Darwin
Discover Darwin
Darwin, a small yet cosmopolitan city, is the tropical capital city of the Northern Territory. People from more than 50 nations make up its population of 147,255 (2019). It sits on the Northern Territory coast, with the Timor Sea (a branch of the Indian Ocean) to the west, and the Arafura Sea to the north in Indonesian waters. Darwin is the only city of its size to have a north coast in mainland Australia, with the rest being small settlements. Darwin has a relaxed lifestyle and unique multiculturalism, where people from over 50 different cultures live and work side by side. The regular Asian-style markets form an intrinsic part of the everyday Darwin landscape, for local residents see food, music, language, and culture from just about every Asian nation, alongside "crocodile hunters", local Aboriginal artists, musicians of every genre, sports fishing operators, sunset sails, and families with children playing on the beach. Darwin's unique cosmopolitan makeup has been recognised as an "multicultural icon of national significance" by the Australian National Trust.
Taste of Darwin...
Darwin’s downtown dining hub encompasses Mitchell and Knuckey Streets and is brimming with restaurants, cafes and pubs. Dinner in Darwin can be classy or casual, but always relaxed. For breakfast, Café Uno serves a tasty toasted avocado, tomato and cheese croissant, and coffee lovers should head to Café 21 in the mall. For something a little different, try the coconut loaf with lemon curd at Roma Bar or French toast with maple syrup and bacon at Ducks Nuts Bar and Grill. Lunch options in the Central Business District are endless. Jump on the sushi train at Go Sushi, people-watch over a Caesar salad at Wisdom Bar & Café or try the crispy roast duck at Roast and Noodle. Enjoy Yum Cha at Tasty House, sample the variety of Tapas at Moorish Café or create your own stir-fry at Magic Wok. There is an array of pubs that serve up fish and chips, burgers and parmas, try Kitty O’Shea’s, Shennanigans or the Fox Ale House. For a juicy steak and fine wine visit Char Restaurant @ Admiralty, head to Hanuman for consistently great curry, get your Italian from Giuseppe’s or try mod oz fare matched with a colourful cocktail at Monsoons. Stokes Hill Wharf Watch the barges, sail boats and tinnies out on the harbour or peer over the edge to see moon fish getting their feed from chips dropped by diners. Most of the food served here is picnic style take away. Stir-fried noodles, beer battered barramundi, crumbed calamari and other choices are presented on plastic plates.
A Rich Past
Explore the historical roots that shaped Darwin into what it is today.
Darwin was first named in 1839 by John Lort Stokes during the third voyage of the Beagle. It was named after his former shipmate and famous naturalist Charles Darwin. Darwin's development was accelerated by the discovery of gold at Pine Creek, about 200 km south of the city in 1871. After the gold rush Darwin's growth slowed mainly due to the harsh, tropical climate, distance and poor communications with other Australian cities. The Second World War put Darwin back on the map when the town became an important base for Allied action against the Japanese in the Pacific. The road south to the railhead at Alice Springs was surfaced, putting the city in direct contact with the rest of the country. Modern Darwin is one of Australia's most cosmopolitan cities, more open to Asia than perhaps any other Australian city. It plays an important role as the door to Australia's northern region. Natural wonders such as Kakadu, Katherine Gorge, and Litchfield are all within driving distance from the city and still contain near pre-colonial populations of crocodiles, goannas, snakes and wallabies. Today Darwin is a fast-growing regional centre that has unique history, culture and adventure. The Top End, which includes Darwin, Katherine, Kakadu National Park and Arnhem Land, has a tropical climate. Darwin has an average temperature of 32°C (90°F) all year, with varying humidity. Darwin is climatically perfect to visit from May to October....
Climate
The Top End, which includes Darwin, Katherine, Kakadu National Park and Arnhem Land, has a tropical climate. Darwin has an average temperature of 32°C (90°F) all year, with varying humidity. Darwin is climatically perfect to visit from May to October. There is no need to check the weather forecast as it is nearly always 31°C (89°F) and sunny during the day, with cooler nights. November and December is the time the build up, or pre-monsoon season, begins and humidity levels start to rise. The summer rains bring the natural landscape to life and deliver the picturesque storms and sunsets the Northern Territory is renowned for. Some people enjoy this aspect of the wet, with the rivers and waterfalls in full glory, and the landscape greener. But its generally not a pleasant time to visit Darwin. The humidity can make Darwin's summer temperatures feel much hotter than the typical daytime summer maximum of 33 °C (91 °F) and minimum of 26 °C (79 °F).
