Our popular 9-day Kimberley trip starts or finishes in Darwin, the capital of the Northern Territory.
Kimberley Off-Road Adventure Tours recommends spending a few days in Darwin soaking up the culture, experiencing the markets, admiring the magnificent sunset, and taking in the sounds and sights of this unique outback capital city.
Here, we share our top tips on what to do in Darwin.
Stokes Hill Wharf – The waterfront in Darwin’s CBD offers plenty for everyone, including food, visitor attractions, swimming (Wave pool and a lagoon) and grassy areas for relaxation. Our two top tips would be:
A visit to the Royal Flying Doctors Service Tourist Facility to learn about the organisation as well as the Bombing of Darwin through their interactive experiences.
Our second recommendation would be to enjoy dinner on the Wharf, a great spot for an informal dining experience with a variety of food on offer and a great view. All the food is served as takeaway so you can take a seat on the water’s edge and enjoy your dinner in front of the famous Top End sunset.
Darwin Mindil Sunset markets
Darwin Mindil sunset markets – Many people would say you haven’t been to Darwin if you haven’t visited the Iconic Mindil sunset markets! Visited by tourists and locals, it’s the perfect opportunity to pick up a souvenir, grab some delicious market cuisine and relax on the beach for an amazing Darwin sunset. The markets are usually on Thursday and Sunday nights in the dry season, but due to COVID only Sunday night for 2020. They kick off at 4pm and finish at 9pm.
If you are spending a bit more time in Darwin or you’re keen to check out the markets in the local suburbs, here’s a few to get you going:
- Malak markets provide food, art and craft stalls and entertainment on a Saturday from 4pm – 9pm in the dry season
- Rapid Creek markets are Darwin’s oldest markets and they sell local produce and cuisine on a Saturday and Sunday from 7am – 2pm
- Palmerston markets are on at Goyder Square on Friday from 5pm – 9pm
WWII Oil Storage Tunnels – These unique oil storage tunnels were dug out by the Civil Construction Corps during WWII to help preserve the oil from the Japanese bombings. They were a secret to the public until 1992 when they were opened as a tourist attraction to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Bombing of Darwin. As you wander around the tunnels at your own pace, information about the history and construction of the tunnels is displayed on the walls. Go to their Facebook page to find up-to-date information concerning opening times.
Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT), Darwin Military Museum and Darwin Aviation Museum – It is well-worth checking out Darwin’s local museums, which all have plenty to offer in terms of the city’s history, environment and cultural heritage.
There are plenty of free exhibits to explore at MAGNT including a look back at the devastation caused by Cyclone Tracy in 1974 which flattened the city entirely.
Darwin’s Military Museum is housed in an original concrete command post bunker and has an interesting display of war memorabilia, weapons, photographs and equipment used over the years by military men and women.
Darwin Aviation Museum offers a chance to experience Darwin’s aviation history. You get up close to the aircrafts and get a sense of what it is like to be a pilot flying these incredible machines.
For up-to-date visiting hours please check the museum websites.
Example of a Darwin sunset @ Darwin Mindil sunset markets
Darwin’s Deckchair cinema – A great way to spend your evening in Darwin is by booking yourself a deckchair at the outdoor cinema. Darwin’s dry season weather offers the perfect atmosphere to cozy-in and watch a film under the stars. The cinema offers a variety of movies, so head to their website to check out their latest program. You can even grab your dinner and a drink at the cinema, with food served between 6pm-7.30pm each night. The cinema is open seven nights a week in the dry season.
Walk or cycle the coastal areas of Darwin – Darwin has a beautiful coastline and there are many walkways and cycle lanes that enable you to enjoy the scenery and get some fresh air. A popular path with the locals is the walk along the foreshore taking you from Nightcliff to Rapid Creek or vice versa. At the Nightcliff end you’ll see the mangroves and the jetty, and then as you approach the Rapid Creek section, you’ll see the bridge stretching across the creek, taking you over to Casuarina beach and Dripstone cliffs. Nightcliff Markets to Dripstone Cliffs is roughly 7.5km, which takes about 1.5 hours one-way. The Nightcliff Foreshore café has a great view over the water and provides an ideal stop for an iced coffee or a spot of lunch. For a shorter walk, you can choose to walk the length of the foreshore which is 2.5 km and takes about half an hour one-way.
Ask your accommodation about bike hire or visit Darwin’s Tourist Information Centre.
If you plan to spend longer than a couple of days in Darwin, you might like to go further than Darwin city and venture to Litchfield National Park or Kakadu National Park.
You can see Kakadu National Park on our 7-day Kakadu & Arnhem Land tour and our 11-day Kakadu & Gulf Savannah tour