Darwin Travelers Recommend

Three days in Darwin gives you ample time to tick off major city sights, explore the Northern Territory’s famous national parks, and learn more about the region’s rich Aboriginal heritage. Here’s the ultimate 3-day Darwin itinerary.

Day 1: Hop between the sights

A hop-on hop-off bus tour is a great way to orient yourself if you’re visiting Darwin for the first time, and allows you to create your own sightseeing itinerary. Disembark to admire the views at Doctors Gully and Cullen Bay Marina, or stroll around Darwin Botanic Gardens. Alternatively, stay aboard for the entire loop and enjoy unobstructed views from the top deck. 

At lunchtime, hop off at Darwin Waterfront Precinct to enjoy a seafood lunch at one of the ocean-view restaurants. Don’t forget to visit the beach, where you can cool off with a swim in the lagoons—Darwin’s coast is plagued with stingers, so don’t try to swim elsewhere.

In the evening, head to the famous Mindil Beach Sunset Markets, held on Thursday and Sunday evenings between May and October. Here, you’ll find stalls selling art and handicrafts, a huge variety of street food, and live entertainment.

Day 2: Explore Kakadu National Park

The wild landscapes and ancient wonders of Kakadu National Park, Australia’s largest national park, are a 3-hour drive from Darwin, which makes it possible to tick off the highlights on a day trip. For the best value, choose a tour that includes hotel pickup and lunch, or maximize your time by splashing out on a scenic flight or helicopter tour—the quickest and most memorable way to reach the park. 

Most tours include a cruise along the Yellow Water Billabong or the East Alligator River (Guluyambi), where you’ll have chance to spot crocodiles in their natural habitat. Other must-sees include waterfalls such as Jim Jim Falls and Twin Falls, where you can dive in for a swim; the ancient Aboriginal rock art sites at Nourlangie Rock or Ubirr; and the Warradjan Aboriginal Centre. 

Litchfield National Park and Katherine Gorge National Park are also do-able on a long day trip from Darwin. 

Day 3: History and Heritage

As the gateway to Australia’s Top End, Darwin is an important historic city; its Aboriginal heritage dates back thousands of years. For those who want to immerse themselves in Aboriginal culture, a full-day cruise to the Tiwi Islands is an obvious choice; you’ll visit local communities, sample traditional foods, and take part in handicrafts workshops. 

Alternatively, dedicate your last day to visiting Darwin’s museums—the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, the Darwin Military Museum, the Royal Flying Doctor Service Visitor Centre, and the Darwin Aviation Museum are some of the best. 

Spend your final evening admiring the city from the water. Opt for a romantic sunset cruise around Darwin Harbour, during which you’ll cruise past Stokes Hill Wharf, the Esplanade, and Fannie Bay, and enjoy a buffet dinner with a backdrop of Darwin’s illuminated city skyline. 

Two days gives enough time to take in Darwin’s historical highlights and enjoy some of the area’s natural attractions; planning ahead and booking tickets in advance is a great way to maximize your time. Here’s how to spend two days in Darwin. 

Day 1: Sun, Sea, and Sightseeing

**Morning:**Spend your morning on a hop-on hop-off bus tour, which takes you to all of Darwin’s top sights and provides a stress-free way to get your bearings. Hop off at the Museum of the Northern Territory, stroll around the botanical gardens, or browse the shops at Smith Street Mall.

**Afternoon:**Head to Darwin’s Waterfront Precinct for a seafood lunch at an ocean-view restaurant. After walking around the waterfront parks, head to the beach to cool off with a swim in a lagoon—one of the few safe places to swim in the city.  

**Night:**Admire the city from the water during a cruise around Darwin Harbour. Watch the sunset as you sail past Stokes Hill Wharf, the Esplanade, and Fannie Bay, then enjoy a buffet dinner on-board as you enjoy the illuminated skyline. 

Day 2: Wildlife and WWII sites

**Morning:**Spend the morning discovering some of Top End’s wildlife. An Adelaide River cruise reveals saltwater crocodiles, while Crocodylus Park and Territory Wildlife Park exhibit a range of Aussie animals; most tours include convenient hotel pickup and drop-off. 

