Australia’s only tropical capital city
Soak up Darwin’s tropical vibe, where ancient Aboriginal culture melds with a modern city lifestyle overlooking the Timor Sea.
With waterfront dining, crocodile adventures, rich historical experiences, and access to the Tiwi Islands all within a few minutes of the city centre, there’s enough to do to fill a weekend or a week.
Litchfield National Park is just a 90 minute drive from Darwin and is a favourite for the locals year-round. It’s an easy day trip with a range of swimming spots and waterfalls, and is well worth staying overnight in the nearby accommodation.
Plan your stay
Darwin itineraries
What’s on in Darwin
Darwin is the event capital of the Territory with festival season filling the calendar during the Dry Season.
Frequently asked questions
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There’s plenty to see and do in the NT all year round. The Territory has two distinct climate zones: the tropical Top End and the semi-arid Red Centre.
The Top End and the Red Centre each have their own unique climate. In the Top End the climate is tropical. It's summer from November to April with magnificent thunderstorms, spectacular sunsets and warmer weather. There are smaller crowds during summer (which is considered low season), which is a great time to grab hot deals on flights, accommodation and tours.
From May to October is the Dry Season which is warm and pleasant with sunny days and cooler nights. Visit in the Dry to explore all of the attractions in the surrounding national parks and experience the buzz of the sunset markets. Darwin and the Top End are bustling in the Dry Season, with a packed calendar of events and festivals drawing visitors from near and far to make the most of the balmy outdoor celebrations.
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By air - Darwin is the gateway to the Northern Territory and its well-equipped airport hub is the arrival point for most visitors travelling by air (Alice Springs and Ayers Rock Airport are the other two air arrival points into the NT). The NT is serviced by major domestic and international airlines, providing passengers with easy access to destinations across the Territory from almost anywhere in the world.
Daily flights operate between Darwin, Alice Springs and Uluru. Other flights operate between regional centres by Airnorth.
By road - Journey by road to the NT on well-maintained, sealed highways, which provide the most direct routes between the NT and South Australia, Queensland and Western Australia. Once you cross the border into the NT from adjoining states, explore these driving routes around the Territory.
By bus - Despite the vast distances, travelling by bus (coach) to the NT is easy and affordable. Major coach and tour companies run coach services between transport hubs in the NT and destinations in Western Australia, South Australia and Queensland.
By rail - The Ghan is one of the world’s great train journeys and is another way to travel to the NT. The Ghan travels an epic 2,797km between Adelaide and Darwin, stopping at Alice Springs and Katherine. Watch the change in scenery as you traverse the heart of Australia through the Red Centre and Central Australia.
By sea - You can also visit Darwin by sea with luxury and expedition cruise vessels visiting the Port of Darwin year-round. The tropical city is visited on voyages to/from the Kimberley in West Australia along with Asia and the South Pacific.
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One of the best ways to get around Darwin is by driving your own vehicle or a hire car. A public bus service operates around the city and suburbs, along with taxis and an airport shuttle bus. A ferry service operates from Cullen Bay to Mandorah and the Tiwi Islands. Darwin is a bike-friendly city with a network of bike paths and walking trails. Bicycle hire is available.
Beyond Darwin, 95% of the NT’s attractions are accessible by well-maintained roads. There’s plenty to explore in a 2WD regular car or campervan, as well as in all-terrain 4WDs. Hire companies operate across the NT, so if you fly into the Territory, arrange to collect a vehicle at Darwin Airport then hit the road on one of the Territory’s popular driving routes.
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Darwin is the festival capital of the Territory with a year-round calendar of events. Most of the really big events take place during the dry season, though there is always something on year-round.
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Connection to Country is very much a part of the NT’s identity, where the breadth and depth of Aboriginal cultural experiences are like nowhere else.
There are many ways to learn and connect with the diverse Aboriginal cultures across the Top End. With ancient traditions spanning more than 60,000 years, there are countless opportunities to immerse yourself in Aboriginal culture in Darwin.
Take a locally-guided tour, explore the art galleries and attractions of Darwin along the Territory Art Trails or take a road trip through the World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park or travel further afield into Arnhem Land.
Check the Events and Festivals page for art fairs and festivals, which is a great way to experience Aboriginal culture, and perhaps pick up some original artworks to take home.
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The Territory welcomes travellers of all abilities and aims to empower visitors with the necessary information to confidently plan your holiday. In the NT accessibility goes beyond physical infrastructure to encompass the compassionate and helpful nature of its locals.
Discover a variety of accommodation, tours and attractions tailored to different access needs, including hearing loss, vision loss, wheelchair access, and high support requirements. You can narrow down your search by region and accessibility preferences. If you can't find your preferred tour or attraction, we suggest contacting the business directly to find out about their accessibility. Many tourism operators are happy to accommodate special requests whenever possible.
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Safety in any destination depends on various factors. Respect the environment, be aware of wildlife hazards, and stay informed about weather conditions and happenings in the local area. By being mindful of your surroundings and taking necessary precautions, visitors can enjoy exploring the Northern Territory confidently.
While the Northern Territory has remote and rugged areas, it’s essential to take the usual precautions you’d take anywhere. Top End tourism hubs like Kakadu National Park and Litchfield National Park are well regulated with facilities and services to help visitors find their way around safely. Park Rangers, signage boards and online guides increase safety for visitors, including actively monitoring waterways in the Top End for crocodiles. As with any travel experience, exercise common sense, follow guidelines, and you’ll have a safe experience.
Experiences you’ll want to share
Darwin is Australia’s only tropical capital city and has an enviable year-round outdoor lifestyle. Check out what other travellers are sharing on their Darwin holiday!
