Darwin

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Darwin

Darwin is a thriving, prosperous and multicultural city with lively bars and wide-ranging international cuisine. It is lush, tropical, and the gateway to top-end outback adventures through the world heritage Kakadu and Litchfield National Parks. Darwin boasts an eclectic cultural mix: Asian music, food, and languages live side-by-side with aboriginal artistry, Australian beach culture, love of the outdoors, and a profound appreciation of cosmopolitanism.

The City

Darwin, built upon a low bluff overlooking Darwin Harbour, is the administrative capital of the Northern Territory and is called the capital of tropical Australia because it is lush and green, full of tropical plants and the perfume of Frangipanis. The cyclone season is from November to April, when there are stunning electrical storms and predictable afternoon rains. The city had to be virtually rebuilt after being devastated by cyclone Tracy in 1974. Before that, the city had been destroyed tree more times — yeah, tough luck. Darwin is also the most multicultural city in Australia, boasting over 75 nationalities, a large indigenous population (25 percent) and a diverse range of immigrants from Asia. The Stuart Highway — The Track — is the only road out of town and runs 2,800 kilometres south to Adelaide. Since 2004, Darwin has had a rail link to the great southern cities of Adelaide, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney. The Ghan passenger train service runs twice a week.

Do & See Dining Cafes Bars & Nightlife Shopping Tourist Information

Do & See

Darwin is a youthful city with a young and vibrant population, and it is famously packed with young travellers during the dry season. Outdoor living is the norm, and outdoor activities and adventures are the main attractions, with breathtaking natural parks in close proximity. Central Darwin is compact and easily explored on foot, although the suburbs are somewhat spread out.

Kakadu National Park

Covering almost 20,000 square kilometres, Kakadu National Park is Australia's largest terrestrial national park, an awe-inspiring expanse of rugged natural beauty and fascinating ecological and biological diversity. It is also a place of important cultural heritage, as the Bininj Mungguy people have called this area home for thousands of …

Litchfield National Park

Litchfield National Park is a stunning expanse of lush woodlands and crystal-clear freshwater creeks, waterfalls and swimming holes, where many come to escape the oppressive heat of the summer months. Especially impressive are the enormous termite mounds found throughout the park, as well as the Lost City, an area with rock formations of bizarre …

Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge

World-famous Katherine Gorge is located in Nitmiluk National Park, just to the south of Kakadu. The 12-kilometre length of the gorge, surrounded by its 70-metre tall cliffs on either side, is an impressive sight, best enjoyed in a rented kayak from …

Museum & Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT)

Museum & Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, or MAGNT, is Darwin's premier cultural organisation, showcasing fantastic exhibits and research programs, including maritime and natural history, aboriginal art and a room where you can experience the power of Cyclone Tracy, as well as regular events and …

Mindil Beach Sunset Market

Epitomising outdoor living, the Mindil Beach Sunset Market is a very popular rendezvous spot for families. There are usually 200 stalls selling Aboriginal arts and crafts, along with musicians and entertainers. It is also a great place to sample a wide range of food from 60 different food stalls, including Thai, Malay, Indonesian, Chinese, …

Fish The Top End

For some rugged outdoor adventure, try fishing for Barramundi, Australia’s most popular game fish. There are countless companies offering diverse types of fishing trips, Fish the Top End being one of the best. This agency offers a wide selection of river and ocean charter …

Crocodylus Park

Crocodylus Park offers a close-up look at one of the world's most feared predators, boasting five croc species, including the Philippine Crocodile, the rarest in the world. Croc feeding demonstrations take place daily, and there is also a small zoo displaying some Australian animals, like kangaroos and dingos, as well as lions, tigers, monkeys, …

Deckchair Cinema

Loved equally by visitors and locals, Deckchair Cinema screens a wide range of films in its lovely outdoor location, right by the waterfront. Movies range from arthouse and independent to family-friendly films. Most years the cinema stays open from April to …

Aquascene Fish Feeding Sanctuary & Cafe

Every day at high tide for the past 70 years a unique occurrence has taken place: hundreds of fish gather at the shallows by Doctors Gully Road in search of a meal, including milkfish, bream catfish and the barramundi. Aquascene gives visitors the chance to get up close and personal with the fish, splash …

Outback & Aboriginal Culture Tours

Take part in an extraordinary cultural adventure where you can view unique termite mounds and explore fascinating waterfalls, learn about traditional ways of land management and aboriginal culture. Find a tour that speaks beast to your particular interests and supports small businesses in the local …

Fannie Bay

A mere 5 minutes from the city centre, Fannie Bay is a suburb of Darwin with a ton of activities to offer. There is a small but lovely beach with barbecue facilities and playgrounds, an artificial lake safe for swimming all year, bike trails and a walking path through the mangrove, and the interesting …

