Discover The Best Things To Do In Darwin In 2025

Real talk: the Northern Territory’s Top End is so beautiful, you might just shed a tear when you land. Its capital, Darwin—on the traditional lands of the Larrakia People—is the jewel in the crown. Think azure waters, epic national parks, natural swimming holes, waterfalls, and a vibing (yet underrated) foodie scene. Sure, Uluru is a bucket list must—but trust us, adding a few days up north is totally worth it. Darwin is a banger of a holiday spot, packed with unforgettable things to do.

New here or just need a refresher? No worries—here’s your ultimate guide to things to do in Darwin City.

When To Travel To Darwin

Straight up—Darwin is hot. She’s got an average temp of 30 degrees all year round and yes, you’re likely to get a bit sweaty. But trust us when we say it’s absolutely worth the SUL (sweaty upper lip). 

Up north, there are two distinct seasons—wet and dry. The latter runs from May to October with an average temp of 21°C to 30°C. This season is perfect for bushwalking, hiking, swimming in waterfalls and camping. 

The wet season covers the months of November to April and sees temps of around 25°C to 33°C with humidity levels of over 80%. Unsurprisingly the wet season can be incredibly wet, so expect tropical downpours. The upside? It leaves the area incredibly lush and the sunsets are truly breathtaking. Locals often say that although the dry season is popular with tourists, the wet season is when the Top End really comes alive. 

The Best Things To Do In Darwin In 2025

Discover The Natural Beauty Of Litchfield National Park

Image credit: NTAustralia | Instagram

Home to cultural sites of the Marranuggu, Koongurrukun, Werat, and the Warray Aboriginal people, Litchfield is a 90-minute drive from Darwin’s centre. Here you can float in lush swimming holes like Berry Springs—where the water is so clear you can see straight to the bottom—get a power shower underneath Florence Falls, and cool off at Bluey Rockhole.

Stretch your legs on the Tabletop Track, a 39 kilometre that will see you pass by Wangi Falls, Tjenya Falls and Walker Creek. And be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the magnetic termite mounds which are up to 100 years old and stand two metres high. If you’d rather have a tour guide, check out Ethical Adventures, which includes transport to and from, guides and delish meals. 

Scope Out Incredible Art

Image credit: Darwin Art Fair | Instagram

While you’ll find art galleries scattered throughout the city, a good place to start is the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT), a prize-winning public gallery showcasing the region’s best works featuring desert dot paintings and ceramics to carvings from the Tiwi Islands. 

Laundry Gallery, housed in a retro 70s laundromat in Parap Village, showcases modern takes on Indigenous art and culture with past exhibitions by Alywarr artist Dion Beasley. Don’t miss Aboriginal Bush Traders—a café, gallery, and shop selling ethically sourced goods that support Indigenous communities. And yes, grab a choc chip wattle-seed cookie—they’re unreal.

Darwin is also home to vibing street art scenes. There are over 10 larger-than-life murals dotted around the city, and some are even interactive. You can do a self-guided tour right here. And if you happen to be in Darwin in August, be sure to check out the Darwin Art Fair, which brings art and artists from more than 40 communities to town. In May, discover the Darwin Street Art Festival—an annual event since 2017 that sees fresh murals pop up across the CBD (and beyond).

Watch A  Flick Under The Stars

Image credit: Deckchair Cinema | Instagram

For a perfect balmy night out in Darwin, do as the locals do and catch an indie flick at the iconic Deckchair Cinema. Settle into a striped lounge chair under twinkling festoon lights, with the sun setting behind the screen, and tuck into bites from local food trucks. The rotating lineup features everything from arthouse gems to themed nights like the Italian Film Festival, often with artist talks too—so whenever you visit, there’s always something worth watching.

Hit Up Air Raid Arcade

Image credit: House Of Darwin | Instagram

This super cool space is accesible from Cavenagh Street and winds through the ever-funky Austin Lane. It's home to unique bars like the retro-themed Babylon and Rennaissance-inspired Birth Of Venus as well as apparel shops like House Of Darwin, an achingly cool label (think: unique pieces that you'll treasure forever) that reinvests its profits into remote Aboriginal communities.

