Darwin Travel Forum

Hi Globies
I have a question to our Australian experts:
Wild Kununurra (Darwin to Broome route) seems to be interesting...
Years ago it was hard accessible, expensive and difficult to explore. Car rental companies refused to rent a compact car for Darwin - Broome route.
How does it looks now?. Are main roads improoved?
Stopover suggestions? Special attractions worth to stop?
Thanks...
Wojtek

hi, we are coming up to a conference at palmerston uni on the 27th sept to the 2nd oct and are looking for a 2 bedrooom, self contained cabin or B&B at reasonable rate, we would need to be able to walk to uni or be on a bus line maybe. would appreciate any thoughts you may have.

Visiting Darwin for first time, female, over 40 travelling alone and won't be hiring a car. Have about 7 days to do stuff and need to work out where to stay (at least for the first night). Happy to stay at a backpackers with my own room, - good for booking cheap trips - but not keen to share my space with beer sodden 20 y.olds (been one, moved on) Can anyone suggest what I should do, what I should book and an okay place to stay that's central and well priced?

Hi,
We are planning a one of trip to Darwin and have booked a 3 day tour of Kakdu but would like to Hire a car and travel from Darwin to Ayers rock airport.
We will be leaving Darwin on the 31st august and fly from Ayers rock on the 5th September total of 5 days travel time ? would this be enough time and what is the best and cheapest car hire company's you could recommend, trying to find one with unlimited kilometers seems near impossible any good one in Darwin (PLEASE HELP!!) Any advice on cheap places to stay along the way and good places to see would be greatly appreciated.

Arrive Darwin 1pm Saturday 1st August and joining tour Sunday Evening which leave us the remainder of Saturday and all day Sunday to do our own thing pre tour.
The tour includes a morning tour of Darwin Monday.

Any suggestions of special things happening weekend, including markets, possible boat cruise, where to take good photos and a good place for dinner Saturday night, something casual.

What is the best way to get around on weekend, public transport or taxi. We will be ataying at the Vibe hotel, which they say is on the dge of the city centre and close to wharf.

Appreciate all information.

Mike

Hi ppl. My partner and I are travelling to Darwin in July. We have only just booked our flights recently and as yet do not have any accommodation or travel schedule. We are probably going to stay the first few days around Darwin then maybe get out and about in the national parks for a few days then head back to city for the remainder, We are in NT for a total of 9 nights from the 3rd of july until the 12th. Does anyone have any suggestions on what do and see in the outback/national parks (anything in NT infact) I have looked at a few tours and they seem expensive, I guess it is peak season. Would it be better/easier/more interesting to hire a car and do these ourselves? We also do not have any accomodation in Darwin yet but are probably loking at cabins out of the city.. (malak?) or something similar Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. This is our first time in the Territory and can't wait!

Thanks in Advance

Snig & Annette

Hi, I will be visiting Darwin around Anzac day for 4 days.

The beach markets will not have started until the following week, so I wanted to know what the berry springs markets are like. I was planning on hiring a scooter and heading there, visiting the wildlife park and going swimming. I do ride a scoot daily at home, so am confident on highway riding. Does anyone know of any riding clubs in area?

Also I was wanting to go on a sunset cruise of the harbour, but there are so many options, any recommondations?

The RSL has sent me details for the dawn service, what size crowd is usually attending. In brisbane is is pretty huge. What are best places for Anzac day drinks.

Looking forward to my trip, and thanks in advance for your replies.

Is there snorkeling/scuba diving anywhere in the Darwin coastline area?

My son enjoyed his trip to Perth recently, we vistied Caves, lighthouse and farm stay. May I know what type of activities are there in Darwin for a 4 years old? Is there any farm stay in Darwin? Is there any hot air balloon in Darwin?
Thanks!

I arrive in darwin on 12th june and leave perth on the 28th june. I have been to alice springs, and from perth to karratha on previous travel. I am intending looking round darwin and kakadu then heading down to broome via the kimberly. would then like to take the interior road from port headland to perth.
Does this sound feasible in the time. I have been looking at the 9 day 4wd from darwin to broome.
Does anyone have any experience of the routes or tours listed. Any tour companies to avoid. Good and bad hostels. I have read that bBroome is very expensive
All replies appreciated

I'd like to hear from some other locals. Whats to do in Kakadu that you dont need a tour group or a 4WD to go and see. From what i remember not much. Litchfield always seems the go.

What is Darwin like for an extended holiday. We have never been there. Some friends have said it is laid back and friendly...others the opposite. I was told you need to be careful with the weather too.

Are there "good " areas to stay or perhaps places to be avoided.

We would like to get a "feel" for the place...meet locals. We will explore the surrounding ares ...have 4WD but it is the city we would like to know about.

We have been to Alice Springs and driven from there to Boulia so know outback roads.

Thanks in anticipation

Marg

Hi. may I please know what the cheapest way from Darwin train station (the Ghan) into Darwin town is. Is there a bus? Thanks so much in adavance.

hi im arriving at the airport at 5am is there any where in the airport where i can grab a cup of tea that time of morn, befor i call my son to pick me up.

Is there a 'big girl' fashion store in Darwin Central for sizes over 18.
Kath
Buderim Qld

Hi,
I will arrive at Darwin at 00.15 and will have 24 hours stopover in that city at mid July. So, I am thinking not to stay at any hotel but trying to sleep at the airport. Is it possible?
If yes, can anyone suggest me the place to do it (any lounge or waiting room maybe)and a place to storage my luggage (locker) while I do city tour?
Also, any suggestion about places to visit in Darwin?
Thank you very much in advance for your reply.

Hi my friends and I have a two night stopover in Darwin en route to Bali can anyone give me any info on decent places to stay close to town that is not noisy or grotty. I have checked trip advisor but comments are not favourable even for Holiday Inn. Thanx

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?