Darwin

Eco-friendly travel guide to Darwin advises how to be a responsible tourist. Learn how to explore the attractions in a sustainable way and how to respect the local people and culture. Make your trip green by supporting locally owned hotels, organic restaurants and other businesses. Read more on how to protect the environment by making conscientious choices and how to travel green in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.

Darwin Skyline

Air quality: 4 / 5

Exploring by foot: 3.9 / 5

Exploring by bicycle: 3.8 / 5

Public transportation: 3.6 / 5

Parks: 4 / 5

Outdoor activities: 4.2 / 5

Locals' English level: 4 / 5

Safety: 4 / 5

Accommodation: US$1300 - $1500

Budget per day: US$1100 - $1200

Responsible Travel

Eco-friendly travel guide to Darwin advises how to be a responsible tourist. Learn how to explore the attractions in a sustainable way and how to respect the local people and culture. Make your trip green by supporting locally-owned hotels, organic restaurants, and other businesses. Darwin is the capital of the northern territory of Australia and a former frontier outpost. The city is also known as the gateway of the gigantic Kakadu national park which worldwide famous for its waterfront areas including several beaches and green parks. Darwin is a tropical paradise and it has a small town filled with fascinating history, a multicultural present, and a blazing future. The city is famous for nature lovers and for gallery hoppers; it should definitely be included in your travel diaries of Australia. You can start your travel journey with Crocosaurus Cove where you can witness a fearsome cage of the death experience. It is family-friendly and should be included in your travel diaries, is considered an excellent spot where you can get to know about Darwin’s massive reptile experience and the park has more than a thousand crocodiles, it will take a whole day to explore all the different species of crocs. You can even plan to visit the famous islands of the city but don’t forget to fulfill your duty as a responsible traveler.

You should always find ways to protect the environment from damage; try to opt for non-fuel-based vehicles to travel the city.

You can stay in the green hotels instead of any other regular hotel, these hotels can help you to reduce the amount of waste generation.

Play your role as a responsible tourist by preserving the historical and cultural sites that are remarked as the highlights of the country.

The inner part of the city can be explored by walking or via riding a bicycle; you can even explore the local places via riding a bicycle.

Try to visit the local shops and restaurants. This will provide support to the local economy and will help you fulfill your duty as a responsible tourist.

Always make sure to visit the green parks of the city, by doing so you can enjoy the beauty of nature and the fresh air will allow you to stay healthy as well.

You can visit all the local places of the city via a local transport such as public buses or any other public transport; it is the best way of showing your support to the city.

Air Quality and Pollution

The city experiences a tropical monsoon type of climate with a combination of the dry and wet seasons. The city has relatively healthy air quality almost every time of the years compared to the other global locations. The city experiences vulnerable short-term air pollution due to bushfires and dust storms which is likely to affect air quality for short intervals. The city is quite safe to visit any time of the year, but you can take precautions if you are sensitive or you can travel with older adults or kids. The key sources of air pollution involve emissions from motor vehicles, industry, wood heating, and power generation, in addition to natural sources like wildfires and dust storms. Within Darwin, however, smoke from seasonal fires during the dry season from April to November dominates changing air pollution levels, causing significantly higher levels of pollution to be recorded. The Northern Territory EPA is responsible for monitoring the air quality across main locations of concern within the state and runs a network of air quality monitors concentrated around the areas in Darwin. There are some stations that monitor a range of key pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and particulate matter.

Respect the Culture

The Territory Day celebrated by the Territorians is the only day of the year, besides the Chinese New Year and New Year's Eve that permits fireworks. In Darwin, the main celebrations are held at Mindil Beach, where a huge firework display is commissioned by the government. The annual Darwin Festival includes comedy, music, dance, theatre, visual art, film, and the NT Indigenous Music Awards. Other festivals include the Glenti, which showcases Darwin's large Greek community. The Chinese New Year is also celebrated with great festivity, highlighting the East Asian influence in Darwin. The Sea breeze festival is held on the second week of May in the suburb of night cliff. It offers the opportunity for showcasing the local talent. Further, a popular event is Saturday family festivities along the night cliff foreshore, which is one of Darwin's most popular fitness tracks. Local and visiting musical bands can be heard at venues such as the Darwin Entertainment Centre, Brown's Mart, The Vic Hotel, and Happy Yess. A yearly music festival, Bass in the Grass, is popular with youth from the surrounding area. Mitchell Street in the central business district is the city's entertainment hub, which is lined with nightclubs, takeaways, and restaurants. There are several smaller theatres, three cinema complexes, and the Deckchair Cinema. This is an open-air cinema that operates through the dry season, from April to October, and screens independent and art-house films.

