The 8 best day trips from Darwin for true Top End experiences

There’s a reason the Tiwi Islands are known as the ‘Islands of Smiles’. It’s because you can’t help but grin there. The two main islands – Wurrumiyanga (Bathurst) and Yermalner (Melville) – are home to 2,500 residents, famous for their traditional artworks, colourful textiles and die-hard love of football. The local ferry departs Cullen Bay in Darwin every morning at 8am on its 2.5-hour journey to Bathurst Island. Any trip to the Islands should include a visit to the renowned Tiwi Design Art Centre, a cuppa with the ‘morning tea ladies’ (a group of Tiwi women elders who bake damper and brew bill tea for visitors), and a flick of a fishing line in search of an elusive barra. 

How far? 85km

Get there via ferry or with a tour group. Don’t forget to apply for a permit to visit the Tiwi Islands through the Tiwi Land Council.

Where else in the world can you see descendants of the dinosaur age in their natural habitat, propelling themselves out of the water in splashing distance of you? Only in Darwin. Or more specifically, the Adelaide River. The jumping croc tours on the mighty waterway just south of Darwin are an institution. It’s a truly humbling and exhilarating experience to see saltwater crocodiles – one of the oldest creatures on the planet – up close, in the wild, on an open-air boat. These tours showcase the sheer power and majestic beauty of the animals, including the infamous Brutus (who is six metres long and approximately 100 years old) and his arch-enemy Dominator. 

How far? 66km

Get there by driving south for just over an hour and then jumping on a tour boat.

If there was a ‘12 Wonders of Darwin’ list, Litchfield National Park would be at the very top. This 1,500-kilometre-square region encompasses everything there is to love about the Top End, including striking waterfalls, curious clusters of termite mounds and sparkling swimming holes. You can take in its dramatic scenery via a range of adventure-packed activities, like four-wheel-driving, hiking, birdwatching, swimming and waterfall chasing. Ask a local for their favourite spot – Buley Rockhole, Upper Cascade Falls and Greenant Creek are up there – and check it out. The reasons to visit Litchfield are endless – just ask the 260,000 people who go there annually.

How far? 106km

Get there by driving just over an hour from Darwin, or on a tour bus with a guide.

Darwin day trips don’t get much more epic than this: a botanicals-foraging and gin-distilling experience by helicopter, ATV buggy and airboat. Yes, you read that correctly. This world-first tour takes guests from Darwin to Finniss River Lodge via helicopter. Once at the 50,000-acre property (which is a working cattle station), the foraging begins. With the help of local legend and expert guide Chase Johnson and her cattle dog Cash, you’ll learn about and source native botanicals, including turkey bush, waterlily and paperbark. These flavours will then be distilled into a bespoke batch of gin at the Darwin Distilling Co’s headquarters back in Darwin at Charlie’s bar. Cheers to that. 

How far? 117km

Get there in style via one of Nautilus Aviation’s helicopters on a 30-minute flight, as a part of the tour experience.

Towards the end of April, after the tropical rains have eased, Darwin residents start to count down the days until Berry Springs opens for swimming. In the dry season (May to October), locals and visitors alike flock to the warm waters of the spring and the lush grounds of the nature park. Even in the wet season – when swimming isn’t permitted due to the threat of crocs – it’s still a pretty spot for picnicking and wildlife-admiring. On your way back to Darwin, stop for a cold beer at the classic Berry Springs Tavern and hang out with the pub’s pets: goats, emus and deer. 

How far? 47km

Get there by taking a 40-minute drive past Humpty Doo and Noonamah (yes, they are real places).

Live out all your Crocodile Dundee dreams at Dundee Beach on the banks of Fog Bay. The laidback coastal town is worth the 1.5-hour drive from Darwin for its fishing charters, yoga retreats, airboat tours and pub. The newly opened Dundee Beach Tavern includes a restaurant, convenience store and splash park. Highlights include live bands and local seafood. Come for the name (and a cheeky selfie with the Dundee sign), and stay for the views and vibe. 

How far? 133km

Get there by car on a 1.5-hour drive from Darwin.

In an ideal world, visitors would have more than a day to see the sights of the World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park – the largest land-based national park in Australia – but it is possible to squeeze some serious sightseeing into a day trip. Leave early in the morning from Darwin and head south-east to explore all that Kakadu has to offer. In a day, you can visit the Nourlangie Rock Art Site, embark on a Yellow Water Billabong Cruise and check out the Warradjan Cultural Centre. The floodplains, wildlife and ancient landscapes within the 20,000 square kilometre region are like nothing else. 

How far? 257km

Get there by car or on a guided tour. The trip from Darwin to Kakadu takes about three hours, with lots to see en route. 

Situated on the shores of Bynoe Harbour, Crab Claw Island (which is connected to the mainland, but does become an island on very high tides), is a honeypot for sightseers, fishing enthusiasts and seafood lovers. Visitors can arrive by car on land, or by boat pulling up at the palm-tree-lined beach. The Crab Claw Island Resort features two swimming pools, sweeping views across the harbour and an elevated restaurant and bar. If you don’t land a Barra fishing, never fear, you can order one at the restaurant and call it a win. 

How far? 111km

Get there by car, ferry or boat. It’s a 1.5-hour drive from Darwin to Crab Claw Island, or a leisurely two-hour cruise on a day trip tour from Cullen Bay.