Going to Darwin for 9 Days in March without a Car. What can one do?

21510702 on 22/02/2020 - 15:07

Hi everyone,

I am heading to Darwin for 9 days between March 7 to March 15 (still wet season) by myself. What can I do around there? I am not planning to hire a car. I plan to visit the Tropical Light Show.

I found some Litchfield National Park day tour for $129 normally ($118 with expedia.com.au coupon code), if someone have ways/discount code to lower that further please let me know.

Twin Falls at Kakadu National Park is closed due to flooding. All tour operators do not go to Jim Jim Falls either during the wet season. So I don't really see a point to head to Kakadu national park as the day tours are $225 minimum.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

Travel Darwin Northern Territory

Comments

  • oscargamer on 22/02/2020 - 15:34
    +4

    You can sweat.

  • Muzeeb on 22/02/2020 - 15:38

    Go for a swim at the beach.

    • elgrande on 23/02/2020 - 08:37

      Yes. Just ignore those jellyfish signs, they are just there as an example of what jellyfish signs should look like if a beach wanted to install such signs.

      • Muzeeb on 23/02/2020 - 09:02
        +2

        Ditto for the salties. They are friendly and prefer apples for treats.

  • Hithere on 22/02/2020 - 15:44
    +1

    Keep your fluids up.

  • c64 on 22/02/2020 - 15:53
    +5

    i hear there is a quarantine camp close by that you can visit

  • big1964 on 22/02/2020 - 16:18

    I went to Darwin last year in may the wet season just finished Katherine gorge is good I did a day trip bus tour it was a long day left at 6 30 am got back at 9 00 maybe try and do an overnight tour there if you can, jumping crocodiles tour on the Adelaide river was good not much in Darwin city crocosaurus in town was ok not that cheap though about $40 I think to get in its very different world up there compared to down here in Melbourne much more relaxed

  • Stewardo on 22/02/2020 - 16:32
    +1

    Wave pool
    Pub

    • oscargamer on 22/02/2020 - 18:05
      +2

      As above, but skip the wave pool

      • Stewardo on 22/02/2020 - 18:49
        +2

        Pool freshens up your hangover before the pub.

  • Zippy135 on 22/02/2020 - 16:51
    +1

    Do a tour over to the Tiwi Islands or an extended trip out to Arnhemland.
    For the adventurous, you could go to Crocosaurus Cove and do the cage of death.
    They have a few museums etc you could check out. I can’t remember which I’m but one has an exhibit about Cyclone Tracey and another on WWII if you’re into history.

    I think Klook might do discounted tickets on tours

  • funnysht on 22/02/2020 - 20:50
    +1

    You can do things without a car. Like stay i the hotel…no kidding.

    Otherwise rent one because it's shit far to walk, and lots of crime about (note i have never been to darwin)

    • Tech5 on 22/02/2020 - 23:55

      Crime is fine. Pretty safe walking around past midnight, though someone might ask you for a cigarette or a dollar. Mainly break-ins and smashed car windows

      • funnysht on 23/02/2020 - 20:21

        i had a doc friend who was near the hospital, they said bit more crime and she stayed on the campus..do you live there ?

        • Tech5 on 23/02/2020 - 21:13

          I do, just for the last 3 years though

  • Peter Enis on 22/02/2020 - 22:08
    +1

    We hired bicycles and rode out to the military museum. Museum was good but I would not recommend the ride, WAY too hot for that. Cyclone Tracey museum was good too. Mindil night markets were ok but I liked the Parap markets better.
    We spent most our time hopping between airconditioned spaces as it was just so unbearable outside. And that was in winter.

  • Tech5 on 22/02/2020 - 23:54
    +2

    Just going to say… There is not a huge amount to do in Darwin for 9 days if you don't rent a car/4wd. You can hang around the city, but you will basically cover that in a day.

    Best place is Kakadu and Litchfield, explored on your own terms by car

  • Dlw on 23/02/2020 - 00:07

    People usually investigate or have a general idea of what they want to do prior to booking a trip? Otherwise what is the point in going…

  • kizashi on 23/02/2020 - 03:37

    Look at tripadvisor or get a Lonely planet book.

  • [Deactivated] on 23/02/2020 - 07:44
    +1

    Found there wasn’t too much to do in Darwin, car made day trips and travelling around more enjoyable. Sunset and seafood at the pier is nice, Berry Springs is also a nice day trip.