Soak Up Sunshine And Tunes At Bass In The Grass

Image credit: Rachel Rachel Photography | Instagram 

This epic music festival hits Mindil Beach every May and it's truly unmissable. The showdown has seen the likes of Dope Melon, Dune Rats, G Flip, Hilltop Hoods, Jessica Mauboy and Montaigne perform so don your best bucket hat, it's always a belter.

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Enjoy A Picnic On The Beach At Mindil Beach Sunset Markets

Image credit: Mindil Beach Sunset Markets | Instagram

Running Thursday and Sunday evenings (4pm to 9pm) from April to October, the Mindil Beach Sunset Markets is the perfect way to wrap up a day of exploring. BYO drinks and go for a wander through the endless food stalls, letting the smells and winding queues point you in the right direction—the calamari stall is off the chain, so definitely keep your eyes peeled for that one. Once you've got a bite, take it down to the beach, crack your drink and watch the sky transform as the sun sets over the water. The sunsets here are truly something else.

Road Trip To Kakadu

Image credit: Tourism NT/Kyle Hunter & Hayley Anderson | Website

If you’re heading to the Top End, carving out a day or two to see Kakadu—home of the Bininj/Mungguy People—is a no-brainer. At Australia’s biggest national park (a three-hour drive from Darwin) you’ll find waterfalls, rainforests, wetlands, wildlife and ancient rock art across 20,000 square kilometres. 

Cruise along the Yellow Water Billabong spotting crocs and the millions of migratory birds who call the park’s wetlands home and discover more than 5,000 Aboriginal rock art sites dotted around the park. Some must dos include: swimming at Maguk and Gunlom pools, catching the sunset at Ubirr and gazing at Jim Jim Falls.

Eat Your Way Around Parap Village Markets

Image credit: Tourism NT | Website

If you get lost on your way to the Parap Village Markets, just give the air a big old sniff and your nose will surely guide you the rest of the way. The markets, which come alive every Saturday from 8am to 2pm, are lined with food trucks and stalls, slinging authentic laksa, dumplings and satay chicken that will make you feel like you jumped on a plane OS. There’s also a myriad of exotic fruit on offer plus Asian greens and herbs to fill your kitchen with. Keep following the winding line of stalls and you’ll stumble upon local arts and crafts too—perfect for some souvenirs. 

Do A Gourmet Foodie Tour

Image credit: Darwin Gourmet Food Tours | Instagram

If you’re a foodie who is often gripped by decision paralysis then you’ll love this gourmet foodie tour. You can choose between a lunch or dinner tour, each runs for three hours and will see you explore the city’s rich cultural heritage at several of their best restaurants. You’ll get to feast on loads of drool-worthy dishes, (tip: wear comfy pants) as well as scoring some locals' only knowledge along the way. 

Sip Through Top Spirits At Willing Distillery's Cellar Door

Image credit: Willing Distillery | Instagram

This place had us at martini tasting menu! It’d be a crime to miss a cellar door tasting at Darwin’s own Willing Distillery. Founded by David Willing, the industrial-style space is responsible for crafting uniquely Australian spirits flavoured by local native ingredients. Start with a tasting to learn all about their range of gins and vodkas, then work your way through more of the fair-dinkum mixed drinks in their vault…how to choose between the munted emu, bush negroni, and rosella gin fizz?

Cruise To The Tiwi Islands

Image credit: Tourism NT/Elise Cook | Website

The Tiwi Islands are just a 30-minute charter flight from Darwin or a two and a half hour ferry ride—so put it on your must-see list stat. Nicknamed the ‘Island Of Smiles’ this unique slice of paradise is home to incredible Aboriginal culture, sugar white sand beaches, breath-taking nature-scapes and wildlife (read: lots of crocs). For a full guide on how to enjoy the Tiwi Islands, head here. 

