Darwin
Tropical Top End City of Markets and Crocodiles
The Top End's small, tropical capital, closer to Bali than to Sydney: the Mindil Beach sunset market (Thursdays and Sundays, dry season), the waterfront lagoon, saltwater crocodiles at Crocosaurus Cove and on the Adelaide River jumping-croc cruises, the WWII and Cyclone Tracy history, and Litchfield National Park's swimming holes 90 minutes away. The northern end of The Ghan. Dry and pleasant from May to September; humid with monsoon storms from November to April.
Highlights
- Mindil Beach Sunset Market
- Litchfield waterfalls and swimming holes
- Jumping-crocodile cruise on the Adelaide River
- Crocosaurus Cove
- Museum and Art Gallery of the NT (Cyclone Tracy gallery)
- Waterfront wave lagoon
Things to do
- Litchfield National Park: Wangi and Florence FallsMorning · 8h
- Jumping-crocodile cruise on the Adelaide RiverMorning · 4h
- Mindil Beach Sunset MarketMay–OctEvening · 2h 30m
- Museum and Art Gallery of the NTAfternoon · 2h
Tours & tickets
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When to go
Best time: May – September
Worth knowing
Top End Wet Season
From about November to April Darwin is hot and humid, with monsoon storms, possible cyclones and box jellyfish in the sea (never swim in Darwin's harbour or beaches; crocodiles too). Mindil Beach market runs only in the dry season (late April to October), and many Litchfield swimming holes close when the water is high.