Darwin won’t be the primary place that involves thoughts for a household vacation, however after a week-long go to with our children and grandparents in tow, we’re satisfied it’s one among Australia’s best-kept secrets and techniques. The nice and cozy climate, outside adventures and straightforward tempo make it an awesome vacation spot for all ages.
Whether or not you’re feeding crocodiles, splashing in waterfalls or having fun with sundown markets by the ocean, Darwin has masses to supply curious youngsters (and their grown-ups). Right here’s our family-friendly information to one of the best issues to do in Darwin with youngsters.
Methods to Discover Darwin With Children
1. Crocosaurus Cove – A Croc Encounter within the Metropolis
Proper within the coronary heart of Darwin’s CBD, Crocosaurus Cove is ideal for a half-day journey. You’ll rise up shut with a number of the largest saltwater crocodiles in captivity—and even have the prospect to carry a child croc (safely supervised, after all).
Older youngsters (and adults!) can take a look at their bravery within the Cage of Loss of life, however for many households, the spotlight is watching the each day feeding periods and exploring the reptile home. There’s additionally a pool for cooling off and a fish tank you possibly can climb inside for a novel view.
There’s a reptile home, an aquarium, and a small pool the place youngsters can cool off whereas gazing child crocs simply on the opposite aspect of the wall. Don’t overlook your bathers!
There’s additionally a café with kid-friendly meals, or you possibly can seize a passout and head to one of many close by eateries on Mitchell Road.
Crocosaurus Cove, 58 Mitchell St, Darwin Metropolis (08) 8981 7522
2. Wave Lagoon – Darwin Waterfront Enjoyable
Need seashore vibes with out the stingers or crocs? Head to the Wave Lagoon at Darwin Waterfront. It’s a secure, man-made wave pool with 15-minute cycles, shaded child swimming pools, and a chill spot for households to hang around.
Little ones can splash within the shallow zone, whereas assured swimmers can float round on the tyre tubes supplied. The encircling precinct is filled with eating places and cafes, and there’s all the time one thing taking place close by.
Tip: The wave lagoon is greatest fitted to a 1:1 ratio of adults to youngsters, as a result of it’s fairly potential for youths to get a fright in the event that they’re dunked unexpectedly or fall off a tyre tube.
The associated fee is round $25 for a household of two adults and three youngsters, for a full day (you possibly can exit and re-enter as you please). We visited on 3 out of 6 days on our journey!
Wave Lagoon, Kitchener Dr, Darwin Metropolis
3. Leanyer and Palmerston Water Parks – Completely Free!
Darwin does water play critically effectively, and these two council-run water parks are the last word proof. Even higher? They’re free.
Each parks have shaded picnic areas, BBQs, and alter services. Pack a lunch, deliver loads of sunscreen, and keep for so long as the children are having enjoyable.
Each water parks warrant a separate go to as they’re fairly totally different. Palmerston’s spotlight is a sequence of monumental and vibrant side-by-side water slides.
Whereas Leanyer has a recreation pool, tube water slides of various journey ranges together with a two-person raft slide, and stacks of water play for toddlers and younger youngsters.
Darwin’s common year-round temperature is 32 levels, so that you’ll actually need to make the most of the climate it doesn’t matter what time of 12 months you go to.
Leanyer Recreation Park, 215 Vanderlin Dr, Leanyer
Palmerston Water Park Roystonea Ave, Palmerston Metropolis
4. Spectacular Leaping Crocodile Cruise
There are fairly just a few totally different crocodile cruise corporations providing vacationers the prospect to see the Territory’s exceptional saltwater crocodiles of their pure atmosphere, all inside a 90-minute drive of Darwin.
Spectacular Leaping Crocodile Cruise is without doubt one of the few that operates year-round, utilizing smaller boats within the moist season that make for an much more thrilling encounter.
Children are capable of sit up excessive within the centre of the small boats for a greater view (in addition to much less temptation to place arms over the sting) and the guides are pleasant and educated. Throughout our cruise, we see a uncommon albino crocodile, a mom and juvenile croc basking within the solar, and a 7-metre big who’s completely satisfied to indicate his capacity to “soar” out of the water for one thing to eat.
Whereas there’s no age restrict on the cruises, youngsters aged 3 and over will get probably the most out of this expertise.
Spectacular Leaping Crocodile Cruise Arnhem Freeway, Darwin (08) 8978 9077
5. Deckchair Cinema – A Household Night time Out Beneath the Stars
This one’s a favorite with locals and guests alike. The Deckchair Cinema runs throughout the dry season and screens a mixture of household movies, international options, and Aussie classics. Convey a picnic or seize scorching meals and drinks (together with wine or a neighborhood beer) from the onsite kiosk.