**Afternoon:**If you’re a history buff, devore the afternoon to Darwin’s fascinating World War II sites. Tours typically include a visit to the  Darwin Military Museum, Darwin War Memorial, and East Point Military Precinct, and a cruise around the naval base of Darwin Harbour.

**Night:**On your last night, tick off the popular Mindil Beach Sunset Markets, held twice a week throughout the summer months. After watching the sunset over the beach, browse market stalls selling street food, shop for arts and handicrafts, and enjoy live entertainment late into the evening. 

Measuring in at almost 12,500 square miles (20,000 square kilometers), Kakadu is Australia’s biggest national park, renowned for its dramatic natural wonders, incredible biodiversity, and impressive cultural heritage. From nature lovers to adventurers, there's a tour to fit any travel style—here are your options.

For the Time-Crunched Visitor

You could spend days exploring Kakadu’s wild landscape, but travelers short on time can still cram the highlights into a day trip. Full-day tours from Darwin often include hotel pickup and lunch to ensure you maximize your time, along with a cruise along the Yellow Water Billabong to spot saltwater crocodiles and a visit to the Warradjan Aboriginal Centre. 

For Nature Enthusiasts

Multi-day tours allow you to venture further into the wild landscapes of Kakadu, visiting natural wonders such as Twin Falls Gorge, the Mikinj Valley, and Jim Jim Falls. On a 2- or 3-day tour, you’ll have time to enjoy scenic bushwalks, stop at spectacular viewpoints, and spot wildlife such as exotic birds, frill-necked lizards, and Leichhardt’s grasshoppers. 

For the Adventurer

For the ultimate adventure, combine a visit to Kakadu National Park with stops at nearby attractions such as Litchfield National Park and the Katherine Gorge (Nitmiluk National Park). Explore off-road on a 4WD outback safari, swim beneath waterfalls, tuck into typical Aussie campfire food, and camp out beneath the stars.

For History Buffs

Kakadu is home to some of the most important Aboriginal sites in the Northern Territory, and those looking to learn can take a Kakadu National Park tour led by an Aboriginal guide. Along the way, stop to admire ancient Aboriginal rock art at Nourlangie Rock and Ubirr Rock, take a Guluyambi cultural cruise along the East Alligator River, and hear the stories of the park’s traditional owners as you journey into Arnhem Land.

The sunbaked desert plains, vast gorges, and crocodile-filled billabongs of the Northern Territory offer a spectacular backdrop for an outdoor adventure, and there are an impressive 16 national parks to explore throughout the state. Here are five of the best that you can visit on a day tour from Darwin.

Kakadu National Park

Australia’s largest national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kakadu National Park is noted for its biodiversity as it’s home to an array of indigenous plants and Australian birds and mammals. Visitors on a full-day tour can spot freshwater and saltwater crocodiles on a cruise along Yellow Water and admire ancient Aboriginal rock art. Longer 2- or 3-day tours might also include a stop at Twin Falls or Barramundi Gorge, with some including hotel accommodations and others offering guided camping in the wilderness. 

Litchfield National Park

Sitting just to the south of Darwin, Litchfield National Park is the home of some of the region’s most unique scenery. You won’t miss a thing on a guided day tour of the area, during which you can marvel at the gigantic termite mounds, admire the park’s beautiful waterfalls, and even dive in to take a swim at spots such as Buley Rockhole or Wangi Falls.

Charles Darwin National Park

Just outside Darwin city center, the Charles Darwin National Park is a stretch of scenic wetlands, famous for its lush mangroves and World War II history. Escape the city for a hike through the forests, browse the WWII exhibitions, and enjoy a magnificent view over Darwin from the lookout point.

Nitmiluk National Park and Katherine Gorge

Just under four hours’ drive from the capital, Katherine Gorge is best explored on a multi-day tour from Darwin. There are various hiking trails suitable for all levels, as well as some fascinating Aboriginal rock art sites to visit, but the real highlight is the dramatic view from the top of the gorge.

