Just imagine the far northern place in the oldest continent and a beautiful country in the southern hemisphere, Australia! Well, we are talking about the beautiful Australian city of Darwin.

Since Darwin is the only state capital in Australia with a tropical climate, it is also reckoned as a ‘Tropical Paradise’. With the pleasant weather throughout the year, Darwin is also considered a perfect getaway from major cities like Melbourne and Sydney.

The city offers a perfect blend of a small-town feel, outdoor activities, rich history, affluent wildlife, and a multicultural presence. With that, there also comes the problem of plenty when it comes to Darwin tourism.

So, if you’re planning to cover this gorgeous city on your tour to Australia, make sure you are well aware of what to do here. With that being said, we’re here to keep you out of that problem. Here’s a guide to the best things to do in Darwin for an amazing time in this beautiful city.

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A Guide to the Best Things To Do In Darwin – Top Darwin Attractions

Where to Stay in Darwin
Best Time to Visit Darwin
Admire the Beauty of Darwin Botanic Gardens
Learn About the Aboriginal Art and Culture
Visit the Chinese Temple and Museum Chung Wah
Darwin Harbour Cruise
Go on Wildlife Tour at Litchfield National Park
Explore and Shop in Local Markets
Swim with Crocodiles at Crocosauraus Cove
Defense of Darwin Experience
Day Trip to the Tiwi Islands
Indulge in Watersports
Before you leave for Darwin

Where to Stay in Darwin

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Best Time to Visit Darwin

Undoubtedly, Darwin is a charming city in the Northern Territory of Australia. It witnesses a year-round tropical climate. Hence, it can be visited at any time of the year. However, the weather in Darwin can still be classified into different seasons – the dry season and the wet season.

The dry season begins in the month of May and ends in October. This is the best time to explore Darwin. During these months, the humidity levels remain around 60-65%, and the temperature varies between 21°C to 31°C. May to July is the time when the rest of Australia is freezing. Whereas, Darwin witnesses relatively cooler weather during that time, being a tropical city.

On the other hand, the wet season commences in November and lasts until April. The temperature is almost similar to the dry season during this time as well, which ranges between 25°C to 33°C. However, the major difference is the humidity, which is around 80%.

The reason why this is not an ideal time for tourism is because of the fact that most of Darwin’s attractions are closed during this time. Also, during this time, the city always remains cyclone-prone, and heavy rain is very common, with roads being flooded with water.

Admire the Beauty of Darwin Botanic Gardens

Botanical Gardens might not seem an interesting attraction to many, but hey, this one is a little different. Sprawling over a huge area of 42 hectares, Darwin Botanic Gardens features verdant tropical gardens highlighting the rich flora.

The garden is amongst those few in the world where you can see estuary and marine plants grow naturally. Apart from that, the other key highlights of Darwin Botanic Gardens are palms, the orchid garden, a miniature rainforest with a pond and waterfall, and the collection of baobabs.

The place is so beautifully laid down that a network of paths connects the main gardens along with an amphitheater that hosts live performances. There are also a few walking trails that take to the floral beauty and waterfalls at this place.

Learn About the Aboriginal Art and Culture

As a tourist, you must know that Northern Territory in Australia has an interesting indigenous history and culture. Therefore, learning about it has to be one of your top things to do in Darwin, as there are plenty of ways to do it.

There are a number of art galleries that talk about the fascinating culture and art of Darwin. Talking about it, Aboriginal Bush Traders, Mbantua Fine Art Gallery, and Outstation Gallery are a few must-visit places for an ultimate art tour. Along with that, there are also different indigenous cultural tours hosted by different operators.

Visit the Chinese Temple and Museum Chung Wah

The city of Darwin boasts cosmopolitan culture, which also means that you can expect to see multicultural attractions here. One of them is the Chinese Temple. It was originally built in 1887 for the Chinese community in Darwin. However, it got destroyed in Cyclone Tracy. Thereafter, the present construction was built, which dates back to 1977.

Today, it serves as not only an important pilgrimage site for the Chinese community in Darwin but also a popular tourist site. Apart from that, the temple also witnesses the practice of Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism. There is even a Bodhi tree on the grounds, which is said to be the descendant of the tree under which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment.

On the other hand, the Museum Chung Wah talks about the century of history of Chinese immigrants in this part of Australia. It was during the Gold Rush when Chinese immigrants came to Australia. Hence, the museum displays exhibits featuring personal stories, artifacts, photographs, and artifacts talking about the crucial contribution to the community.

For tourists, visiting this temple and then the museum has to be on their list of the best things to do in Darwin as it is one of those most unusual and amazing tourist sites to explore.

Darwin Harbour Cruise

If you love catching the sunset or enjoying a sunset dinner or wants to take your kids to a cruising experience, then there is definitely something for you that you would love to do in Darwin.

All these experiences can be best enjoyed on a cruise in Darwin. The city of Darwin offers several different cruising experiences to both locals and tourists. Of these, the popular one is the dinner sunset cruise, where you’re given extended time on the water to enjoy a delectable dinner.

Another cruising experience that tourists also love is the luxury sunset cruise, where you cruise on a three-tier Charles Darwin catamaran. This is a perfect cruising experience to indulge in with your partner as it offers a romantic and intimate feel.

