Darwin Things to Do Tips by robertgaz Top 5 Page for this destination

Museum & Art Gallery of the Northern Territory

The Museum & Art Gallery of the Northern Territory overlooks the blue green waters of Fannie Bay and is set in lovely tropical gardens.

Exhibits include Aboriginal culture, maritime, archaeology & natural history plus a moving Cyclone Tracy Gallery showing the tragedy of Christmas Day 1974.

Admission is free but you will need to find transport because it's away from the CBD area.

Address: Conacher Street

Directions: Near Fannie Bay

Other Contact: Fax: +618 8981 8289

Phone: +618 8999 8264

Cyclone Tracy Gallery

The greatest natural disaster in Australia's history was on 24 December 1974 when Cyclone Tracy destroyed the city of Darwin. Overnight, 48,000 people were made homeless by the ferocity of Tracy.

The Cyclone Tracy Gallery features documentary footage,photographs and for me, the most disturbing was being in a small darkened room with a thunderous recording of Cyclone Tracy racing through Darwin.

I imagined that all I would hear is a strong wind whistling through Darwin with a bit of crashing and banging. But in reality there is also the frightening sound of tin sheets scraping along the ground at over 200 km/h before crashing into houses, power poles and trees.

Address: Connacher Street

Directions: Near Fannie Bay

Other Contact: Fax: +618 8981 8289

Phone: +618 8999 8264

Sweetheart

Sweetheart was a male 5.1m, 780kg saltwater crocodile that terrorised fisherman during the 1970's at a popular Darwin fishing spot by tipping them out of their "tinnie" (aluminium boat).

They tried to catch him in 1979 but Sweetheart was drowned in the attempt and has been stuffed and mounted as a permanent display at the Museum & Art Gallery of the Northern Territory.

Address: Connacher Street

Directions: Near Fannie Bay

Other Contact: Fax: +618 8981 8289

Phone: +618 8999 8264

Maritime Gallery

The Maritime Gallery at the Museum & Art Gallery of the Northern Territory is a collection of the different types of boats found in South East Asia.

Included are original pearling luggers, refugee boats and illegal fishing vessels. There are also smaller craft such as canoes and catamarans.

The exhibit is split level so you can view the boats from above as well as down below. It's housed indoors and airconditioned with a lovely view toward the blue green waters of Fannie Bay.

Address: Connacher Street

Directions: Near Fannie Bay

Other Contact: Fax: +618 8981 8289

Phone: +618 8999 8264

Lyons Cottage

Lyons Cottage is located on the Esplanade and overlooks Darwin Harbour. It is the only remaining example of a colonial bungalow style architecture in Darwin.

Inside Lyons Cottage you will find a collection of Larrakia Aboriginal and early European history.

Admission charge: Free.
Opening hours:10am to 4:30pm daily, closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Years Day and Good Friday.
Facilities: Wheelchair access.

Address: 74 The Esplanade

Directions: Near the CBD

Other Contact: Fax: +618 8981 8289

Phone: +618 8999 1750

Parliament House

Parliament House Darwin is an example of modern tropical architecture and it is affectionately known as the "Greek wedding cake" by locals.

Construction was started in 1988 and the new Parliament House was officially opened by the Honourable Bill Hayden AC who was then the Governor-General of Australia, on 18 August 1994.

Guided tours can be made on Saturdays but bookings are essential.

Address: Bennett Street

Directions: Near the CBD

Cenotaph

The Darwin Cenotaph is located in Bicentennial Park a short walk from the CBD and overlooks the blue green waters of Darwin Harbour.

An inscription on the base reads as follows -

THIS MEMORIAL IS ERECTED BY THE RESIDENTS IN HONOR OF THOSE WHO ENLISTED FROM THE NORTHERN TERRITORY.

"GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS, THAT A MAN LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS."

Address: The Esplanade

Directions: Near the CBD

WWII Oil Storage Tunnels

The World War II Storage Tunnels were constructed to protect Darwin's oil supplies from wartime enemy bombardment.

It is now a fascinating underground attraction with photographic displays of the war in the Top End.

Opening Hours 10am-2pm

Tuesday-Sunday until the end of April

May onwards 9am-5pm daily

Bookings are essential

Address: Kitchener Drive

Directions: Not far from the CBD

Phone: +618 8985 6333

Bicentennial Park

Bicentennial Park is a shady respite from the hustle and bustle of the CBD with lovely views of Darwin Harbour. It's only a 5 minute walk from the CBD so take some time out with a cold drink and a snack and relax under a tree on the grass.

There are some fascinating points of interest including a War Memorial and a memorial with a plaque commemorating the German explorer Leichardt who reached Darwin overland from Brisbane in 1845.

Click on the pic of the plaque to read his story.

And if you take a close look around you may even spot some of the local wildlife enjoying the greenery as well.

Address: The Esplanade

Directions: Near the CBD

Sunset Cruise

There are few sights on earth more pleasing to the eye than a spectacular sunset and Darwin is certainly a photographers paradise for capturing one.

The "Spirit of Darwin" offers a two hour sunset cruise around Darwin Harbour at the end of each day with either a full dinner or just a few nibblies included.

I opted to go for the nibblies cruise because I couldn't wait to try out one of the many tempting restaurants that I spotted at Cullen Bay Marina while waiting to start the sunset cruise.

Address: Cullen Bay Marina

Directions: Near the CBD

Other Contact: Fax: +618 8941 8149

Phone: +618 8981 3711

Website: http://www.spiritofdarwin.net/