How many days do you need in Darwin?

Darwin is a tropical cityscape surrounded by incredible national parks and unique wildlife.

Many travellers visit Darwin as a launchpad for heading out to the Kakadu and Litchfield national parks. Before or after a day trip to Kakadu and Litchfield, be sure to explore Darwin. This little gem of a town has plenty to offer on its own!

Darwin has made its claim as a city with its own distinctive charms. From lush gardens and world-famous markets to a thriving arts scene and Indigenous history, there are heaps of things to see.

Three days is the ideal amount of time to spend in Darwin. A few days of exploring will allow you to experience the city as well as the surreal Kakadu National Park.

Let’s look into why travellers find so much to love about Darwin in between national park visits.

Eat & shop at the famous markets

It’s no secret that Darwin has some pretty awesome markets. Whatever you’re looking for, Darwin has you covered. This includes delicious food, arts and crafts, and a chilled vibe with live music.

The most popular market in Darwin is the Mindil Beach Sunset Market. Here, you will find a range of scrumptious offerings and a stunning seaside backdrop. The smaller local markets include Nightcliff, Rapid Creek, Palmerston and Parap. Each Darwin market always has great food, handmade goodies and some lively music to enjoy.

Grab a cold drink & take a dip at the Darwin Waterfront Precinct

Darwin can be stinking hot! Like, step outside and immediately seek out the nearest shade level of hot. So, one of the best ways to cool down and refresh in this toasty town is to kick back at the waterfront precinct. This snazzy part of town is complete with breezy bars, wave pools and a gorgeous lagoon for swimming.

Whether you are craving Italian, Mexican, Korean, or Australian cuisine, there are a lot of dining options along the waterfront. You can choose between anything from a fancy dining location to a cozy cafe to enjoy on the waterfront. There are also shaded gardens to satisfy that need to get some respite from the heat.

Enjoy this wonderful city of Darwin

It’s easy to see why Darwin has become such a popular tourist destination in its own right. With so much to see and do in the city itself, you might even find yourself wishing you had a few more days in this vibrant town.

After exploring Darwin, be sure to check out the expansive Kakadu National Park, just an hour and a half away by car.

Embark on a Kakadu day trip

This is what you’ve come to Darwin to see, right? If so, you’re in for one of the most memorable experiences of your life. Kakadu National Park rightfully holds a place as one of the world’s best natural wonders.

In 1981, Kakadu was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The geography of the national park is one of the factors that makes it so unique. Another reason the park is so significant is because of the ancient cave paintings and rock carvings located here.

As one of Australia’s largest national parks, there is so much to see in Kakadu.

If you are interested in wildlife spotting, you may want to consider joining a Yellow Water Cruise. You will be able to spot some wild horses and buffalo, but many travellers join this cruise to see crocs. You will also be able to see a range of birds including the jacana, jabiru, and the sea eagles.

For epic scenery, you will want to visit Jim Jim Falls, Twin Falls Gorge, and Maguk just to name a few. Jim Jim Falls is an impressive waterfall cascading from 200 metres high. You can see the falls from a hike or a scenic helicopter ride. Twin Falls is another impressive waterfall to view in Kakadu, cascading from high above. Maguk is a pristine plunge pool hidden in the gorges of Kakadu. It’s the perfect spot to cool off and take a refreshing dip.

If you want to explore the rock art found in Kakadu National Park, take a visit to Ubirr. Ubirr contains a gallery of rock art that can be seen from both a lookout and a walking path.

Related article: Make the most out of your Northern Territory trip

Explore the Darwin Tours