10. Mindil Beach Sunsets and Markets
Location: Buffalo Court, Darwin, NT
The “best things in life are free” cliché may have been around for a while, but in Darwin, one of its highlights exemplifies this to the fullest.
The city's coastal aspect coupled with a huge harbour that's actually bigger than Sydney Harbour make for a destination that is one of the most renowned in the country for the quality of its amazing sunsets, featuring long, red sun-kissed glow reflecting off the water that makes for a wonderful panorama.
Sunsets are such an integral part of the Darwin culture, in fact, that entire events are based on their occurrence, with the city's longstanding and ever-popular Mindil Markets held at a time of day designed to coincide perfectly with this beautiful natural phenomena.
The Mindil Markets are held at Mindil Beach during the yearly dry season in Darwin and allow those attending to grab some freshly-made local food or drink then kick back and enjoy the sunset from the waterfront.
Held on Thursdays and Sundays, the markets offer an enjoyable diverse range of food cuisines reflecting the cities multicultural influence – a stroll amongst its stalls will give you access to the likes of Indian, Chinese, Brazillian, Greek and numerous other food types that ensure there's a taste that will please all but the fussiest eaters.
If you're feeling thirsty, freshly-squeezed juices are the ultimate quencher, while local seasonal fruit and French desserts provide a range of ideal complements to your main meal.
Sunsets are such an integral part of the Darwin culture, in fact, the city's longstanding and ever-popular Mindil Markets are held at a time of day designed to coincide perfectly with this beautiful natural phenomenon.
Add to this a large number of stalls featuring handcrafted goods that include everything from fashion to art and homewares and it's easy to see why the Mindil Markets have been a local icon for quite some time.
The size of the markets is quite impressive, with an average of over 60 food stalls and 130 vendors selling crafts stretching out over the beachfront, creating a bustling yet laid-back atmosphere that is characteristic of Darwin as a whole.
If you're a visitor to Darwin and looking for souvenirs to take home, then THIS is the place to do so – most of the goods on sale have been produced with proper care, and are much more “authentic” than some of the more contrived items you'll end up purchasing from stores in town.
Prices here tend to be more reasonable overall, too, and with the diversity on offer you may just find the ideal keepsake to bring back.
The markets take place from 5pm to 10pm between the months of April to October and are also easy to get to, sitting on the waterfront just next to the Darwin casino and offer plenty of spacious grassy areas for which to pull up a chair and prepare for the daily sunset show as the colours of the sky begin to change.
A great way to cap off a day and enjoy an evening after a busy day of sightseeing or exploring, the Mindil Markets and sunset are an essential way to spend at least one of your evenings during your time in the city.
