Things to do in Darwin💭

I think Darwin is very underrated, a lot of backpackers don’t think about stopping off in Darwin when they go up the East Coast. We really enjoyed ourselves and ended up being there for two weeks. This blog will include a few things that I would recommend to do when you’re in Darwin.

🏨Stay: Youth Shack Hostel - $38 AUD
🍽️Food: Aboriginal Cafe, The Rabbit Hole
🍺Bars: Shenanigans, Monsoon,

Crocosaurus Cove

Cost: $38 AUD
Time: Everyday, 9am - 5:30pm

Crocosaurus Cove is the best place for you to learn about crocodiles and all kinds of fishies and reptiles. They do animal presentations throughout the day, where you can watch big crocodiles being fed, hold a baby croc, hold different reptiles and see fish feeding. There are both morning and afternoon timings for each presentations. For an additional price, you can watch a croc gettting fed right in front of you whilst you are in a cage with them.

Once you have bought your ticket, you can leave and re-enter throughout the day with a wristband, so you can watch any of the presentations at any time which suit you best.

Museum & Art Gallery of the Northern Territory

Cost: Free Entry
Time: Every day, 10am - 4pm

The Museum and Art Gallery of the NT is one of the best museums I have been to. Every year the museum has a dynamic exhibition curated from collections and exhibitions from all around Australia. It is home to internationally artistic, cultural and scientific collections and presentations. Spend a few hours walking around the museum and learning about different species and the history of Australia.

Royal Flying Doctors Service Museum

Cost: $30 AUD each
Time: Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm

The Royal Flying Doctors Service Museum is another interesting place to visit when you’re in Darwin. See, experience and learn about the founding of the RFDS and the history of the Bombing of Darwin Harbour in 1942. Through the wonder of technology, listen and watch a life size hologram of Rev John Flynn, the founder of RFDS, tell his story. Listen to patients true experience of medical care in the outback of Australia and experience flying with an RFDS pilot. You can walk round a decommissioned RFDS aircraft, which is in the museum.

Through Virtual Reality relive the bombing of Darwin Harbour by experiencing a small production of the pinnacle moment the harbour was bombed and listen to the interactive story telling ghosts which share their experience.

Bicenntenial Gardens & Charles Brown Botanical Gardens

Spend the day walking around or having a picnic at either Bicenntenial Gardens or the Botanical Gardens.

Darwin Waterfront

Go to Darwin Waterfront, which is in the heart of Darwin’s CBD and experience a man-made beach and the Wave Lagoon. During some parts of the year they also have a small water obstacle course, which is the perfect way to spend an afternoon. It costs $28 for an adult and you can go on the obstacle course for 1 hour. There are also a variety of restaurants along the waterfront for you to choose from to refuel after the water sports.

Mindil Casino Resort & Mindil Beach Sunset Markets

Mindil Casino & Resort is a fun place to go to, and not just to go to the casino. Every Sunday they have a pool party at the casino, which is free entry and a fun way to spend your afternoon. It is also a great place to watch the sunset if you’re lucky!

The Mindil Beach Sunset Markets are open every Thursday and Sunday between April and October (double check as this might of changed since we went). Located near the casino and along Mindil Beach, go and explore Darwin’s largest market. With loads of food, drinks, arts, jewellery stalls and live music, it is the perfect way to spend your evening!

Litchfield National Park

Exploring Litchfield National Park is a must when you’re in Darwin. Only a 1 hour 40 minute drive away, you can spend the day or a few nights camping and exploring the National Park and its waterfalls. If you are visiting the park, you might need to have a NT visitors park pass, so check online before you go!

1. Magnetic & Cathedral Termite Mounds
   One of the parks most impressive sights is the hundreds of Termite Mounds. As you drive through the park to different sights, you will see two different types of termite mounds, with some that stand up to two to four meters high.
   
   The two types are Cathedral and Magnetic Termite Mounds, which you can learn about at the information shelter. The shelter is by the viewing area on Litchfield Park Road, which has a boardwalk where you can walk up close to the enormous mounds. The shelter provides insight into these creatures and their habitat. You should pass the shelter and mounds on the way to Florence Falls.

2. Florence Falls
   Florence Falls is one of the more popular swimming holes in Litchfield National Park. There are two pathways to the pool, the easiest way is down 160 steps following the path just to the right of the car park. The other way is a 1km walk along an uneven cobbled path and a few steps. Following the 160 steps route, you will walk past a viewpoint ledge where you can see the Florence Falls from overhead. The falls flow all year round, but are the most incredible during the wet season and start of dry season.

3. Buley Rockholes
   Buley Rockholes is another favourite in Litchfield National Park, only a 5 minute drive away from Florence Falls, you will find multiple rock pools where you can chill and swim in.

4. Wangi Falls
   Wangi Falls is another popular swimming spot in Litchfield National Park. The falls flow all year round and are only a short walk from the car park. There is also an area to have picnics with tables and barbecues, so it is the perfect spot to stop off and have lunch at. There is also a cafe there but is closed during the wet seasons.
   
5. Walker Creek
   Last stop is Walker Creek, which is a much smaller swimming hole and is known for being a secluded spot. About a 15-20 minute walk from the car park, once you get there you can chill in the swimming spots.
   

6. Tolmer Falls Lookout
   Tolmer Falls Lookout is a 10 minute walk from the car park and where you can see the falls from above. When we went, it was dry season, so the falls weren’t as heavy as they normally are. Still a pretty cool lookout to quickly stop at!

7. Lost City, Tjaynera Falls & Surprise Creek Falls (Need 4WD)
   We wanted to visit all three of these places, but we needed a 4 wheel drive to access it, so sadly couldn’t go. If you have a 4WD I’d recommend trying to see these places too!

Berry Springs

Only a 40 minute drive away from Darwin, Berry Springs is a lovely spot to either spend the day there or stop off at on the way to Litchfield National Park. It is a Nature Park, which has three amazing natural pools that you can swim in. I would recommend bringing a snorkel as you can see some pretty cool fishies and turtles in the pool. Be aware some crocs do like the Nature Park so read the warnings and any notices that might be there from the rangers.

Kakadu National Park

Kakadu National Park is another National Park you must visit when you are in Darwin. Only a 1 hour 40 minute drive away from Darwin you can spend the day there or do a weekend away. We woke up early and decided to do a day trip, we hired a car for the day which cost roughly $40 plus petrol.

Maguk Falls
One of the best spots in Kakadu National Park is Maguk Falls. It is recommended to drive with a 4WD, but we were fine in our small hatchback however, in wet season I would not risk it. Once you arrive to a parking area, continue driving down the sand road until you get to a second parking area. From the car park it is about a 30 minute walk to the falls. Along the walk, there are multiple pools that you can chill and swim in, however, the best and biggest pool is at the end of the walk and where the waterfall lies. It is an amazing natural pool, but just be aware of your surroundings and signage as there is always the possibility of fresh water crocodiles.

Burungkuy (Nourlangie) Rock
The Burungkuy (Nourlangie) rock art site, in Kakadu National Park, is a window of rich spiritual tradition and can be seen by walking the circular 1.5km Burrungkuy walk.

To learn more about the art, the park rangers speak about the gallery and the relationship of the local people to their country and beliefs. There is also a main gallery, called Anbangbang, which is where you can see more artwork. Hike to the Kunwarddewardde Lookout, and see amazing views of Kakadu’s escarpment and Burrungkuy.