Settle into your deckchair because the solar units and luxuriate in a film in one among Australia’s most laid-back cinema experiences—with a sea breeze to match.
Deckchair Cinema, Jervois Rd, Darwin Waterfront, Could – October
6. Litchfield Nationwide Park
Litchfield is magical and unmissable in the event you’re visiting Darwin with youngsters.
For those who can spare a day, Litchfield is just below two hours’ drive from Darwin and effectively value it. The park is crammed with pure rock swimming pools, waterfalls, and bizarrely lovely termite mounds.
Buley Rockhole is a household favorite—a number of shallow swimming pools surrounded by shady bushland, nice for youths to splash round. Older youngsters may benefit from the brief stroll to Florence Falls and a swim on the base. Convey swimmers, towels and snacks—you’ll need to keep some time.
If visiting throughout the moist season, test which areas are open and all the time learn crocodile security indicators.
Tip: Begin early, deliver snacks, and benefit from the journey—there’s tons to discover.
Litchfield is the High Finish at its idyllic greatest, with out the remoteness of Kakadu.
7. Berry Springs + Tavern
Berry Springs hosts one other improbable freshwater swimming spot, about 40 minutes south of Darwin. The water is obvious, cool and deep—deliver pool noodles or inflatables for youths.
You possibly can’t wade simply with toddlers right here, however it’s excellent for assured swimmers and youths. Afterwards, seize a chunk on the Berry Springs Tavern close by. There’s an awesome outside playground, indoor play area, and on Mondays, youngsters eat free.
Berry Springs Nature Park, off Cox Peninsula Street, Berry Springs, NT
8. Museum and Artwork Gallery of the Northern Territory
While you want a break from the warmth, head to MAGNT. Darwin’s museum and artwork gallery is a superb place to be taught concerning the metropolis’s historical past in addition to indigenous tradition within the Northern Territory.
Highlights for households embody the Cyclone Tracy exhibit, maritime artefacts, and Sweetheart—the famously cranky big crocodile.
It’s a simple place to discover with youngsters and doesn’t value a factor.
Museum and Artwork Gallery of the Northern Territory, 19 Conacher St, Darwin Metropolis (08) 8999 8264
9. Bicentennial Park
Operating alongside the Darwin foreshore, Bicentennial Park is a big, shady inexperienced area with ocean views and top-of-the-line playgrounds on the town. It has totally different zones for all ages, together with climbing nets and an enormous slide.
On Fridays throughout the dry season, there’s a free Cellular Playgroup right here for preschoolers with crafts, video games, and outside enjoyable from 9.30–11.30am.
Bicentennial Park, The Esplanade, Darwin Metropolis
10. Darwin Botanic Gardens
The George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens are fantastically laid out and straightforward to discover with youngsters. Don’t miss the playground, dinosaur backyard, the pleasant crocodile sculpture, and the wonderful café onsite—Eva’s Café—serving all-day breakfast, lunch, and excellent espresso.
There’s additionally a small indoor info centre and a present store crammed with domestically made treasures.
George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens, Gilruth Ave & Gardens Rd, The Gardens NT
11. Stokes Hill Wharf – Historical past, Meals and Sunsets
Take a stroll alongside Stokes Hill Wharf, the place youngsters can spot fish within the clear water under and luxuriate in an informal dinner with water views.
Go to the RFDS Darwin Vacationer Facility to discover interactive displays concerning the Royal Flying Physician Service and the WWII bombing of Darwin—it’s participating and informative, even for youthful youngsters.
Stokes Hill Wharf, 45 Stokes Hill Rd, Darwin
Royal Flying Physician Service and Bombing of Darwin exhibitions, 45 Stokes Hill Street, Stokes Hill Wharf, Darwin (08) 8983 5700
12. Darwin World Struggle II Oil Storage Tunnels
These underground tunnels had been carved beneath the town throughout World Struggle II to guard gasoline from Japanese air raids. At present, they’re open for guests and provide a cool (actually!) and interesting take a look at Darwin’s wartime previous.
There are previous images, audio guides and vast walkways, making it surprisingly kid-friendly. A novel exercise that mixes historical past with a way of journey.
A go to to the tunnels is worth it for anybody fascinated by Darwin’s army historical past – mix with a stroll to Survivors’ Lookout to be taught much more.
