Darwin is the tropical capital of the Northern Territory and the starting point for Kakadu and Litchfield: sunset markets on the beach, an open-air cinema in deckchairs and a bar strip full of backpackers. There are crocodiles in the sea, though. Here you'll find all the checked spots from our map with tips.
Darwin Airport is about 15 minutes from the centre; shuttles run to the hostels. On The Ghan train you come from Adelaide via Alice Springs, and coaches run the Stuart Highway. In the centre everything is walkable; for Kakadu and Litchfield you need a car or a tour.
May to October is the dry season: warm days, clear nights, markets and the open-air cinema — the best time to visit. November to April is the wet season, with heat, high humidity, storms and cyclones; many roads and swimming spots are closed then.
An adults-only hostel with two pools and a bar right on the nightlife strip. In the dry season there's live music almost every day.
A hostel with a pool on Mitchell Street — a cheap base for Kakadu and Litchfield tours.
An enclosed, patrolled swimming lagoon at the Waterfront — safe from crocodiles and jellyfish and open all year. Next to it there's a wave pool.
A crocodile park in the middle of the city where you can be lowered in a glass cage into the saltwater crocodiles' pool. Entry fee — the safe way to see a crocodile up close.
A peninsula with wallabies, cycle paths and a sunset over the sea. Free. Don't go in the water.
An open-air cinema in deckchairs under palm trees, only in the dry season. Bring insect repellent.
A street-food market on the beach at sunset, on Thursdays and Sundays in the dry season. All of Darwin eats here while the sun sinks into the sea. Don't swim in the sea here — note the warning below.
Safety: Saltwater crocodiles live in Darwin's coastal waters, along with box jellyfish. For swimming, use the Waterfront lagoon.
A weekly market every Saturday morning with Asian street food, famous for its laksa. Get there early.
The bar strip in the centre, with backpacker nights almost every day.
Two- to three-day camping tours to Kakadu and Litchfield, in the dry season from May to October. Without your own 4WD, the easiest way to see the parks.
A laundromat in central Darwin.
No — saltwater crocodiles and box jellyfish live in Darwin's coastal waters. You can swim safely in the Waterfront Lagoon.
On Thursdays and Sundays in the dry season, roughly from April to October.
The dry season from May to October.
All spots on the Darwin map. Nearby: Litchfield and Kakadu. South on the Explorer's Way road trip via Alice Springs.
Updated September 2026. Checked against official sources and operator websites. Prices, opening hours and seasons change — check before you go.