Australian wildlife. From reptiles and bats to owls and kangaroos, the zoo guarantees a memorable time shared with loved ones.
Territory Wildlife Park
Address: Cox Peninsula Rd, Berry Springs Darwin NT 0838, Australia
Website: Territory Wildlife Park
Opening hours: 9am - 5pm (daily)
Price: 32 AUD (22 USD)
7. Dine at Crustaceans on the Wharf
It is a must to treat yourself when you are on a vacation. If you like seafood very much, you should dine at Crustaceans on the Wharf to enjoy fresh selection of seafood, such as oysters and scallops. The best spot to indulge in your dishes is in the outdoor area in which you get to marvel at the panoramic views of the wharf.
Crustaceans on the Wharf
Address: Darwin Wharf Precinct, Stokes Hill Wharf, Darwin City NT 0800, Australia
Website: Crustaceans on the Wharf
Opening hours: 5:30pm - 11:45pm (daily)
Price: from 17 AUD (12 USD)
8. Enjoy live music at Wisdom Bar & Café
Strategically situated on the popular Mitchell Street, Wisdom Bar and Cafe is a place that guarantees fun, drinks and excellent music that will make you dance for as long as you stay inside. The stylish venue also offers open-air dining options. There is no better way to spend the night than indulging in delicious dishes with drinks and accompanied by live music performance.
Wisdom Bar & Café
Address: 48 Mitchell St, Darwin City NT 0800, Australia
Website: Wisdom Bar & Café
Opening hours: 8am - 2am (daily)
Price: from 10 AUD (7 USD)
9. Grab a seat at Deckchair Cinema
Where do you usually watch a movie? In an indoor cinema, right? This time when you are on your vacation in Darwin, try something unique by enjoying your favorite movie in a chilled outdoor space where you will also be presented with the stunning views of the sea. See what is on and book your ticket in advance through the website. Hot food is also served in case your stomach complains.
Deckchair Cinema
Address: Jervois Rd, Darwin City NT 0800, Australia
Website: Deckchair Cinema
Opening hours: 7:30pm, 9pm (daily)
Price: from 10 AUD (7 USD)
10. Shop with your friends at Smith Street
As one of the major and busiest streets in Darwin, Smith Street is definitely a must-visit. The street features numerous shops in which you should visit and buy whatever it is you like. There is also a shopping mall with fountains and playground in case you are bringing little kids with you.
Smith Street
Address: 29 The Mall Darwin City, Australia
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
11. Learn about a living coral ecosystem at Indo Pacific Marine
Sometimes when you are on a vacation, you still need to educate yourself. Gain some knowledge about a living coral ecosystem by stopping by Indo Pacific Marine. The highlights of the museum are the coral reefs which are a beauty you will not soon forget. You can also learn about the dangerous marine animals along with biodiversity and threats to the marine life.
Indo Pacific Marine
Address: 29 Stokes Hill Rd., Darwin City NT 0800, Australia
Website: Indo Pacific Marine
Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 9am - 1pm (closed on Mon & Sun)
Price: 27 AUD (19 USD)
12. Groove to the some great music at Discovery Darwin
Cannot sleep at night because you are just too excited to explore the best of the city of Darwin? Why don’t you make a stop at Discovery Darwin, a modern nightclub that features a neon decor, DJ and music performances and rooms for karaoke? It is time to groove to the music until you drop. Buy some drinks and have fun with your friends.
Discovery Darwin
Address: 89 Mitchell St, Darwin City NT 0800, Australia
Website: Discovery Darwin
Opening hours: Thu - Sat: 10pm - 4am (closed on Sun - Wed)
Price: from 4 AUD (3 USD)
13. Pamper yourself at Elements Darwin Day SPA
You may feel a little bit tired after an outdoor adventure in the city and if you need a place where you can relax and refresh your mind, make sure to find your way to Elements Darwin Day Spa. The most popular kind of massage is the hot stone massage. When those hot stones are placed upon your body, you will immediately feel how relaxed your muscles are and all the fatigue disappears in an instant.
Elements Darwin Day SPA
Address: 8/10 West Ln, Darwin City NT 0800, Australia
Website: Elements Darwin Day SPA
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 9am - 6pm (closed on Sun)
Price: 85 AUD (60 USD)
14. Play laser tag games at Kingpin Darwin
Want to know how hard it is to defend your kingdom? Try the laser tag games where you get to choose your army to battle out against the enemy as soon as you step into the arena. Watch out for not only the enemy but also other obstacles such as beacons and war bots. The laser tag games are suitable for people of all ages and the capacity of one arena is up to 30 people. When you feel satisfied, you can play bowling and try other games available.