Top 10 Places to Visit

Tourism is one of Darwin’s largest industries and a major employment sector for the Northern Territory. It holds several sites of attractions and people love to visit the place. It is because there you will get some beautiful spots that have the most attractive views for your holiday trip. Read further to know about some of the interesting spots that are worth visiting, during your tour to the city.

Katherine Gorge – Also known as Nitmiluk Gorge, this is a deep gorge carved through the ancient sandstone by the Katherine River. It is the central attraction of the park and is made up of thirteen gorges, with rapids and falls, and follow the Katherine River, which begins in Kakadu. There may be freshwater crocodiles in most parts of the river, as they nest along the banks, but they are harmless to humans. The gorge hosted the final challenge and the finish line of The Amazing Race Australia 4.

Berry Springs Nature Park – This is a public recreation area that includes bushwalking trails, picnic areas, and a kiosk where refreshments are available. The park is centered on the springs and catchment, which are the source of water for Berry Creek. The clear waters of the pools created by the springs are ideal for observing the aquatic life within, and access is provided for swimming to escape the tropical heat.

Crocosaurus Cove – This is a zoo located in Darwin in the Northern Territory of Australia which has the planet Earth’s largest display of Australian reptiles. The attraction is also home to the Cage of Death, where participants can come face to face with huge man-eating Saltwater Crocodiles. It is also home to 70 other reptile species including the large pig-nosed turtle, which has leathery skin over its shell instead of plates. Observe dangerous Northern Territory snakes and huge lizards known to locals as goannas.

Darwin Aviation Museum – Formerly known as the Australian Aviation Heritage Centre, this museum displays aircraft and aircraft engines of relevance to the Northern Territory and aviation in Australia generally. It is located in the Darwin suburb of Winnellie. Besides, the museum has on display a Boeing B-52G bomber. It is on permanent loan from the United States Air Force and is one of only three on public display in the world outside the US. There is also a bomb fragment dating from a WWII air raid on Darwin.

Chinese Temple – Chinese Temples have been located in Darwin since the first was built in 1887. The Stone Lions, handcrafted in China, guard the entrance. A combination of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism is practiced here, which is common in Chinese communities outside China. The sacred Bodhi tree growing in the Temple grounds is believed to be a direct descendant of the tree under which Buddha gained enlightenment. Further, the temple was also originally used for social gatherings, the forerunner of the Chung Wah Society.

Territory Wildlife Park – This is a zoo at Berry Springs in the Northern Territory of Australia, in the south of Darwin. Situated on the natural bushland, it contains native animals and plants representative of the Northern Territory, and especially Top End tropical monsoonal environments. It contributes to their conservation through research programs as well as through public education. The three main habitats represented are woodland, wetland, and monsoon vine forest. Besides, it is a member of the Zoo and Aquarium Association.

George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens – This botanical garden is located north of the CBD of Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. The gardens contain a major collection of Northern Australian monsoon flora, which include communities like mangroves, monsoon vine thicket, Tiwi Islands wet forest, and those found on the Arnhem Land escarpment. The gardens also have a large collection of native and introduced tropical plants such as cycads, gingers, palms, heliconias, and Adansonia. George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens is accessible by a number of entrances. The main entrance and visitor parking are located at Gardens Road.

Leanyer Recreation Park – This is a free water park with a swimming area, three waterslides, and water playground, an all-abilities playground, places to skate and ride bikes, and a basketball court. Therefore, the place is enjoyed by the citizens of Darwin. Whether it is a Barbecue, refreshing swim, or just some time spent at the skate park, it is a great place to come and spend the day. Other nearby attractions include the Casuarina Coastal Reserve and beach, Holmes Jungle Nature Park, and the Leanyer Swamp.

