Best places to see, eat, stay and shop in Darwin, NT

OUR readers tell us the best places to see, eat, stay and shop in the Northern Territory's capital. Compiled by Chanel Parratt.

Stalls at Mindil Beach Sunset Markets, Darwin. Picture: Tourism NT.

SEE

Fish Darwin

My family and I enjoyed a half-day fishing tour with Fish Darwin. The boat was clean, the crew informative and there was a nice relaxed vibe on board. The barbecue lunch was great and we couldn't believe our luck at catching so many big fish.

- Renae

Litchfield National Park

If you're hiring a car while visiting Darwin I recommend a drive to Litchfield National Park. It's about 130km southwest of Darwin and has a great swimming hole with a waterfall and rocks you can jump off. There's a small cafe and ice cream shop on-site and some nice walking trails to explore nearby.

- Rodney

The Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory

The Museum and Art Gallery at Bullocky Point on the Darwin Harbour is a great way to spend a spare couple of hours in Darwin. Collections include Aboriginal, South-East Asian and Oceanic art and cultural displays and there is another section dedicated to Cyclone Tracy that really puts the event in context to the lives of people who were living in the area at the time. All of it was very interesting and there's a cafe and fantastic gift shop if you're hoping to pick up an authentic Aboriginal artwork or souvenir from your trip.

- Sarah

Crocosaurus Cove

I love that Crocosaurus Cove is right on the main street of Darwin. Home to some of the biggest saltwater crocodiles on the planet, it's fantastic to see them up close in the aquarium-style setting. My girlfriend and I thought it would be fun to experience the "Cage of Death" but the crocodiles were pretty uninterested in us, which was the only disappointing aspect of our visit.

- Luke

Getting up close and personal at Crocosaurus Cove. Picture: Supplied.

EAT

Hanuman Restaurant

We stayed at the Double Tree by Hilton and Hanuman Restaurant is part of the hotel complex. We tried not to go there (wanting to be a little bit more adventurous and eat further afield) but the beautiful deck was too good to refuse. We really enjoyed the food, a mix of modern Thai and Indian and tried their masala fried fish, pandan chicken and beef masaman - all stand-outs.

- Karen

Duck's Nuts

I am often in Darwin for work and Duck's Nuts is my go to for good coffee. I can recommend the eggs benedict and the breakfast bruschetta.

- David

Pee Wee's at the Point

Pee Wee's at the Point has a fantastic view across the water so make sure you book early to make the most of the sunset.

My husband and I enjoy trying different foods and were impressed by the outback Australian and Asian influences in the menu. I ordered the coconut crusted crocodile tail and wild-caught barramundi and hubby the buffalo carpaccio and double-roasted duck, we weren't disappointed.

- Sarah

Prickles Mexican Restaurant

When visiting family in Darwin they took us to Prickles Mexican Restaurant, which is out of the CBD in Parap. The food was so tasty and the service spot-on. Big plates of enchiladas and tacos, lots of vegetarian options and gluten-free dishes available too.

The interior is the usual fun and colourful Mexican, with lively music, margaritas and cold Coronas. There's a great dessert menu - try the banana enchilada with butterscotch sauce.

- Nicky

Char Restaurant

The heritage-listed Admiralty House is the home of Char Restaurant - my favourite place to eat in Darwin. Keep it simple with steak or barramundi and you can't go wrong. Inside, the restaurant is a pretty slick affair, with lots of business lunches and romantic dinners, but outside giant trees shade the garden that looks out to the water - very relaxing.

- Jeremy

STAY

Adina Apartment Hotel Darwin Waterfront

The location of the Adina Apartment Hotel Darwin Waterfront is just what we were looking for. Our studio room was clean, modern and the staff very helpful. The Adina Hotel is by the newly developed waterfront area where there are plenty of busy restaurants and bars, the convention centre, wave pool and a nice park.

- James

Double Tree by Hilton

We stayed at the Double Tree by Hilton and were really impressed by the hotel location (right on the esplanade and backing on to Mitchell St) and the huge pool.

The decor is getting a bit tired (a bit of tropical weathering) but we really enjoyed the food and talking to the friendly staff at the pool bar and cafe.

- Sarah

Mantra on the Esplanade

Mantra on the Esplanade ticked all the boxes for my family of four. Apartment-style accommodation so we could do a bit of cooking at home, an in-room laundry and a safe pool area for the kids to enjoy. The rooms are clean but are getting a bit dated but that didn't bother us too much.

It's right on the esplanade so it's worth getting a room with a view of the water and the beautiful sunsets.

- Hannah

SHOP

Mindil Beach Sunset Markets

The Mindil Beach Sunset Markets are a nice stroll or short taxi ride from town. We went there to catch the sunset on the beach (along with a couple of hundred other people who had the same idea) and it was magic. Just as the sun dipped into the water a man started playing the didgeridoo through a microphone at the markets, the moment has stayed with me since.

We spent the next few hours strolling through the markets eating green papaya salad, chicken skewers and crepes and snow cones - the kids loved it. The stalls sell some nice local artwork and a few tacky trinkets but the food and the sunset are the real drawcards.

The markets are open Thursday and Sunday nights in the dry season.

- Georgia

Stalls at Mindil Beach Sunset Markets, Darwin. Picture: Tourism NT.

Next destination: Paris