Darwin is a small city with a huge history. Its glistening harbours were strong holds for allied troops during World War Two. Gold was found at nearby Pine Creek in the late 19th century. Paul Hogan shone a global spotlight Down Under when he traversed its surrounding regions for crocodiles. While Cyclone Tracy also made worldwide headlines, devastating lives and homes in the mid 1970s.

As Australia’s gateway to Asia and the outback, Darwin is melting pot of people and traditions. Indigenous culture, natural treasures, tropical weather and a laid-back lifestyle attract thousands of visitors every year, looking to explore Australia’s vast and majestic Top End.

Darwin Information

Population: Approx 112,000
Area: 112 km² (city area)
Time Zone: GMT +9.5
Languages: English (official)
Currency: Australian dollar (AUD) Order your travellers cheques and cash
Electricity: 220 – 240v 50Hz

Darwin Climate

Darwin’s climate is defined by two seasons, the wet and the dry. The wet season lasts from October through to April and brings monsoonal weather, heavy rainfall, blooming wild flowers and impassable flooded roads. The temperature sits between 24°C to 32°C. The dry season occupies May through to September and brings dragonflies, clear skies, balmy nights and warm days. Temperatures very rarely dip below 12°C or peak higher than 24°C.

• View local weather forecast for your holiday

Darwin Airport

Name: Darwin International airport
Address: Henry Wrigley Dve, Marrara, N.T 0812
Website: www.darwinairport.com.au
Distance to city: 13 Kms
Parking: Short and long term parking available at the airport

Transport

Car hire: Great choice of hire cars at mates rates from our car suppliers
Taxi: Journey to city is 15-20 minutes

Don’t forget your travel insurance!

Cullen Bay Apartments

4 Star Property

Overlooking the magnificent Cullen Bay Marina with superb views of Darwin City, Harbour, the Timor Sea and the parklands. Cullen Bay Resorts is a relaxing 5 minute stroll to a selection of Darwin's best restaurants and alfresco cafes along the Marina eat street.

Skycity Darwin

5 Star Property

Spectacularly set on 7.3 hectares, amongst tropical beachside gardens, the Skycity is Darwins premium boutique hotel located moments from the Central Business District. This international hotel casino has 117 rooms and boasts three award-winning restaurants, numerous bars and a specialty coffee shop.

Novotel Darwin Atrium

4 Star Property

The Novotel Darwin Atrium is conveniently located in the city centre, overlooking Darwin Harbour. This hotel is a short stroll from the dining and entertainment precinct of Mitchell Street and is equally suited to business trips and holidays.

Holiday Inn Darwin

4 Star Property

The Holiday Inn Darwin is located in the CBD, on The Esplanade and has panoramic views over Darwin Harbour. It is the ideal place to stay and experience the friendliness of this famous Top End city and is only a five minute walk from the city centre and a fifteen minute drive from the airport.

Dining

Perched on the peninsula, with a year-round average temperature of 30°C, Darwin is a tourist hotspot with a premier dining scene.

Surrounded by ports, marinas and bays, Darwin’s dining experience is mainly concentrated on the waterfront – celebrating seasonal ingredients with spectacular vistas of the harbour and horizon. Cullen Bay has a reputation for being the Top End’s premier dining precinct, with a marina that hosts several acclaimed eateries. Buzz Café is a funky space with a diverse menu, offering everything fish and chips to Asian dishes. Charcoal Oven Restaurant features karaoke and Mahjong nights and an impressive menu of Top End specialities. French restaurant La Beach complements local produce with an extensive wine list of Australian and French favourites.

Relaxed dining centred on modern Australian cuisine is a way of life in Darwin – as locals meet up at pubs to unwind after a long day. Swing by Mitchell Street, to sip on an ice-cold beer and watch the world walk by in the middle of Darwin's tourism precinct. The Fox Ale House is the street’s cosiest retreat, offering old-fashioned pub dining with a lively and welcoming ambience. The Tap on Mitchell offers great alfresco dining amid one of the city’s most popular beer gardens. Darwin landmark, the Top End Hotel has seen many changes over years, but remains one of the regions’ most respected and frequented pubs.

Located closer to South East Asia than the rest of Australia, Darwin is a great place to indulge in a food from a variety of Asian countries. Weekend markets – such as the ones at Parap, Nightcliff, Rapid Creek – are the best way to tap into Darwin's vibrant multiculturalism, with rows upon rows of food stalls serving delicious (and cheap) Asian eats, such as laksas, pho, Javanese satays and fresh Thai salads.

Shopping

Darwin and the Top End offer unique shopping opportunities. Original Aboriginal art, hand-crafted jewellery, kitsch souvenirs and quality goods… the region has it all.

Smith Street Mall in the heart of the CBD is Darwin’s major shopping precinct. Take a stroll through the precinct’s five arcades, or drop into the Galleria. Populated by over 200 stores, the mall stocks everything from indigenous artefacts to locally cultivated pearls, and sportswear to music equipment.

Shopping facilities can also be found away from the city centre in the suburbs. Karama Shopping Plaza has all the mod-cons of a regional retail centre. Palmerston features two major shopping centres: the aptly named Palmerston Shopping Centre and Palm City Oasis. While Casuarina, is a favourite amongst serious shoppers, with two shopping hotspots: Casuarina Shopping Square – the Northern Territory’s largest shopping centre, boasting over 180 retailer and two major department stores; and Casuarina Shopping Village – a smaller hub catering for practical retailers with an array of electronic and hardware stores.

Make the most of Darwin’s balmy climate, shop at one of several of the region’s outdoors markets. Open every Thursday and Sunday night, from April through to October, Mindil Beach Sunset Markets feature more than 200 art and craft stalls. A Saturday morning favourite, the Parap Village Market sells local produce, local arts and crafts, entertainment and cuisine from around the world. Darwin's oldest market, The Rapid Creek Markets, offers a range of stalls that brim with fresh organic produce, flowers, seafood and local handmade crafts. Nightcliff Markets, held every Sunday morning, are a thrift-lover’s paradise, with stalls specialising in recycled goods and collectables.