Darwin Travel Forum

Dear forum members,

We are planning about 16 days in Australia in early July visiting Sydney, Melbourne and some more places. We would not like to change location too often if possible. I estimated in Sydney (and surroundings) 5 days, Melbourne 3-4 days which leaves us 7-8 days more.
1. Does it make sense to spend this time in Darwin and Northern parks? Or should we split this time between Darwin (with parks) and something else?

2. Given that we will stay in Kakadu park for 2-3 days renting the car – may we cover main tourist attractions self-traveling (I will learn in advance what they are)?

3. Are there "standard" attractions in Kakadu park that we definitely need local guide or guided tour from Darwin? Will there be something that we can not get staying in Kakadu Park by ourselves? Like some cruises that available only for groups (sunrise Yellow Water cruise; jumping crocodiles – need a boat? Need a guide?).

4. Is this enough to have maps/GPS and guide-book or materials to get to these locations within park with no risk to get lost or get into troubles? I am planning regular not 4WD car.

Thanks a lot for your help.
Alex

Hello to VTers,
We are looking for cheap accomodations located near Darwin Airport. Could anyone please tell us where to find such a place (back packers accomodation is fine), we just need a place to sleep, nothing more than that,
thanks foryou help!
Cheers,
Loc

We are looking for a flight from Darwin to Bali mid June, however couldn't find any cheaper option than AUS $1,200 for two persons for a one hour flight! Does anyone has any cheaper/better suggestion?

tanx in advance!

Lindert

darwin accommodation for the month of july. anyone know of any budget apartments??

Hi Folks,

I am going to Darwin end of March, problem is I am going to work for 1 week. Would love to see Darwin rather than sit in the hotel by myself but only have evenings.

Tough one, any suggestions?

Alan

Hi guys,

wanna know if its possible to get to Kakadu by bus or coach. tried checking out the Greyhound Australia. No info. And if it is possible, how much. P.S. Would prefer to travel by train instead. but it seems that the Ghan does not go there. PLease aadvise. Thanks.

So, i just bought a ticket on impulse to darwin. And I have no idea around the place and can't drive for nuts.

I'd love to lie by the beach, walk around the city, meet some people, drink, party and such:) (Not so much into the adventure sports, though I wouldn't mind with some help). Any ideas on how I could go about doing this?

Hi! Thanks for some very helpful fast replies! I've made my decision and will go that way for something new and different! Though was wondering how the best way to avoid going through Sydney but get back on the coast to see maybe Port Macquarie. Also are there many caravan parks that are fairly quiet along the NSW`coast, or are most places generally busy and popular most of the time.
Kristy

Hi,
I'm moving from melbourne to darwin in early feb 08, I am driving up with a friend (who will fly back) and my dog. Because i have driven up the center a couple of times we are thinking of going NSW coast to Qld and cutting through to Daly Waters. We are driving a 01 Toyota Camry V6. I am thiking of starting to cut through just before Brisbane, to go through Mt Isa etc. Is this safe this time of year?
Kristy

Hi frens,

Have any of you stayed at gecko lodge, wilderness lodge, or youthshack at darwin city? I am deciding between these 3 places. I prefer gecko lodge actually but it seems quite far from the central area.

I am also thinking of staying at banyan tree caravan park before visiting litchfield national park. We would be driving. Have anybody stayed there before?

Dear VTs,

Another question, my frens & I would like to self-drive around Darwin at this period. Is it advisable? Bec. I read somewhere that there will be cyclones, strong winds, & road blocks. Is it true?

Dear VTs.
I heard that it will be rainy season in nov/dec in the northern territory. Is it true? Is this a good time for travelling?
I would also like to know whether there will be buses from airport to city at around 12-1 midnight, as tiger airways flight will reach darwin at that time.

We (my wife and a 1yo son) are flying into Darwin from Brissy to catch a Tiger Airways flight to Singapore, which takes off 12 hours after we arrived in Darwin.

Is there any place that offers day-stay or hourly rates for us to have some rest before the next flight?

We are flying into Darwin for a week in Feb and would like to fly over Jim Jim
and Katherine Gorge there is 5 of us can anyone help with a scenic flight company
who do both places. we will drive to Kakadu if we have to.
Thank You Christine

I am moving to the Northern Territory and I will be living in Darwin on weekends. I'm looking to live close to cafes, bars and if possible the beach? What suburbs are the best for a young person to live in that is close to the city and hopefully not too expensive.

G'day:

I finally decided my trip will start from mel to darwin, then to Gunbalanya(Oenpelli). I will stay at Openpelli for 4-7 days. if i rental a car from darwin, it will cost like 400-700 bucks. its too much for me. so, is anyone know any economic way for me to travel from darwin to Oenpelli?

Thanks a lot.

I will be staying in Darwin for a week mid-July. I'm thinking of renting a bicycle just for local transportation.

1. Are there bike rental places, and can you recommend any? I'm after as plain a bike as possible.

2. What will the humidity be like? Would it be too much for cycling in comfort?

Thanks

G'day everyone:

Im an internation student, studying interior design in RMIT university in melbourne now. And im also a freelance photographer, has passion of documentary photography. (my website: www.niyubin.com)

Im planing to photography the life and culture of aboriginal in Arnhem land in NT. My plan is fly to darwin first,rental a car. Then drive to Kakadu national park, have a quick look. Then get into Arnhem land. im going to stay in arnhem land for around 7 days. btw, im traveling alone.

