Darwin, Northern Territory — Where to Go
Darwin Sightseeing Overview
Darwin, with its parks, harbor and tropical climate, is a pleasant city to wander around - though it's either unbelievably humid, or very wet during the Wet season. There are good cultural opportunities museum-wise, or else take a walk along the Esplanade, where there are good views out to sea. Otherwise, saunter through the Botanic Gardens, which have a representative of every baobab tree species on the planet.
There's a pleasant 5km (3-mile) walking track alongside Fannie Bay to the East Point Military Museum, home to a large wallaby community. Nearby, Lake Alexander is crocodile free and good for swimming. Darwin's CBD is quite small and compact, and, though most of the attractions are out of town, they're accessible via public bus or via a short taxi ride.
Darwin Tourist Information
TourismTopEnd
6 Bennett Street
Tel: (08) 8980 6000 or 1 300 138 886.
Website: www.tourismtopend.com.au
There's also a tour desk at the airport (tel: (08) 8927 7071).
Key Attractions in Darwin, Northern Territory
The Darwin Wharf Precinct
Watch thousands of fish being fed while you dine on cheap barramundi on Stokes Hill Wharf, or catch your own; it's a premier spot for line fishing. Tropical lightning displays are wonders to watch from here too, and it's fairly famous, featuring in the 2008 movie Australia.
Stokes Hill Wharf
Tel: (08) 8981 0631.
Crocosaurus Cove
Fancy seeing a crocodile swim over you? You can at Crocosaurus Cove, which is right in the heart of Darwin. Designed like an aquarium - but for crocs - you can even enter the 'cage of death' and hang out in a croc's territory.
Corner of Mitchell & Peel Streets
Tel: (08) 8981 7522.
Website: www.crocosauruscove.com
Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory
The one-stop shop for everything you need to know about this part of the world includes collections of Aboriginal artwork, arts and crafts from Southeast Asia and the Pacific, a maritime gallery, minerals and insects, a giant stuffed crocodile, and a room set aside for visitors to experience some of the force of Cyclone Tracy.
Conacher Street, Fannie Bay
Tel: (08) 8999 8264.
Website: www.magnt.nt.gov.au
Crocodylus Park
This place is crowded with crocs; you get to walk over them (on a bridge), hold them (just the little ones, but they still pack a punch) and see them in all stages of life, from hatchlings to adults weighing half a tonne. Croc-feeding sessions are fascinating, and there's a diverse range of other wildlife. It's a 15-minute drive from town.
815 McMillans Road, Berrimah
Tel: (08) 8922 4500.
Website: www.crocodyluspark.com
East Point Military Museum
This interesting museum, which focuses on the WWII bombing of Darwin by the Japanese, is housed in a gun command post. Displayed are field and anti-aircraft artillery, historical weapons, photos, videos, Japanese swords, and various armoured vehicles.
Alec Fong Lim Drive, East Point
Tel: (08) 8981 9702.
Website: www.darwinmilitarymuseum.com.au
Australian Aviation Heritage Center
Several planes (including a Spitfire and a B-52 Bomber) and helicopters compete for space with the wreckage of a Japanese Zero, engines, relics, uniforms and bombs at this award-winning museum, one of the major aviation museums in Australia.
557 Stuart Highway, Winnellie
Tel: (08) 8947 2145.
Website: www.darwinsairwar.com.au
Aquascene - Fish Feeding
Every day, at high tide, hundreds of milkfish, mullet, catfish, bream and barramundi come to shore to be fed by hand. Rays, cod, mangrove jack and diamond fish lurk in the shallows too.
28 Doctors Gully Road
Tel: (08) 8981 7837.
Website: www.aquascene.com.au
Further Distractions
WWIIOilStorageTunnels
Constructed to protect Darwin's oil supplies from bombardment during WWII, these tunnels extend from the Wharf and house an excellent photographic display of wartime images.
Kitchener Drive
Tel: (08) 8985 6333.
Fannie Bay Gaol Museum
Though not the most uplifting experience, the information panels throughout this now-closed gaol (jail) tell the tales of incarcerated Australians, including many of the indigenous population.
East Point Road, Fannie Bay
Tel: (08) 8999 8290.