Kingpin Darwin
Address: 1 Neale St, Darwin City NT 0820, Australia
Website: Kingpin Darwin
Opening hours: Mon: 10am - 10pm; Tue - Thu: 11am - 10pm; Fri: 11am - 12am; Sat: 9am - 12am; Sun: 9am - 10:30pm
Price: 30 AUD (21 USD)
15. Enjoy a floating time at Big Buoy Water Park
Situated in the area of Recreational Lagoon, Big Buoy Water Park is suitable for everyone, as long as you are older than six years old. However, you will need to have some upper body strength to be able to navigate smoothly. This is why if you are a parent visiting the park with your kids, you should jump together with them. Do not worry about the safety of the inflatables as they are all of high quality. Have a floating time at this floating water park.
Big Buoy Water Park
Address: Darwin Waterfont Precinct Recreational Lagoon, Kitchener Dr, Darwin City NT 0800, Australia
Website: Big Buoy Water Park
Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 10am - 6pm (closed on Mon)
Price: 16.5 AUD (11.5 USD) per hour
16. Taste craft beer at The Precinct
Situated only meters away from Wave Lagoon, this place is perfect for you to stop by after you are tired of swimming at the lagoon. The Precinct promises a memorable craft beer experience unlike the other bars and clubs as you are offered 46 taps of beer and cider. Its handcrafted beers have earned awards, in case you do not know. In addition to the beers, you can also indulge in some tantalizing dishes to recharge your energy. You can also try to mingle with the local people.
The Precinct
Address: 7 Kitchener Dr, Darwin City NT 0800, Australia
Website: The Precinct
Opening hours: 10am - 2am (daily)
Price: from 7 AUD (5 USD)
17. Head to Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory
Nestled across Arafura Sea, this museum is a must-visit attraction if you are interested in gaining insights into the history of Darwin. You can learn through the remarkable collection of cultural, scientific, and artistic objects as well as enjoying traveling exhibitions from around Australia. What makes this museum perfect is that it is free to enter. Afterwards, you can marvel at the breathtaking vista of the sea.
Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory
Address: 19 Conacher St, Darwin City NT 0820, Australia
Website: Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory
Opening hours: 10am - 5pm (daily)
Price: Free
18. Enjoy a picnic at Charles Darwin National Park
The park may not be as big as other parks but it is a gem to the local people in Darwin. You can find 36 out of 51 mangrove species inside the park and you will appreciate the lush landscape everywhere you look. To enjoy the scenery views, you should have a picnic with your loved ones. But, you can also ride a bike to explore the park faster. What is more, the park is not just a park–when you take a stroll, you can see some historic sites, including a display of World War II.
Charles Darwin National Park
Address: Tiger Brennan Dr, Charles Darwin NT 0820, Australia
Opening hours: 8am - 7pm (daily)
Price: Free
19. Try fishing at Darwin Harbor Fishing Charters
Are you obsessed with fishing? Or maybe you have never fished at all but would like to try fishing? Whether you are the first or the latter, you need to book a fishing tour with Darwin Harbor Fishing Charters for a half day or the whole day. There are plenty of options, but the Barra Fishing Day Tours is a popular choice. You get to witness a breathtaking sunrise prior to Barramundi fishing. You will also encounter diverse wildlife along the way, including birds and crocodiles.
Darwin Harbor Fishing Charters
Address: Dock 2, Stokes Hill Rd, Darwin City NT 0800, Australia
Website: Darwin Harbor Fishing Charters
Opening hours: 8am - 9pm (daily)
Price: 185 AUD (129 USD)
20. Catch a live performance of Darwin Symphony Orchestra
Darwin Symphony Orchestra is one of the most popular orchestras in Australia and since you are traveling in Darwin, you need to buy a ticket to enjoy a live performance, especially if you are fond of the orchestra. Be prepared to delve into the musical journey as the melody starts to make your evening even more beautiful and spectacular. You can choose your favorite performance, which can be checked on the website. Performances may vary from time to time.