  • Soroako on 23/02/2020 - 08:58
    +3

    The Darwin Museum is is definitely worthwhile not just for the Cyclone Tracy exhibit but also for the attached maritime museum which includes boats and artifacts from Vietnam and Indonesia. Check out the Box Jelly Fish, Crocodile [Sweetheart] and other deadly aquatic creatures and you'll appreciate why only drunks and tourists swim in the sea.

    The War museum at East Point is basic given the significance of the area during 1942/43.

    The Aviation museum has one of the very few B52 Bombers on display outside of the USA.

    Day trips to Berry Springs, The Territory Wildlife Park, a Crocodile Farm and the Jumping Crocodile cruises "can" all be affected / dependent on how much rain has fallen in the 2 weeks prior.

  • MontyMacaw on 23/02/2020 - 10:39

    Why?? Just why???

  • OzHunterNSW on 23/02/2020 - 10:48

    You don't need a car. There is a lot to see and do.
    Walk around, you have the afternoon markets by the ocean, shopping centres, theatre, cultural centres, etc.

    It's only 9 days… relax in the tropics.

  • pebee47 on 23/02/2020 - 13:01

    Not really still in the Wet, more the Knock em Downs before the Dry
    Litchfield as good as Kaka’
    Sat morning markets at Parap - see Paw-paw Lily for awesome green paw-paw salad (start with 2 🌶)
    Not sure if the Qantas hanger is open but Smith park on Giles st is where he first touched down in Australia from England (see gOOgle maps, and yes there is internet in Darwin)

  • HeWhoKnows on 23/02/2020 - 13:56
    -1

    Like the aborigines do..

    Go on "walkabout"

  • derrko on 23/02/2020 - 18:44

    Have a look at www.bookme.com.au or www.backpackerdeals.com

  • gazzathegreat on 23/02/2020 - 19:50
    +2

    Have a nice cold shower. Walk 100 metres down the road, return and have another cold shower, repeat all day for 9 days. Or, hire air cond. car. Chances are you only do Darwin once or twice, spend the money on a car.

  • tendliya on 24/02/2020 - 00:14

    Best thing I have done when I was up there for a week was to take a tour with these guys

    https://territoryexpeditions.com.au/

    Passionate people and locally owned.

    Also did jumping crocs cruise, crocosaurus cove cage of death, amazing sunsets at Mindil beach etc., Loved NT trip. Amazing part of the country.

    • 21510702 on 24/02/2020 - 00:38

      Did you go during the dry or wet season? Which tour did you do with them (How many days)? I suppose the question I really want answer for is "Is a 2 day Kakadu tour worth going for $430 during the wet season when Twin Falls is closed and Jim Jim Falls, Gunlom Falls are inaccessible?"

      I know I probably won't go back to the NT, but still, $430 seems really hard to justify when the major attraction spots in the National Park are not accessible.

      • Lysander on 04/02/2021 - 20:18

        I am just shocked at how high the prices still are, despite any Covid effects.
        Prices should not be that high - that is ridiculous for what you get.
        Just my personal opinion.
        I suggest you compare prices - every tour operator charges different prices.
        I remember doing a 3 day tour for less than what you pay and that is what we paid for 2. Granted it was some years ago but still. My partner negotiated the price with the tour guy too.

  • susannetsv on 24/02/2020 - 13:29
    +1

    Is there a reason you are not getting a car because if there is no reason it would be a lot cheaper to hire a car on an unlimited km deal and you could visit everywhere for just the cost of the fuel. I lived in Darwin for around 25 years and its hard to get around without a car. If you stay in the city you could possibly walk or bike ride to some of the things but everywhere else is quite long distances. Things worth visiting would be Humpty Doo pub (quite famous), Adelaide River jumping crocodiles tour, Kakadu, Litchfield park, all the war historical sites, the casino, Katherine Gorge (maybe overnight trip), fishing charter to catch a barramundi, weekend markets, crocodile farm. It is quite possible you will get rain over the 9 days as its still the wet season in March. I am sure you could probably find a car for around 9 days for about 600-800 but at least you could go everywhere. If you dont have a licence for some reason maybe you could advertise around for someone who wants to visit these places around the same time who would split costs or at least do the driving and yoo provide the car.

  • shadowangel on 09/02/2021 - 20:37

    city did have those electric scooters when we were there good for getting around .

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