Top Darwin Outdoor Activities

Explore the tropical wilderness of the Litchfield National Park on this full-day small-group tour from Darwin. Visit the Florence and Wangi Falls; cool off with a dip in the Buley Rockhole, and snap photos of the gigantic Cathedral and Magnetic Termite Mounds. You'll also enjoy a crocodile-spotting cruise along the Adelaide River and hear about the reptiles from the wildlife guide. Includes lunch, snacks, croc cruise, and hotel pickup and drop-off.

Explore a landscape of ancient rock formations, monsoon forests, and cascading waterfalls on this full-day tour from Darwin to Litchfield National Park. Marvel at massive termite pillars, take a dip in natural swimming holes, and explore rock pools at the base of the sparkling falls. Enjoy lunch at the Litchfield Café and learn of the Aboriginal legends that surround this pristine landscape.

Ride into the sunset and enjoy tropical breezes during this Darwin dinner cruise aboard a traditional fishing ketch. Enjoy freshly shucked Coffin Bay oysters or sink your teeth into succulent Northern Territory Banana prawns followed by your choice of fresh-caught fish or Scotch fillet steak in a 4-course meal provided by the onboard chef. Drinks are available for purchase at the bar, or bring your own.

Adrenaline junkies won’t want to miss this high-energy Top End adventure: an airboat tour of Darwin Harbour and the mangroves, departing right from the heart of the city. Feel the adrenaline rush as the V8 aircraft engine roars into life and the craft races across the water on a fast lap, then immerse in the Northern Territory’s epic landscape, home to sea birds, saltwater crocodiles, and more.

Explore Litchfield National Park on this guided walking tour. Cool off in the spring-fed waterfalls, take a hike in the tropical monsoon vine forests, get a lesson in ancient Indigenous bush food and medicine. Enjoy lunch at Tolmer Falls where you’ll have the chance to head to the lookout or walk through an ancient cycad forest. Then, choose to visit the Batchelor Butterfly Farm (additional fee) to learn about Australian butterflies.

Explore Kakadu National Park and learn about Australia’s Aboriginal heritage on a full-day tour from Darwin. You'll see the highlights of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed park, including ancient rock art of Ubirr Rock and views from the Nadab lookout. Then take a Guluyambi cultural cruise along the East Alligator River, traveling with an indigenous guide who stops along the way to show you the dramatic landscapes of Arnhem Land. Includes lunch, snacks, guide, transportation, and hotel pickup and drop-off.

Take in Darwin Harbour during a 2sunset cruise aboard the 'Charles Darwin,' a deluxe 3-level catamaran that was built for service on the Gold Coast Broadwater. Travel past Stokes Hill Wharf, the Esplanade, Larrakeyah Naval barracks, Cullen Bay, and Fannie Bay, while seated in air-conditioned comfort or outside on the Sun Deck (top deck). Hear live commentary on Darwin’s history and landmarks, and have the option to include a buffet dinner, or purchase snacks and drinks at the onboard bar.

One of the Northern Territory's key attractions is its isolation, but an increasing number of visitors means that the Territory's most popular attractions are becoming very busy. Cruise the Adelaide River without bumping into lots of other groups on this early-morning tour, with the chance to swim in picturesque rock pools and meet a crocodile without a horde of onlookers spoiling the experience.

Discover the best of Litchfield National Park on a full-day tour from Darwin. Head to the Adelaide River for a private Jumping Crocodile cruise that gives you great views of the crocs. Continue into Litchfield National Park to cool off in swimming holes such as Florence Falls, Wangi Falls or Buley Rockhole, see the sculptural termite mounds and have a picnic lunch. Back in Darwin, watch the sunset at Mindil Beach while sipping a glass of champagne and nibbling prawn appetizers before returning to your hotel.

Ensure you get the best sunset vista by heading out onto the water on this cruise across Darwin Harbour. Aboard a large, ocean-going catamaran with plenty of deck space, sit under the sails or in the air-conditioned salon and toast the setting sun with a glass of sparkling wine before enjoying a tapas/barbecue dinner while soaking up the views—if you wish, you can bring your own drinks and keep them chilled in the on board coolers.

Explore the World War II sites of Darwin on this city sightseeing and cruise tour. Visit the Darwin war memorial and East Point Military Precinct, and explore Darwin Military Museum to chart the city’s wartime experience. Midway through, enjoy a small-boat cruise around Darwin Harbour, passing the modern naval base and the remnants and wreck sites of Japan’s devastating February 1942 air raids. Hotel pickup, entrance fees, and live onboard commentary included.