Darwin Symphony Orchestra
Address: Casuarina Campus, Orange 10, Casuarina NT 0909, Australia
Website: Darwin Symphony Orchestra
Opening hours: Varies depending on the performance of your choice
Price: 60 AUD (42 USD)
21. Go biking at Darwin Waterfront Precinct
Situated only minutes away from the center of the city, Darwin Waterfront Precinct is one of the many ways to enjoy the vibrant lifestyle of the city. Since the area is quite huge and is packed with a myriad of restaurants, bars, and cafes, you may want to consider riding a bike to explore the precinct. Later at night, you can come back to enjoy the nightlife or have delicious dinner at a restaurant of your choice.
Darwin Waterfront Precinct
Address: 19B Kitchener DR, Darwin City NT 0800, Darwin, Australia
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
22. Check out wildlife exhibits at Crocosaurus Cove
Enjoy some exciting times at Crocosaurus Cove as you get an opportunity to meet face to face with friendly turtles and other reptiles. The main attraction of this place is the Cage of Death where you get to see the world’s largest reptile, saltwater crocodiles, at a very close range. Prepare your heart because it is going to race as soon as you get under the water. Wonder at their giant size and you can try to smooch them, from inside the cage, of course.
Crocosaurus Cove
Address: 58 Mitchell St, Darwin City NT 0800, Australia
Website: Crocosaurus Cove
Opening hours: 9am - 6pm (daily)
Price: 36 AUD (25 USD)
23. Learn about the history behind WWII Oil Storage Tunnels
Whether you are a history buff or not, it is worth visiting this oil tunnel. As soon as you enter the tunnel, you can feel the bravery of the men and women who gave everything they had to protect Australia. There is a collection of displays and photographs along the tunnel. The tunnel is uniquely located under the cliffs of Darwin and it was built secretly after the city was bombed.
WWII Oil Storage Tunnels
Address: Darwin Waterfront, Kitchener Dr, Darwin City NT 0800, Australia
Website: WWII Oil Storage Tunnels
Opening hours: 9am - 4pm (daily)
Price: 8AUD (6 USD)
24. Offer a prayer at Christ Church Cathedral Darwin
Those who believe in Jesus Christ are recommended to visit this octagonal church to pay for their holy respect. You are very much welcome to join the Sunday service that starts at 7:30am. If you do not share the same faith, you can simply admire the small church and take a pleasant stroll in the garden right in front of the church.
Christ Church Cathedral Darwin
Address: 2 Smith St, Darwin City NT 0800, Australia
Website: Christ Church Cathedral Darwin
Opening hours: 9am - 12pm (daily)
Price: Free
25. Discover the colonial-style Lyons Cottage
Built in 1925, Lyons Cottage is a colonial-style stone house that used to be a residence for engineers working for a telegraph cable company. There is nowhere else you can enjoy the perfect example of a colonial house in Darwin, which is why you need to make a quick visit to Lyons Cottage. After admiring the house, you can enjoy the sunny weather on the beach nearby.
Lyons Cottage
Address: 74 Esplanade, Darwin City NT 0800, Australia
Website: Lyons Cottage
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 9am - 4pm; Sat: 9am - 3pm (closed on Sun)
Price: Free
26. Go back in time to Darwin's wartime on this cruise tour
Are you interested in knowing more about the history of Darwin and what makes Darwin, Darwin? Participate in this cruise tour that will bring you to see important places such as Darwin Military Museum in which you can marvel at the collection of weapons and vehicles, and also see the War Memorial where you can pay some respect to brave soldiers.
27. Go on a Darwin sunset cruise
Start your wonderful journey from Stokes Hill Wharf as you board this cruise to watch the remarkable views of colorful sunset over Fannie Bay, one of the best sunset spots in the city. This cruise tour includes serving a classic Australian dish. You get to indulge in a freshly caught and prepared Northern Territory fish.
Book Tours : Darwin Sunset Cruise Including Fish 'n' Chips
28. Enjoy the thrill of jumping crocodiles on the Adelaide River cruise
We bet you have never experienced crocodiles jumping right into your direction. Experience something thrilling as you book this cruise tour on the Adelaide River. Your boat guide will give food to the saltwater crocodiles and you are going to love when they jump to snatch the food. In addition to crocodiles, you will also be able to spot some white-bellied sea eagles and whistling kites if you are lucky.
Book Tours : Darwin Jumping Crocodiles Cruise on Adelaide River
Enjoy your ultimate vacation in Darwin
Without visiting all the attractions mentioned above and do all those interesting things, you will not have the ultimate vacation in Darwin. Plan everything ahead and spend at least a few days to enjoy Darwin. There is no need to rush.
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