17 Things to do in Darwin

• Darwin Waterfront – this is a fun place to hang out. There’s a swimming lagoon, a wave lagoon, restaurants, bars, and big umbrellas to sit beneath. Bear in mind it is an alcohol-free zone except in licensed premises. 
  FREE
  

Wave Lagoon at the Darwin Waterfront. Photo: sophiepetula via IG

Mindil Market, Darwin

• George Brown Botanic Gardens -  cover 42 hectares and are very close to the Mindil Beach Sunset markets.  The Botanic Gardens are known for their northern Australia plant collection.
  FREE

• Bicentennial Park – a popular green space in the middle of Darwin, which look onto the harbor. A great place for sunset strolls. 
  FREE
  
  
• East Point Reserve and Lake Alexander – is a large parkland that includes a beach and wonderful ocean sunsets, a lake that is suitable for swimming in dry season (April – Sept), beautiful gardens and lawns, and WWII buildings and gun placements. Facilities include BBQs, picnic tables, toilets, showers and walking paths.
  FREE
  
  
• Jingili Waters Gardens – a great place to have a picnic or BBQ by the lily ponds. There are walking paths, picnic tables, BBQs, a children’s playground and lots of mature shady trees.
  FREE
  
  
• Aquascene – come and hand feed the wild fish at high tide, just as people have been doing here for over sixty years. The fish are not afraid and it’s a great experience. or over sixty years .
  ADULTS: $15 CHILDREN $10

The beach at East Point Reserve.  Photo: simppstagram via IG

Sunset swim at Lake Alexander. Photo: nomad_gold via IG

Jelly fish sculptures at East Point Reserve. Photo: kunczeanna via IG

Feeding the fish at Aquascene. Photo: a_travel_to_b via IG

ART AND CULTURE

• Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT) - a large gallery and museum that houses well known Indigenous artists and cultural exhibits. 
  FREE
  
  
• Darwin Military Museum - tells the story of Darwin during WWII, including what it was like during the bombing raid on the city by the Japanese. It includes artillery pieces; vehicles, uniforms, firearms, models, paintings and original landmarks.
  ADULTS: $18 CHILDREN $8.
  
  
• Deck Chair Cinema – in Bicentennial Park is Darwin’s free outdoor cinema  run by non-profit group Darwin Film Society. Bring a picnic blanket or a deck chair, stake out your patch of grass and settle back to enjoy the film.
  FREE
  
  
• Royal Flying Doctors Service – a must see (see our top five list above).
  ADULTS: $28. CHILDREN: $16
  
  
• Australian Aviation Heritage Centre – 19 civilian and military aircraft housed in a large hangar including the legendary B-52 bomber and aircraft that assisted in the clean-up missions after the devastation of Cyclone Tracy
  ADULTS: $15
  
  
• Burnett House -  (built 1938)  is the only surviving example of architect B.C.G Burnett’s Type ‘K’ design – an Anglo-Asian inspired bungalow perfectly designed for the tropical climate of Darwin. A unique feature is the coloured compass inlay in the ground floor. It uses well-developed principles of cross-ventilation. Guided tours are provided of the house and gardens.
  ADULTS: $2
  
  
• Aboriginal Fine Arts – A commercial gallery (free entry) with a great collection of Aboriginal paintings, works on bark, hand-woven baskets, didgeridoos, carvings from Arnhem Land and the Central and Western desert regions, a range of CDs and informative books.
  FREE
  
  
• Mason Gallery – another commercial gallery with a wonderful collection of Aboriginal arts.
  FREE
  
  
• Survivors Lookout – located in town, climb the steps for great views of the city.
  FREE

Museum and Art Gallery of NT (MAGNT) Photo: mfalcinella

Burnett House, Darwin. Photo: jakemarcuwarren via IG

Darwin Caravan Parks

There are no caravan parks in the centre of Darwin. These aren't too far away. We’ve listed the top five below.

• Darwin Freespirit resort and Caravan Park – Set amongst lush tropical gardens with resort style swimming pools. Facilities include three resort style swimming pools, camp kitchens with TVs, BBQ areas, kids activities (seasonal), bar and bistro, jumping pillow, a large outdoor terrace and bar, live music, shop, laundry, tour bookings and multiple toilet and shower blocks.
  RATES: Unpowered sites $35 - $40 for two adults. $5 additional adults. Minimum 2 night stay.

Darwin Free Spirit Caravan Park

• Oasis Tourist Park – a small caravan park with grassy sites and shady tress. Facilities include a camp kitchen, swimming pool, shower and toilet blocks, Internet access ($3 for 30 minutes), 4 free gas BBQs, laundry, book exchange, shop, and tour bookings.
  RATES: powered sites $38 for two. Additional adults $10
  
  
• Darwin Boomerang Caravan Park –  large shady trees, grassy sites, and not too far from the centre of town. Facilities include sheltered BBQ area with gas BBQs, camp kitchen, swimming pool with tropical gardens, laundry, and two shower and toilet blocks. There is a small shop and a licensed tavern and restaurant on site.
  RATES: powered site $45 - $35 for two. Additional adults $10. Children $5.

Darwin Boomerang Caravan Park

• Hidden Valley Holiday Park – is set among shady gardens. Facilities include free WiFi, a swimming pool, café, camp kitchen, picnic areas, dump point, laundry, shower and toilet blocks, tour desk.
  RATES: Powered grass sites $50 for two adults. Additional adult rates unknown.

Hidden Valley Holiday Park

• Noonamah Tourist Park –  a small park in rural surrounds with grassy shaded sites south of Darwin. Facilities include a Swimming Pool, Coin Op Laundry, BBQ, shower and toilet block. It’s by the Noonamah Tavern which has a bottleshop and restaurant.
  RATES: unpowered $27 for 2 adults. Additional adults $10.

Savannah Way Map

Road Trips From Darwin

• The Darwin to Adelaide Drive
• The Darwin to Broome Drive
• The Darwin to Cairns Drive
• Full List of Iconic Australian Road Trips

Campervan Hire

Camperman offers the lowest all-inclusive rates in Australia for compact RV, motorhome and campervan rentals with an internal kitchen.

• Campervan Hire Adelaide
• Campervan Hire Cairns