The 20 best things to do in Darwin

What is it? A sunny waterfront hub, located in the heart of Darwin’s CBD, featuring a man-made beach, wave pool and a collection of trendy eateries.

Why go? Three words: inflatable fun park. As well as the four-metre-high, floating obstacle course, Darwin's Waterfront Precinct has a luxurious grass area surrounding the public swimming lagoon, an on-land playground and a nearby wave pool. You could easily spend a day here, alternating between swimming in the saltwater, sunbathing on a deckchair and snacking on treats from the neighbouring restaurants.

Time Out tip: There's even a free, 12-seater Waterfront Shuttle Bus that does laps of the precinct daily from 11.30am to 2pm and 4pm to 9pm. You can check out the stops here.

What is it: The Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT) is Darwin's leading cultural destination, housing natural history displays, art retrospectives and exhibitions.

Why go? If you're after a big day of discovery, the MAGNT is a sure bet. This two-in-one museum and gallery houses more than 30,000 artefacts, including the body of Sweetheart, a 5.1m saltwater crocodile responsible for attacking boats; relics from the category four Cyclone Tracy that changed Darwin’s urban landscape; and bones of Melville, the Northern Territory’s 21.9m pygmy blue whale. The MAGNT is also home to the annual Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards – the most significant award of its kind nationwide.

Time Out tip: Kids will love MAGNT's Discovery Centre, which offers free, drop-in activities for families from 10.30am to 12.30pm Friday to Sunday (during NT school term) or Tuesday to Thursday (during NT school holidays). A highlight is the children's book and puzzle library.

What is it? A not-for-profit outdoor cinema down by the water.

Why go? Seeing a movie at the Deckchair is like a rite of passage for anyone visiting Darwin. As long as you’re visiting in the dry season, you can expect to recline in striped lounge chairs on a balmy evening, and if you don’t have a cushion, they have a box of them on a first-come-first-served basis. They show blockbusters, indie releases and arthouse films. A different local business does the catering for each movie, so you can get dinner and a drink beforehand while the sun sets. You can check out the program here.

Time Out tip: Watch out for the possums; they'll try to steal your snacks.

What is it? A lush and verdant corner of the Northern Territory that often gets forgotten.

Why go? If you’ve got a few days, consider doing a day trip to Litchfield National Park. Just 60 minutes from Darwin, you can drive or get a bus out there year-round from the CBD. In the dry, you can swim in numerous pristine water holes that are completely croc-safe. In the wet, many of these waterholes and 4WD access roads are closed, but the waterfalls are thundering and fewer tourists are buzzing around, which makes for an entirely different (yet equally spectacular) experience. 

Time Out tip: Camping is the only accommodation available in Litchfield, so make sure to bring your own gear. 

What is it? A thrilling boat tour where you can see live saltwater crocodiles.

Why go? Ah, the crocs. Dangerous yet fascinating. Darwin has these creatures of the deep in spades, so there are ample opportunities to get up close with them. If you have a day free, book in for the Spectacular Jumping Crocodile Cruise on the Adelaide River, where a professional crew ferry you out onto one of the NT’s most crocodile-infested rivers. Sit (far) back as a brave crew member chucks them chunks of meat, which makes these prehistoric predators jump out of the water with full, reptilian force. There ain’t nothing like it, but just know you can’t do it during the wet season for the simple reason that there are too many crocs and too much water for a boat to safely go out. Yikes.

Time Out tip: Crocodiles are more active after rainfall, meaning if it's rained, it's a good time to book a cruise.

What is it? A weekly ritual for spicy noodle soup, running every Saturday from 8am to 2pm.

Why go? We’re told that locals in Darwin wake up craving laksa on Saturday mornings, so entrenched is the ritual of heading to the Parap Markets and joining the queues for a spicy noodle soup. There are also stalls selling every fried snack you can think of from Southeast Asia, juice vendors, barbecue carts and banana stands. This is where you can see the full diversity of migrant populations that call Darwin home, and try some of the best regional cuisine in the city.

