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The 8 Best City Tours in Darwin, Northern Territory
As the Northern Territory’s thriving capital, Darwin attracts travelers from all around the globe for its outdoor, tropical lifestyle. With waterfront dining, crocodile adventures, rich historical experiences and access to the Tiwi Islands all within a few minutes of the city center, there’s enough to do to fill a weekend or a week.
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1. Darwin City Sights and Jumping Crocodile Cruise
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
Join a morning city sights tour for the perfect introduction to Darwin, with expert commentary by a local guide. See the lush Botanic Gardens and the Chinese Temple and tour the other historic sites of the city including the Darwin Aviation Museum. Explore the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, whose collections encompass Aboriginal art, visual arts, and Northern Territory history and natural sciences. After the tour you will be dropped off in the city for a 45-minute break and opportunity to have lunch. In the afternoon head 60kms from Darwin to Adelaide River, home to over 1600 Crocodiles and the famous Jumping Crocodiles. Cruise the river and thrill as these awesome creatures launch themselves out of the water. The cruise will enable you to see these prehistoric creatures at close range. Afterwards continue to the Window on the Wetlands Visitor Centre for view over the Marrakai Plains and then it’s on to Fogg Dam Nature Reserve to view a wetland ecosystem up close.
Inclusions: Entry to the Museum and Art Gallery of Northern Territory, Entry to Darwin Aviation Museum, Small group wetlands cruise on the Adelaide River, Professional local guide, Super comfortable luxury vehicle including: free wifi, in seat USB and air conditioning , Hotel pickup and drop off from selected Darwin hotels
Exclusions: Lunch
Reviewed By L8855NRamberm
**I have previously emailed this feedback directly to AAT Kings allowing them the opportunity to respond in private, but since following up with them today i've been advised that it will take 6-8 weeks to respond which seems unreasonable** On Monday 10 May my family (husband + 2 children) along with my parents were passengers on your Kakadu day trip departing Darwin. This was scheduled for our last day in Darwin, and we were all very excited and couldn’t wait to go. Unfortunately, this tour was a disaster from start to finish. To begin with we were advised to be at our collection point (Argus Apartments) at 6.05am, where we then waited for approximately 20 minutes. After our pick up, we then spent almost another hour driving around Darwin picking up passengers and waiting on the side of the road whilst our driver sorted out issues. Once all of the passengers were finally on board we were advised by XXXX our driver (who by this point was in a foul mood) that our itinerary had to change, visits would be cut short and that there was “nothing he could do about it!!!” We were given no explanation for this change! Everything was a problem for XXXX from the get go, and every passenger request was met with a lecture. We were told that the toilets weren’t available due to covid (this makes no sense at all), that we weren’t allowed to close the air vents, we weren’t allowed to have milk based drinks, we weren’t even allowed to talk whilst XXXX was giving us his extremely boring commentary, because if we did he would reprimand passengers. We were lectured about not being late to hop on the bus at our first stop, yet XXXX himself was late. Everything about this trip was rushed. We had such a short time at the aboriginal rock painting sites, we were told that we weren’t even allowed to walk on any further to see additional paintings. We didn’t even receive any commentary, XXXX lectured us about it on the bus leading up to the stop as we “wouldn’t have time once we were there”. After we left this stop we had to travel to lunch where our visit was again cut down to 40 mins, but again we were lectured about how there was nothing he could do about that. We were then rushed to the spot for the yellow water cruise, where we sat in the bus for 15 mins waiting to park – why all the rush? Once on board this cruise it was lovely, and the guide Ella was the one highlight of this tour. On the way home we had a 15 minute stop at the cultural centre, with no commentary or guide. Hardly what we expected for the $1200+ I’d paid in tickets. Overall this tour was a huge disappointment. Nothing at all felt authentic, and our driver was rude beyond belief. Earlier in the day he advised that the toilets would be unlocked and available for emergency use only, yet when my young daughter was busting and couldn’t hold any longer just as we entered Darwin we found the toilets to be locked. When asking for the key, XXXX initially refused asking if she ‘really even needed to go’ before finally handing it over in a huff. This appalling behaviour was noticed by a lot of passengers. To say we couldn’t wait to get off was an understatement. We are heartbroken that this was how our last day in Darwin ended up, and that we spent so much of our spending money on what was a huge disappointment!!!! What was meant to be a wonderful day sightseeing and learning turned out to be a day of rushed stops and ongoing lectures from a driver who clearly needs to hang up his keys!!! I am doing you the courtesy of allowing you to respond privately rather than posting this publicly on Trip Advisor as per your text message asking for a review.