Darwin Military Museum – This museum was originally established as an artillery museum by the Royal Australian Artillery Association to exhibit photographs and artifacts from Darwin’s history during World War II. Now, the museum has a large exhibit of items from the war, which includes Navy, Army, and Air Force items from Australian, US, and other armed forces. It is set amongst concrete gun emplacements and other fortifications in an area that was one of the most heavily fortified parts of Australia during the war.

Darwin Waterfront Precinct – This is a tourist area in the Northern Territory of Australia in Darwin City, located five minutes’ walk from the Darwin Central Business District. Restaurants, bars, a wave pool, and a man-made beach are available for the local community and tourists. The Darwin Waterfront Precinct is managed by the Darwin Waterfront Corporation, whose role is to manage and promote the precinct. The corporation is also responsible for the provision of municipal services to the precinct.

Chinese Temple in Darwin

Explore

The above mentioned are the top ten tourist attractions, which you can opt to pay a visit while traveling to Darwin. In addition, there are some other places in the city like parks and museums that you can consider checking out during your tour in the city. Here is a list of such places that you can explore.

City Parks

Bicentennial Park – This is a large area of parkland located in the Darwin city center, Darwin, Northern Territory. Further, the park stretches from the Northern Territory Parliament House to Doctor's Gully. It is also home to monuments dedicated to those who died during the Bombing of Darwin, including the Darwin Cenotaph War Memorial, the Civilian Memorial, and the USS Peary Memorial. In addition, the major festivals are held at the park, including Greek Glenti where the Greek community gathers to celebrate their culture and food. Other major festivals are May Day and the Darwin Festival.

Bicentennial Park

National Parks

Kakadu National Park – This is a protected area in the Northern Territory of Australia, southeast of Darwin. The park is located within the Alligator Rivers Region of the Northern Territory. It is a World Heritage Site. The Ranger Uranium Mine, one of the most productive uranium mines in the world, is surrounded by the park. Kakadu’s flora is among the richest in northern Australia with more than 1700 plant species, which is a result of the park’s geological, landform, and habitat diversity. Further, the park also supports a great array of animals, a number of which have adapted to particular habitats. Some animals in the park are rare, endangered, vulnerable, or endemic.

Litchfield National Park –Located near the township of Batchelor, south-west of Darwin, in the Northern Territory of Australia. The Central sandstone plateau supports rich woodland flora communities dominated by species including Darwin woolybutt and Darwin stringybark, as well as banksias, grevilleas, terminalias, and a wide variety of other woodland species. Common wildlife species include the sugar glider, antilopine kangaroo, fawn antechinus, agile wallaby, northern brushtail possum, black and little red flying foxes, and the dingo. The caves near Tolmer Falls are home to a colony of the rare orange leaf-nosed bat and the ghost bat.

Kakadu National Park

Beaches

Mindil Beach – This beach in the Northern Territory of Australia located in the suburb of the Gardens located near Darwin's central business district. Mindil Beach holds the Mindil Beach Sunset Markets, which runs during the dry season from May until October of every year. These markets are popular with both the locals and tourists alike and can attract thousands of people. The Darwin beer-can regatta is held at Mindil Beach annually. The Mindil markets today consist of 60 food and 130 craft stalls that regularly attend, plus other stalls that obtain a permit to trade for one night.

Mindil Beach

Landmarks

St Mary's Star of the Sea Cathedral – This is the main place of Catholic worship in the city of Darwin, Australia, and the seat of the bishop of the Diocese of Darwin. During World War II, the first church of St Mary was the seat of the garrison of the military chaplaincy for Australian troops in the city. After the war, it became necessary to build a larger structure.

Parliament House – Situated in Darwin, this is Australia's newest Parliament Building. It has been the seat of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly since 1994. The Northern Territory Library is housed in Parliament House. It features postmodern features and was designed by Architect Tim Rogers, of Meldrum Burrows and Partners Pty Ltd.