Go sightseeing in Darwin with a hop-on hop-off pass that is valid for 24 or 48 hours. Cruise to top spots including Crocosaurus Cove, the waterfront precinct, and Darwin Military Museum. Enjoy unobstructed views from the open-top double-decker bus and informative onboard commentary. Simply hop on board to travel from sight to sight, and explore in depth on your own by hopping off at any of the convenient stops. Opt for two different tour lengths to suit your sightseeing schedule.

Discover one of the Northern Territory's hidden treasures—Litchfield—on this scenic flight. See stunning waterfalls, wetlands, and ancient Outback landscapes—areas that are largely inaccessible by land. Fly over the Darwin River Dam and the Rum Jungle uranium mine. Experience a bird's-eye view of the Litchfield National Park's magnetic termite mounds and majestic waterfalls. Then, fly south over the crocodile-breeding wetlands of the Daly River to the wide delta as it spills into the sea.

There are few ways of getting close to 19-foot (6-meter) long saltwater crocodile safely, but the Jumping Croc Cruise is one. On a sturdy boat with well-trained staff you’ll cruise out onto the Adelaide River, looking for crocs. Staff will entice the animals with food, causing them to jump high in the air. This is an unmissable Northern Territory experience, and one that you’re sure to remember. Learn about the unique animals of the top end on a low-impact tour that respects the environment and its inhabitants.

See an abundance of birds, crocodiles and other wildlife on this day trip from Darwin with a 2.5-hour Corroboree Billabong cruise. You'll board a shaded, open-sided boat for optimal wildlife viewing along the Mary River Wetlands, home to the largest concentration of saltwater crocs as well as 30 species of birds. Hear commentary from your guide throughout the full-day tour, which includes an informative stop at Window on the Wetlands Visitor Centre as well as lunch and round-trip hotel transport.

This ultimate top-end tour is ideal for travelers short on time who want to see and do a lot. Travel by helicopter, airboat, cruise boat, and overland, for an incredible range of sights and experiences. Look out for crocodiles and birds on the floodplains of the Litchfield National Park and even cool off with a swim in a crocodile-safe pool.

Hop aboard a jet ski to whip down the open water at your own speed. During this action-packed excursion, you’ll pass along both untouched coastlines and the iconic Mindil Beach Casino, getting a chance to rev your engine full-blast. Immerse yourself in local marine life along the way, including potential dolphin sightings.

In February 1942, the North Australian city of Darwin was bombed by Japanese forces. With this two-for-one deal, cruise around the Darwin waterfront on the Bombing of Darwin cruise, sailing by landmarks like the wreck sites of the SS Neptuna and USS Peery; then visit the historic Royal Flying Doctor Tourist Facility and hear the local stories of those air raids. Don’t organize these two attractions separately; book in advance and confirm them for the same day.

Experience Darwin Harbour at its most atmospheric on a sunset tour. Take to the water for a thrilling jet ski experience and zip along the coast with your guide and small group. Cruise past the ‘Magic Mile’ from Mindil Beach to East Point, get in the party mood with music and included soft drinks, and watch the sunset over the ocean as you glide back to shore.

See Darwin as you’ve never seen it before on this amazing guided jet ski adventure tour of the coastline. After a quick safety briefing, you’ll speed out of the city to visit East Arm’s glassy waters and tropical mangroves. Feel yourself flying across the waves as you swing around the coast to Mindil Beach, before taking in the epic city skyline on the way back to the harbour.

See where World War II bombs fell on Darwin on this harbour cruise. On 19 February 1942, Japanese planes targeted Allied ships in Darwin’s waters, causing mass destruction. Board an open-sided boat to cruise by these and other landmarks as you hear stories of the fateful day and Darwin’s wartime history. See remnants of the raids and underwater shipwreck sites, and sail by historical wharfs, pearling luggers, and other maritime locations. Live commentary included.

If you’re short on time while touring the Top End, this action-packed day trip to Litchfield National Park is ideal for you. The park is famous for its glorious waterfalls, and you’ll see these up-close on a guided nature walk. You’ll also get the chance to swim in refreshing rock pools and spot wildlife, including kangaroos, flying foxes, and rare birds. Learn about the park’s biodiversity while having fun.

Explore the highlights of Kakadu National Park on this action-packed full-day adventure from Darwin. One of Australia’s best national parks, Kakadu is famed for its ancient rock art and rich Indigenous history, along with its spectacular scenery and saltwater crocs. You’ll visit Fogg Dam Conservation Reserve, Bowali Visitor Centre, and either Ubirr Rock or Nourlangie (weather dependent). You can also add on a Jumping Crocodile Cruise for an extra thrill.

Marvel at the sight of the sun rising over the ocean as you speed across the glassy waters of the ocean on this Darwin morning guided jet ski adventure. Cruise along the tropical coastline to some secret spots, keeping your eyes peeled for dolphins and sea turtles, before catching an epic view of the golden sunrise glow over the city skyline on your way back to shore.