Darwin guide | Darwin attractions and things to do

Located in the Northern Territory of Australia, modern Darwin is the direct consequence of a devastating cyclone that hit the city in 1974, and whilst a number of historic 19th century buildings survived the disaster, the city effectively had to be rebuilt.

Today it is a truly modern city, with vast shopping centres and top quality restaurants. The city also boasts a wealth of Aboriginal heritage, as well as being a popular base from which to explore the region’s attractions including the Kakadu National Park.

How to get to Darwin

The nearest international airport to Darwin is Darwin International Airport, which is situated 13km north-east of the city centre, and connects to a large number of international and domestic cities.

Options for travelling from the airport to the city centre include buses and taxis, all of which are available outside of the main terminal building.

When to visit Darwin

Darwin's weather can be extremely hot during the summer months of December, January and February, with maximum temperatures exceeding 40C. Those who find this kind of heat uncomfortable may prefer to plan their visit for other times of the year, with more tolerable sunshine a consistent presence throughout the other seasons.

The winter weather in Darwin, during June, July and August, is pleasant and fairly mild, although temperatures at night can drop quickly.

Overall, Darwin has a distinctly dry climate and rainy weather is infrequent, although when the skies do open it tends to be very heavy, particularly during the summer months.

Things to do in Darwin

Attractions and Activities

Darwin is home to several interesting tourist attractions as well as boasting a surrounding area of stunning natural beauty. Within Darwin itself, the scenic Darwin Harbour makes for a pleasant afternoon stroll, as does the Botanical Gardens which offers respite from the hustle and bustle of the city centre.

For sightseeing, the city’s myriad of impressive 19th-century buildings hark back to a bygone era, reminding visitors of Dawin’s historical significance and providing ample photo opportunities.

Popular beaches in and around Darwin include Mindil Beach, Vestey's Beach and Mandorah Beach, which are populated almost all-year-round thanks to the city’s consistently mild-to-hot climate.

Museums and Galleries

Darwin's Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory is considered one of the region’s most important museums, featuring a diverse collection of artwork, including Aboriginal paintings and impressive sculptures.

Overlooking Fannie Bay, the Museum of Arts and Sciences is another supeb museum and art gallery. Attractions here include a display of Aboriginal art, contemporary paintings and local artefacts.

Shopping

Darwin’s reputation for Aboriginal arts is further reflected in the large concentration of shops along Knuckley Street and Mitchell Street that sell a range of authentic local art-pieces and artefects. Examples of the type of products on offer are didgeridoos, boomerangs and Aboriginal paintings.

For more mainstream shopping, the best district is around Cavenagh Street in the heart of the city centre, while Casuarina Shopping Centre to the north of the centre is another large pedestrianised shopping area.

For Families

One of the most popular attractions in Darwin for families with children is the Crocodylus, which boasts full-grown crocodiles, feeding demonstrations and the chance to have your photo taken with a baby croc. There is also a small zoo that features several species of animals.

Close to Darwin are a number of family-friendly small parks and nature reserves – Charles Darwin National Park, Casuarina Coastal Reserve and Holmes Jungle Nature Park – each of which offers barbecue facilities, picnic areas and several walking trails.

Eating Out

Darwin is renowned for its affordable dining, particularly in comparison to larger Australian cities. Restaurants here range from local pubs to snack bars to top-end restaurants.

The amount of choice is a reflection of Darwin’s multi-cultural makeup, with over 50 national cuisines on offer. Indeed, Darwin boasts more restaurants per head of population than any other city in Australia.

Nightlife

Darwin has a lively nightlife scene, kept busy by the many backpackers that visit the city. There are numerous pubs and clubs across the city, with Mitchell Street in the city centre a particular hot-spot.

On Mitchell Street you can find Darwin's best-known dance spot, Discovery Nightclub, which offers late-night/early-morning dance sounds, as well as regular live bands.

Day trips and Excursions

Darwin is blessed by a surrounding area of incredible natural beauty, with the Northern Territory one of Australia’s jewels in the crown. It is little surprise, therefore, that Darwin is extremely popular as a base for day trips and excursions, with popular trips including to Berry Springs and its Territory Wildlife Park, Humpty Doo and the Litchfield National Park.

Further afield, but still reachable from Darwin if you have time to spare, are the outdoor attractions at the Kakadu National Park. Even further away is the town of Katherine, which boasts magnificent Aboriginal rock art, as well as aboriginal communities who still live here, though this destination is too far for a mere day-trip.

What’s on in Darwin

April

The Craft Expo is held in the museum grounds at Fannie Bay and offers a wealth of local handicraft items, workshops and stalls.

June

The Beer Can Regatta is a unique and quirky festival featuring boats made entirely out of beer cans.

July

The Darwin Fringe Festival plays host to a large number of exhibitions, comedy events and film screenings.

August

The Festival of Darwin is an outdoor arts festival, with striking Aboriginal paintings comprising just some of the pieces on show.