2. Darwin Heritage Walk
Overall Ratings
4.8 based on 30 reviews
Explore the city with a local on this 2-hour walk and enjoy a local’s perspective whilst getting a sense of how the city of Darwin has developed to blend the past with today’s modern multicultural vibe. There are many hidden treasures to discover along the way.
Inclusions: Local guide, Spoken commentary
Exclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, Food and drinks
Reviewed By Howard J
A perfect afternoon having a guided tour of the tropical gardens with inside information and Darwin folklore. Our guides were Rachel and John, both providing excellent commentary on various trees and history of the area. I would highly recommend this tour, even for people who aren’t avid gardeners. Wear comfortable shoes, a hat and take plenty of water.
3. 1 Hour Darwin Airboat Tours
Overall Ratings
4.6 based on 69 reviews
Designed by Matt Wright, esteemed tourism operator and National Geographic's "Outback Wrangler", Darwin Airboat Tours is all about fun and adventure! We deliver a unique, bucket list experience that people of all ages can enjoy from Darwin City!
Inclusions: 45 minute Airboat Ride
Exclusions: Transportation to/from attractions
Reviewed By Evelyn Y
This was so much fun as well as informative. Would do it again in a heartbeat. We even saw a croc !!
4. Darwin Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour
Overall Ratings
4.4 based on 184 reviews
Tour Darwin at your own pace with a 24-hour or 48-hour hop-on hop-off pass. See fabulous views from the open-top double-decker bus and get on and off at 10 convenient stops, including Crocosaurus Cove, the waterfront precinct and Fort Hill Wharf. Stay as long as you like at the attractions of your choice, then hop on board to travel from sight to sight. Or stay on the bus to enjoy full 60-minute and 90-minute tours around Darwin, while listening to an entertaining on-board commentary.
Inclusions: Choice of 24 hour or 48 hour pass, Pre-recorded commentary
Exclusions: Food and drinks, Admission
Reviewed By DianneC516
In their promotional material the Darwin Big Bus vehicle looks quite modern. The one that arrived at our stop was far from it. Air conditioning means open the window, and in the Darwin heat you really want that breeze. The stairs to the open upper deck were beyond my knees - and many others I imagine. Deep and steep! I was off a cruise ship in Darwin for the day, when we paid $37.50 each for a whole-day ticket. But there was still only one bus an hour, which meant that we spent a lot of time standing in the hot sun waiting for the next bus to arrive. This is not the bus to take if you expect to do any shopping in the town. It doesn’t have a shopping area stop. But there is a local bus stop quite near the cruise terminal. The Big Bus route includes the main tourist destinations. Considering that two of them are quite a way out of town probably the $37.50 fare is cheaper than a taxi.
5. Explore Darwin City Sights Including Key Attractions
Overall Ratings
4.1 based on 9 reviews
The Darwin City Explorer tour is a great way to visit the major attractions and sights in and around the 'Top End' of Australia. Perfect for a first time visitor or family, your experienced tour guide will showcase Darwin's top attractions and you'll be provided full commentary of the colourful sights located here. Attractions visited include WWII Oil Storage Tunnels, Aviation Heritage Centre, Darwin Military Museum and the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory.
Inclusions: Live commentary on board, Professional guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off (selected hotels only)
Exclusions: The listed price does not include a $5 fee for any pickups outside Darwin CBD, payable at the time of tour check-in, Lunch, Gratuities
Reviewed By 684Shaz
Our tour was fantastic from start to finish so much to see starting with Pat up the Adelaide River seen some huge crocs and beautiful birds a stop at the famous Humpty Doo Hotel and then into Litchfield National Park to Wangi Falls and a lovely picnic lunch included Florence Falls for a swim then seen some huge Termite mounds finishing up at Fanny Bay watching the sunset sipping champagne and eating prawns a wonderful group of 20 was on out tour which was the perfect size tour I would highly recommend this tour we found it fabulous
6. Darwin City Sightseeing Tour with Optional Sunset Cruise
Overall Ratings
3.2 based on 5 reviews
View the sights of Darwin on a guided city tour seeing the sights and attractions of the city. You also have the option to end the day with a sunset fish and chip dinner cruise.
