Why should I visit Darwin?

Darwin has leapt forward as one of Australia’s favourite tourist towns in recent years, with stunning national parks, a vibrant city scene and an amazing events calendar making it a tropical wonderland that absolutely must be visited!

Whether you’re traversing the otherworldly Kakadu or Litchfield national parks, enjoying fine fare in a most gorgeous beach setting or attending the amazingly fun Darwin Festival, this city is one that sparks the imagination and brings good vibes from the dry through the wet season.

Let’s take a look at why Darwin should be on every traveller’s must-see list and why it’s a tropical city with an endless amount of fun to offer…

It’s the jumping point for Kakadu & Litchfield

The Kakadu and Litchfield national parks, when combined, are like no other natural splendour on Earth, with majestic waterfalls, ancient art sites, unique Aussie wildlife and some eerie outposts all combining to create the magical image of the Northern Territory that we all dream about seeing.

Kakadu, the larger and more famous of the two parks, is home to the wondrous Nourlangie rock shelter, where the local Indigenous people have been painting rock art for around 20,000 years! It is also home to the absolutely sublime Gunlom plunge pool, a refreshing dip with an unparalleled view.

Litchfield, conversely, is smaller yet full of incredible sights, including the eerie termite mounds (standing metres tall!), the hallowed Lost City of thousands of rock formations and the picturesque Florence Falls (also great for a dip!).

Enjoy delicious food at a night market

Another thing that has put Darwin on the map in recent years is its absolutely fabulous night markets. From Parap Village, where delightful Asian street food sizzle in the Saturday morning sun, to Malak Market Place, a sustainable get together of fresh produce, gorgeous jewellery and bespoke furniture, through to the legendary Mindil Beach Sunset Markets, a Darwin institution, your senses and palate will not be disappointed in the food-centric city of Darwin!

It has a pretty awesome festival, too

The Darwin Festival is Australia’s ultimate winter arts festival, with musicians, theatre performers, dancers, visual artists, cabaret stars, comedians and more coming together to put one one incredibly magical show over two weeks in August.

There’s no better way to fully immerse yourself in the fun and vibe of this magnificent tropical town – be sure to get there in August!

Related article: What is the best month to visit Darwin?

Explore the Darwin Tours