St Mary's Star of the Sea Cathedral

Museums

Northern Territory Museum and Art Gallery – Located in the inner Darwin suburb of Fannie Bay, this is the main museum in the Northern Territory. It is governed by the Board of the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory and is supported by the Museums and Art Galleries of the Northern Territory Foundation. It is also the home of the annual Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award, Australia's longest-running indigenous art prize. The Territory's art collection consists of over 30,000 items of art and material culture. Famous exhibits include the body of Sweetheart, a crocodile notorious for attacking boats.

Northern Territory Museum and Art Gallery

Eat

The Darwin food industry is thriving with its fresh produce, local specialties, and a range of different cuisines and cultures to draw inspiration from. Darwin is home to many outstanding restaurants and bars, markets, and food festivals. Seafood including mussels, fish, crab, octopus, prawns, and oysters, is the most commercially abundant and easily accessed traditional food in Darwin, most likely due to the demand from the greater population. Also called the Asian sea bass, barramundi is native to the oceans around northern Australia. It is a versatile fish that is often served fried, baked, or grilled and is popular for its light flavor. It pairs well with fragrant white or light red wines. With sweet, rich flesh, the Northern Territory’s mud crabs are a distinctive dining dish that gives you an excellent experience of taste and quality. The city's most iconic dish is laksa. It is a spicy noodle soup that is a staple of Peranakan cuisine and combines Chinese, Indonesian, and Malaysian influences. Basically, it consists of thick wheat noodles or rice vermicelli with chicken, prawn, or fish, served in spicy soup based on either rich or spicy curry coconut milk or on sour asam (tamarind or gelugur). Quandong is one of Australia’s best-known bush foods and a traditional staple for many Aboriginal peoples. Sometimes, the fruit is also referred to as a wild peach or desert peach and is used to make tart jams, chutneys, and pies.

Traditional Local Restaurants

Hanuman Restaurant – Located in Mitchell Street, Darwin City, Australia, this restaurant was opened with an emphasis on fresh ingredients from local Asian market gardens. The restaurant’s kitchen serves authentic Thai, Nonya (Chinese/Malay cuisine), and Tamil flavors. The restaurant’s signature dish of fresh oysters with the zingy scents and flavors of lemongrass, sweet basil, ginger, chili, and fresh coriander is a worth-trying dish. Other top-rated dishes offered here include local wild barramundi fillets that are cooked with turmeric, fresh curry leaf, and coconut. In addition, the restaurant also serves a good range of vegetarian dishes and exotic desserts. The ambiance is modern and stylish and has outdoor seating arrangements too.

Crustaceans on the Wharf – This famous restaurant is situated in Stokes Hill Road in Darwin City, Australia. With a decent ambiance, it is a relaxed place to watch ships go by while basking in the glow of a fiery tropical sunset. They offer a great variety of food menu among which the tender, juicy, char-grilled steaks and fresh seafood are their specialties. Seafood platters are also available here, which are piled high with calamari, oysters, Moreton Bay bugs, prawns, and mud crab, besides there is an addition of scotch fillet steak served with half a grilled lobster, chips, and salad. The menu also has local favorites like wild barramundi and crocodile. You can consider visiting this place for fine dining and late-night meals.

Vegetarian and Vegan

Saffron – Situated in Parap Rd, Darwin in Australia, this is an award-winning, sustainable, and certified restaurant in the city. It is famous for offering both delicious Indian cuisine and a remarkable eco-dining experience. The décor of this restaurant consists of biodegradable tableware made from bamboo and sugarcane. The food served here can be washed down with a carbon-neutral beer, and followed by a fragrant and refreshing dessert of homemade rosewater ice-cream. Indian favorites including tandoori dishes are also available, ranging from mild to fiery. They use fresh organic produce that is sourced from a market garden. Besides, serving meals for lunch, dinner, and brunch, the facility of takeaway is also available here.

Chow! A Taste of South East Asia – This restaurant is located in Kitchener Dr, Darwin. The food served here has a menu for vegetarian-friendly, vegan options, and gluten-free options with the taste of South East Asia with a focus on fresh, local produce. With great ambiance and a wide range of quality and flavorful dishes, this restaurant experiences loads of customers. They serve great portions that can easily be divided into two. Options to sit inside and outside are available here. You can spend a great lunch or dinner time with your friends and family.

