Darwin City walking highlights

One of Darwin’s best qualities is the fact that everything is really accessible. With no great hills or rocky landscapes in the city, it’s easy to get around on foot to see the sights. The city is well equipped with walking and bike paths, shady trees, and plenty to see and do.

Fuel up for the day

The most important meal of the day is breakfast, so begin your morning at the Darwin Waterfront where you can order your favourite breakfast and beverage with alfresco seating options.

Learn about Chinese history & culture

Discover the rich history of Chinese people in the Top End at the Chung Wah Society’s NT Chinese Museum. The museum and temple is a beautiful building that dates back to 1887, and provides a historical insight from 1874, displaying photographs, memorabilia and Darwin’s Chinese family history.

Visit the most unique building in town

Wander through Smith Street Mall and you’ll find yourself outside the Brown’s Mart building. Currently used as a local theatre, Brown’s Mart has been the location for a stone store, mining exchange, shipping agency, auctioneering venue, and even a bank throughout its lifetime. Originally built in the 1880s, this building has stood the test of time surviving multiple cyclones.

Explore the original Palmerston Town Hall ruins

Wandering across the road from Brown’s Mart you’ll find the preserved ruins of the original Palmerston Town Hall. Originally built in 1882, this building was so severely damaged by Cyclone Tracey that it was never completely rebuilt.

Discover Parliament House

Affectionately referred to as ‘the wedding cake’, one of the more iconic buildings in Darwin City is Parliament House. Overlooking Darwin Harbour, this building opened in 1994 and is still our current parliament house. Self-guided tours are available daily, or you can join their free daily guided tour for more information.

Sample the east Asian delights at Hanuman for lunch

Take yourself on a culinary journey with chef Jimmy Shu through South East Asia as you experience the exquisite menu at Hanuman Darwin. The restaurant venue itself is impressive, with the furnishings, tableware and artworksourced from around the world. A mix of indoor and alfresco dining options means there is a space to suite everyone. Oh, and a tip from the locals? Order the trumpet mushrooms… you won’t be disappointed!

Meander through the park with water views

Running along the length of the city at the waters edge is Bicentennial Park. This picturesque park is a popular lunchtime hangout for office workers and tourists alike. Here you’ll find people picnicking, relaxing on the grass, exercising, taking advantage of the beautiful walking tracks or children playing on the huge playground. With lots of shady trees, lush green grass, and ocean views, it’s not hard to see why this is a popular place.

Admire the street art

If you’re looking for a change of scenery, try taking some of the backstreets in Darwin. Many of our backstreets and laneways have been covered in street art, including floor-to-rooftop murals and paintings to brighten up our city. View impressive artwork of local flora and fauna as you wander around the city.

If you’d prefer someone else show you the way, laneway walking tours are available. These guided tours show you the best of Darwin’s laneway art and tell the stories behind the paintings and the emerging artistic talent.

Sample the city’s gourmet delights

Try a variety of tantalizing dishes and cocktails on a relaxed walk between restaurants and bars around Darwin City. As you stroll between venues, learn about the cultural and artistic landmarks and how the Top End’s multicultural heritage has influenced the food scene.Darwin Gourmet Tours can tailor their itineraries to suitgroups large and small.

Take a tour of Burnett House

One of Darwin’s best examples of tropical architecture has survived more than most – bullets, bombs and cyclones couldn’t bring it down! Today, Burnett House is the headquarters of the National Trust and is situated amongst gorgeous gardens overlooking Darwin’s beautiful harbour. It has a small museum upstairs giving an insight into life in Darwin during World War II.

Offering guided tours of the house and gardens, this is the perfect place to spend a relaxing afternoon. If you visit on the third Sunday of the month, you can enjoy afternoon tea in the original drawing room.