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World Travel Guide > Guides > Oceania > Australia > Northern Territory > Darwin

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Things to do in Darwin

Discover Darwin’s roots

If you want to get an insight into the area’s truest roots, a visit to the Museum & Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (tel: +61 8 8999 8264; www.magnt.net.au) is a must. You’ll find collections devoted to aboriginal art, Cyclone Tracy (which decimated the city in 1974) and a vast Natural Sciences exhibit that’s home to over 1.2 million animal, fossil, rock and mineral specimens.

Shop like a local at Mindil Beach Market

If you want to get an instant hit of Darwinian culture – taste its food, see its art, wear its clothes and see its sunset – Mindil Beach Market (www.mindil.com.au) is your literal one-stop shop. It operates Thursday and Sunday from April to October and there's no better place in the city to watch the sun sink into the water.

Strap on those walking boots

Bushwalkers looking for a lung-busting hike should head for the Tabletop Track in Litchfield National Park. This famous long-distance trek features waterfalls, tropical monsoon rainforest and blessedly cool swimming holes. It's not for beginners and takes three to five days to complete, but can be done in shorter sections. Speak to the Tourist Information Centre (tel: +61 8 8976 0282) for all the info.

Swimming

Swimming options abound in Darwin. The waterfront is the place to go: grab a boogie board and ride the swell in the Wave Pool, or head for Recreation Lagoon where nets protect swimmers from marine stingers. Alternatively, an hour's drive from Darwin is Berry Springs Nature Park, a popular day trip destination where you can swim and snorkel in a creek dotted with clear pools containing fish life.

Take to the skies in a helicopter

If you want to take to the skies, companies like Darwin Helicopter Tours (tel: +61 8 8972 2345; www.airbornesolutions.com.au) offer tours of Darwin and its surroundings. One of the most popular/endearingly foolish is a ‘Flying Crocs' tour along the Adelaide River, which enables you to observe these 2m-long (6ft) reptiles up close as they leap out of the water to grab meat held out for them.

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Featured Hotels

Value Inn

Don't be put off by the name, all the rooms in this affordable city centre hotel feature queen sized beds, a single bed, air conditioning and en suite facilities. There are also three pools, a licensed bar, and a spa available for guest use at Melaleuca on Mitchell, the award-winning backpackers hangout across the road.

Oaks Elan Darwin

This impressive newbie is a 301-room property with a range of one- and two-bed apartments. It has a decent central location, while the in-house restaurant, O.A.K., is another good reason to visit. Private balconies, air-conditioning and free Wi-Fi are all part of the deal too.

Chillis Backpackers

A lively backpacker joint in peak season, this hostel offers budget rooms in the heart of the city, with a mix of private doubles and shared dormitory accommodation. Facilities include a launderette, a pool, an internet cafe, a sun deck and a kitchen. There are even a couple of (mercifully cool) whirlpool Jacuzzis.

Darwin FreeSpirit Resort

A laid-back campsite and resort sitting 15 minutes' drive from central Darwin, this is arguably the best of the city's out-of-town options. It's popular with families, thanks in part to the presence of three swimming pools. You'll also find BBQ areas and a bar-bistro among its tropical palm trees and gardens.

Novotel Darwin CBD

Formerly the Novotel Darwin Atrium, this mid-range hotel overlooks the coast and sits a short stroll from the buzz of Mitchell Street. There are 140 rooms in total, and they're nice enough to make the relatively affordable price a big draw. It also has what it refers to as a "tropical indoor rainforest" – not many crocs to be found, though.

Vibe Hotel

A fresh and funky boutique hotel in the Waterfront Precinct, expect fine harbour views, several swimming pools with bars, an excellent restaurant and all the usual high-end trimmings. It's adjacent to its sister property, Adina Grand Waterfront, which is similarly appealing. All rooms have Wi-Fi access, digital TVs and round-the-clock room service.

Introducing Darwin

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