Street Food

A number of spaces around the city and foreshore are now home to great food trucks offering fantastic eats in iconic Darwin surrounds. A meat pie with ketchup is an iconic Aussie meal. The combination of beef, gravy, and pastry may seem basic but it holds a special place in Australia's heart and is more beloved than any hamburger or hotdog. Chiko Rolls are part of the Australian culture of food. They are like spring rolls, with a variety of vegetables and beef as the stuffing. Besides, it is one of the most easily available snacks and is considered to be the easiest option for a hungry tummy. Another famous Australian street food available in the city is donug. It is a big chicken nugget shaped into a circle (looks similar to a doughnut), covered in cornflakes and panko crumbs, and then deep-fried. Donugs come with three optional sauces including hot chili sauce, cheesy Dijon bechamel, or golden Japanese curry enriched with mozzarella. Dagwood dog is a popular Australian festival staple consisting of a hot dog on a stick that is dipped in batter, then deep-fried in hot oil. Before serving, the tip of Dagwood dog is typically dipped in tomato sauce, making it even tastier. This savory treat is also known as Pluto pup and Dippy dog, depending on the region.

Drink

Australia’s liquor industry is a rapidly flourishing one. There are a variety of liquors that are distilled and fortified in Australia. When it comes to famous Australian drinks there is a list that you should know to understand the real flavors of the continent. Bundaberg Ginger Beer is one of the famous Australian drinks, which is a must-try. The drink is brewed in the most traditional ways. It is made using dried ginger, sugarcane, and water. Hence, it has a unique taste. Agerbombs is a nice and flashy cocktail that offers you the best of both worlds in one drink. It offers you an energy drink mixed with an alcoholic shot in one place, makes it an Ener-Holic drink. Another one among famous Australian drinks is this Archie Rose gin. Handcrafted especially for you this gin is absolutely smooth and definitely worth the purchase. The flavor is simply great and you can mix it with a good tonic to enjoy the stunning taste of this super smooth spirit. Other alcoholic drinks available in the city are vodka, rum, and beer. Bundaberg range of brewed beverages is the best choice if you are looking for non-alcoholic drinks. All the Bundaberg brewed drinks are brewed naturally. The soft drinks are available in multiple flavors including Guava, Blood Orange, Peach, Lemon Lime, and Bitters offering you a range of very Australian drinks.

Tap-water

The tap water in Darwin is safe to drink as all the tap water in Darwin and the Northern Territory is monitored by the NT Department of Health. The Department's Environmental Health Branch has a key role in setting goals for drinking water quality and monitoring compliance with those objectives in the interest of public health. Besides, you can opt to drink bottled water that is widely available across the city at a reasonable price.

Organic Cafés

The Cyclone Café – This café is located in Parap Shopping Village in Urquhart St, Darwin. Its friendly space serves excellent coffee, said to be the best in Darwin. They also serve all-day breakfast favorites such as eggs Benedict and Boston beans, healthy salads, cheese melts and delicious sandwiches, and homemade cakes, which are worth trying and in demand for their taste. You will also get options for milkshakes. The ambiance of the café has local artworks and jewelry that are not just part of the decor but are also for sale.
Karma Café – Located in Salonika St. the Avenue, Parap, Darwin, this café is known for offering a unique menu with options of Australian and healthy cuisines along with quality coffee made using superior roasted coffee beans. The hospitality and friendly staff of the café, make this place a benchmark for quality cafés. They also serve delicious eateries that one can enjoy for breakfast, lunch, and brunch. Some of their specialties include Keto omelet, acai bowls, Nutella bowl, and smashed avo with bacon and haloumi.

Breweries

One Mile Brewery was established in 2012 and has experimented with brewing all kinds of beers, including wheat beers, pale ales, and stouts. The Brewery has now moved to larger commercial premises in Winnellie and the brewing set-up was greatly expanded. The brewing processes have also been refined to ensure a consistent, quality product is made. Further, this brewery is committed to building a reputation behind easy-drinking craft beer designed for the Darwin climate, brimming with flavor.