Inclusions: Local guide/driver, Live commentary on board, Air-conditioned vehicle, Hotel pickup and drop-off
Exclusions: Food and drinks
Reviewed By L8855NRamberm
**I have previously emailed this feedback directly to AAT Kings allowing them the opportunity to respond in private, but since following up with them today i've been advised that it will take 6-8 weeks to respond which seems unreasonable** On Monday 10 May my family (husband + 2 children) along with my parents were passengers on your Kakadu day trip departing Darwin. This was scheduled for our last day in Darwin, and we were all very excited and couldn’t wait to go. Unfortunately, this tour was a disaster from start to finish. To begin with we were advised to be at our collection point (Argus Apartments) at 6.05am, where we then waited for approximately 20 minutes. After our pick up, we then spent almost another hour driving around Darwin picking up passengers and waiting on the side of the road whilst our driver sorted out issues. Once all of the passengers were finally on board we were advised by XXXX our driver (who by this point was in a foul mood) that our itinerary had to change, visits would be cut short and that there was “nothing he could do about it!!!” We were given no explanation for this change! Everything was a problem for XXXX from the get go, and every passenger request was met with a lecture. We were told that the toilets weren’t available due to covid (this makes no sense at all), that we weren’t allowed to close the air vents, we weren’t allowed to have milk based drinks, we weren’t even allowed to talk whilst XXXX was giving us his extremely boring commentary, because if we did he would reprimand passengers. We were lectured about not being late to hop on the bus at our first stop, yet XXXX himself was late. Everything about this trip was rushed. We had such a short time at the aboriginal rock painting sites, we were told that we weren’t even allowed to walk on any further to see additional paintings. We didn’t even receive any commentary, XXXX lectured us about it on the bus leading up to the stop as we “wouldn’t have time once we were there”. After we left this stop we had to travel to lunch where our visit was again cut down to 40 mins, but again we were lectured about how there was nothing he could do about that. We were then rushed to the spot for the yellow water cruise, where we sat in the bus for 15 mins waiting to park – why all the rush? Once on board this cruise it was lovely, and the guide Ella was the one highlight of this tour. On the way home we had a 15 minute stop at the cultural centre, with no commentary or guide. Hardly what we expected for the $1200+ I’d paid in tickets. Overall this tour was a huge disappointment. Nothing at all felt authentic, and our driver was rude beyond belief. Earlier in the day he advised that the toilets would be unlocked and available for emergency use only, yet when my young daughter was busting and couldn’t hold any longer just as we entered Darwin we found the toilets to be locked. When asking for the key, XXXX initially refused asking if she ‘really even needed to go’ before finally handing it over in a huff. This appalling behaviour was noticed by a lot of passengers. To say we couldn’t wait to get off was an understatement. We are heartbroken that this was how our last day in Darwin ended up, and that we spent so much of our spending money on what was a huge disappointment!!!! What was meant to be a wonderful day sightseeing and learning turned out to be a day of rushed stops and ongoing lectures from a driver who clearly needs to hang up his keys!!! I am doing you the courtesy of allowing you to respond privately rather than posting this publicly on Trip Advisor as per your text message asking for a review.
7. Darwin Self-Guided Audio Tour
Download a vibrantly-narrated mp3 audio guide combined with a map detailing the area of your tour. This photogenic audio guided tour of Darwin will take you on a beautiful walk through this coastal community where you will see sights such as the gorgeous Darwin Skywalk Lookout and Mason Gallery.
Inclusions: Zip folder of audio files and map, Self-Guided Audio Tour, Self-Paced, Downloadable link to download mp3 file and map
Exclusions: Audio Device, Food/Drink, Transportation, Headphones
Reviewed By Sendi243
Hobart is a very simple town to get around so the map worked well. We downloaded first to my Android and my wife's iPhone and had no issues. Good information too.
8. 7 Days Darwin, Kakadu National Park, Katherine Gorge Touring Package
World Heritage listed and the largest National Park in Australia, Kakadu is one of the most diverse landscapes you’ll ever experience, and you’ll be amazed at the population of wildlife in the water, on the land and in the air. See some of the most amazing terrain Australia has to offer on your way to and inside Kakadu. Marvel at the concentration of rock art sites that illustrate Aboriginal culture, some dating back 50,000 years.
Inclusions: Lunch, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Lunch, Lunch, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Lunch, 6 nights’ accommodation at 4 Star Hotel, Arrival & departure airport ( Train) transfer with your choice, Kakadu National Park Ticket , Cruise fee
Exclusions: Gratuities, Travel insurance (Strongly Recommended), Visa fees, Optional activities/tours
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