Darwin is the state capital of the Northern Territory in Australia. The city sits on the northern coast of the country facing the Fannie Bay of the Timor Sea. Some of the best things to do in Darwin city include chilling at the beaches, thrilling with adventure sports, getting up-close and personal with animals, swimming with crocodiles, going on a sunset boat cruise, feeding fishes with your hands, walking through forests to see wildlife, feeding leaping crocodiles from a boat, and more. Much more.
The majority of Darwin attractions are situated by the coast. You get to enjoy beautiful beaches with a happening vibe. These pristine beaches are perfect for chilling under the sun or dining in seaside restaurants. These are also the best places to visit in Darwin, Australia for partying. Even the most amazing markets are sitting by the beaches. These are the top Darwin tourist attractions to shop for local handicrafts and fashion items. You can also venture out into the oceans for water sports and boat cruises.
The city is also blessed with incredible natural surroundings which include forests, hills, waterfalls, and wetlands. You can take a little time from Darwin sightseeing to walk, drive or boat through these nature reserves. Free-spirited people love swimming in waterfall ponds in the forest when they visit Darwin.
You will come across a variety of Australian wildlife creatures including kangaroos, wallabies, dingos, crocodiles (most famously), and many more. While in the wild, you should keep your distance. But there are places to go in Darwin to get close to the animals as well. In the zoos and sanctuaries of the city, you can swim alongside crocodiles, feed kangaroos, play with dingos, and enjoy various other fun activities to do in Darwin with different animals and birds.
Aside from its beaches, nature, and wildlife, the city has a history steeped in war history. There are several things to see in Darwin that shed light on the disaster faced by the city in various battles including WWII bombings. The museums of the city also tell you about the devastating effects of the cyclones that hit the city. On the cultural side, you can also take a deep dive into aboriginal history, culture, and art during Darwin’s travel.
This Blog Post contains affiliate links. If you purchase anything from that link then I may earn a small part of the commission and for that, you do not need to pay any extra amount.
Top Tourist Places to Visit in Darwin, Australia in 3 Days (Trip Itinerary)
Day 1
1. Australian Aviation Heritage Centre
This aviation museum has quite an impressive collection of different types of aircraft, photographs, aircraft relics, and more. This place has 19 civil and military aircrafts. It is one of the most interesting Darwin attractions as you get to see actual aircrafts including B-25 Mitchel Bomber, Spitfire, Avon Sabre, Wessex Helicopter, F-111C, B-52 Bomber, and more. You will need about an hour to explore the hanger.
2. Darwin Military Museum
This museum looks at the military history of the Northern Territory. The museum has a massive collection of weapons, vehicles, uniforms, airplanes, and war memorabilia. It is also one of the best things to do in Darwin city if you want to hear (or see) war stories. The museum uses photographs, documents, and multimedia to narrate the tales of battles and soldiers. Though it is best known for the Defense of Darwin Experience. This exhibit tells you about the Japanese bombing of Darwin in 1942. It is an immersive experience of the horrific battle narrated from the point of view of soldiers and citizens. This experience is one of the top Darwin tourist attractions and you will need about an hour to tour the museum.
3. Fannie Bay Gaol
Dating back to 1883, this complex was the main prison of Darwin for about 100 years. You can tour various sections of the prison complex including prison cells, a native section for aboriginal prisoners, a kitchen, a remand section, and so on. The drawings and artworks created by aboriginal prisoners are some of the most interesting things to see in Darwin. Some of these artworks date back to 1888. You will also get to learn a variety of stories about prisoners, guards, punishments, and escape attempts. You will need an hour and a half to tour this prison complex when you visit Darwin.
4. Parap Market
This market is held every Saturday and is one of the longest-running village markets in the region. People come here for fun things to do in Darwin, Australia. You can shop for handicraft items, artworks, food items, street food, sweet treats, and more. The market features a variety of cuisines from around the world as well as local dishes. This market is also one of the best places to visit in Darwin to shop for souvenirs. You can easily spend an hour or so to explore this market.
5. Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT)
This museum sheds light on several aspects of the Northern Territory’s history and culture. The main exhibits in the museum are dedicated to natural history, aboriginal art, regional history, and maritime history. It is also one of the best places to go in Darwin to learn about the city’s past. Some of the highlights of this museum include the Cyclone Tracy simulation room, indigenous Australian artworks, South Asian arts, historic boats, and the skeleton of a boat-attacking crocodile named “Sweetheart”. You will need about an hour from Darwin travel to tour this museum.
I suggest you should go for a Guided City Sightseeing Tour of Darwin and it covers the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory and many attractions in one day.
6. George Brown Botanic Gardens
Spread over 42 hectares, these gardens were established in 1886 by European settlers to test various plant species. These gardens have been through a lot including cyclones, fires, and the second world war bombings. It is one of the nicest places to see in Darwin with a variety of curated gardens and woodlands. If you are into birdwatching, you should pick up a guide from the information centre. You will come to quite a few winged creatures in these gardens. You will need about 2 hours from Darwin sightseeing to tour these gardens.
Day 2
1. Charles Darwin National Park
This national park preserves the natural and cultural heritage of the Northern Territory. It is home to several things to see and do in Darwin. The park has mangroves, wetlands, and forests to explore. There are also quite a few historical sites scattered around the park, the most famous of which is a weapons storage shed built for WWII. People also come here for a variety of outdoor activities to do in Darwin such as hiking, camping, mountain biking, wildlife spotting, and picnics. You need at least 2 hours to explore this park.
2. Stokes Hill Wharf
This wharf dates back to 1885 and is one of the most popular Darwin attractions. It is one of the best spots to watch the sunset and dine in ocean-view cafes and restaurants. The wharf also has a Ferris wheel ride to get a nice view of Darwin. You can also catch harbor tours, ferries, and boat cruises from this place. These are some of the top things to do in Darwin. You need about an hour to explore Stokes Hill Wharf.
3. Bicentennial Park
This park commemorates the 200th anniversary of the city and is considered the best park in the city. The park has green spaces, bicycle trails, playgrounds, picnic spots, rides, and sports facilities. It is also home to a few Darwin tourist attractions including Cenotaph War Memorial and Civilian Memorial. You will need about an hour to explore this park.
4. Aquascene
This fish-feeding sanctuary is built around Doctors Gully. During high tide, the pools fill up with fishes and you can feed them with your hands. The wild fishes have become quite used to people and come swimming towards the edges to be fed. It is a must-do in Darwin if you want a unique experience. You will need about an hour to enjoy this place.
5. Mindil Beach & Market
Facing the Arafura Sea, this beach is the place for a lot of fun activities to do in Darwin. You can come here to relax, bathe under the sun and watch the ocean. Or you can get some adrenaline pumping with beach and water sports. The beach is also one of the best places to visit in Darwin for dining and street food. You will find stalls, shacks, bars, cafes, and restaurants serving a variety of cuisines. On your way to the beach, you will come across a hustling, bustling, and colourful market of handicraft items including clothes, jewelry, accessories, home decor pieces, cultural crafts, and more. This market is one of the best places to go in Darwin to shop for souvenirs. You can easily spend a couple of hours roaming the market and enjoying this Darwin beach.
Day 3
1. Crocosaurus Cove
This aquarium is known for its thrilling close encounter experiences with saltwater crocodiles. You dive underwater in a cage surrounded by huge crocodiles. It’s debatable whether you can call include it among fun things to do in Darwin, Australia. But it is definitely thrilling. You can also experience close encounters with turtles and baby crocs in this cove. You need about an hour to experience this place.
I suggest you should get an Admission Ticket to Crocosaurus Cove in advance.