Cullen Bay

Cullen Bay is the home of Darwin’s first Marina and is surrounded by trendy restaurants and cafes. It is the place to to go to catch a harbour cruise, book fishing charters or dive tours in search of marine life and wrecks. Superb sunsets, great fish and chips and a beautiful lawn to sit …

Brown's Mart Theatre

Brown's Mart is a beloved and iconic theatre and performance space, committed to providing opportunities for local artists to show their craft. Regular performances are held in a building which dates back to 1885 and has since filled many roles until becoming the cultural centre it is …

Bicentennial Park

The beautiful Bicentennial Park runs along Darwin's central business district between the Esplanade and the waterfront, providing a much appreciated green space in the heart of the city. It is home to several memorials commemorating those deceased in war, it plays host to several festivals each year, and it is a popular location for …

Charles Darwin National Park

If you don't have the time to visit the larger (but much farther) Litchfield or Kakadu National Parks, Charles Darwin National Park is a convenient alternative. Located a short distance from the city centre, just south of the airport, the area is one of the country's most important wetlands. It showcases 36 mangrove species …

Darwin Museum Underground WWII Oil Storage Tunnels

These fascinating tunnels were originally built during World War II in order to protect oil supplies from the Japanese bombings, though they were never used for that purpose. Today, two of the tunnels have been opened to the public and feature a collection of interesting photographs depicting life in Darwin during the …

Darwin Entertainment Centre

The recently modernised Darwin Entertainment Centre in the heart of the city hosts world-class performances and cultural events. The Darwin Symphony Orchestra appears there regularly, and the centre also hosts major international artists and theatre …

The Ghan (Train Ride via Alice Springs to Adelaide)

The entire trip of 2,000 miles (3,220 km) starts in the tropics of the Northern Territory, in Darwin and leads you through the red desert and Alice Springs, all the way to the green and plentiful province of South Australia and its capital Adelaide. The trains are comfortable and equipped with a dining car; …

Tiwi Islands

The ‘Island of Smiles’ — Bathurst and Melville, which lie across the water 80 kilometres north of Darwin — proudly offers you thriving Aboriginal arts culture, fishing lodges and tours, pristine coastal views with breathtaking sunsets. Take a day trip from Darwin or stay overnight to enjoy island life just a bit longer. The people …

Dining

Australian dining is almost always an easy-going and casual experience, even in smart restaurants. Darwin restaurants have a fabulous range of fresh seafood, primarily the superb local Barramundi fish. Local wildlife such as kangaroo, crocodile, buffalo, emu and camel can also be found on many menus. International cuisine is also on offer including Mediterranean, Thai, Malay and Chinese. Pubs have voluminous menus and are a popular alternative.

Pee Wee’s at The Point

Pee Wee’s is considered one of Darwin’s best restaurants and offers fine dining beside the ocean with views of Fannie Bay and the Darwin skyline. They serve mainly modern Australian cuisine with buffet, table d'hôte and à la carte …

Hanuman

This attractive restaurant has a great local reputation for authentic Thai, Indian, and Malaysian food. The chef only uses freshly sourced ingredients and the restaurant has an excellent wine list. Enjoy your evening in a casual, open-plan dining room with high ceilings and wood …

Yots Greek Taverna

Stokes Hill Wharf

Watch the sunset and look for dolphins at one of Darwin’s most popular eating venues with more than a dozen independent restaurants (take-away style) sharing common seating on a jetty in Darwin harbour. Food choices include Thai, Chinese, local seafood, crocodile, and simple fish and chips. There is also a bottle shop that sells …

The Cav

The Cav is a poolside bar, restaurant and cafe located at the Cavenagh Hotel, which caters largely to backpackers. It serves mostly Mediterranean style food and casual snacks such as bowls of nachos, often accompanied by live music at …

Hingston Chinese Restaurant

This busy eatery serves fresh and tasty Chinese food. It is praised as one of the best Chinese restaurants in Darwin, receiving a Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor. The menu has a wide selection of dishes such as beef with black bean sauce, Mongolian lamb on a hot plate and Peking …

Moorish Cafe

Moorish Cafe was established in 2002 and quickly became known as a food lover’s haven. The menu is inspired by the flavours of Spain, the Mediterranean and Northern Africa, with starters like tapas and main dishes like Portuguese seafood and roasted duck …

Saffrron

The menu features delights from north and south India as well as delicacies from a tandoori oven. They are deeply committed to conservationist efforts, and thus use only sustainable seafood, seasonal ingredients and plenty of locally-grown spices and …

Il Piatto

Contemporary Italian-inspired food is served at il Piatto, a restaurant located at the Mindil Beach Casino Resort. The à la carte menu has mouth-watering options like stuffed chicken breast, grilled jumbo prawns and fresh tortelli. It has a beautiful location overlooking the Arafura Sea and the restaurant has an outside terrace where you can …

