Hotels in Darwin

Book your cheap hotel in Darwin

The capital of the Northern Territory and the gateway to the “Top End”, Darwin is Australia’s only tropical state capital. It is also the smallest and wettest capital as well as being the most-northerly. Renamed Darwin in 1911 (née Palmerston), the city is a major port on the Timor Sea but also an important tourist destination. Visitors will find a cosmopolitan city with excellent museums and galleries and fabulous nature as its backyard.

Being closest to southeast Asia, it’s a transit city and it’s also a hub for tours of the region’s national parks as well as attracting its own tourists. There is plenty of holiday and hotel accommodation in Darwin to cope with all these visitors.

Neighbourhoods of Darwin

The best suburbs to choose to stay are:

  • Central Business District: The heart of Darwin, it’s a suburb if wide streets peppered with some lush parks and plenty of shops and restaurants. As the oldest part of the city , it contains the important historical and civic attractions and landmarks.
  • The Gardens: This Suburb gets its name from the George Brown Botanical Gardens here but it’s also home to the most popular beach in Darwin – Mindil Beach. The beach is known for its great sunsets and the Sunset Markets (May to October).
  • Larrakeyah: Named for the indigenous people of the area, this coastal suburb with a cosmopolitan vibe contains Cullen Bay, home to the City Marina.
  • Parap: Known for its markets and food scene, it’s the place to stay away from the busyness of other popular suburbs.
  • Fannie Bay: Next to Parap, this area has a number of key attractions, Darwin’s largest park, East Park Reserve and Vestey’s Beach.

What to see and do in Darwin

Spend a day at the beach, learn about Aboriginal culture, understand the part the city played in World War II, watch a fish-feeding frenzy (Aquascene) and shop at a flea market – these are just a few of the things you can do. There’s also:

  • Museum & Art Gallery of the Northern Territory: Full of Top-End centric artefacts and exhibits, this place is fascinating. Look out for the aboriginal Art Collection, the Cyclone Tracy Exhibit, and the Maritime Gallery.
  • Crocosaurus Cove: The world’s only crocodile dive is not for the fainthearted but fantastic if you want to get up close to a saltwater crocodile. Crocodiles and other native and zoo animals can also be seen at Crocodylus Park.
  • Tiwi Islands: A place to get close to and experience indigenous culture, the islands are a 2.5 hour ferry ride from Darwin.
  • National Parks: Darwin is the setting off point for organised tours of Kakadu National Park and Litchfield National Park.

What to eat in Darwin

With its coastal location and close proximity to Southeast Asia, fish, seafood and the food of Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia feature heavily in local cuisine. Try:

  • Mud crab: Caught locally and known as “muddies”, popular dishes are Mud Crab Laska and Singapore Chilli Crab.
  • Barramundi: Oven-baked or fried, it is often prepared/served with native ingredients such as lemon myrtle and macadamia nuts.
  • Laksa: This spicy thick noodle soup from Southeast Asia is given the Northern Territory touch with additions like crocodile, crab, and local fish.
  • Kakadu Plum Jam: A sweet conserve, it’s best simply spread on toast.
  • Quandong: This is a peach-like fruit best served stewed or as a base for ice cream.

Typical events and festivals in Darwin

Ethnic groups hold big celebrations with the city seeing Chinese New Year, Greek and Indian festivals as well as there being general interest events including:

  • Darwin Festival: Running for 18 nights in August, the program of events is a showcase and celebration of multi-disciplinary music, theatre, and arts.
  • National Indigenous Music Awards: Australia’s most important celebrations of indigenous culture is held at the botanical gardens during the Darwin Festival.
  • Darwin Beer Can Regatta: A day of family fun when crafts and rafts built from beer cans, bottles and milk cartons take to the water in early September.
  • Nightcliff Seabreeze Festival: A bonanza od community arts takes place on the coast over a weekend in May.

How to move around in Darwin

the best way to get around the city is by car and there are plenty of car rental places. There’s also a city-wide bus service as well as a hop-on-hop-off tourist bus. Darwin is well connected by rail including to Adelaide in South Australia and is also the start point of the Stuart Highway which runs for 2,834 kms all the way to Port August in SA. Darwin International Airport is 8kms from the city centre.

The climate in Darwin

The NT climate is tropical which means Darwin has two seasons – rainy and dry. May to September is dry, October to April is wet (with a risk of cyclones). Temperatures are fairly constant throughout the year with October and November the hottest months with average highs of nearly 34°C. June to September is considered the best time to visit.

Darwin today 86°F
86°F | 84°F

In Darwin we will have overcast clouds, the day will be very hot; beware of heat stroke.

    • Wednesday
    • 86°F | 82°F
    • Thursday
    • 86°F | 81°F
    • Friday
    • 86°F | 79°F
    • Saturday
    • 84°F | 79°F

86 Accommodations in Darwin

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Cullen Bay Resort

Cullen Bay Resort

1.6 mi from city centre Excellent location
from23
Hotel Mantra Pandanas Darwin

Hotel Mantra Pandanas Darwin

134 yd from city centre Excellent location
from35
Hotel Mindil Beach Casino Resort
Hotel Mantra On The Esplanade Darwin

Frequently asked questions about Hotels in Darwin

The most centrally located hotels in Darwin with the best ratings are: Hotel Metro Advance Apartments & Darwin, Argus Apartments Darwin and Hotel Hilton Darwin.

It depends on the category of the hotel. If you want to stay at a 4-star hotel in Darwin, the average price per night is 20 , while you will pay an average of 23 for a 3-star hotel, and in a more luxurious 5-star hotel, you'll pay around 46 .

If you need a hotel with disabled access in Darwin, we recommend Hotel Metro Advance Apartments & Darwin, Hotel Mantra On The Esplanade Darwin and Coconut Grove Holiday Apartments.

According to our clients, if you´re travelling with children, the best hotels in Darwin are Travelodge Resort Darwin, Hotel Doubletree By Hilton Esplanade Darwin and Hotel Adina Apartment Darwin Waterfront.

If you want to save time, the hotels in Darwin with express check-in and check-out are Hotel Metro Advance Apartments & Darwin, Hotel Mantra On The Esplanade Darwin and Hotel Mercure Darwin Airport Resort.

Some of the options for hotels with non-smoking rooms in Darwin are Hotel Metro Advance Apartments & Darwin, Hotel Hilton Darwin and Hotel Hilton Garden Inn Darwin.

If you're bringing a vehicle, we recommend that you book a hotel with parking in Darwin, like Hotel Metro Advance Apartments & Darwin, Hotel Mantra On The Esplanade Darwin or Coconut Grove Holiday Apartments.

The best-rated hotels in Darwin with a gym are Argus Apartments Darwin, Hotel Hilton Darwin and Hotel Hilton Garden Inn Darwin.