Delve Into Some Adventure And Wildlife

Image credit: Crocosaurus Cove | Instagram

If there's one place in Australia to get your adrenaline pumping, it's in Darwin. Take a jumping crocodile cruise on Adelaide River, go for a dip with a croc (yes, really) at Crocosaurus Cove in the CBD, jump on a jet ski tour across Darwin Harbour or race a mate on an ATV buggy through the nearby Charles Darwin National Park with 00Seven Adventures. This is pure bucket list worthy stuff. 

The Best Restaurants And Cafes In Darwin In 2025

Ella by Minoli

Image credit: Ella by Minoli | Instagram

Tucked away in a quiet CBD corner, Ella by Minoli—opened in 2022 by MasterChef Australia alum Minoli de Silva—serves bold, modern Sri Lankan fare inspired by her hometown. Highlights include melt-in-your-mouth spiced beef cheek and beetroot curry with mint yoghurt.

Ruby G’s Canteen And Bakery

Image credit: Ruby G’s Canteen And Bakery | Instagram

Got a sweet tooth? Then you’ll love Ruby G’s and their delicious morsels of sweet dough. Nestled in Coconut Grove and on Mitchell Street in the CBD, this bakery and canteen creates sweet pastries that Darwin locals can’t get enough of. Think: oozing nutella filled cruffins, flaky almond croissants and lemon meringue doughnuts. Hot tip: you can’t go past their olive sourdough either. 

Flora’s Temper Mexicantina

Image credit: Flora’s Temper Mexicantina | Instagram

This vibrant cantina brings Mexico to the Top End. Feast on habanero wings, corn ribs, chilli con carne meatballs, and lime-salted watermelon—or go all out with the $58 bottomless brunch (Friday to Sunday). Sip frozen margs or Micheladas in the hot pink courtyard and soak up the vibes at one of Darwin’s best spots.

Hanuman

Image credit: Hanuman | Instagram 

A much-loved local fave, you’ll take your tastebuds on a journey to South East Asia when dining at Hanuman. With a slew of awards under its belt, you’ll drool over their Malaysian fish curry and eggplant pachadi. And while lunch and dinner is amazing, we highly recommend you book in for their epic Sunday brunch featuring south Indian egg dosa and duck laksa. Thirsty? Grab an innovative cocktail at the Terrace Bar.

Snapper Rocks

Image credit: Snapper Rocks | Instagram

The name kinda gives it away, but fresh, local seafood is definitely the main attraction at Snapper Rocks. We reckon you absolutely have to order the whole wild-caught local snapper that comes served up with a creamy cashew sauce and papaya salad—the fish practically falls off the bone—but you’d be crazy not to try the salt and pepper crocodile bites while you’re there too.

The Best Darwin Accommodation In 2025

Top End Safari Camp

Image credit: Tourism NT/Kyle Hunter & Hayley Anderson | Website

For a bit of a ‘pinch me’ moment, carve out a few days at Top End Safari Camp. Nestled in the Peninsular Way region, north west of Litchfield National Park (about a 1.5 hour drive from Darwin), each night you’ll rest your head in a deluxe Lotus Belle tent—of which there are only 10, so you can say see ya later to the crowds. There’s a sky deck to star gaze on, a fire pit to sip vino beside and and pool to soak in. Plus you have access to a bunch of incredible tours like croc feeding, helicopter tours and boat rides along the billabong. 

Hideaway Litchfield 

Image credit: Tourism NT/Hideaway Litchfield | Website

Just 7km from the beautiful Wangi Falls and a 90-minute drive from Darwin CBD, lies Hideaway Litchfield. The private, luxury cabins are set in tranquil native bushland and will allow you to disconnect from the rest of the world and bask in NT's stunning backyard thanks to the floor-to-ceiling glass windows. There’s a private kitchen and outdoor deck too so you just need to bring the wine and cheese. 

Mindil Beach Casino Resort

Image credit: Mindil Beach Casino Resort | Instagram 

Does an ideal holiday involve you sipping cocktails poolside? If you’re nodding, then check into Mindil Beach Casino Resort. Nestled on the waterfront, you’ll enjoy stunning views of Darwin from their huge pool—tropical cocktail in hand. There’s of course a casino on site and a bunch of tasty restaurants for you to work your way through during your stay.