My Pick of the best things to see and do in Darwin

If you are short on time then a good starting point would be the Darwin City Sights Half day tour.

Departing in the afternoon just before 1pm, you’ll board an air-conditioned coach to discover the historic sites of the city including the East Point Military Precinct, Mooring Basin & Stokes Hill Wharf. You will also gain some knowledge and insight into Australia’s World War 2 history with time to explore the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory. Note that the cyclone Tracy exhibit at the museum is really good.

Alternatively you might prefer to take the ‘hop on, hop off pass’

Paul Hogan helped make this park one of the most famous….The world famous and iconic NT world heritage site of Kakadu (Australia’s biggest national park) is a few hours by road from Darwin and thoroughly worth a visit both for its natural beauty, wildlife (lots of crocs for starters but bird lovers will be in heaven as well) and cultural significance.

Now Kakadu can be “done“ in a one day trip – but it’s a really long day!

But my recommendation is a 2 day/1 night itinerary that will include a East Alligator River Tour.

The tour will pick up from most central Darwin hotels early on day one of the tour and drop you back in the early evening of the second day so you get your money’s worth. (And you’ll learn why the river is called East Alligator River even though Australia doesn’t have alligators!)

If you are a little short on time then I can recommend a day tour to Litchfield, Kakadu’s little brother. Litchfield is much closer to Darwin so is easily accessible for a day. With huge termite mounds, giant rock formations, rock pools and waterfalls this is a really worthwhile way to spend a free day, perhaps just before setting off on a Kimberley cruise.

Prices start at $195 per person for this day trip and that includes pick up/drop off at major Darwin hotels.

If the Ghan is part of your itinerary then you will be stopping at Katherine and taking a cruise between the sandstone cliffs. If not then you may want to consider a full day trip to Katherine gorge that includes a 2 cruise. Like Kakadu it is a very long day. And beware. If you are seeing Katherine Gorge before you see the Kimberley then that’s fine. But after you’ve seen King George Falls then any other gorge, even at Katherine, doesn’t compare.

The top end is synonymous with crocs. You will probably see a few on your Kimberley cruise (that’s why you don’t swim off the beaches on those cruises) but if you really need more (and closer) croc time then these three options are available.

Adelaide River Jumping Crocodile Cruise.

A bit daggy but great photo opportunities