Top Darwin Air Tours

This action-packed day trip is the ultimate way to see the Kakadu National Park from Darwin, for travelers short on time. Travel by scenic flight for spectacular views as well as to save time by eliminating lengthy road travel. The day also includes many other Kakadu highlights, such as a river cruise, visits to waterfalls, an Aboriginal cultural center, and more, for an unforgettable day of learning and special views.

See Darwin’s highlights with a hop-on hop-off pass valid for 24 or 48 hours. Cruise to top spots including Crocosaurus Cove, the Waterfront Precinct, and the 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 in a circuit, or explore in depth on your own by hopping off at any of the convenient stops.

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.

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.

Take in the views of Darwin Harbour during a sunset cruise aboard the “Charles Darwin,” a deluxe 3-level catamaran. Sail past the Esplanade, Larrakeyah Barracks, Cullen Bay, and Fannie Bay, all while seated in air-conditioned comfort or outside on the sundeck. Enjoy a delicious buffet dinner featuring fresh seafood and local produce as you watch the sun set over the Top End.

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—and croc-free—locales and meet a crocodile without a horde of onlookers spoiling the experience.

Get close to Australia's wildlife, without having to book multiple tours, on this jumping croc cruise from Darwin. Cruise down the Adelaide River, home to more than 1,600 crocodiles, to see these creatures launch themselves out of the water, as well as native birdlife. Then, head over to the Window on the Wetlands Visitor Center for views of the Marrakai Plains and enjoy the interactive displays.

Carved out over millions of years, the majestic natural landscapes of Kakadu National Park have a scale that can only truly be appreciated from the air. See sights that can’t be reached by land as you soar through the skies in your own private fixed-wing aircraft. During the wet season, admire plunging Jim Jim Falls and Twin Falls; during the dry, soak up the rugged formations of Arnhem Land.

The tour will depart from Darwin Airport, where you prepare for some of the most phenomenal sights anywhere in the world. Firstly, fly out over outback Australia, including the Kimberley region and, most noteworthy, the scenic north west coastline. Upon arriving in Kununurra, the tour will head towards the renowned Bungle Bungles. These huge sandstone towers were molded by twenty million years of erosion and weathering. This all lead to the stunning, multi-coloured pillars we see today. Moreover, seeing them from the sky is an absolutely unbeatable experience, as only from there is it possible to understand the scale and unbelieveable beauty of the ranges. Afterwards, the tour will lead you to a lesser known spectacle of the Australian Outback. Following the winding gorges of the Ord River, the tour reaches its pinnacle. Of an almost unrivaled majesty, the stunning Lake Argyle sits dormant. Revel in the beauty of this colossal freshwater lake molded by the ancient landscape.

The vast wetlands, towering termite mounds, and dramatic waterfalls of the Litchfield National Park are even more spectacular from the air. On this tour, take off from Darwin and soar over the park’s natural wonders on a scenic flight. Flying not only lets you explore further in a short time but also affords views of areas inaccessible by land. See the Darwin River Dam, the Magnetic Ant Hills, the Cascades, the Lost City, Sandy Creek Falls, and more.

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

Litchfield's waterfalls and swimming holes are spread across the park, which is a lot to navigate on a self-drive day from Darwin. This full-day tour maps the route for you, stopping at the standout falls and natural pools along the Tabletop Range. Cool off in the swimming holes, see the towering termite mounds, and hear the Aboriginal stories tied to the landscape over a packed lunch.

See Darwin’s highlights on a handy half-day tour by bus. Learn about Darwin’s World War II history at the Defence of Darwin Experience, with admission to this military heritage site included. Explore the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, and stop by the 1934 Qantas Hangar and Darwin Aviation Museum, among other sites on this comprehensive introduction to Darwin. Includes handy hotel transfers; caravan parks cost extra.

Discover Katherine Gorge from every angle on a thrilling 8-hour excursion by air and water. The adventure begins with a flight from Darwin over Adelaide River, Pine Creek, and the iconic Australian Outback. After landing, it's time to take to the skies again. Discover the hard-to-reach places within the gorge by helicopter. The last leg of the adventure includes a picturesque boat cruise through the gorge, before your return flight to Darwin.

Swap your cruise ship for a hop-on hop-off bus tour of Darwin on this sightseeing shore excursion. Select a 24- or 48-hour pass and explore the city in the Top End at your own pace. Board the open-top double-decker bus from the cruise terminal at Fort Hill Wharf and disembark at any of the 11 stops around Darwin, or simply stay on the bus for a 60- or 90-minute narrated tour. Visit the Military Museum, Botanic Gardens, Doctors Gully, Crocosaurus Cove and more!

Experience the natural wonders and ancient cultural heritage of Kakadu — one of Australia’s largest national parks. On this full-day tour from Darwin, cruise along the Yellow Waters while spotting crocs basking on the banks; admire ancient Aboriginal art at the ‘desert museum’ of Nourlangie Rock; and delve deeper into indigenous history at the Warradjan Aboriginal Centre.

Short on time but want to experience the best of the Top End? This fast-paced adventure packs multiple highlights into one seamless day. Combine helicopter flights, airboat rides, river cruising, and guided overland travel to see the region from every angle. Spot crocodiles and native birdlife across Litchfield National Park’s floodplains, then cool off with a swim in a designated crocodile-safe pool.

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. Note: March and April visit the Burrungkuy and Nourlangie Rock galleries and ride the Billabong cruise.