Time Out tip: Mary's Laksa is a true Top End icon, dishing up soul-warming noodle soups made from scratch, loaded with spice and topped with fresh herbs. Make sure to pop by Mary's food van at the markets, and bring cash to be safe.

What is it? A wild helicopter experience that you can’t get anywhere else.

Why go? This pub crawl is just as insane as it sounds, and for those with cash to spare, we cannot recommend it enough. You and your mates can charter a private helicopter that takes you on a once-in-a-lifetime eagle-eye tour of the NT’s most remote pubs, where you can land and get acquainted with the wild publicans who own them. Down a schooner at the turquoise water paradise of Crab Claw Island, and then fly over to Goat Island, where you can drink a cold one with King Kai. 

Time Out tip: Not a big drinker? These guys also run helicopter tours over Litchfield and Kakadu National Parks, which are arguably the best way to see these natural wonders. 

What is it? A special café and shop stocking the work of local designers and artists.

Why go? There's nowhere quite like Aboriginal Bush Traders. This 100 per cent not-for-profit business is Indigenous-led and committed to selling sustainable (and ethical) products that directly help out Indigenous communities Australia-wide. Pop in for a stellar coffee and a delicious array of bush foods that you don't usually get the chance to try anywhere else. Whether it's roasted kangaroo, a buffalo and egg wrap with bush tomato relish, pavlova with rosella cream or a lemon myrtle protein ball, this place will probably blow your mind. 

Time Out tip: Pop over to the art gallery next door to pick up something gorgeous that'll last the trip home.

What is it? A wildlife park specialising in the local apex predator in the centre of town.

Why go? Do you dare to enter the cage of death – where you will spend 15 minutes submerged with the ultimate apex predator lurking only metres away – or are you more of a feeding a sweet baby crocodile type? You can do both at Crocosaurus Cove in central Darwin. There’s also a pool with glass panels into a crocodile enclosure, and you can attend reptile shows and feeding demonstrations daily.

Time Out tip: If you're brave enough to enter the Cage of Death, you'll want to book early. Only two people can dive at a time, so sessions disappear fast.

What is it? A contemporary Sri Lankan restaurant by MasterChef contestant, Minoli De Silva.

Why go? Nothing can beat a chicken curry, and few chefs can outdo Minoli De Silva’s tamarind chicken with tangy coconut sauce. The former MasterChef contestant has set up a city centre establishment that marries creativity with reverence for traditional Sri Lankan ingredients. Fill the table with curry leaf-cured snapper, spiced lamb ribs and black pepper pork belly, and pick from Ella’s extensive cocktail list, where ingredients like makrut limes, cardamom and pandan steal the spotlight.

Time Out tip: Hungry for more? Check out our guide to more of the best restaurants in Darwin here.

What is it? Where the gallery meets the streets.

Why go? Humongous, vibrant and seriously striking – Darwin is home to some truly spectacular street art that all deserves a squiz. You can stroll around in your own time and get surprised by the bright and massive murals hanging in the city's most obscure corners, or take a more systematic approach and do a walking tour. 

Time Out tip: If visiting around winter, time your trip with the Darwin Street Art Festival, which transforms the streets into a spectacular outdoor gallery. 

What is it? Territory Wildlife Park in Darwin is a 400-hectare park that's home to a mix of wild and captive creatures only found in the Top End. 

Why go? Whether it's saltwater crocs, sugar gliders, huge snakes, emus, wallabies or exotic-looking birds, this wildlife park has them all in a wild, natural setting. You can walk through a monsoon rainforest, see billabongs and buffalo trails, and walk at your own leisure on well-maintained outdoor paths (there's also an option to get a tiny train).

Time Out tip: Territory Wildlife Park opens at 9am daily, but closing hours vary per season. It closes at 3pm during the wet months from October to March) and 4pm during the dry period from April to September. 

What is it? A beachfront sailing club for water sports and socialising, open daily from midday to 10pm in Fannie Bay.

