Darwin Activities

Activities in Darwin run from jet ski tours past sunken warships to a dive into a crocodile enclosure, with camel rides on Mindil Beach, fishing charters and helicopter-and-airboat days out to Litchfield in between. This page sorts them by the kind of day you're after, so you can pick the vibe first and the time slot second. For the bigger picture, start at things to do in Darwin.

Jet ski tours on Darwin Harbour

Guided Darwin jet ski tours leave from Stokes Hill Wharf with 00Seven Jet Ski Adventures, with sunrise, afternoon and sunset departures. The Thunderball WW2 Jet Ski Adventure is a 60-minute ride out to ocean graves and sunken warships bombed in 1942, with a guide telling the history and no previous jet ski experience needed.

For golden hour, the Darwin Harbour sunset jet ski tour follows a guide from Mindil Beach to East Point, with refreshments. The 3-hour secret mission jet ski tour covers 50km of hidden waterways and runs once a month.

Crocodile dives and animal encounters

Crocosaurus Cove sits at 58 Mitchell Street in the CBD, walking distance from most central accommodation. The Cage of Death tandem swim lowers two people in a transparent cage for a 15-minute dive with saltwater crocodiles up to 5 metres long, and the solo Cage of Death dive gives you the enclosure to yourself.

If you'd rather keep your feet dry, Crocosaurus Cove general admission covers the reptile displays, the daily barramundi feeding and the chance to hold a baby crocodile.

At Doctors Gully, the Aquascene wild fish feeding experience lets you feed wild fish at high tide, with fish food included in the ticket. Sessions follow the tide, so a day with no bookings is a low-tide closure.

Bush, wetland and Kakadu day trips from Darwin

The Litchfield helicopter, airboat and wildlife day tour packs a scenic helicopter flight over the floodplains, an airboat ride, a billabong cruise, a crocodile feeding and a gourmet BBQ into one full-day trip, with hotel pick-ups from Darwin between 6.20am and 7.20am. The overnight glamping safari stretches it over a 2-day, 1-night stay in lotus belle tents, with a BBQ dinner on the open star deck.

The Adelaide River jumping crocodile cruise runs Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, leaving at 1.30pm and returning around 6.30pm, passing Fogg Dam Nature Reserve and the Marrakai Plains. More options sit under jumping crocodile cruises from Darwin.

Kakadu is a day trip by air. The Best of Kakadu day trip with return scenic flights and the Kakadu cultural day tour with flights and lunch both leave from Darwin. More sit under Darwin tours.

Canoeing and caves near Katherine

Katherine's Nitmiluk National Park has a half-day Nitmiluk Gorge canoe hire, a self-guided 4.5-hour paddle that starts with a boat ride to the first gorge. The Cutta Cutta Caves guided walking tour goes 15 metres below the surface into a tropical limestone cave system, and typically runs from April to the end of October.

Camel rides, fishing charters and history in the city

Mindil Beach hosts a 45-minute camel ride along the beach, with a sunset version too. Anglers can book fishing charters with Andrew Ucles.

On a hot arvo, the Royal Flying Doctor Service Darwin tourist facility at 45 Stokes Hill Road tells the RFDS story and runs a virtual reality experience of the 1942 bombing of Darwin, with headset audio in four languages.

Choosing a Darwin activity by time of day

Start early with the 90-minute sunrise jet ski tour. Crocosaurus Cove dive sessions start from 9.30am, which leaves the afternoon for an Adelaide River cruise or a camel ride.

For evenings, the sunset jet ski ride and a harbour sunset cruise cover the same golden hour, so see Darwin cruises if you'd rather sit down with a platter.

Frequently asked questions

What are the best activities to do in Darwin?

Darwin activities range from guided jet ski tours around Darwin Harbour, the Cage of Death crocodile dive at Crocosaurus Cove, camel rides along Mindil Beach, fishing charters, and full-day wildlife trips to Litchfield and the Adelaide River.

Do I need experience to do a jet ski tour in Darwin?

No. The Thunderball WW2 Jet Ski Adventure and the Sunrise Jet Ski Tour in Darwin say no previous jet ski experience is necessary, and guides supervise throughout.

Is the Cage of Death suitable for kids?

The tandem Cage of Death dive at Crocosaurus Cove lists a minimum age of 15, and 15 to 17-year-olds must be accompanied by an adult. The solo dive lists a different minimum age on its booking page, so check that page before booking.

Which Darwin activities include hotel pick-up?

The Litchfield helicopter, airboat and wildlife day tour picks up from Darwin hotels and pick-up points between 6.20am and 7.20am. The Adelaide River jumping crocodile cruise with AAT Kings requires a pick-up, and the overnight glamping safari collects from Mindil Beach Casino Resort and the Wild Territory office on Mitchell Street.

What can families do in Darwin?

Crocosaurus Cove general admission is listed as great for all ages, with child and family tickets, and the Aquascene fish feeding sanctuary welcomes children with an adult ticket holder.

Pick your Darwin activity above, from a Thunderball shipwreck jet ski to a dive in the Cage of Death, and book it online.