Darwin – 3 days – Tropical Summer

DAY ONE

Breakfast with a view

The three day Darwin adventure begins with breakfast at the Darwin Waterfront. From high end restaurants to more casual cafes and bars, there’s something for everyone. Make sure they pack their

bathers so they can go for a swim at the Wave or Recreation Lagoons. Paddle, swim or play in these manmade lagoons with waves up to 1.7 metres generated at regular intervals. Both areas are safe for swimming and protected from stingers.

Go face-to-face with a croc

After lunch, head to Crocosaurus Cove, located in the heart of Darwin on Mitchell Street. Visitors have the opportunity to get up close and personal with the largest reptile on the planet, the saltwater crocodile, and learn about a variety of fish and reptile species at the aquarium and reptile house during the many daily shows.

Those who are particularly brave can climb into the Cage of Death for a face-to-face encounter with one of the largest saltwater crocodiles in captivity. It’s the ultimate adrenaline rush!

Sunset and shopping at Mindil Market

Darwin’s popular Mindil Beach Sunset Markets are held every Thursday and Sunday evening between May and October. The region’s incredible multicultural mix is well represented at the market’s arts, crafts and food stalls.

There’s free entertainment by magicians and buskers, and over 60 international food stalls to choose from, before dining barefoot on the beach watching an iconic Darwin sunset. If the Mindil Beach Sunset Markets aren’t scheduled for tonight, head to Cullen Bay Marina for takeaway fish and chips or dine at one of the beachside sailing clubs and watch the sun go down.

Sleep easy

Check into your accommodation. There are many options available in Darwin, from luxury hotel rooms to camping grounds with excellent facilities, including:

• Vibe Darwin

• Ramada Suites Zen

• Novotel Darwin

DAY TWO

City explorer

Start the day with a morning coffee fix and breakfast at one of the many popular cafes in the city. Take time to browse the local shops and boutiques for some unique souvenirs.

Aboriginal art scene

Today, discover the wealth of the local Aboriginal art scene. Darwin City and Parap are great places to view and invest in Aboriginal art pieces from around the Northern Territory. The Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory is recommended to find out more about Aboriginal art and to see local crocodile celebrity, Sweetheart. The famous 5-metre, 780-kilogram taxidermied saltwater crocodile is on permanent display in the museum. The museum also houses a Cyclone Tracy exhibition where you can appreciate the scale of devastation the city suffered on 24 December 1974.

Wartime history experiences

Plan a visit to the Defence of Darwin Experience at the Military Museum to discover Darwin’s wartime history. Learn about the bombing of Darwin and the city’s role in WWII through the gallery and multimedia presentations. Check out the displays of artillery pieces, vehicles, uniforms and firearms at the museum, or head to Stokes Hill Wharf and the Bombing of Darwin Harbour exhibit at the RFDS Tourist Facility. The VR movie and life-sized holograms bring the dramatic events to life.

Historical harbour views

Head towards the Esplanade where you'll find Bicentennial Park perched on the cliffs of Darwin Harbour. Visit the Cenotaph, Darwin’s first war memorial commemorating Australians who lost their lives in WWI, and the Aboriginal men and women whose bush skills assisted the Army during WWII to protect the remote northern coastline.

Settle in for a movie under the stars

Unwind tonight with a flick at the Deckchair Cinema, which can be found near the Waterfront. The open air cinema screens Australian, popular, family, foreign and classic films during the dry season (April-November). Make the most of the experience and relax under the stars while enjoying their onsite bar and food stalls.

DAY THREE

Back to nature

Grab some more R&R at Berry Springs Nature Park (usually open May - November), located just 47 kilometres south of Darwin. Used as a recreation camp for armed forces personnel during the war, today it's a popular spot for a barbecue and a dip in the clear freshwater pools. Native fish and other aquatic life can be easily viewed through a pair of goggles.

Get active this afternoon and check out one of the bushwalking tracks or learn more about the wartime history of Berry Springs Nature Park at the interpretive centre.

Go wild at Territory Wildlife Park

Discover the local wildlife at the nearby Territory Wildlife Park where you can take in a famous birds of prey show or hand feed the whip rays and barramundi in the Oolloo Sandbar. Wander through treetop aviaries, around a natural lagoon and through the aquarium to see animals, including Graeme the saltwater crocodile.

Dinner with a view at the wharf

Return to Darwin and head to Stokes Hill Wharf in the Waterfront Precinct. This is a popular spot for fishing with the locals, and is dotted with restaurants, eateries and retail shops.

This is a great spot to finish the evening with some fresh local fish and chips and watch one last iconic Top End sunset, with perhaps some dolphins in the water below. Relax at the Wharf and reflect on your Darwin adventures.