Looking for new, fun, and exciting things do do in Darwin? If so, you've come to the right place, because this city is full of life, wonder, and amazing activities.
The top 12 things to do in Darwin are:
- Go On a Darwin Heli Pub Crawl
- Take a Darwin Waterfront Cruise
- Visit the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory
- Go for a Private Swim in Litchfield National Park
- Take a Guided Tour of Kakadu National Park
- Go On a Darwin Heli Fishing Tour
- Explore the Magnetic Termite Mounds
- Take a Jumping Crocodile Cruise
- Visit the Tiwi Islands
- Stay at the Mindil Beach Casino Resort
- Swim with Crocs at Crocosaurus Cove
- Go On a Skydiving Adventure
1. Go On a Darwin Heli Pub Crawl
If you're looking for one of the most memorable things to do in Darwin, going on a Darwin heli pub crawl is always a great idea. Instead of riding in a sluggish bus, you get to travel by private helicopter from one awesome outback pub to the next, flying over the Darwin Harbour, red dirt floodplains, and so much more along the way.
This heli pub tour includes stops such as Goat Island Lodge, Darwin River Tavern, and Berry Springs Tavern, where you'll find big territory personalities, cold brews, and hearty meals. It's an ideal adventure for anywhere between 2 and 14 people, making for an excellent day tour while visiting Darwin.
Between stops, enjoy the scenic flight over wetlands, where you might just spot crocodiles. During the dry season, this area the perfect place for sitting outside with a cold beer, and during the wet season, the views just can't be beat - making this heli pub crawl one of the top attractions in the Northern Territory.
2. Take a Darwin Waterfront Cruise
Going on a Darwin waterfront cruise is a great way to see Darwin’s picturesque harbour and experience just how special this tropical city really is.
There are plenty of operators that depart from the Darwin Waterfront Precinct or nearby Cullen Bay, cruising past mangrove shores, historic wharves, and modern apartments alike.
When the sun goes down, the whole harbour glows, making sunset cruises one of the best activities in Darwin for those who like warm and beautiful sights.
There are some companies, such as Sail Darwin, which pair sailing with a chilled drink and some gourmet treats, making it an ideal date night or group adventure.
You can also spend some time at the nearby wave pool, something that is more than suitable for the whole family.
If you only have a few days in town, then this is one of the best things to do, as the waterfront is always a favourite spot of tourists and locals alike. When you're around Darwin, you absolutely need to get down to the water.
3. Visit the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory
The Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory is an important cultural thing to do in Darwin. It's on the waterfront at Fannie Bay - a combination museum and art gallery that gives insight into Darwin's history, as well as the cultures that shape the entire Northern Territory to this day.
Here, you'll find exhibits about Cyclone Tracy, a famous giant saltwater crocodile from the region, and more. You'll also find a massive collection of Aboriginal artwork, such as bark paintings, textiles, and sculptures created by the Top End's Aboriginal people - illustrating the great cultural significance of the area.
There are also various rotating exhibitions that showcase both local artists and national collections. The building also operates as a visitor centre, with nearly endless information about all of the amazing places around Darwin - you could easily spend half a day here looking at all of the exhibits.
4. Go for a Private Swim in Litchfield National Park
When it comes to Top End fantastic, going for a private waterfall swim at Litchfield National Park should absolutely be on your bucket list.
This private swim tour starts off with an exciting helicopter ride from Darwin - taking you over floodplains, magnetic termite mounts, and large escarpments, before landing at Sandy Creek Falls.
This is a true hidden gem with a large plunge pool with towering rock walls and lush forest as the background. For a few hours, it's just you and the waterfall.
Litchfield National Park is well-known for its natural beauty, with other highlights including Florence Falls, Wangi Falls and Buley Rockhole.
Many of these spots have camping options and picnic tables too, making it a favourite for a day trip. Worth noting is that the water flows almost year round, making it a safe choice for both wet season and dry season.
5. Take a Guided Tour of Kakadu National Park
Go on a guided day tour of Kakadu National Park - a World-Heritage listed national park that is about three hours from Darwin, but there are organised tours available, so at least you don't have to drive the whole way.
When you get to Kakadu National Park, you'll see towering sandstone escarpments, sweeping floodplains and billabongs filled with birds. There are also some tours available that showcase the stories of the Aboriginal people and their cultural significance.
