Going on a heli pub crawl combines the best of both worlds - a scenic flight in a helicopter with the best beers and pub food that the Northern Territory has to offer.
With Rotor One, you can take a heli pub crawl to the most iconic outback watering holes in Australia, with stops at the Goat Island Lodge, the Darwin River Tavern, Berry Springs Tavern, Crab Claw Island Resort, and Noonamah Tavern.
Here's what you need to know about taking a heli pub crawl to these iconic pubs - and why it makes for one of the top things to do in Darwin. Take a full day tour and find out why heli pub crawls are unlike anything else!
Starting Your Northern Territory Heli Pub Crawl at Darwin Airport
A heli pub crawl from Rotor One starts with a scenic flight that takes off from Darwin Airport - something that locals and visitors alike alike can enjoy. The takeoff point is located just 15 minutes from the CBD, making for easy access.
After a quick safety brief from your pilot, you'll strap in, put on your noise-cancelling headsets, and feel the rush as the helicopter lifts off.
On this leg of the journey, you'll see sights such as Darwin Harbour, Fannie Bay, and the mangrove-lined coastline. The turquoise Arafura Sea meets the wilderness here, quite a sight to behold from a bird's-eye-view. This is just the start of your heli pub crawl across the Northern Territory.
Stop 1: The Goat Island Lodge: Where Cold Beers Meet Crocs
Your first stop on this epic heli pub crawl is the Goat Island Lodge, found on a small island right in the middle of the Adelaide River. This pub can only be accessed by boat or helicopter.
Here's where you'll meet Casey the Crocodile, the island's longtime resident known for lingering around the docks during feeding time.
Enjoy cold brews, hearty pub fare, and enjoy the shade along with great river views. Once you've gotten your fill, it's time to fly to the next part of your adventure.
Stop 2: The Darwin River Tavern in Australia's Top End
The next stop on this epic helicopter pub crawl is the Darwin River Tavern, a true Darwin institution that has received its fair share of praise over the years. Arrive via rock star landing at sprawling outback pub that is surrounded by over 120 acres of bushland.
The Darwin River Tavern has its own helipad to land at, along with a freshwater crocodile aquarium, and a relaxed atmosphere that's perfect for listening to tall tales told by the locals.
Here, you can enjoy a Darwin River Lager, a favourite among those who visit top end pubs - it's brewed for the territory's tropical heat! You can also try the rotating taps of craft and local beers - along with bold food, such as pork belly burnt ends, fish tacos, and steaks grilled to perfection.
More often than not, this is one of those watering holes that generally has live music playing, making for a whole lot of fun while you enjoy your drinks and forget about the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Stop 3: Berry Springs Tavern
If you're doing the standard half day pub crawl, then the Berry Springs Tavern would be your third and final spot - a fitting end to a day that will make for a great story. Here, you'll find an easygoing spot that is surrounded by lush greenery, just off of the Cox Peninsula Road.
This is a fan-favourite among the locals heading to the Litchfield Waterfalls within the Litchfield National Park. Aside from the interesting critters you'll see here, the Berry Springs Tavern is also known for its pet-friendly beer garden, kids’ playground, and spacious verandahs.
Aside from many types of beer to suit every style, enjoy your round of brews with fresh seafood, a locally inspired laksa, or a hand-cut beef fillet. Find some locals, and chances are that you'll hear some cool outback stories too!
(Optional) Stop 4: Crab Claw Island Resort
Part of the full day heli pub crawl in Darwin, you can elect to take the helicopter to two extra spots, with the first being the Crab Claw Island Resort, a great place to spend an hour or two, especially if you enjoy views of white sand, palm trees, and a rustic waterfront bar.
This quiet and laidback pub is the perfect place to take a picture with your camera and cheers your mates. Along with a massive selection of brews, you can grab a grilled barramundi burger or prawns fresh off the boat.
One of the most interesting aspects here is that the Crab Claw Island Resort is even known for cooking fresh-caught fish from locals - that's right, you can go fishing, and they'll cook it to perfection for you!
(Optional) Stop 5: Noonamah Tavern
The fifth and final stop of the full day Darwin heli pub crawl is Noonamah Tavern, a roadhouse-style pub that is famous for Johnny’s Rodeo Steakhouse, live rodeos, and its tropical beer garden.
If you want to meet interesting critters, this is the place to be - a mix of locals and visitors alike.
Explore the spacious lawns, have a tropical lager on an XXXX, and listen to the sounds of live country rock coming from the stage. When it comes to great beer and live entertainment, there's really no better place to be!
Why The Darwin Heli Pub Crawl is a Must
There are many reasons why taking the Darwin heli pub crawl is an absolute must.
- See Savannah woodlands, floodplains dotted with wallabies and buffalo from above - from the cockpit of a helicopter complete with large windows for optimal viewing. You'll see everything from sand and beaches to coastline, shimmering blue waters, and lush greenery.
- Your pilot will provide in-depth commentary along the way, particularly as you pass landmarks such as the Darwin River Basin and Adelaide River - it's as educational as it is exciting.
- Of course, a heli pub crawl like this is more than just about beer and flying in a majestic helicopter, but also about experiencing the Northern Territory in all of its authenticity, from the colourful locals to the wetlands, forests, and coastal areas teeming with wildlife - this is a combination scenic flight, cultural experience, and pub crawl.
- Yes, trying a range of beers that you've never seen or heard of is of course a part of the experience. After all, the whole point of a pub crawl is to try the best brews that each location has to offer, and that's exactly what you get here - good thing the helicopter comes with its own designated driver! On that note, you'll get to try some classic Australian pub fare as well!
- What it comes down to is that the Rotor One Darwin heli pub crawl is a true adventure - it combines a thrilling helicopter flight, amazing scenery, cold beers and pub fare, and colourful characters for one of the most exciting experiences in Australia's top end.
Rotor One stands out as the best choice for a heli pub crawl in Darwin because it combines local expertise, premium aircraft, and access to the Top End’s most iconic and hard to reach watering holes into one amazing experience.
Flights depart conveniently from Darwin Airport and are operated by experienced pilots who know the Northern Territory landscape inside out, adding live commentary that turns each leg into a scenic tour.
Rotor One’s established relationships with venues like Goat Island Lodge, Darwin River Tavern, Berry Springs Tavern, Crab Claw Island Resort, and Noonamah Tavern mean smooth landings, well-timed stops, and the flexibility to tailor half-day or full-day crawls.
Add in modern helicopters with excellent visibility, strict safety standards, and a true designated driver in the sky, and Rotor One delivers a heli pub crawl that feels effortless and exclusive.