Activities

You can opt to visit the Darwin City Lagoon, located on the waterfront right next to the wave pool. The lagoon is the only place where you can safely swim in the ocean in Darwin. It is a small bay that has a net surrounding it to prevent stingers and crocodiles from entering the area. At the waterfront right in the city, there is a man-made wave pool right on the ocean’s edge. The Wave Pool is a nice place to cool off in Darwin. Around the pool, there are grassed off areas where you can hang out. To get a peaceful escape from the city, you can consider going for a gorgeous stroll in the Darwin Botanical Gardens. You can go fishing as it is a popular recreation among Darwin locals. Many visitors fish for the barramundi, which is an iconic fish for the region. In addition, blue-water fishing is also available off the coast of Darwin. Further, Lake Alexander is a man-made swimming lake at East Point Reserve, where you can enjoy the sparkling water.

Yoga and Retreats

There are several retreats offered in the city. They are for holding regular sessions that can assist to ease your mind and regain energy. Many people visit these yoga centers for getting a peaceful mind as well as for medicinal treatment. Some of these yoga centers also provide the facility of meditation.

Accommodation

As this city remains crowded with tourists throughout the year, the accommodation facility here is highly maintained all across. The city offers some green hotels, besides apartments, hostels, and guest houses. Mainly, all the hotels are well connected with restaurants and other facilities.

Green Hotels

Green hotels are known to provide all the basic facilities that any individual gets in an average hotel. Besides, they play a positive role in the betterment of the city’s atmosphere and use eco-friendly methods and recyclable items to keep the country clean from waste.

Hostels and Guest Houses

These lodging systems are highly suitable for the ones, who are planning to stay in the city for two or three weeks. It helps to save a lot of money and at the same time provides a comfortable rest for the customers. The facilities of these lodging are available in the city ranges from expensive to low-budget ones.

Apartments

Apartments provide many advantages and benefits for tourists to stay comfortable during the tour. There are many cheap to expensive apartments available in different ranges which provides some premium features to the tourists. These lodging options are considered the best if your lodging duration is of more than a month.

Couchsurfing

The facility of Couchsurfing is widely available in the city. This option of accommodation is one of the best ways for tourists to save money and explore the culture more closely in the travel location. It is a temporary stay in which a group of tourists provides service by helping other tourists by offering them shelter and food while visiting their home town or country.

Camping

There are two permanent campgrounds in Katherine Gorge, where there are both tent and caravan sites. Both fires and bush camping are permitted. There are numerous walking tracks in the national park. You can explore the gorges by canoe and flat bottomed boat. In the dry season, the gorges become separated as the level of the river falls. Information displays are set up that will guide the geology, landscape, and aboriginal history of the national park. Tours can be booked at the center or at the visitor center in the town.

How to Get There

Darwin is well-connected with roadways and has highly-maintained transportation services that are widely available in the city. Airways is the most suitable and fastest way to get in the city as compared to others. Furthermore, if you are traveling from nearby cities, then you can prefer trains or roadways. You can also opt to travel through waterways that are connected to the city. The options of rental cars, public buses, and tour coaches cover the distance inside the city.

Air

Darwin International Airport is located in the north-east of the city center. There are direct flights to most Australian state capitals, Northern Territory destinations, and destinations in northern Western Australia, plus direct international flights to Bali, Singapore, and elsewhere. Darwin is easily accessible from most major Australian cities by several domestic carriers.

XDarwin International Airport

Bus

There is an airport shuttle bus, which meets all flights 24 hours. Bus 3 has two deviations (c) and (d) which service Charles Eaton Drive and Henry Wrigley Drive. If you are traveling from the Darwin city center, bus 10 operates from Darwin Interchange to Casuarina Interchange where you can then catch bus 3 to the airport. For detailed timetable information and fares, you are suggested to refer to the Darwin public transport website.

Train

The Ghan is a tourist train that crosses the continent from Adelaide to Darwin twice a week. There are transfers in Adelaide from Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth. You can bring your car from either Adelaide or Perth. The terminus for the train is near the deepwater port at East Arm, at a distance from the city center. Buslink provides complimentary service for guests traveling in Gold class. Tickets are purchased from the driver and no booking is necessary. Return services run from the Transit Centre on Mitchel St. There is no public transport to the train station. Darwin railway station is the main railway station of the city.

