Visiting the top end and don’t know what to do? Treat your tastebuds and indulge your sense of fun and adventure in the Northern Territory’s tropical capital city. From the sparkling harbour and WWII history to the city’s Asian-influenced food and tropical outdoor lifestyle, Darwin is an adventurers’ paradise.
From art and cultural experiences, dining delights and day trips, here are the local insights for a weekend escape to Darwin.
Art & culture experiences
Darwin Festival 2019 with Electric Fields_Credit Darwin Festival, Duane Preston
Darwin Festival, 5-22 August 2021: A vibrant celebration of art, music, theatre and dance, the festival shines a spotlight on First Nations culture with national events, including National Indigenous Music Awards (7 August), Telstra National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Art Award (7 August onwards) and the National Indigenous Fashion Awards (4 August).
Darwin Street Art Festival: Meander through the city streets and take photos of the colourful street art. Since 2018, the festival has brightened the city and put it on the map as a canvass for talented local and interstate artists.
Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT): Learn about the city’s history and explore art exhibitions, including National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards (NATSIAA) which showcase Australia’s best Indigenous art.
Aboriginal Fine Arts Gallery: Browse and purchase from a range of traditional and contemporary Aboriginal art and craft, as well as didgeridoos.
Saltwater Cultural Tours: Learn about Larrakia Nation and partake in Indigenous activities, like traditional spearfishing, with local guide Trent Lee.
Pudakul Aboriginal Cultural Tours: Gain insight into local Indigenous culture, stories and practices, including didgeridoo playing, dilly bag and basket weaving, and join in a famous Jumping Crocodile Cruise.
The Tiwi by Design Tour: Across the water from Darwin sits the beautiful Tiwi Islands, known for their distinctive fabric prints and colourful art. On this tour, travellers can participate in an exclusive hands-on screen-printing workshop with local Aboriginal artist and take home a special souvenir.
Aboriginal Bush Traders: Support local Indigenous communities by buying ethically sourced and sustainable products from this retail shop and gallery, which sells everything from gorgeous hand screen-printed textiles to dyed silks.
Where to eat
Darwin Gourmet Tours: This 3-hour degustation tour escorts travellers to a roster of Darwin’s most iconic restaurants, including Jimmy Shu’s Hanuman, Wharf One and Phat Mango. Taste unique flavours of the Territory, like crocodile and paperbark-smoked barramundi, while hearing about the culinary creations from the chefs, and even enjoy some Darwin sightseeing along the way.
Wharf One: Located on the stunning Darwin promenade, this spot is best known for their wood-fired tapas menu, including wood-fired NT barramundi with miso and pickled daikon, and suckling pig if ordered in advance.
Charlie’s of Darwin: Complete with a hidden, graffiti-painted alleyway entrance and all-seasons rooftop bar, the popular nightspot specialises in traditionally distilled craft spirits and cocktail line-up inspired by native, bush ingredients, such as Kakadu plum, lemon myrtle and river mint.
Darwin’s street markets: The city is a multicultural melting point, and its famous markets are jam-packed with rich aromas, bright colours, international cuisines and entertainment, reminiscent of Southeast Asia. Head to Mindil Beach Sunset Marketsfor an epic sunset picnic and grab a famous bowl of Mary’s laksa at Parap Markets .
Little Miss Korea: Just backing on to ‘Graffiti Laneway’ is one of the trendiest and most unique restaurants ever, opened by celebrity chef Chung Jae Lee in 2015. A modern take on Korean food, it offers a la carte menu of traditional dishes, DIY Korean barbeque and martinis.
Moorish: This is Darwin’s go-to spot for tapas. The restaurant’s menu features fresh local ingredients and 30 different tapas, inspired by Spain, Mediterranean and North Africa, and often runs sangria specials.
Eva’s Botanical Garden’s Café: Located in the beautiful and tropical surrounds of George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens, this is the perfect spot to grab brunch, high tea or a picnic.
Find a place to stay
Tropical nights at Mindil Markets_Credit Tourism NT, Nick Pincott
Mindil Beach Casino Resort: You can’t go wrong staying here! This is a premium offering with over 8 award-winning restaurants, 24-entertainment choices, private white sand beach and cocktail-sipping, pool experience.
Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront, Adina Apartment Hotel Darwin Waterfront, Travelodge Resort Darwin or Oaks Darwin Elan Hotel: All family-friendly accommodations, these stays are located in the heart of Darwin’s CBD and close to major city attractions, like Darwin Lagoon and Crocosaurus Cove.
Day tripping
Take a swim at Buley Rockhole at Litchfield National Park_Credit Tourism Australia, Nicholas Kavo
Litchfield: Take a one-hour daytrip to Litchfield National Park, one of Top End’s best secrets, known for its pristine waterfalls and swimming holes, 4WD tracks and magnetic termite mounds. After a swim at Florence Falls or Buley Rockhole, retreat to Hideaway Litchfield, a set of two sustainable luxury cabins, perfect for families and friends.
Lake Bennett: For a quiet and relaxed holiday, drive one-hour south of Darwin to Lake Bennett Resort, which has recently reopened with exciting upgrades. Guests can pick from experiences, including canoeing, bushwalking, fishing or simply enjoying the lakeside views.
Heli-pub crawl with Airborne Solutions: Beginning in Darwin, be chauffeured to five of the Top End’s most quintessential pubs, from the iconic Humpty Doo hotel to the pristine Crab Claw Island Resort, via helicopter. You’ll get a birds-eye view of the Top End, from tropical savannah woodlands, watering holes to Darwin Harbour, mixed with a few cold drinks along the way.
