Top Darwin Helicopter Tours

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.

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.

Set out from Stokes Hill Wharf in Darwin for a fabulous sunset cruise accompanied by a meal of fish and chips, and a complimentary drink. Relax and enjoy watching a colorful Top End sunset over Fannie Bay from the best spot in Darwin Harbour. Your captain stops at Cullen Bay Beach to pick up your meal, which is made with fresh wild–caught Northern Territory fish. Eat a classic Australian dish, snap photos and enjoy the beauty of Darwin during this memorable sunset cruise.

Spend an action-packed day exploring two national parks in the Top End: Nitmiluk and Kakadu. Fly round-trip from Darwin to Katherine Gorge, then hop aboard a helicopter for a scenic ride. Explore the magnificent landscape for 1 hour by air followed by a riverboat cruise back in Kakadu. A private tour helps you discover this region abundant with wildlife, natural beauty, and cultural significance before your return to Darwin.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.