Top Darwin Hop on Hop Off Buses

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.