Hot Tamale

Hot Tamale is a Mexican restaurant that bursts with bold and complex flavours. The restaurant has a fresh, intense and vibrant ambiance, and offers authentic Mexican specialities and beverages, including imported beers and …

Cafes

Australia has long been a country of tea-drinkers, but coffee has taken over in recent times. Darwin has plenty of local roasters and specialist baristas, now boasting lots of cosy cafes, patisseries and seaside eateries to choose from. So whether you fancy a long and relaxing brunch, a quick coffee or an afternoon drink, you'll find exactly what you're looking for in garden cafes of specialist bakeries.

Roma Bar

This cafe opened its doors in 1973 and has managed to stay relevant with a funky and modern style. Roma Bar is popular for its great Aussie brekkies and genuine espresso …

Salvatores Cafe

This is a small cafe with a big Italian menu — pizza, pasta, salad, quiche, and burgers — and its own pastry chef creates a wonderful selection of cakes, tarts, and pastries. The buffalo wings are wildly popular and come highly …

Cafe 21 Smith

Cafe 21 has a central Darwin location for al fresco dining away from traffic. It is a popular morning coffee and lunchtime venue, with great breakfasts and snack foods. The displays are lined with hot and cold food, including fresh sandwiches, wraps, and baguettes, as well as large salads, cakes, and gluten free …

Four Birds

It's hard to think of a better setting for breakfast than the quaint courtyard at Four Birds, under cover of frangipani trees. Sandwiches, bagels, panini, smashed avocado on sourdough bread, as well as sweets like muffins, make lazy late afternoon brunches the house …

Eva's Cafe at the Botanical Gardens

Boasting a location like no other in the city, in the Wesleyan Church at the Darwin Botanical Gardens, Eva's Cafe offers a truly unique cafe experience, with fantastic coffee (expertly prepared by great baristas), full breakfasts and a complete lunch …

Karma Cafe & Fitness

Karma Cafe is all about healthy living, catering to fitness enthusiasts and anyone who likes to take care of themselves. Healthy and tasty meals are served, along with fresh fruit juices and smoothies, salads and raw cakes, all of them made fresh with the best …

Laneway Coffee

Laneway is a sleek, modern, open-concept cafe that focuses on specialty coffee, simple fresh food and family friendly service. They offer vegetarian and gluten-free options, as well as organic sourdough and fresh sweets, pastries and desserts baked …

Bars & Nightlife

Darwin has always had a reputation for playing hard, and now young travellers keep up the tradition, especially on the weekends. The city has also become very cosmopolitan and varied, with fabulous multicultural markets, shopping centres, casinos, nightclubs, a smorgasbord of restaurants and, of course, pubs galore.

Lizards Bar & Restaurant

Lizards is a huge venue with dining and bar areas, as well as sports events on large screens. The menu includes a great mix of pub food and modern dishes, ranging from salads and light snacks to heartier options like steak, pizza, and many …

Shenannigans

This is a classic Irish theme pub serving Guinness and Kilkenny on tap with an air-conditioned interior and a large street-side veranda. Shenanigans serves a filling Irish stew from their award-winning restaurant and features regular live music, karaoke nights and …

Darwin Sailing Club

The Darwin Sailing Club is not your average upmarket yachting club, but it is one of the best places to sip a drink and watch the sun set over the Indian Ocean. The lovely waterfront bistro is also a popular al fresco dining …

Atrium Bar & Garden

Located in the Novotel Darwin Hotel, Atrium is a tropical cocktail bar set among palm trees, flowers and flowing water. It is a good alternative from the Mitchell Street pubs for a quiet and sophisticated evening drink, especially during the daily happy hour from …

Mindil Beach Casino Resort

This hotel/resort has a beautiful beachside location with several restaurants and bars, ranging from fine dining to more affordable eating options, and it has the only full casino in the Northern …

Monsoons

Monsoons aka Monnies has a perfect location on the vibrant Mitchell Street. It used to be a cinema but has been renovated into a dining and drinking venue with a cool and relaxed style. The menu has a wide selection of dishes such as pizza, burgers, wraps, pasta and …

Shopping

Darwin is no great shakes as a designer shopping venue, except in terms of outback necessities, aboriginal artefacts and surf gear. The main shopping areas are Mitchell Street and the parallel pedestrian precinct of Smith Street. Mitchell Street offers mainly tour agencies, cafes, bars, Internet cafes, aboriginal art and a few other miscellaneous shops. The Smith Street pedestrian precinct is a more relaxing retail environment with fountains, outdoor cafes, bookshops, shoe shops and tourist stores.