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsThere is an airport shuttle bus, which meets all flights 24 hours, and taxis are available. There are limited public transport services to the airport. Bus 3 has two deviations (c) and (d) which service Charles Eaton Drive and Henry Wrigley Drive. Bus 3(c) services run at three times M-F between 6:25 and 8:05AM, one at 12:30PM. Bus 3(d) services run at three times M-F between 3:55 and 5:20PM. If you are travelling outside these times, it is still possible to catch bus 3, get off just after stop C (Jingili shops) just before the bus turns down Scales St, and walk the 2 km down Henry Wrigley Drive to the Airport. Allow 30 min to walk there. Once you check in at the airport and go through security, there are free (hot) showers upstairs (turn right at the top of the escalators) to freshen up after your walk. Bus 3 is a circuit service starting and finishing at Casuarina Interchange (so you could also use this service to get from the airport to town)....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Darwinbus operates services throughout the city and surrounding suburbs. Services are more frequent closer to the city where the routes overlap. You will need to plan according to the timetable to get anywhere else. There are limited services on Sundays. All services have been totally free since 2024! Driving is the best way to comprehensively see Darwin. Many of the sights are spread out, parking is easy and traffic is usually free flowing. Walking can be very hard work for those not used to the climate in Darwin. Dress to stay cool, and carry water. Study options in the Northern Territory include VET courses and apprenticeships, as well as undergraduate and post graduate tertiary qualifications. Charles Darwin University is the main tertiary education institution in the Territory, and delivers university and vocational education from several campuses in Darwin and the main towns.
Where to Stay
Warning! book ahead in dry season as accommodation gets VERY full. In an emergency dial 000 for ambulance, fire or police. Take care at night. While the tourist areas around the waterfront are pretty friendly, there are some rough areas in the city proper. Darwin has consistently been ranked as Australia's most dangerous city, with a crime rate similar to Tripoli (according to Numbeo). Avoid walking alone at night; the most common types of crime are break-ins, car vandalism, theft, knife crime, and pickpocketing, much of which is alcohol-fueled. Take extra care of your belongings and around bottle shops – don't leave any valuables unattended. Royal Darwin Hospital is one of five public hospitals located within the Northern Territory. The hospital is on Rocklands Drive, Tiwi, on the northern side of Darwin. As you approach Casuarina, blue signs give directions to the hospital, but it is better to familiarise yourself with the Hospital's location before you may need to find it.
Money & Budget
Automatic Teller Machines are available extensively. Foreign exchange is available at most banks. Visiting the local markets is a must-do Darwin experience. Start at Smith Street Mall in the city centre then branch out into the surrounding streets. Travellers will find a range of shopping experiences including local galleries specialising in Aboriginal art or speciality shops selling world-class pearls and crocodile-skin products. Darwin’s downtown dining hub encompasses Mitchell and Knuckey Streets and is brimming with restaurants, cafes and pubs. Dinner in Darwin can be classy or casual, but always relaxed. For breakfast, Café Uno serves a tasty toasted avocado, tomato and cheese croissant, and coffee lovers should head to Café 21 in the mall.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
In an emergency dial 000 for ambulance, fire or police. Take care at night. While the tourist areas around the waterfront are pretty friendly, there are some rough areas in the city proper. Darwin has consistently been ranked as Australia's most dangerous city, with a crime rate similar to Tripoli (according to Numbeo). Avoid walking alone at night; the most common types of crime are break-ins, car vandalism, theft, knife crime, and pickpocketing, much of which is alcohol-fueled. Take extra care of your belongings and around bottle shops – don't leave any valuables unattended. Royal Darwin Hospital is one of five public hospitals located within the Northern Territory. The hospital is on Rocklands Drive, Tiwi, on the northern side of Darwin. As you approach Casuarina, blue signs give directions to the hospital, but it is better to familiarise yourself with the Hospital's location before you may need to find it. Darwin Private hospital is situated across the road.