Whilst one of Australia’s smallest capitals by population, Darwin has more than earned its place in the country’s history books, in addition to being the gateway to the nation’s largest national park - Kakadu National Park. With so many attractions to see within the city and the surrounding region, a hire car will help you enjoy the sights on your own terms.
Experience Northern Territory art, history and heritage sites in the capital
The Northern Territory has a rich and spiritual aboriginal history and culture, with Darwin providing tourists some of the best access to traditional and modern aboriginal art. But Darwin is also famed for its rich modern history as a former frontier outpost and its role in World War II, and the centre of the devastating Cyclone Tracy in the 1970’s.
For an introduction to Aboriginal arts and crafts, take a trip to the Aboriginal Fine Arts Gallery, the largest gallery of Aboriginal art in Darwin. Located in the heart of the city down Knuckey Street, the gallery features a wide range of traditional and contemporary art from across Arnhem Land and other regions. If you’re passing by Smith Street Mall, be sure to check out the Readback Book Exchange and Aboriginal Art Gallery, a small art gallery, book shop and studio space for Darwin artists.
Once a strategic military base, Darwin has a well-known military history and showcases this best at The Darwin History and Wartime Experience. The tour takes you on an immersive excursion through wartime Darwin, all while sitting in an authentic WWII army vehicle. The tour also takes you past sights of historic wartime relics, and some of the few remaining visible signs of the bombing of Darwin by the Japanese in 1942.
The Darwin Military Museum is a similarly educational attraction where you can learn more about Australia’s involvement in WWII and even visit the bunker where the Northern Territory's defence strategy was planned. The museum also features military vehicles and larger artillery pieces.
Located on Stokes Hill Wharf, the Royal Flying Doctors Tourist Facility offers a history lesson on the famous Flying Doctors, who have provided emergency medical care for Australians in rural or remote areas for close to 100 years.
Finally, the Museum & Art Gallery of the Northern Territory features a growing collection of Indigenous art, as well as a permanent exhibition on Cyclone Tracy, which devastated the area on Christmas Eve in 1974.
Take a day trip out to several must-see locations close to the Harbour City
100 kilometres south-west of Darwin, Litchfield National Park is home to many of the Top End’s best waterfalls. Have a splash, or trek down one of the many walking tracks to catch a glimpse of the local wildlife.
Under an hour’s drive from the city, nearby the Litchfield National Park, you’ll find Pudakul Aboriginal Culture Tours, an authentic and educational tour that is 100% Aboriginal owned and operated. The guided cultural experience provides visitors with an historical account of the land, as well as demonstrating hunting and crafting practices, traditional ochre painting, and more.
80 kilometres north of Darwin on Bathurst Island, the award-winning Tiwi Tours provides visitors with guided access to a modern Aboriginal community and a glimpse into their way of life on the island. Spend an entire day with the community and learn about their rituals, practices, art and history.
If you’re passing by Humpty Doo, be sure to check out the Didgeridoo Hut and Art Gallery, a small business owned and operated by an Aboriginal family. At certain times of the year, you can spot the artists creating didgeridoos, woven baskets and dillybags.
Berry Springs Nature Park is the perfect spot for bushwalking, bird watching and swimming. Be sure to pack your swimmers! Clear watering holes make Berry Springs a popular place to cool off in Darwin’s warmer months. Berry Springs is an easy 50-minute drive south of Darwin. It also has BBQ and picnic facilities, so you can make a day of it.
The Mary and Adelaide River region is the perfect destination for those wanting a sneak-peek at the longest-surviving inhabitant of the Northern Territory – the crocodile. Numerous crocodile tours operate in the region and offer customers a chance to see crocodiles in their natural surroundings.
Of course, no journey to the Top End is complete without a visit to Kakadu National Park. An hour and a half drive from Darwin, Kakadu is the largest national park in Australia, and is UNESCO World Heritage-listed. Immerse yourself in the Indigenous culture of the area, try and spot the local wildlife, or explore any of the five waterfalls that can be found in the park.
From natural wonders to laidback local living, Darwin has something for everyone to enjoy. Hire a car at the airport and explore the wealth of wonders the Top End has to offer.
