Colonial-style buildings stand alongside towering modern high-rises in the Darwin CBD, where a tropical atmosphere flows throughout tranquil parks, busy malls and alfresco cafes. Wide, leafy streets guide you to numerous Australian landmarks, along with Aboriginal art galleries, museums and the famous saltwater crocodiles.

Things to do

Shoppers in the Central Business District can head to Smith Street for retail paradise at Smith Street Mall, brimming with boutiques, cafes, bookstores, music and indigenous art. You can see the wilder side of the CBD by visiting Crocosaurus Cove, home to one of the world’s largest collections of Australian reptiles and the Top End Turtle enclosure.

The Esplanade at Bicentennial Park features 200 hand-painted tile panels as it runs along the waterfront from Government House to Old Admiralty House, a Chinese Temple built in 1887. As you follow the Esplanade, keep an eye out for the Lameroo Beach path leading to the only in-city beach, once renowned for its saltwater baths dating back to 1922. If you need some down time while exploring the city centre, relax in the shade of a sprawling banyan tree known as the “Tree of Knowledge”.

The Darwin Entertainment Centre on Mitchell Street hosts a continuous stream of live music concerts and theatrical productions in the Playhouse. It’s worth checking the schedule for special events such as comedy festivals, Cirque performances and productions by the Sydney Dance Company.

Getting around

Compact city blocks make walking feasible in the Darwin CBD, but public transport buses provide a convenient alternative. Bus routes cover the city centre as well as surrounding neighbourhoods, and the Darwin International Airport is about 13 kilometres away. You can rent a car to explore the city, or hop on and off an open-air tourist bus to hit the main attractions.