Even for kids, there is the ‘Spirit of Darwin’ cruise, where they get a chance to feed fishes that populate the Darwin Harbour. Not only this, you can also indulge in a budget sunset cruise – ‘Cape Adieu’. It comes with everything you could ask for, including multi-course meals. The fun part about this cruising tour is that they work on the concept of BYO and self catering.

Go on Wildlife Tour at Litchfield National Park

If you are looking for a day trip from Darwin, then Litchfield National Park is the best escape. Located an hour’s drive south of Darwin, the national park is the best-kept secret of the Northern Territory in Australia.

With stunning waterfalls, affluent flora, and picturesque scenery, this place is a haven for wildlife and nature lovers. The Litchfield National Park is also informally referred to as a water wonderland because of its numerous waterfalls.

Some of the famous falls in the region are Wangi Falls, Florence Falls, and Tolmer Falls. Each of these falls offers something different from others to offer visitors the best of their time in Litchfield National Park. You can swim in the crystal clear water under the waterfalls and in the three-tiered swimming pools of Buley Rockhole.

As far as wildlife is concerned, you can explore it on bush walks through monsoonal rainforests and can even spot colorful birds. There is another amazing experience awaits, which takes you to the Lost City through a four-wheel drive track. It passes through the graveyard of towering termite mounds.

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Explore and Shop in Local Markets

We always say that no vacation is ever completed without a dedicated shopping tour. So, your Darwin trip is no exception to it. In fact, shopping is one of the most fun things to do in Darwin for free. Well, you’ll still have to pay for what you buy.

Exploring the local markets of Darwin is also the best way to appreciate the ethnic diversity of this beautiful city. Not only this, you also get the chance to savour some outstanding food in the city.

Now, if we talk about the markets that are worth exploring in Darwin, well, there are a few that you must plan to explore. These are Mindil Beach Sunset Market, Parap Market, Nightcliff Market, Rapid Creek Market, Malak Marketplace, Palmerston Market, and Freds Pass Rural Market.

Of these, Mindil Beach Sunset Market is quintessential for an ultimate Darwin experience. The market does not only have huge popularity in Darwin but in the whole of Australia. Another must-visit market experience is Malak Marketplace which is a local community market in Darwin.

It boasts a happening vibe that focuses on organic produce along with delectable food and live music. However, this market is smaller and more laid-back as compared to other markets in Darwin.

Swim with Crocodiles at Crocosauraus Cove

Crocodiles are popular in this part of Australia and they can quite common in waters around Darwin. Crocosauraus Cove is one popular place where you can have the largest display of these reptiles.

If you are looking for something worth heart pumping, the “cage of death” is the perfect experience for you. Do we still need to tell what it is all about? Yes, you will be face-to-face with a giant saltwater crocodile.

The activity is definitely not for weak hearted. So, make sure you make up your mind well. Not only this, you can also feed the crocs. You can even hold a squeaking baby crocodile. Along with that, there is also an aquarium where you can capture the sight of barramundi and sawfish.

This place provides an ultimate urban wildlife experience and hence, has to be one of the top things to do in Darwin.

Defense of Darwin Experience

Darwin has a rich history which also includes WWII. The city has been a victim of heavy bombing during wartime. Darwin Military Museum is one such place that takes you back to the war events and talks about the impact of the war on the residents of Darwin.

In general, the museum commemorates the bombing of Darwin, which happened in 1942. The museum boasts a fascinating display of exhibits that include stories of Darwin’s role in WWII from firsthand accounts and multimedia presentations.

The informative Defence of Darwin Experience is another prominent site where you can learn about the history of Darwin. Besides, there are other significant sites To learn more about Darwin’s history. You can also visit other prominent tourist sites around the city, such as Cenotaph and the Aviation Heritage Centre.

Day Trip to the Tiwi Islands

When in Darwin, you just cannot afford to take a day trip to Tiwi Islands. Located at a distance of a 2.5-hour ferry ride, these islands are a paradise for nature lovers. Ranging from friendly hospitality to lush rainforests to vibrant art to tropical beaches, these islands have almost everything to keep your wanderlust satiated.

The Tiwi Islands are basically two main islands, Bathurst and Melville. The coastal landscape in this part of Australia is just surreal, and the sunset view is the key highlight.

However, the most interesting part is the fact that the islands are home to Aboriginal descent. So, you can expect to learn and know about the Aboriginal culture, traditional lifestyle, and artwork. Besides, you can also indulge in wildlife tours.

Indulge in Watersports

Darwin is a hub for water sports with plenty of options, such as sailing, canoeing, diving, water skiing, and swimming. If you want to go kayaking or canoeing, then take a half-day or a full-day trip to Nitmiluk National Park in the south. Here, the Katherine River is known to be the perfect spot for canoeing and kayaking.

You can also kayak on the waters around Darwin Harbour, which lets you see a different side of the harbour. However, it is highly recommended before choosing this as your kayak destination. Also, check the weather and also the mapping of crocodiles.

Before You Leave for Darwin

Before you set off on your way to Darwin, there are a number of things you will need to get organised to ensure a smooth and enjoyable journey. These include what to pack, where to stay and what is the best insurance for your trip. All of this is discussed in detail below.

How to Get to Darwin

Easily reach Darwin, Australia by flying into the city’s international airport, driving through picturesque routes from nearby cities, or taking a scenic train or bus journey to experience the tropical beauty of the Northern Territory.