Darwin
Darwin is the Northern Territory capital and the usual base for trips into the Top End. Go for dry-season markets, cyclone and wartime history, and tours to Kakadu, Litchfield and Katherine Gorge.
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Darwin is the Northern Territory's capital and largest city, the hub of the Top End in northern Australia. It is also Australia's most northerly capital and its wettest and smallest, with 139,902 residents at the 2021 census. The city sits on a low bluff above Darwin Harbour, off the Timor Sea. The Larrakia people, the area's traditional owners, call it Garramilla, meaning 'white stone'. Its position close to Southeast Asia makes it a gateway to Indonesia and Timor-Leste.
Cyclones and war have shaped the city. Darwin was rebuilt after cyclones in 1897 and 1937, after Japanese air raids in World War II, and after Cyclone Tracy in 1974. The Defence of Darwin Experience and the Northern Territory Museum and Art Gallery cover that history. The dry season, roughly May to September, is the usual time to visit: days are sunny and humidity is low. Mindil Beach Sunset Market runs on Thursdays and Sundays in that season. Give the city a few days, then add tours to Kakadu, Litchfield and Katherine Gorge.
Darwin in five
- Check the pass for each park you planLitchfield needs an NT Parks Visitor Pass, while Kakadu and Uluru-Kata Tjuta use separate Parks Australia passes. The Northern Territory guide holds the pass rules and the Kakadu prices.Northern Territory
- Swim only where a sign says openBerry Springs, a short drive from town, is open for swimming in the dry season only. Crocodile surveys cover only managed swimming areas; the Northern Territory guide lists the Litchfield holes.NT swimming rules
- Use the Waterfront lagoon for a safe dip in townNorthern Territory tourism lists a wave lagoon and a free saltwater lagoon and beach at Darwin Waterfront, a short walk from the city. Swim there rather than in the harbor or at unsigned beaches.
- Time the markets for the dry seasonDarwin's markets include Mindil Beach and Parap Village, with food stalls and sunsets. Check the market days for your week before you plan dinner around them.
- Hire a car or take a tour for the parksLitchfield and Kakadu are day trips or overnights from Darwin. Compare a guided day with a hire car, and expect long drives on park roads.
Things to do in Darwin
See all attractions in Darwin
Need to know
- Airport
- Darwin (DRW), with flights from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane
- Getting there
- Domestic flights, or long road trips from Alice Springs and the Kimberley
- Getting around
- Walk the center; car or tours for Litchfield and Kakadu
- Best base
- City center or the Waterfront
- Time needed
- 2 days in town; 4 or 5 with Litchfield and Kakadu
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain28 rainy daysHigh31°Low27°Wet, stormsJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 529 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, storms
- FebruaryRain23 rainy daysHigh31°Low27°Wet, monsoonFebruaryRain
Poor
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 433 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, monsoon
- MarchRain26 rainy daysHigh31°Low27°Wet, humidMarchRain
Poor
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 319 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, humid
- AprilRain14 rainy daysHigh32°Low26°Wet endsAprilRain
Mixed
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 120 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet ends
- MayClear3 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°Dry beginsMayClear
Best
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 17 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry begins
- JuneClear2 rainy daysHigh30°Low22°Dry, pleasantJuneClear
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 8 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, pleasant
- JulyClear1 rainy dayHigh30°Low21°Dry, busyJulyClear
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 7 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, busy
- AugustClear1 rainy dayHigh31°Low22°Dry, clearAugustClear
Best
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 4 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, clear
- SeptemberClear7 rainy daysHigh32°Low25°Dry, hotSeptemberClear
Good
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 34 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, hot
- OctoberRain14 rainy daysHigh32°Low27°Build-up, hotOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 94 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Build-up, hot
- NovemberRain20 rainy daysHigh33°Low27°Build-up, stormsNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 195 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Build-up, storms
- DecemberRain23 rainy daysHigh32°Low27°Wet beginsDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 352 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet begins
Average daily high and low in Darwin, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Darwin
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
28
- Feels like
- 32°
- Humidity
- 76%
- Wind
- 9 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 98%
Northern Territory
08:08 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today35°26°98%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 35°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 98%.
- Wed36°26°16%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 36°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 16%.
- Thu34°27°26%Thursday: Cloudy. High 34°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 26%.
- Fri34°24°75%Friday: Rain. High 34°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 75%.
- Sat34°25°45%Saturday: Thunderstorms. High 34°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 45%.
- Sun34°25°41%Sunday: Drizzle. High 34°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 41%.
Updated 05:49 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 1.423 AUD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Litchfield National Parka day by car or tourWaterfalls and swimming areas; an NT Parks Visitor Pass is needed. The Northern Territory guide lists which holes are open.
- Kakadu National Parka long day or overnightRock art and wetlands; uses a separate Parks Australia pass.
- Berry Springs Nature Parka short drive from townA swimming area listed as dry season only by the NT government.
Before you go to Darwin
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Darwin, checked
- Berry Springs Nature Park main pool and lower pool: swimming is dry season only. Swim only where a swimming area open sign is shown.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Plan around Darwin
Top End or Red Centre, passes and swimming
Read the guideBroomeThe Kimberley gateway across the western Top End
Read the guideUluru-Kata TjutaThe red center, a flight from Darwin
Read the guideAll of AustraliaETA, regions, flights and money basics
Read the guideFlights and car hireLong distances and one-way rentals
Read the guideTravel insuranceCover for remote trips and cancellations
Read the guideDarwin FAQ
How many days do you need in Darwin?
Two days cover the Waterfront, a market and the harbor. Add two or three days for Litchfield and Kakadu.
When is the best time to visit Darwin?
The dry season, roughly May to September, has the clearest skies and easiest roads. The wet season brings storms, humidity and some closures.
Is it safe to swim in Darwin?
Swim only in areas that the NT government has marked open, such as the Waterfront lagoon or park swimming holes with signs. Saltwater crocodiles live in salt and fresh water.
Do you need a pass for Litchfield National Park?
Yes. Visitors to the Northern Territory need an NT Parks Visitor Pass for the park. Kakadu uses a separate Parks Australia pass; the Northern Territory guide has the details.
Can you visit Kakadu as a day trip from Darwin?
Many tours do a long day, but an overnight gives time for rock art and wetlands. Check the Parks Australia site for alerts and the pass.