2. Crocodylus Park
This park is the largest wildlife attraction in the Northern Territory. It is a mix of a wildlife safari and a zoo with a variety of fun activities to do in Darwin centered around animals, especially crocodiles. You can get on a boat and watch crocodiles swimming in a swamp and jump up to catch dangling meat. People can also hold baby crocs and take pictures with them. There is also a museum dedicated to all crocodiles & our history with them. Each of these can be a Darwin tourist attraction in its own right. But, this park also houses numerous other animals including Emus, Cassowaries, Cockatoos, Ostriches, peafowls, boa constrictors, pythons, anacondas, iguanas, buffaloes, wolves, dingos, kangaroos, wallaby, ponies, and more. You can also enjoy close encounters with some of these. This park is a must-do in Darwin for animal lovers. You need 2 to 3 hours to explore this place.
If you are looking for more things to see and do in Darwin, Australia then check out the sections below. We have created a complete list of all the tourist attractions and fun activities in the city and around it.
Things to do in Darwin, Australia
Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Darwin, Australia
- Museum & Art Gallery of Northern Territory
- Darwin Military Museum
- Darwin Aviation Museum
- RFDS Darwin Toruist Facility
- 1943 Qantas Hanger
- Darwin Cenotaph War Memorial
- Fannie Bay Gaol
- USS Peary Memorial
- Northern Territory Library
- Christ Church Anglican Cathedral
- Darwin Museum Underground WWII Oil Tunnels
- Aboriginal Bush Traders Gallery
- Burnet House
- Saint Mary’s Cathedral
- Outstation Gallery
- Government House
- Mason Gallery
- Aboriginal Fine Arts Gallery
- Mbantua Gallery
- Paul Arnold Gallery
- Northern Centre for Contemporary Arts
- CDU Art Collection and Art Gallery
- Lyons Cottage
Nature & Wildlife Tourist Spots in Darwin, Australia
- Charles Darwin National Park
- East Point Reserve
- Litchfield National Park
- Howard Springs Nature Park
- Lake Alexander
- Casuarina Coastal Reserve
- Berry Springs Nature Park
- Magnetic Termite Mounds
- Mary River National Park
- Nightcliff Foreshore Park
- Dripstone Cliffs Staircase
- Dudley Point
- Holmes Jungle Nature Park
- Florence Falls Waterhole
- Buley Rockhole
- Wangi Falls
- Tolmer Falls
- Sandy Creek Falls
- Tjaetaba Falls
- Walker Creek
- Kakadu National Park
- Corroboree Billabong
Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Spots in Darwin, Australia
- George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens
- Crocosaurus Cove
- Darwin Wave Pool
- Bicentennial Park
- Crocodylus Park
- Mindil Beach Casino Resort
- Deckchair Cinema
- Leanyer Recreational Park
- Aquascene Fish Feeding Sanctuary
- Recretion Lagoon
- Cage of Death
- Palmerston Water Park
- Jingili Water Gardens
- Aqua Park Pty Ltd
Shopping in Darwin, Australia
- Mindeil Beach Sunset Market
- Mitchel Centre
- Rapid Creeks Market
- Darwin Galleria
- Parap Village Markets
- The Mall
Beaches & Islands in Darwin, Australia
- Mindil Beach
- Nightcliff Beach
- Lee Point Beach
- Tiwi Islands
- Casuarina Beach
- Vesteys Beach
- Lameroo Beach
- Cullen Beach
- Dinah Beach
- Mica Beach
Offbeat Places, Tours, & Adventures in Darwin, Australia
- Helicopter Tours
- Hiking
- Trekking
- Swimming
- Beach Sports
- Animal Encounter Experiences
- Bicycle Tour
- Boat Cruise
- Jet Ski
- Water Sports
- Camping
- Fishing
- Jumping Crocodile Cruise
Sightseeing in Darwin, Australia
- Darwin Waterfront Precinct
- Cullen Bay Marina
- Stokes Hill Wharf
- Nightcliff Jetty
- Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory
- Fort Hill Wharf
- Darwin Harbour
- Survivors Lookout
Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Darwin, Australia
- Eva’s Cafe
- Snapper Rocks
- Mitchel St. Mall
- The Trader Bar
- Pee Wee’s
- Pepper Berry
- Saffron
- The Laksa House
- Cove
- Darwin Chocolate Factory
- The Noodle House
- Chow
- John Johns Gelato
- Wharf one Food & Wine
- Nirvana
- Charlie’s of Darwin
- Yots Greek Taverna
- Hanuman Darwin
- Char
- De La Plage
Where to Stay in Darwin?
