12+ Amazing Tourist Places to Visit and Fun Things to Do in Darwin

March 22, 2023 Mustafa Natalwala 984 Views

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.

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Table of Contents

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

Mid-Range Hotels

Budget Hotels

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