Why go? Watersports are a way of life in Darwin, not just because you can’t swim in the water due to the apex predators. There are multiple sailing clubs, but the one in Fannie Bay has the kind of beer garden that tourism brochures live for. The huge green lawn is set with big white plastic tables that extend down to the point where the grass meets the sand of the beach. This is where you want to sit in the afternoon sun under the palm trees, with a local green ant gin and tonic in hand.

Time Out tip: Reserve a table online to secure the best sunset seats under the shade of umbrellas. There's also a huge playground with nearby seating for families.

What is it? A fish feeding sanctuary that has been delighting visitors with daily feeding sessions since 1981. 

Why go? Open only at high tide in the tranquil waters of Doctor’s Gully, this rare experience lets visitors feed bread to a variety of Darwin’s fish species – including catfish, bream and milkfish – all keen for a carb-loaded feast. After the fishy fun, grab fresh bagels and sandwiches from the Gully Café.

Time Out tip: You can catch the Big Red hop-on, hop-off bus from the Darwin Visitor Centre and ride it straight to the top of Doctors Gully Road.

What is it? This celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, design and culture lands in Darwin each August, featuring artworks for sale from more than 75 Indigenous owned community art centres, plus masterclasses, artist talks, performances and more.

Why go? Darwin is also an important spot for Indigenous Australians from all throughout the Top End. The city's Aboriginal Art Fair is a notable must-see. If you're going up during the dry and you love art, do not miss this jaw-dropping showcase of First Nations art from all over the country in one stunning place. The festival also includes Indigenous fashion shows, art workshops, panel discussions, cultural dance performances, masterclasses and children’s activities.

Time Out tip: DAAF is a great place to pick up new original art, with 100 per cent of sales going directly to the artists and their communities.

What is it? The largest music festival in the Northern Territory, held every year in May.

Why go? Every year at the start of the dry season, the epic BASSINTHEGRASS festival arrives in Darwin, heralding in a perfect storm of sequins, disco and quality music acts that draws in great crowds and even greater times. Blazing sunsets, incredible street food, stunning music, a whole plethora of parties, silent discos and rainbows galore make Bass worth your salt. Although this one-day festival only happens once a year,  if you're planning on making the trip up north, think about making it coincide with this big and fabulous day out. 

Time Out tip: Missed this year's BASSINTHEGRASS? You can check out more epic festivals happening in Darwin and the NT here.

What is it? The city's oldest produce market for groceries and snacks, on every Saturday and Sunday from 7am to 2pm.

Why go? The sheer scale of fresh produce available at these local markets is staggering: you can smell the fresh herbs in the air and buy exciting ingredients like winter melon, Meyer lemons, whole turmeric, tempeh so fresh it’s still warm, and locally roasted coffee. Once your shopping bags are full, head out the back to where the food trucks are and get a tropical juice with lime and honey, a green papaya salad, tofu and fish skewers.

Time Out tip: Arrive early to beat the crowds and score the freshest produce. Also, come hungry, as there are plenty of Asian delights to fill up on!

What is it? Australia's hottest winter art festival in August.

Why go? When it comes to Darwin’s showiest and most epic cultural event of the year, the Darwin Festival probably takes the crown. Expect shimmering fairy lights, incredible street food and a vibrant array of epic live performances, music and art that all need to be seen to be believed. Going down every year in August, this vivid festival is all about long, hot summer nights while the rest of the country is deep in the middle of winter.

Time Out tip: While in town for Darwin Fest, make sure to visit MAGNT for the Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards exhibition. 

What is it? A month-long festival dedicated to the spicy noodle soup, held in October each year.

Why go? If there’s one dish Darwin is famous for, it’s a steaming bowl of laksa. This might seem odd given the Territory’s year-round temperatures sit in the mid-30s, but the locals love it so much that they spend an entire month celebrating it. During the festival, you can slurp your way around the city, sampling everything from classic bowls of varying spice levels to laksa-flavoured ice cream, bagels, sausages, burgers and cocktails. The fiery festivities culminate at the Festival Finale, where awards for The Golden Bowl and Regional Best Laksa are handed out, alongside the People’s Choice awards, voted on by the locals themselves.

Time Out tip: Hungry? How about some breakfast laksa from local favourite Kopi Stop?