Darwin Holiday Guide

Darwin is the capital of the Northern Territory and the gateway to the Top End.

Darwin has a population of approximately 150,000 and has a friendly, vibrant, fun-loving spirit.

Located in the tropics, Darwin has two main seasons: the wet and the dry. The best time to visit is July and August when the humidity is low, the sun is shining and the skies are blue. It is also when the Darwin Cup Carnival is held. October through April can be stinking hot, with humidity well above 70-75%. It features monsoonal rains and amazing electrical storms that blaze through the skies with spectacular lightning displays.

Being born and raised in Darwin, I am passionate about travel in the Northern Territory. Whether you're looking for a weekend away or a longer stay, I can help create the ideal holiday for you. Having lived and travelled extensively throughout the Northern Territory, I bring a wealth of local knowledge. My very large network of family, friends and associates 'on the ground' are able to answer any questions you might have, and offer some suggestions for things to see and do in Darwin and the Top End.

How to get to Darwin

There are 4 ways to get to Darwin.

1. Drive.
The Stuart Highway tracks all the way from Port Augusta in South Australia, through the Red Centre, and directly into the heart of the city. The Barkly Highway connects from/to QLD and the Victoria Highway from/to WA. As a kid, this was how we travelled "south" each year for school holidays. Greyhound Australia operate regular bus services to Darwin or you can self-drive.

2. Fly.
Darwin International Airport is located within easy reach of the city and the surrounding suburbs, with direct flights between most capital cities as well as Asia.

3. Train.
The Ghan, one of the world's legendary rail journeys, operates between Adelaide and Darwin. Combine this with tours in the Red Centre and Darwin, to make for a truly unforgettable experience.

4. Cruise.
While Darwin is not an embarkation/disembarkation port for the major cruise lines, a number make calls into Darwin as part of a longer itinerary. Small ship cruise lines such as Coral Expeditions, APT, Ponant and Silversea offer amazing Top End itineraries including the Kimberleys and North Queensland.

How long to stay

As Darwin is remote from all other major capital cities, anything less than 7 days would be a disservice. This is especially so if you are keen to see other parts of the Top End, including Kakadu National Park, Litchfield, or beyond. Make sure you allow comfortable travelling time for exploring and make sure you take plenty of backup supplies if you are on a self-drive tour.

Things to see & do in Darwin City

Darwin City

Image: Tourism Australia

Stokes Hill Wharf

Image: InSydeMedia Getty Images

Mindil Beach Markets

Image: Chris Putnam

Government House

Image: fotofritz16 Getty Images

To get a really good feel for Darwin I recommend you hire a car. The CBD has some great places within easy walking distance, and there is a hop-on-hop-off Big Bus service for the well known City sights. However, having a car gives you the flexibility of doing things at your own pace and seeing things 'off the beaten track'.

Points of interest (in no particular order) include:

The Waterfront Precinct
Royal Flying Doctors facility on Stokes Hill Wharf
Crocosaurus Cove
Sunset Harbour Cruise. There are a few to choose from including the Charles Darwin, the Spirit of Darwin & Sail Darwin!
East Point Military Museum
Darwin Museum, including the Cyclone Tracy exhibit
Aquascene Fish feeding
Mindil Beach markets
Parap Village Markets
Botanical Gardens
The Aviation Museum
Territory Wildlife Park & stop for lunch at the Berry Springs Tavern.
Berry Springs (seasonal - see website for details)
WWII Oil Storage Tunnels

Some of the local's favourite eating places include:

The Darwin Trailer Boat Club for an evening meal while watching the sunset over the water
Yots Greek Taverna Cullen Bay
La Beach Cullen Bay
Del La Plage Casuarina Beach
The Cool Spot Fannie Bay
Pee Wee's at the Point
Fish & chips at the Nightcliff Jetty
Stokes Hill Wharf offers casual outdoor dining from multiple venues
Dollys Bar Leanyer

Kakadu National Park

Jim Jim Falls

Image: JanelleLugge Getty Images

Gagudju Crocodile Hotel

Image: Tourism Australia

South Alligator River

Image: Holidays Beckon

View across the floodplains

Image: Holidays Beckon

Kakadu National Park is one of the largest National Parks in Australia. Dual-listed by UNESCO for its exceptional natural and cultural values, Kakadu has been home to the Indigenous population for over 50,000 years. It has extensive rock art collections, amazing landscapes with escarpments overlooking wetlands, waterfalls, rock pools, huge river systems, and a diverse range of flora and fauna.

A visit to Kakadu National Park would not be complete without a cruise around the Yellow Water Billabong and out onto the South Alligator River. From here you can see the Water Buffaloes wallowing in the wetlands, catch a glimpse of a Brolga (one of Australia's largest flying birds), crocodiles resting in on the muddy banks or floating on the surface of the water, and other native vegetation and wildlife. Most tours to Kakadu also include stops at either Nourlangie or Ubirr Rock so that you can see some of the Arnhem Land escarpment and ancient Rock Art sites.

The entrance to Kakadu is approximately 150kms from Darwin and will take about 1.5 - 2 hours drive. I recommend staying overnight in Kakadu to allow you time to have a good look around, particularly to avoid the heat in the middle of the day. You might also like to consider seeing Kakadu from the air! Accommodation is available in Jabiru or Cooinda. Tours are available from Darwin.

Nitmiluk National Park & Gorge (Katherine)

Nitmiluk Gorge

Image: unsplash.com/@karljkhedin

Katherine River

Image: Malcolm Clapé

Nitmiluk Gorge

Image: Wendy Moulds

Nitmiluk Gorge - Image: unsplash.com/@julians_photos

The Katherine River is approximately 328 kilometres long. It starts in Nitmiluk National Park near the town of Katherine and empties into the Timor Sea. Nitmiluk consists of 13 sandstone gorges carved through the Arnhem Land Plateau. There are 2 main sections to the park, the gorge to the south and Leliyn (Edith Falls) to the north.

Katherine is approximately 320kms from Darwin. An overnight stay either at the Gorge or in Kakadu is highly recommended. Tours are available from Darwin.

Litchfield National Park

Buley Rockhole

Image: Holidays Beckon

Florence Falls

Image: Holidays Beckon

Wangi Falls

Image: Holidays Beckon

Tolmer Falls

Image: Ken Griffiths Getty Images

Litchfield National Park is about 120kms south of Darwin. It is an easy drive on mostly sealed roads. There are also a number of day tours available from Darwin. The park is home to a number of amazing swimming holes and waterfalls, the most popular being Wangi Falls, Buley Rockhole, Florence Falls and Tolmer Falls. There are also huge magnetic termite mounds to be seen. The edges of these structures point north-south while the sides face east-west. This ensures that the temperature inside the mound remains regulated. If you have hired a 4WD, you can reach some parts of the park that a lot of people don't get to see, such as the Lost City and Sandy Creek.

Where can I get more information on Darwin or make a booking?

As a home-based travel agent, I am available at a time to suit you in planning your travels.

Bringing my in-depth personal knowledge of Darwin, the Top End and the Northern Territory, I arrange your itinerary, and can book everything for you, including The Ghan, flights, accommodation, car rental, tours and cruises.

Be assured that you're dealing with someone who cares deeply about your travel plans. I look forward to helping you. You can learn more about me, or contact me here.