4D3N Darwin Free & Easy Itinerary

Life down under is pretty chill wherever you go; the people are friendly and you’ll find yourself learning to slow down and appreciate life, one beer at a time.

Darwin is perfect if you’re in the mood for a short getaway: four days is a perfect time to soak into and explore this city. Feel free to follow our suggested itinerary, or throw it away and lose yourself in the experience.

Day 1

Fly to Darwin on JetStar($403) or SilkAir($740). Head to the hotel to drop off your bags – there aren’t many hotels to choose from: luxury travellers should consider the Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront (S$235/night), which offers splendid views of Darwin Harbour and the surrounding Waterfront complex. Budget conscious travellers can opt for the Darwin Central Hotel (S$130)) or Chillis Backpackers Hostel (S$80), both in the heart of the city.

Explore your surroundings – Smith Street is a fascinating stretch of shops, featuring everything form run-of-the-mill tourist shops to tattoo parlours, art galleries and hip cafés.

End the evening with dinner and drinks on Mitchell Street. The restaurants here serve everything from Thai to Brazilian food, so you’ll be spoilt for choice. Up for meeting locals? Shenanigans Bar is where you want to be; it’s notorious for crowds that sometimes spill out onto the streets.

Day 2

Start your day with a hearty Australian breakfast, with plenty of bacon and even more eggs. Time to burn off those calories at the wave pool by the waterfront. Entry is $7, a small price to pay to watch your friends make absolute fools of themselves as they try to beat the waves. Soak up the sun, but don’t forget the sunblock as radiation levels can be pretty high down under.

Hungry? Head for fish & chips and a delightful view of the sunset at Stokes Hill Wharf. If you’re with friends, share a plate of fresh prawns, and have fun watching seagulls dive for your food. Marine life in the harbour is abundant, and you might even see a dolphin or two, along with plenty of reef sharks and large queenfish. Pop in a coin for luck and then head to SkyCity casino, where you can either make or break your fortune, Vegas style.

Day 3

Time for a more artsy side of you. Begin the day with a walk through the Esplanade, Darwin’s very own Central Park. It offers a quick glimpse into the city’s history, with monuments commemorating the Bombing of Darwin, Australia’s first battle of World War II.

After lunch, hop over to the Museum & Art Gallery of the Northern Territory to experience Cyclone Tracey, which devastated Darwin in 1974. The museum is a wonderland of knowledge, with interactive exhibits and friendly guides. Admission is free.

To celebrate your last night in the Northern Territory, head to Discovery, Darwin’s premier nightclub. Featuring an eclectic mix of R&B, house and pop music, it is a favourite among discerning youth.

Day 4

There’s one more thing you need to do before you leave Darwin: experience Australia’s only crocodile dive. As the name suggests, you are slowly lowered into an enclosure teeming with large saltwater crocodiles, separated only by a glass panel. The closest you’ll ever want to be to these beauties, we’re sure.

Finally, it’s time to pack your bags and bid Darwin goodbye.