My Top 10 Things to Do in Darwin, Australia!

travelAustralia

31 Oct

Darwin is a tropical paradise right at the top end of Australia in the Northern Territory.

The best time to visit Darwin is between May and September in the dry season. It will still be hot around then, but you don’t get the extreme heat and stickiness of the wet season. It’s perfect for exploring the city, getting out in nature, or heading out on the water.

Darwin is known for its beautiful weather, tropical beaches, and amazing markets.

Here are just a few of my favourite things to do in Darwin!

Keep an eye out on the website because there will be a lot more Darwin tips to come!

1. Mindil Beach Sunset Markets

A beautiful spot right on the beach front in Darwin. These markets have so much food! Here you will find an extensive selection of Asian foods, Greek foods, lots of juices and iced drinks, wood-fired pizza, kebabs, a wide range of dessert treats, giant pork hocks, even crocodile burgers!

I highly recommend hunting down the Hawaiian Nachos and grabbing a curry from the Sri Lankan stall.

Once you’ve got your food, head down to the white sandy beach to watch the sunset. This is a rare spot where the sun sets directly across the water so you can watch the glowing orb dip into the horizon.

There are also lots of local arts and craft stalls, summer dresses, as well as entertainment from fire dancers and the local whip cracking man.

Website | Facebook Page

2. Crocosaurus Cove

A must see attraction in Darwin. Crocosaurus Cove is conveniently located in the city center on Mitchell street so you can easily pop in and see some crocs and other reptiles, and then head out to restaurants or bars.

If you’ve got the balls for it, sign up for the Cage of Death, a clear tube that lowers you into the crocodile pool during feeding time!

You can get a wrist band that allows you to go in and out throughout the day so you can go back for the shows and feeding sessions.

Website | Facebook

3. Waterfront Precinct

This is the perfect spot to base a days’ worth of activities. The major attraction is the beautiful sandy beach at the lagoon. It is a lovely spot for safe swimming and chilling out with plenty of space for picnicking or relaxing in a beach chair.

If you’re feeling more energetic, there is also a wave pool to cool off in, or you can rent paddle boards, or take on the giant floating Aqua Park Challenge course.

If that isn’t enough for you, there is also a basketball court and volley ball areas.

When you get hungry, there are several amazing restaurants and bars within the precinct. You can even get the app so they will deliver you food at the beach.

Don’t forget to check out events on in the area. There will often be festivals during the dry season down here.

Website

4. Aquascene Fish Feeding

This is my favourite Darwin attraction. It started out as a guy in his backyard feeding wild fish. Now forty years on, the fish coming in to get a free feed has become an epic tourist attraction. This is the best way to see a range of fish species up close and personal and have lots of fun doing it!

When you arrive, you can descend the stairs and dip your feet in the tropical waters and will instantly become surrounded by fish.

The staff give you bread to feed the fish and tell you all about the different species as they bustle around you.

Fish we saw included: mullet, milk fish, bat fish, barramundi, golden trevally, mangrove jack, and shovel nosed stingrays.

Be prepared to get your feet wet and if you are brave, you can hand-feed a barramundi (it’s amazing because they shoot their mouth out faster than lightning!)

Website

5. Jumping Crocs

A short day trip out of town will take you to the Adelaide river where you can see salt water crocs in their natural habitat. There are a few different tours on this river and all of them will show you salties in the wild.

This is a great way to learn about nature up close and personal.

It’s unbelievable to see these ancient reptiles emerge from the murky water and stalk the boat, knowing they might get a treat. Their bodies appear stationary in the water while their powerful tails push them forward at surprising speed and propel them meters out of the water to jump for their prey.

Salt water crocodiles are calculating and strategic creatures. They can identify individual wallabies on a riverbank and will spend days watching them and learning their routines in order to plan a meal. It’s amazing to see them in action.

The area is also home to a range of wonderful bird life and wetland creatures. We saw a few wallabies out there, as well as water buffalo, and on our trip back the tour guide threw bits of meat into the air so we could watch the black kites dive for it, which was stunning to see.

6. Fishing Charter

My husband, Michael, and his dad, Tim, went on a few fishing charters in Darwin and their favourite was Equinox Charters. They had an amazing day on the water and everyone on board ended up catching monster jewfish (mulloway) as well as some golden snapper and trevally.

The jewfish Michael and Tim caught were 113cm long and over 18 kg each and the guys on the boat filleted all the fish so everyone could bring some home. We made three meals with it, gave plenty away, and still have some in the freezer!

The boats leave from Cullen Bay Marina and you can choose from half day charters, 7 hours, 10 hours, or longer on request. Every fishing adventure includes meals, tackle and bait, soft drinks and water.

Equinox Fishing Charters

7. Darwin Botanic Gardens

I go here once a week for a walk so it’s clearly up there in my top places in Darwin. These gardens are so lush and vibrant, with earthy smells and tropical vibes everywhere you turn. Highlights include the rain forest walk, Madagascar garden, and the community garden.

The gardens are home to two species of resident owls, the Rufous owl and the Barking owl. Check out the gift shop for a log on where the owls were last spotted so you can have a go at finding them.

Make sure you bring a hat, sunblock and lots of water. Finish your visit off with a visit to Eva’s Botanical Cafe and sit outside amongst the trees while enjoying a cold drink.

As you enter the gardens across the bridge, look up into the tree on your left for a surprise…

Website | Facebook

8. Royal Flying Doctors Museum

You might not know this, but Darwin has a very interesting history from WW2. On February 19th 1942, Darwin was bombed by more than 200 Japanese aircraft and you can find many WW2 sites all over Darwin.

The Royal Flying Doctors museum at Stokes Hill Wharf has an amazing interactive display all about the bombing of Darwin. There are two short hologram movies I highly recommend watching there, one is about the bombing of Darwin and one is about how the Royal Flying Doctor service came about in Australia.

This is a small, but really interesting museum. There is even a real airplane inside that you can sit in the cockpit of and play with all the buttons!

I highly recommend checking this out if you need a break from the heat and want to learn about Darwin’s interesting history in a fun way.

Website

Bonus WW2 suggestions

9. Deck Chair Cinema

The deckchair cinema is a unique outdoor experience. Watch a movie on the edge of Darwin Harbour in a beautiful tropical garden setting while the sun sets over the ocean.

The cinema runs seven days a week and has hot food, snacks, and drinks, or you are welcome to bring your own picnic.

There are 250 deck chairs and 150 straight-backed seats to choose from, and you are welcome to bring your own cushions to get nice and comfy for the film.

Remember to bring the insect repellent, just in case!

Website | Facebook

10. Sunset Harbour Cruise

Sunset is the perfect time to take a cruise in Darwin Harbour. Enjoy dinner and drinks while out in the fresh salty air.

Darwin Harbour is quite sheltered so the water is usually calm, and in the dry season the skies are always clear. Watch the sun set over the water and then see the stars come out as you head back in.

There are several cruises to choose from on either sailing boats or larger launches.

Bonus Attraction- Crocodylus Park

Monster crocs everywhere you turn! This is one of the best little wildlife parks I’ve ever been to. The enclosures for the animals are really lovely and the whole place is like taking a stroll through a beautiful garden with lots of animals.

Make sure you check out the cassowaries, wallabies, dingoes, and emus for some native wildlife. And the lions, marmosets, and cotton top tamarins for the more exotic. Take a close look at the cotton top tamarins as they often have teeny tiny babies clinging to their backs.

Check the timetable for the feeding times for the crocs and stick around to hold a baby crocodile and get a photo. There is also a great gift shop for some unique Darwin souvenirs.