Darwin & Surrounds 24-hour itinerary

Make the most of your day in Australia’s northernmost capital city and find out why Darwin really is your port to adventure.

This 24-hour itinerary introduces you to the Top End – starting with the thriving Darwin Waterfront and moving through the city’s culinary diversity, café culture and outback pubs. Get local tips on where to go for the best views, find out more about the city’s history and catch a famous Territory sunset.

Breakfast with a view

Begin your morning with breakfast and a view at the Darwin Waterfront. From high end restaurants to more casual cafés and bars, there’s something for everyone. Make sure you pack your swimmersso you can plunge into the Darwin Wave Pool or Recreation Lagoon. Paddle, swim or play in these man-made attractions where the Wave Pool rolls out wave patterns from gentle swell to waves up to 1.2m high. Both areas are safe for swimming and are patrolled by life guards.

Absorb the beauty of the botanic gardens

Take a walk through the shady George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens, or better yet hop on a Segway tour to experience the incredible flora of Northern Australia from a new perspective. Wander through monsoon forests, coastal dunes, mangroves and open woodlands before relaxing with lunch at the on-site café.

Go face-to-face with a croc

After lunch, make your way to Crocosaurus Cove located in the heart of Darwin on Mitchell Street. Here you’ll have the opportunity to get up close and personal with the largest reptile on the planet, the saltwater crocodile, and learn about other fish and reptile species at the aquarium. There’s a twice-daily crocodile and fish-feeding show not to be missed. And, if you’re feeling particularly brave, climb into the Cage of Death for a face-to-face encounter with one of the largest saltwater crocodiles in captivity. It’s the ultimate adrenaline rush!

Immerse yourself in art

Immerse yourself in the local Aboriginal art scene this afternoon. Darwin City and Parap are great places to view and invest in art pieces from around the Northern Territory.

Explore the vibrant streets of Darwin and get lost in the magnificent street art. As part of the annual Darwin Street Art Festival, murals have been painted by renowned local and interstate artists and some you can interact with using augmented reality. These incredible outdoor experience takes 2D artworks into 3D animations using a smartphone app. You can find these amazing public art displays all around Darwin, which create an unforgettable cultural experience for travellers and locals alike.

Next stop, visit the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT) to learn more about Aboriginal art, the history of Darwin and to see the local crocodile celebrity, Sweetheart. The famous 5m, 780kg saltwater crocodile is on permanent display in the museum.

Engage in a history lesson

Take a 5-minute drive to reach the Defence of Darwin Experience in East Point Reserve. Learn about the Bombing of Darwin and the city’s role in WWII walking through the galleries and multimedia presentations. Check out the displays of vehicles, uniforms, firearms and artillery at The Military Museum next door or head to Stokes Hill Wharf for a virtual reality experience at the Royal Flying Doctor Service Tourist Facility.

Then visit the Cenotaph in Bicentennial Park, Darwin’s first war memorial commemorating Australians who lost their lives in WWI, and the Aboriginal men and women whose bush skills assisted the Army during WWII to protect the remote northern coastline.

Cruise at sunset

As the daylight hours start to wane, return to the waterfront to board a historic pearling lugger or catamaran for a drink or dinner cruise and watch a magnificent tropical sunset from the water. Relax on board as you share stories of a wonderful day exploring the unique and special city of Darwin.

Enjoy an Aussie classic under the stars

Tonight, relax under the stars with a film at the Deckchair Cinema located along the esplanade. The open-air cinema screens Australian, popular, family, foreign and classic films during the dry season (April – November).