Are you planning a trip to the North End and want to learn about the best things to do in Darwin? Maybe your Northern Territory road trip starts and/or ends in Darwin and you’re looking for the top things to do in Darwin.
We visited Darwin before and after our Northern Territory road trip and really enjoyed exploring this top city. So, to help you plan your trip and make the most of your time in Darwin, Australia, we’re sharing some of the best places to visit in Darwin here.
Whether you’re looking for the most popular Darwin tourist attractions, fun things to do in Darwin, things to do in Darwin with kids or attractions near Darwin, you’re sure to find some great options in our list.
About Darwin, Australia
Darwin is the capital of the Northern Territory and the most northerly of all Australia’s capital cities.
With a population of around 150,000, it is the country’s smallest capital city with a diverse and rapidly growing population.
Darwin is also the gateway to Kakadu National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a popular starting point for outback road trips to destinations such as Broome, Arnhem Land and Alice Springs.
But while it is the common starting and ending point for many road trips, there are plenty of reasons to visit this unique Australian tropical city.
So if you have time to stop and explore Darwin, here are some of the best things to do in Darwin, Australia.
The Outback Highway with its red dirt and blue skies.
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Our 2-week Northern Territory road trip itinerary covers all the best activities.
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Top 10 best things to do in Darwin, Australia
1. Visit Nadi Beach
Probably the most famous of all Darwin’s tourist attractions, Namekee Beach is an essential stop on every Darwin itinerary.
Not only is it one of the best places in the city to enjoy Darwin’s famous daily sunsets, it is also home to the famous Mindy Beach Sunset Market.
The market runs twice a week during the dry season and is one of the best things to do in Darwin at night.
Address: Maria Liveris Dr, The Gardens
When to go: April to October for the market, year-round for the beach
Mindil Beach at sunset in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
On Thursdays and Sundays from 4pm to 9pm (April to October), around 200 vendors set up on the foreshore.
There is a wide variety of delicious food vendors, as well as arts and crafts stalls and live entertainers.
Great food, great views and a lively, relaxed atmosphere are the perfect way to enjoy the best aspects of this tropical Australian city.
Free parking is available, but get there early to secure a spot. Cabs cost about $10, or public transport is available. 2.
2. Crocodile Cage Diving
One of the most exciting adventures in Darwin is cage diving with saltwater crocodiles.
Crocosaurus Cove is a reptile park located in Darwin’s Central Business District (CBD) where visitors can sign up to enter the Cage of Death.
The Cage of Death is a popular tourist activity where you will be placed in a cylindrical cage and then lowered into a pool with large saltwater crocodiles.
Address: 58 Mitchell Street, Darwin City
When to go: Year-round
Go cage diving with crocodiles at Crocosaurus Cove Darwin.
During the event, you’ll spend 15 minutes in the cage, the first 10 minutes watching the crocodile move underwater and try to catch food thrown at it, and the last five minutes in the water.
Seeing one of the most powerful and dangerous land predators up close is an exhilarating experience, and the Cage of Death is certainly a must-see for adventurers.
Although this is an adventurous activity, the staff takes the utmost care and safety precautions and briefs visitors every step of the way and makes them feel comfortable before the activity begins.
It is best to book the activity in advance, as spots fill up quickly. It is recommended to arrive at the park at least 30 to 45 minutes before the start time to ensure that all paperwork and briefings have been completed.
For those not keen on diving with crocodiles, general admission to Crocosaurus Cove is definitely worth it and is one of the best things for kids to do in Darwin.
3. Visit the Darwin Military Museum
People of all ages will have a great time exploring the Darwin Military Museum.
The Darwin Military Museum is located in the northern part of Darwin city, past Fanny Bay, and is best explored by car or by a large bus tour of Darwin’s tourist attractions.
The museum is divided into 2 sections, an indoor exhibition featuring an interactive Darwin Defence experience and an outdoor open air museum with a large collection of large artillery artefacts and military vehicles.
Address: Lot 5434 Alec Fong Lim Dr, East Point
Time to go: Year-round
Inside the Darwin Military Museum.
To make the most of your visit, it’s best to visit during the dry season so you can explore the garden exhibits, but it’s also worth the drive to visit just the indoor experience.
The Defence of Darwin experience gives a good overview of the Japanese bombing that took place in Darwin in 1942.
You’ll hear first-hand accounts from those who were there that day, and this fascinating short film is not to be missed.
Before venturing into the gardens with your map, spend at least an hour wandering around the indoor exhibits so you don’t miss the huge gun emplacements and the Vietnam War exhibit below.
Open 7 days a week, the Darwin Military Museum should be on every itinerary in Darwin except for some public holidays and is one of the best things to do in Darwin for kids.
4. Take a Hop-on Hop-off bus tour of the city
If you’re not driving during your stay, or are looking for an easy and hassle-free way to see the sights of Darwin, then the Darwin Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off bus is for you.
The bus will take you past all of Darwin’s major landmarks, including the Military Museum, Mindy Beach, Crocodile Bay and the Waterfront Precinct (to name a few).
This is a great way to get around if you’re short on time or travelling with young children.
Address: Tourist Information Centre’s main station, Cnr of Smith and Bennett Streets
When to go: Year-round
This is a great service and a fun activity offered by Big Bus Tours. The bus has two routes that you can choose from depending on your preference.
The amazing thing about the ride is the flexibility to get off at any designated stop of your choice and get back on at any time within the confines of your 24-hour/48-hour ticket.
The tour begins earlier in the day and takes you to 12 amazing landmarks.
Enjoy a top deck view of the open top bus and some interesting audio commentary about the city running in parallel.
5. Discover unique wildlife at Lee Point
The beaches at Darwin’s Lee Point’s Mullein Coastal Reserve are a great opportunity to learn what Australian beaches looked like before European settlement.
Sunbathers have largely ignored their work with wildlife. So if you’re interested in seeing wildlife and finding free things to do in Darwin, then Lee Point is a good place to start.
Address: Lee Point Beach, Lee Point Road, Darwin
When to go: All year round
Lee Point Darwin’s Beach Stone Currie
Lee Point is full of black kites: perched on dead tree trunks and large pieces of driftwood, jumping on the sand and soaring over the beach.
The zone between the forest and the beach is perfect for spotting beach rockcollie – a curious-looking ground-dwelling bird that moves around at a slow, subdued gait, occasionally sprinting.
Farther out to sea, on top of rock shelves, Crested Terns and Silver Gulls swoop into the sea like winged arrows and emerge with silver fish wriggling in their beaks.
Catching fish is only half the job for these birds; snatching them from their hungry friends or swallowing them whole on the wing is a much greater challenge. Watching their flying acrobatics is like watching David Attenborough’s documentary on a giant 360-degree screen.
In winter, migrating species come as far as Siberia to these beaches.
Flocks of large shorebirds swoop in, landing on rock shelves and soaking up the tropical warmth.
The longer you stay at Lee Point, the more species you will find. Reef herons, mid-whites and kites come and go as time goes on. Without people, Darwin’s beaches are transformed into wildlife wonders.