Mary River National Park

Another popular day trip from Darwin is to the Mary River Wetlands, where it’s possible to see crocodiles and alligators in their natural habitat, cruise along the Corroboree Billabong, and spot exotic birds including jabiru, ibis, sea eagles, and jacana. Full-day tours of the Corroboree Billabong include bus and cruise transport, plus lunch for an enjoyable look at the area.

Darwin serves as a gateway to the tropical landscapes and national parks of the Northern Territory in Australia, meaning that many visitors find themselves with just a single day in the city. Luckily, the compact city makes it easy to cram all the highlights into one visit—here’s how to spend one day in Darwin. 

Morning: Hop Between Highlights

A hop-on hop-off bus tour is ideal choice for time-pressed travelers; tours ensure that no time is wasted traveling between sights and allow you to create your own itinerary. Take photos from the top deck as you pass Doctors Gully, and Cullen Bay Marina. 

Hop off along the way to browse the shops at Mitchell Street and Smith Street Mall, visit the Darwin Military Museum or Museum of the Northern Territory, or cool off with a swim in the lagoons at Darwin Wharf Precinct. See more of the city’s coastline on a 45-minute sightseeing cruises from Darwin Harbour.

Afternoon: Discover Darwin’s Wildlife

Australia’s Top End is famous for its crocodiles, but you don’t have to go trekking through Kakadu National Park to spot one. Head to Crocosaurus Cove, conveniently located in Darwin city center, to see saltwater crocodiles alongside snakes, whipray, and Barramundi.  Time your visit so you can watch the crocodiles being fed. 

Afterwards, opt for a walking or Segway tour of Darwin Botanic Gardens. which hop-on hop-off buses stop right outside. Spend time admiring the colourful heliconias, orchids, and bromeliads, then enjoy coffee and cake at the park’s popular café. 

Night: Browse the markets

Mindil Beach Sunset Markets are one of Darwin’s most popular attractions, and are held on Thursday and Sunday evenings between May and October. Home to live music and handicrafts stalls, you can easily spend the entire evening here. Grab some street food and follow the crowds to the beach for sunset before returning to the markets for some evening shopping. 

If you’re not visiting on a market night, another fun activity is the Deckchair Cinema, held along the coast throughout the summer months. Alternatively, head down to Darwin Waterfront Precinct for dinner at one of the seafood restaurants. 

The rugged gorges, desert plains, and remote billabongs of the Northern Territory are home to some of Australia’s most diverse wildlife—everything from black flying foxes to frill-neck lizards to ferocious crocodiles—and Darwin is an ideal basecamp for exploring the Top End. Here are some tips for discovering Darwin’s wildlife.

Best Ways to Spot Wildlife in Darwin

• Observe saltwater crocodiles in their natural environment on a day tour or multi-day trip to Kakadu National Park or Litchfield National Park.

• Set sail for Bare Sand Island to watch the sea turtles as they come ashore to lay eggs at sunset.

• See jumping crocodiles with the help of an expert guide on a cruise along the Adelaide River or brave the Cage of Death at Darwin's Crocosaurus Cove.

• Cruise along the Corroboree billabong in the Mary River wetlands and spot colorful birds such as jabiru, ibis, and sea eagles.

What You Can See

Most visitors prioritize saltwater crocodiles sightings, but other wildlife to seek out include black flying fox, frill-necked lizard, flatback turtles, and, of course, kangaroos and wallabies. Other native animals to look out for include Leichhardt’s grasshoppers, quolls, and rare birds such as hooded parrot, rainbow pitta, and red goshawk.

Tips for Wildlife Viewing

• Visit at sunrise and sunset. The best time for wildlife spotting is near dawn and dusk.

• Stay safe. People are injured or killed by crocodiles in the Northern Territory every year. Never swim or walk close to rivers and billabongs—your guide can advise you of safe swimming holes.

• Keep quiet. Animals will often steer clear of loud noises, rapid movements, or crowded areas.

• Do not disturb the animals’ habitats. Respect the natural habitats of animals and plant life, and stick to designated walking trails.