Darwin is underrated, pure and simple. The Northern Territory seems so close yet so far for a significant contingent of Australia’s east coast population. Though, once you visit the Northern Territory’s major city, you’ll be wondering why you left it for so long.
By virtue of its underrated status, Darwin is a place of genuine discovery. It’s a modern city with a firm emphasis on Indigenous arts, culture and storytelling. It’s an urbanised location, yet spacious and surrounded by water. Darwin’s also just a short drive (or helicopter ride) from monsoon rainforests, wetlands and waterfalls.
To put it another way, there’s an awful lot to do in Darwin. That’s why we devised this seven-day itinerary to send you off on the perfect Darwin escape.
Day 1 – Art and culture in Darwin City
Begin with brunch at one of Darwin’s many specialty cafes. The lemon and coconut crunch pancakes at Darwin’s plant-based mecca, Ebb & Flow, aren’t to be missed. Omnivores will find something to suit all appetites at The Rabbithole, including a Middle Eastern spin on smashed avo that comes with poached eggs and crispy bacon.
Grab a coffee to go and move along to the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory. The museum includes a vast collection of Indigenous artworks as well as an exhibition on Cyclone Tracy, the storm that nearly wiped Darwin off the map in 1974. There’s also a five-metre taxidermy saltwater crocodile, Sweetheart.
After the gallery, suck in some of Darwin’s coastal air with a stroll through the George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens; a capacious area with a healthful and manicured selection of north Australian and tropical plant species.
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Day 2 – Go bush and take a dip at Litchfield National Park
Litchfield National Park is 100km south-west of Darwin. Among the park’s many natural wonders are Florence Falls and Wangi Falls; spring-fed waterfalls that spill out into visitor-friendly waterholes.
It takes just three minutes on foot to get from the carpark to the Florence Falls lookout, which looks out over the gorge, open valley and, of course, the falls. Florence Falls is set amid a monsoon forest, but if you take the stairs down the gorge rim walk, you’ll be rewarded with the refreshment of the plunge pool.
For the more adventurous travellers, there are a variety of bushwalk trails to choose from at Litchfield, including the 39km Table Top track, which comes with the added incentive of leading you to a secret waterfall on completion.
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Day 3 – Tour the Tiwi Islands
The Tiwi Islands are 80km north of Darwin. The area consists of two main islands, Melville Island (Yermalner) and Bathurst Island (Nguyu), both of which have small Indigenous populations, and nine smaller islands.
Visitor access to the Tiwi Islands is possible as part of an organised tour or fishing trip. The ferry ride from Darwin takes two and a half hours, but it’s thoroughly recommended as it allows travellers to look back on the Darwin coastline and take in the splendour of the Timor Sea.
Indigenous arts and culture are central to life on the Tiwi Islands. A visit to either Yermalner or Nguyu would not be complete without stopping in at an art centre to witness artists at work and get the opportunity to purchase works directly from the artists.
Patakijiyali Museum at Wurrumiyanga on Bathurst Island is another essential location, with displays depicting the Tiwi dreamtime and spirituality, the role of Tiwi people during World War II and the Islands’ history of producing star AFL players (including Maurice, Cyril and Daniel Rioli, and Michael Long).
Day 4 – Swim and Dine at Darwin Waterfront Precinct
After a couple of days spent adventuring beyond the city limits, it’s time to kick back and relax at the Darwin Waterfront Precinct. It’s worth stopping by the Smith Street Mall on your way down to the waterfront—it’s not only an optimum location for a satisfying feed, but the mall is the city’s main shopping precinct.
The dining options at the Waterfront Precinct itself span Mexican, Korean, Italian and Mediterranean cuisine, as well as various cafes, seafood restaurants, pubs and even a gelateria (because what’s a holiday without ice cream?)
Though, maybe hold off on the gelato until you’ve had a dip in the Precinct’s recreation lagoon, a human-made beach lagoon that’s separated from Darwin Harbour by a seawall. Entry is free to the saltwater lagoon, which is patrolled by lifeguards from 9am-6pm daily.
Anyone over the age of three will have to pay an entry fee to access the wave lagoon, however, prices are all under ten dollars and it’s money well spent. The wave lagoon covers a total of 4000 square metres and reaches a depth of two metres at its deepest. It also includes a child-friendly shallow water play area.
Day 5 – Heli Pub Crawl
Courtesy of Darwin helicopter specialists, Airborne Solutions, the full-day heli pub crawl takes place across seven hours and stops at five pubs. There are also a couple of half-day heli pub crawl options, which last for four hours, beginning at either 9.30am or 12.30pm.
Participants will spend approximately an hour at each of the five pubs on the full-day crawl. You’ll venture out to the coast-facing Lodge of Dundee, the secluded Crab Claw Island Resort, the spacious Darwin River Tavern and the delightful Goat Island Lodge, which sits on the Adelaide River, 65km south of Darwin City.
It’s not all about the pubs, though. Heli-flyers can soak in the sights of the harbour, coastline, savannahs, billabongs and creeks of Darwin and its surrounds.
Day 6 – Relax under the shady trees of the Berry Springs Nature Park
Let’s assume you’re travelling in the dry season (May–November) and after a day flying from pub to pub, you’re in the mood for some down-to-earth relaxation. Berry Springs Nature Park—approx. 50km down the Stuart Highway from Darwin—is an ideal place to cool down and find comfort in nature. The park has a shaded picnic and BBQ area, so BYO food is encouraged.
Berry Springs Nature Park houses multiple clear swimming pools. Make sure to pack your goggles along with your bathers so that you can get an up-close look at the springs’ native fish and other aquatic life. Berry Springs Nature Park is also a birdwatcher’s dream, so have your binoculars and birding apps at the ready.
Day 7 – Corroboree Billabong wetland cruise
Before leaving the Darwin area, take a cruise along the pristine wetlands of Corroboree Billabong. Corroboree Billabong is part of the Mary River Wetlands in the Kakadu region, just a 90 minute drive from Darwin. Not only is the area home to an abundance of native bird species, but it contains the largest concentration of saltwater crocodiles in the world.
By virtue of the custom-designed cruise boats, the one-hour wetland cruises let you observe these majestic creatures from right up-close. It’s a must-do for nature lovers and Instagrammers alike.
Once back in Darwin, treat yourself to a meal at one of the many restaurants on Mitchell Street in the city. If it’s the dry season, take a ramble through the Mindil Beach Sunset Market before catching a film at the Deckchair Cinema; an open-air cinema planted bang on Darwin Harbour.
Check out more itineraries in the Northern Territory for the perfect holiday!
