Nine must-do highlights of Darwin

The gin distillery

Charlie’s of Darwin … a great place to enjoy a cocktail overlooking the city.

Coming face to face with a saltwater crocodile is not something you’d wish for, unless the croc is stamped on a bottle of gin and comes infused with Kakadu plum and native lemongrass. Darwin Gin is just one of the in-house gins made by Darwin Distilling Co located within Charlie’s of Darwin. Tucked away on Austin Lane in the repurposed cafeteria of the old Woolworths building, a graffiti-covered entrance leads to a cocktail lounge and terrace bar. Opened in 2020, Charlie’s is the first distillery in Darwin’s CBD. See charliesofdarwin.com.au

The apartment hotel

Step inside the Adina Apartment Hotel Darwin Waterfront and there’s little doubt you are on the lands of the Larrakia people. From the hand-woven fishnet wall hanging to a chart depicting the traditional seven seasons, the partly Indigenous-owned hotel exhibits a powerful sense of place. Choose between studio, one or two-bedroom apartments with city or water views. While the apartment hotel has its own pool and Curve Restaurant and Bar, perhaps the biggest drawcard is its proximity to the Darwin waterfront. Or hit up Parap Village markets (Saturdays year-round 8am-2pm) and prepare a Top End feast in your own kitchen. See adinahotels.com

The cultural experience

You haven’t been to Darwin if you haven’t taken a Saltwater Cultural Tour, led by guide Trent Lee of the Larakia/Wardaman/Karajarri people. As a traditional owner and custodian Trent takes guests to Casuarina Beach to learn about history, language and cultural practices. Have a go at fire-making, spear-throwing and weaving strands of native hibiscus into a bracelet. Strung with sand dollar shells it is the ultimate keepsake. See saltwaterculturaltours.com

The walk

Darwin’s streets are made for walking thanks to its colourful street art.

A crocodile with flowers on its back, a sly-eyed kookaburra, a tessellated sea turtle … these are just some of the creatures you’ll encounter in Darwin’s laneways. Since 2017, the Darwin Street Art Festival (August/September) has brought a creative energy to the city’s walls, attracting artists for a two-week street party. Download the interactive app, or just start strolling from Austin Lane, along Knuckey Street to West Lane. Don’t miss Shadforth Lane, which contains work only by NT artists. See darwinstreetartfestival.com.au

The wine bar

The Stone House, Darwin.

Stone House Wine Bar and Kitchen is housed inside a heritage-listed stone shop house that used to be an opium den back in the 1880s. While the inside bar is all exposed brick and peeling paint, and the outdoor garden is tropical trees and party lights, both live up to the wine bar’s tagline – Merchant of good times. The extensive wine-by-the-glass menu changes every two months and includes varietals such as a crisp Xarmant Txakoli from Basque Country Spain (perfect with a salty Reuben sandwich). The full list includes wines from Australia, the US, Spain, Italy, France and New Zealand, as well as cocktails, craft beers and a mind-boggling array of spirits. See stonehousedarwin.com.au

The restaurant

Michael Foster – taking the dining scene by storm.

Executive chef Michael Foster, a 29-year-old Darwin-born Indigenous man, is taking the Top End’s dining scene to a new and inspired level under his first year of guidance at the Char Restaurant and The Darwin Club, both located inside Admiralty House Darwin. Foster draws on cultural connections by foraging for native ingredients such as finger limes, green ants and rosella flowers. The dukkha dusted wagyu steak served with a wattle seed and foie gras mousse is a standout. Char is temporarily shuttered and will reopen in next year’s dry season. See admiraltyhouse.com.au

The museum and art gallery

The “Sweetheart” display at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory.

Edinburgh’s National Museum of Scotland has Dolly the sheep, Chicago’s Field Museum has Sue the Tyrannosaurus, but only Darwin’s Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT) has Sweetheart, a stuffed 5.1-metre crocodile that went rogue in the ’70s. Other exhibitions include an interactive memorial to Cyclone Tracy, a maritime gallery of traditional boats and canoes, and a rotating roster of Indigenous art works. In true Top End-style, the museum’s events range from pop-up paint and sip parties, to “Moves at the Museum” dance performances. See magnt.net.au

The sunset dinner cruise

Sailing the Darwin Harbour at sunset.

When the sun sinks and the sky begins to blaze, visitors and locals jostle for space on bar stools and terraces to take in the light show across the Arafura Sea. But for a lucky few, a three-hour tour aboard the 15-metre, ocean going luxury catamaran Sundancer affords the best views in town. With unlimited Australian sparkling wine, an eight-course tapas menu (think wild caught barramundi bites and marinated rump steak served on warm pita bread) and plenty of room on deck there’s no better way to enjoy a sultry Darwin sunset. See saildarwin.com.au

The day trip

An artist at work at Tiwi Design.

Looking for some tropical island time? A full-day tour to the Tiwi Islands with Sealink is just the ticket. From Darwin Harbour it takes two and half hours by high-speed ferry to Bathurst Island. Just don’t go expecting cocktails and kids’ clubs, rather a Tiwi by Design tour is about full immersion in art, culture and community. After a smoking ceremony and a cup of billy tea you’ll tour the Wuuimiyanga community, visit an art centre, participate in a screen-printing workshop and see the wooden Catholic church featured in the Top End Wedding movie. The key to making friends is simple – just start talking about Aussie rules football. See sealinknt.com.au

One more thing

Some activities may be dry season dependent but when it’s hot and humid and you want nothing more than a steaming bowl of laksa (and probably a cold beer) but where to go? While locals will give you a dozen different suggestions, only Darwin’s International Laksa Festival has the definitive answer. Past winners of the much-coveted Golden Bowl award include Chok’s Place in the Darwin Galleria.

Kerry van der Jagt was a guest of Tourism NT. See northernterritory.com