Explore Darwin and the Top End

Get ready for an adventure in the Northern Territory’s capital. Get a taste of Darwin and its versatile food and culture at outdoor festivals, waterfront restaurants and exotic parklands. Shop at Mindil Beach Markets, sail Darwin Harbour and soak up the region’s dramatic history at museums. Furthermore, Darwin is gateway to Litchfield National Park and the Tiwi Islands as well as cross-continent journeys like the Ghan and Savannah Way.

Mindil Beach Sunset Market

Crowds gather on the coast of the Arafura Sea to watch the beautiful sunset, stroll past hundreds of unique stalls and enjoy the buskers. Mindil Beach Sunset Market takes place every Sunday and Thursday and provides a range of exotic cuisines and lovely handmade craft pieces. You can also grab a massage while you’re there.

Crocosaurus Cove

Crocosaurus Cove offers the opportunity to get close to the world’s biggest saltwater crocodiles. Feed some of these fearsome creatures, take a picture with a baby croc and be lowered into the water at eye level with the giant reptiles in the “Cage of Death”. In addition to that breathtaking experience, there is another freshwater aquarium, where you can gaze at smaller creatures such as barramundi, sawfish, archer fish and whiprays. Another must do is the Turtle Enclosure and the Reptile House.

Military Museum

Darwin had a very important role in the World War II. The Military Museum let you step back in these black days and explains Darwin’s important role in the conflict. Students of military history will love the interactive, multimedia Defence of Darwin Experience, which includes a multi-sensory theatre showing the bombing of Darwin in February 1942. All in all, Darwin has nine World War II military heritage sites to discover.

Darwin Harbour

There are four different nature-focused tours, which allow you to discover the history and the natural environment of Darwin Harbour. See the marine habitats, shipwrecks, mangroves and learn what happened during World War II in Darwin. If you are lucky, you may meet nesting or hatchling turtles on the Turtle Tracks tour between April and October.

Litchfield National Park

If you want to experience a day full of discovery and adventure, you should definitely head to Lichtfield National Park. Explore the rich greenery of the park, observe huge termite mounds, swim near natural waterfalls or take a boat ride on the Adelaide River to spot crocodiles. Relax and watch the sunset before you return.

Wildlife Park in Berry Springs

The Territory Wildlife Park, a 45-minute drive south of Darwin, is the place to discover a huge variety of wildlife. A train runs between the attractions, which include a walk-through aviary, nocturnal house, goose lagoon, aquarium, billabong and monsoon forest walk. A highlight there, that you shouldn’t miss is the Flight Deck bird show.

Find out more about things to do in Darwin and the Northern Territory.

 

Pictures by Kathryn Greenhill https://www.flickr.com/photos/sirexkat/, Bryn Pinzgauer https://www.flickr.com/photos/12394349@N06/.