Hitchhiking

The Stuart Highway is the only highway into Darwin; heading directly into the city center and extending southwards all the way to Alice Springs and Adelaide. You can access Darwin from all the Australian capital cities staying on regularly trafficked sealed roads with regular services. Therefore, the facility of hitchhiking is widely practiced in Darwin.

Others

By Ship – Cruising has increased in popularity in the Northern Territory and the schedules for several international cruises include a day stopover in Darwin. Cruise ships dock at Fort Hill Wharf, which is close to the Stokes Hill Wharf by water. It is around 1 km to the Esplanade, and 2 km to downtown.

Moving Around

The city provides several options to scout the interior of the city. Hence, you can opt to explore the nearby by localities on foot. Besides, you can also opt for transport services like bicycles, public buses, etc.

Walk

Walking down the lanes and streets is one of the best ways of traveling when you want to explore the nearby market areas without missing anything. It is the best eco-friendly mode of transportation and also the most common way to get around the city and explore the interiors.

Bicycle

Getting a hold of a bicycle is as an eco-friendly tourist you can prefer riding a bike to cover the short distances. Further, you can ride the bike for your fun as well.

Electronic Vehicles

The service of the electric car is available in the city. Also, there is the facility of charging stations in the city that are needed for the smooth functioning of these electric cars.

Public Bus

There is a public bus service Darwinbus, which is useful for accessing areas close to the city. The services are more frequent closer to the central area where the routes overlap. Some services only run a couple of times a day. The buses are air-conditioned.

Tram, Train and Subway

There is no facility for trams and subways in the city. Further, the facility of trains is used to get in the city.

Sustainable Shopping

Instead of casual shopping, people worldwide are now opting for sustainable shopping that helps to shop lovely things at low costs and decreases the waste of the city. From clothes to accessories, you will find various types of items while exploring the markets of the city.

Food Markets

Parap Market is a famous market in the city. It remains crowded with the locals and the tourists also love to visit this market to enjoy various brunch options like Malaysian laksa noodle soup, with its creamy coconut broth, and an icy fresh-fruit shake. Another famous market of the city is the Mindil Beach Sunset Market, Nightcliff Markets, and Rapid Creek Markets.

Flea Markets

Malak Marketplace is Darwin’s youngest market and has more of a focus on organic produce, locally handmade crafts, and great entertainment. Think raw vegan cakes, spray-free oranges, Congolese cooking, and terrific flea-market finds. The Mindil Beach Sunset Market also holds stalls that are known for selling souvenir items and handicrafts.

Second Hand Stores

Some of the best-known thrift stores located in the city include Salvos, Australian Red Cross, and Australian Red Cross Oportunity Shop. These second-hand stores are run for charitable purposes and offer goods at a pocket-friendly price.

Eco-Fashion

Eco-fashion is considered to be a part of sustainable clothing. They are launched to provide an alternative to chemically treated clothing. The city holds some of the stores and shops that sell eco-fashion clothes that are highly produced by various brands.

Recycling

Recycling provides a source of living for thousands of people, especially the ones who are from rural areas. It helps to reduce the toxins that harmful to the environment. Therefore, the government has taken various measures in the last few years to recycle as much they can and make the country free from wastes.

Waste

The country has taken the necessary steps to improve the environment and reduce waste collection. The waste management organization is working to take the necessary steps to reduce the waste, which will further help the urban living style better.

Work and Study Abroad

The city offers various types of jobs, which can be helpful for many workers who come from different countries with the purpose to earn a lot. There are many colleges available in the city which offer benefits like exchange students, which aids the students to study in the country at a reduced cost.

Exchange Student

The facility of the exchange student program offers the students an opportunity to study at foreign universities only with the college fee. They assist to provide an effective way of education to foreign students from across different countries.

Au Pair

Au Pair is a helpful facility and job sector for foreign students and workers. The benefit of this facility is that it will provide you the convenience to be able to get shelter, food, and even money.

Volunteering

Working weekly or monthly as a helping hand for the betterment of society is really admirable and contributes towards the social causes. Therefore, volunteering is highly conducted across the city.