In Kakadu National Park, you'll get stunning views of waterfalls, rivers, and so much more, with the opportunity to spot crocodiles and other wildlife. The dry seasons is great for seeing thundering waterfalls, whereas the dry season is best for more camping options.
You may also find itineraries which connect with Nitmiluk National Park, home of Katherine Gorge and Edith Falls - all worth seeing as well. This is indeed one of the most amazing places around Darwin.
6. Go On a Darwin Heli Fishing Tour
For those who like to fish, going on a heli fishing tour is one of the best things to do in Darwin. This is a private helicopter experience that takes you from Darwin into remote creeks, estuaries, and coastal flats, where many species of fish, particularly barramundi, are plentiful.
This full day tour features some of the most beautiful scenic helicopter flights combined with some of the most exciting fishing in all of Australia. Your pilot will guide you to productive spots, such as tidal channels near the Adelaide River, and yes, you might even see some saltwater crocodiles on your journey.
This is a fantastic option because the helicopter is able to access remote areas that you just can't get to any other way - allowing you to fish in some of the most isolated locations around Darwin.
Even better is that there is the option to upgrade this into a combination heli fishing tour and pub crawl, so you can start the day fishing, and end it with some cold beer in an outback pub - making for a legendary day trip in the Northern Territory.
7. Explore the Magnetic Termite Mounds
The famous magnetic termite mounds of Litchfield National Park may look like a field of gravestones at first, but these are natural wonders built by insects that know exactly how to manage the tropical heat.
Guides may explain how the mounds act as natural air conditioners, allowing the colonies to easily handle the Top End's extreme weather conditions.
Around the mounds, you'll also find Florence Falls, Wangi Falls, boardwalks, and more, making for a fun experience and a great day tour.
8. Take a Jumping Crocodile Cruise
Go to the Adelaide River and take a jumping crocodile cruise - one of the most classic wildlife activities to do in Darwin. Here, you'll get to board specially designed boats that slowly cruise along the river, while guides safely tempt huge saltwater crocodiles out of the water with meat on long poles.
The simple fact is that seeing a crocodile launch itself out of the water is one of the most impressive sights out there. In fact, these are known for being some of the biggest crocodiles in the region - but you might just get to see some females and even baby crocodiles too. These tours are usually half day activities that run out of Darwin.
9. Visit the Tiwi Islands
The Tiwi Islands are just north of Darwin, and they make for a memorable day tour or even overnight visit. Known as the Island of Smiles, this community is known for its Aboriginal artwork, strong ties to the sea, and ceremonial culture.
If you want to visit an art centre with plenty of local artists, then this is the place to be. You'll find out all about screen-printing, pottery or painted bark, and learn how patterns relate to family and country.
This is an excellent option to consider for anyone who wants more than just scenery, but also wants to experience the culture that Darwin has to offer.
10. Stay at the Mindil Beach Casino Resort
Make your stay in Darwin feel like a holiday by checking into the Mindil Beach Casino Resort. This is a beautiful waterfront resort that combines lagoon-style pools, lush gardens and direct access to Mindil Beach, with rooms either overlooking the gardens or ocean water.
On market days, you can walk along the sand where the famous Mindil Markets run. You'll find food stalls and food trucks with dishes from all over the world, making it a food lover's delight, not to mention that there's generally plenty of live music, especially when the sun goes down.
For those who want to experience the heartbeat of Darwin while seeing cultures from all over the world, the Mindil Markets, along with the resort, are must-visit.
11. Swim with Crocs at Crocosaurus Cove
Right in the middle of the little city of Darwin, you'll find Crocosaurus Cove - a place where you get to see one of the Northern Territory's most famous animals up close.
Here, the main attraction is the Cage of Death, where those brave enough are lowered into a clear cylinder inside a pool with a huge saltwater croc - you can see every detail, every tooth, every scale - all from just a few centimetres away.
Of course, there's plenty more to do here, with lots of other wildlife to see along with educational talks, feeding shows of various reptiles, and so much more. If you like seeing reptiles and you want to get up close with them, this is the place to be.
12. Go On a Skydiving Adventure
If you really want to explore Darwin, doing so while freefalling is certainly an option to consider. You'll get a safety briefing and gear check before boarding a small plane and climbing high above the coast.
From the door, you get stunning views of beaches, mangroves and islands. On clear days you can see far around Darwin, spotting Darwin Harbour, the Tiwi Islands and distant ranges in the Northern Territory.
If thrill and adventure are what you're looking for, then this is the best thing to do in Darwin.