Here we have listed Top Rated Luxurious, Mid-Range, and Budget Hotels in Darwin. You can check the below-listed hotels for your perfect stay in Darwin.
Luxurious Hotels
- Darwin Waterfront Luxury Suites
- Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront
- Adina Apartment Hotel Darwin Waterfront
- Mantra on the Esplanade Darwin
- Hilton Darwin
- Mantra Pandanas Darwin
- Mindil Beach Casino Resort
- Ramada Suites Zen Quarter
- DoubleTree by Hilton Darwin
- Oaks Darwin Elan Hotel
Mid-Range Hotels
- Palms City Resort
- BIG4 Hidden Valley Holiday Park
- Rydges Darwin Central
- Travelodge Resort Darwin
- Metro Advance Apartments & Hotel Darwin
- Novotel Darwin CBD
- H on Smith Hotel
- Alatai Holiday Apartments
- City Gardens Apartments
- Casa on Gregory Motel
Budget Hotels
- Darwin City Hotel
- Coconut Grove Holiday Apartments
- Argus Hotel Darwin
- Cullen Bay Resorts
- The Cavenagh Hotel
- Vitina Studio Motel
- Youth Shack Backpackers
- Paravista Motel
- Darwin YHA- Melaleuca on Mitchell
- Frontier Hotel Darwin
Custom Tours Package in Darwin
How to Reach Darwin, Australia?
By Air
The city is served by Darwin International Airport which sits 8 km outside the city centre. You can get direct flights to visit Darwin from cities in Australia and South East Asia. These include Cairns, Melbourne, Perth, Alice Springs, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Singapore, and more. You can get buses and cabs to get to the city from the airport.
By Road
Darwin is the last stop on The Ghan train route. This route connects the city with Adelaide with several stops in between. Through Adelaide, you are connected to other major cities in Australia such as Perth, Sydney, & Melbourne. You can also get buses for Darwin travel from several cities and towns in the Northern Territory.
If you are planning to reach Darwin by road, you should head north on Stuart Highway or northwest on Arnhem highway.
By Water
Darwin is connected to Wurrumiyanga Island and Mandorah through Cullen Bay. Other than this, several cruise ships also dock at Stokes Hill Wharf in Darwin.
Image Reference
- Australian Aviation Heritage Centre (Darwin Aviation Museum) – Geoff Whalan / Flickr
- Darwin Military Museum – Ken Hodge / Flickr
- Fannie Bay Gaol – Cuddy Wifter / Wikimedia Commons
- Parap Market – Grant Williamson / Flickr
- Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory – MorePix / Wikimedia Commons
- George Brown Botanic Gardens – Geoff Whalan / Flickr
- Charles Darwin National Park – Geoff Whalan / Flickr
- Stokes Hill Wharf – Ken Hodge / Flickr
- Bicentennial Park – Ken Hodge / Flickr
- Aquascene – njbawden / Flickr
- Mindil Beach & Market – geoff dude / Flickr
- Crocosaurus Cove – Gary Bembridge / Flickr
- Crocodylus Park – Arthur Chapman / Flickr
The post 12+ Amazing Tourist Places to Visit and Fun Things to Do in Darwin appeared first on Wide World Trips.