I know i have to get a permit from northern land council which allows me to come into Arnhem land. I will try to get it...

My problem now is i have no idea of how aboriginal are living in Arnhem land, and all the information from internet and <lonely plant> is not enough for me to know the aboriginal life in Arnhem land. And i only have about 7 days, So is anyone know any aboriginal lives in Arnhem land who can be my guide. Show me how they are living in Arnhem land and possiblely allow me to live with them for like 7 days. of course i will pay for the guide fee and rental fee.

Im doing this photography project is for my own hobby, not for any economic purposes. And i will make a photography albumn which contains all my good pics for the guide as a gift.

If u know anyone who may help me with, plz contact me by email: niyubin@msn.com

to find more information of me, plz check my website. http://www.niyubin.com

Thank you very much.

Regards.

Hi fellow VTs,

I would like to know about the weather in June in Darwin. Is it winter time? Will it be very cold?

Hi,
im a funny french girl arrived few months ago in this beautiful country.
I want to enjoy the end of my trip to see the West cost, so i m looking for someone who wants to discover the fabulous views, landscapes and population of this part of Australia
so if you have informations or you are interested, please let me know
see u

Hi Guys. Only 101 sleeps to go till we leave for Darwin from Sydney. We are travelling with 2 families, consisting of 2 adults, 2 kids, and 2 dogs and a caravan each. We have 5 weeks off. What we need is advice on caravan parks when we get to N/T that will take dogs, and what kennels to use when we travel to National Parks. We want to leave dogs for 5ish days in a kennel, and travel the loop of Darwin, Jabiru, Kauadu, Pine Creek, Adelaide River etc, then back to Darwin. Can anyone give me advice on what to see, where to go, and dog friendly accommodation please.
Thanks so much.
Nenie.

Does qantas have any promotion on multi Aust cities ?
I intend to fly Singapore -> Darwin -> Perth -> Singapore.

I can book these as individual segments but am wondering if there is any
promotion for 2 cities - had a look at the qantas site but cld not find any.

Thanks.

Hello, I'm planning a 3-4 days trip to Darwin. Would you suggest to arrange day trips to kakadu and to litchfield (sleeping in Darwin) or it is better to spend a night in the parks?
Thanks
Ferr

Hey there everyone....I'm heading up to Darwin in April to live and I'm hoping someone can shed some light as to which suburbs to avoid when looking for a house to rent? I can't afford anything fancy but i would like to live in a nice quiet neighbourhood. I don't mind a 20 min drive from the CBD either. Your help would be appreciated! :)

Plan to fly to Darwin & then on to Perth.

1) Wld appreciate info on sites where I book online for domestic flights on this route - esp. the budget airlines & any opinion. How long is flight time?

2) 1st time in Darwin: what is there to see & do ? Will B there 2nd half of March - wld weaather still B wet & monsoon like?

Thanks in advance for all replies.

Hi, we are considering taking up a job offer in Darwin. Young family of 5 looking for a moderate to upmarket area to buy a house in and have NO IDEA where is good. Want good access to decent primary school and shops. Want simillar aged people/families in the area aswell (we are 32,28,6,4,3)
Where is a nice area? We are moving from an Inner city suburb of Adelaide and will be after a decent sized 4-5 bedroom home.
Any ideas??

I spent about 6 weeks in Darwin a few years back, I was a little suprised by the lack of killer snake stories. Sure I heard a couple of stories of some blokes best mate picking up a King Brown while drunk and getting bitten, but thats about it. I'm just curious about the prevalence of venomous snakes in the Darwin region. I know they're there but are they common? If I had a house in Darwin (which I hope to in a few years) am I likely to see the odd one in my yard? Or are they mostly out in the National Parks?

Hi! Am planning a 10-day trip to Darwin with a family of 8 (from 2 yrs to 62 yrs old!) in late May. Have a few questions to ask:

1) The flight I intended to book will land in Darwin at 2.30am. Is it possible to get a rented car at that timing? Any car rental company to recommend?

2) Would like to book an apartment with cooking facilities as my mum is a vegetarian. Any recommendations?

3) Saw a few advices on Darwin's attractions :) Besides Darwin, any nearby places (like Kakadu or Katherine?) to visit? Preferably family friendly places.

Appreciate your advice!

Sharon

Hi! Am planning a 10-day trip to Darwin with a family of 8 (from 2 yrs to 62 yrs old!) in late May. Have a few questions to ask:

1) The flight I intended to book will land in Darwin at 2.30am. Is it possible to get a rented car at that timing? Any car rental company to recommend?

2) Would like to book an apartment with cooking facilities as my mum is a vegetarian. Any recommendations?

3) Saw a few advices on Darwin's attractions :) Besides Darwin, any nearby places (like Kakadu or Katherine?) to visit? Preferably family friendly places.

Appreciate your advice!

Sharon

Hi! Am planning a 10-day trip to Darwin with a family of 8 (from 2 yrs to 62 yrs old!) in late May. Have a few questions to ask:

1) The flight I intended to book will land in Darwin at 2.30am. Is it possible to get a rented car at that timing? Any car rental company to recommend?

2) Would like to book an apartment with cooking facilities as my mum is a vegetarian. Any recommendations?

3) Saw a few advices on Darwin's attractions :) Besides Darwin, any nearby places (like Kakadu or Katherine?) to visit? Preferably family friendly places.

Appreciate your advice!

Sharon