Top Activities on the Ground in Darwin

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.

Darwin’s Jumping Crocodile cruise is one of the most popular ways to see the Northern Territory’s infamous wild crocodiles. With this tour, avoid the stress of organizing your own transport to the remote tour departure point and take a ride on the air-conditioned Croc Bus instead. Stop along the way to see the World’s largest boxing crocodile at the Humpty Doo Hotel, enjoy a thrilling crocodile-watching cruise along the Adelaide River, then go wildlife-watching at Fogg Dam.

Enjoy a history tour from a unique angle: the seat of a World War II truck. The vehicle sets the scene for many of the places you’ll drive past and the stories your guide will tell you. See important wartime sites and get the chance to visit a military museum (extra cost). An ideal tour for history buffs and travelers curious to learn more about Darwin.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This tour has a maximum capacity of 11 passengers in order to make your experience more comfortable, & inclusive with relaxed timeframes to allow for the park to be truly appreciated. Pick-ups are from 8 am in Darwin’s CBD (select your accommodation when booking) and will be back in Darwin around 5:30 pm.

Enjoy a rare chance to visit the Tiwi Islands and witness an Indigenous Australian community that holds on tightly to its traditions. Located off the coast of Darwin, the Tiwi Islands experience is led by an Indigenous guide who shares local history and traditions. Partake in a traditional morning tea with Tiwi Islanders before visiting the Tiwi Museum and joining Indigenous Australian artists for an art-making workshop.

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!

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.

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.

Get an insider’s perspective on the history and culture of Darwin on this walking tour with a local guide. Hear the background stories to the buildings and monuments that you’d miss if you just walked past them alone. There are many opportunities to stop and take pictures of the must-see sights as well as the more peaceful, hidden corners of central Darwin.

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.

Katherine Gorge sits a few hours inland from Darwin, so seeing it in a day means a long drive plus a way onto the water once you arrive. Run out to Nitmiluk National Park by coach, then cruise between the sandstone cliffs with everything arranged for you. Look for rock art on the walls and crocodiles on the banks, and cool off in the pool below Edith Falls when conditions allow.

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.

The ultimate day tour to Kakadu from Darwin with NT Top Adventures, where every moment resonates with the deep spiritual connection of Australia's Northern Territory. This fully private tour ensures exclusive access for you, your friends, or family, promising a deeply personalized journey unlike any other. Explore Kakadu's iconic attractions, such as Yellow Water. Immerse yourself in the ancient Aboriginal rock art at Nourlangie and Ubirr, where panoramic lookouts offer breathtaking views. Experience the tranquility of Fogg Dam and savor a delicious cooked dinner at the historic Humpty Doo Pub, steeped in Outback charm. More than just a tour, this is a transformative experience that delves into the spiritual heart of the Northern Territory. Witness the profound connection between nature and Aboriginal culture, while engaging in birdwatching, wildlife spotting, and an unforgettable outback road cruise. The results of this tour consistently exceed expectations.

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.