2 of Darwin’s best treats are its fabulous food and its vast entertainment offering.
Darwin dining
Eating and drinking is a favourite local pastime in Darwin, and she puts on a spread to satisfy every taste all year round: food critics to families with the fussiest eaters.
Book a waterfront table at one of the city’s chic restaurants, eat fish and chips on the wharf, try a degustation dinner matched with fine wine, order fresh local seafood straight off the boats or taste a soto ayam (chicken soup) as good as any you’ll find in Indonesia.
There are cafes, eateries, buffets, pop-up food vans and restaurants dotted all around the city and its surrounding suburbs.
Dining & entertainment around Darwin
Darwin’s foodie markets
Try Darwin’s fresh, authentic flavours at its famous foodie markets.
On the weekends, public spaces in six Darwin suburbs are transformed into open-air markets where many locals go for their weekly fruit, veggies and herbs and a weekend laksa, smoothie or curry.
The world-famous Mindil Beach Sunset Markets on Thursdays and Sundays in the dry season offer dishes from every corner of the earth. Eat on the beach with a local ice cream or tropical smoothie as the sun sets then pick up local arts and crafts.
Food & drink around Darwin
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Darwin entertainment
Whatever you’re into – Aboriginal culture, nature, wildlife, festivals and events, fishing, outdoorsy adventure, family fun, or a bit of everything –Darwin has something to entertain you.
If you like the water, you’ll love Darwin. Take a sunset dinner cruise around the harbour, ride a tube at the Wave Lagoon, eyeball a crocodile in the ‘cage of death’, take a jet boat ride, join a fishing charter in Darwin Harbour or fish from the wharf.
Learn about Darwin’s rich history at museums around the city – the 1870s gold rush, the WWII Japanese bombing raids and Cyclone Tracy’s decimation of the town in 1974.
Take a tandem skydive onto the beach for an unbeatable view of Darwin, or jump in a chopper for a heli-fishing day tour. Don’t miss a movie under the stars at the waterfront Deckchair Cinema.
Music, theatre & performance
For 2½ weeks in August, Darwin Festival puts on a packed calendar of local and international theatre, music, film, dance, comedy and art events every day and night in the hear t of the city.
BASSINTHEGRASS is Darwin’s biggest music festival each May, with some of the country’s best live bands in a one-day outdoor concert. And the Darwin Entertainment Centre hosts cabaret to comedy.
There’s a great live music scene in Darwin too. Try the Railway Club and Happy Yess for original music or Nirvana or Dinah Beach Yacht Club for open mic nights and jam sessions.
The sporty & the quirky
Check out Darwin’s cheeky side at quirky events like the Darwin Beer Can Regatta each July, when people make and race boats made entirely from cans at Mindil Beach.
The dry season months see plenty of sporting action in Darwin: the V8 Supercars at Hidden Valley in June, the colourful Darwin Cup Carnival in August, the biennial Arafura Games in April as well as a number of AFL matches each year.