World Struggle II Tunnels, Darwin Waterfront, Kitchener Dr, Darwin Metropolis
13. Darwin’s Markets – Meals, Music and Native Vibes
Darwin’s markets are vibrant, vibrant and ideal for households. Each has its personal flavour, however all of them provide nice meals, native crafts and a energetic ambiance:
Mindil Seashore Sundown Markets (Thursdays & Sundays, dry season): Well-known for its beachside sunsets, dwell music and worldwide meals stalls. Maria Liveris Drive, Darwin
Parap Village Markets, (Saturdays year-round): Locals line up for bowls of laksa and tropical smoothies—a simple, relaxed morning out. 3/3 Vickers St, Parap 0438 882 373
Nightcliff markets, (Sundays): A calming suburban market with handmade items, buskers and kid-friendly bites. Pavonia Approach, Nightcliff 0414 368 773
14. Darwin Trailer Boat Membership
This relaxed seaside venue is without doubt one of the greatest locations in Darwin to take pleasure in a High Finish sundown. The bistro-style menu has one thing for everybody, together with a strong youngsters’ choice, and there’s a playground and even a small swimming pool that’s open to the general public—very best for an early dinner and a splash earlier than darkish.
Subsequent door, the Darwin Crusing Membership presents an identical family-friendly setup, with nice meals, a playground, sea breezes and unbeatable views throughout Fannie Bay. Both spot makes a prime choose for a chilled-out meal with youngsters.
Darwin Trailer Boat Membership, 8 Atkins Drive, Fannie Bay
15. Aquascene – Hand-Feed Wild Fish
For the reason that Fifties, individuals have visited Medical doctors Gully at excessive tide to feed faculties of pleasant fish that gravitate to the world.
Aquascene was established in 1981 and attracts about 70,000 guests a 12 months. It’s not the most affordable exercise in Darwin for the size of time you’re prone to spend there, however it’s actually memorable and youngsters love having an opportunity to pat and feed the fish, giant and small, that nibble on bread and sometimes on fingers.
Aquascene, 28 Medical doctors Gully Rd, Larrakeyah (08) 8981 7837
16. 1934 Qantas Hangar – for Automobile-Loving Children (and Grown-ups!)
This quirky little museum is run by volunteers and filled with restored fireplace vans, traditional automobiles, bikes and even an previous fighter jet. Budding pilots and mechanics will adore it.
It’s a low-key, gold coin donation spot that’s very best once you need one thing attention-grabbing and low-effort to discover.
1934 Qantas Hangar, 22 MacDonald St, Parap NT
17. Lake Alexander – Swim, Play and Picnic
Positioned in East Level Reserve, Lake Alexander is a improbable spot for a low-key household day trip. The lake is secure for swimming year-round, with calm waters and shaded picnic spots alongside the shore.
There’s a playground, barbecue services, grassy areas to run round, bathrooms, and strolling trails that wind via close by mangroves. It’s a peaceable escape that’s solely 10 minutes from the town centre.
Lake Alexander, East Level Street, East Level Reserve
18. Aquapark Darwin – Inflatable Water Enjoyable for Lively Children
In case your youngsters like to bounce, slide and splash, then Aquapark Darwin might be a vacation spotlight. This inflatable impediment course floats on a man-made lake at Darwin Waterfront, and it’s filled with motion—suppose climbing partitions, steadiness beams, slides and trampolines, all surrounded by water.
Periods run for 50 minutes and are appropriate for assured swimmers aged 6 and over. Everybody wears a life jacket, and lifeguards are on responsibility, so it feels secure whereas nonetheless delivering loads of thrills. There’s additionally a shaded space for spectators, so you possibly can watch (or relaxation) whereas the children put on themselves out.
Good for heat days and energy-filled afternoons.
Aquapark, Darwin Waterfront Lagoon, Kitchener Drive, Darwin Metropolis
OPEN: Dry season solely (April–October) – test web site for session occasions and availability
19. Zen Rooftop Bar
A rooftop bar with youngsters? In Darwin, it really works—particularly at Zen Rooftop Bar, the town’s highest rooftop venue with sweeping 360-degree views. Whereas it feels like a spot for date evening, it’s surprisingly welcoming for households too.
There’s a youngsters’ nook with some play tools to maintain little ones busy. The bar additionally presents complimentary snacks, and the informal, open-air setting makes it simple to loosen up whereas watching the sundown or recognizing planes are available in from afar.
A enjoyable, surprising place to unwind with the entire household after an enormous day of exploring.
Zen Rooftop Bar, 6 Carey St, Darwin Metropolis, (08) 7912 5212
Plan your Journey to Darwin with Children
Darwin’s laid-back tempo, open areas and heat climate make it very best for household adventures. Whether or not you’re chasing crocs, floating in rockholes, or simply having fun with a sundown by the seashore, there’s all the time one thing enjoyable to do.
With loads of free actions and nature in your doorstep, it’s simple to create a High Finish itinerary that’s memorable for the entire household.
