Visiting Darwin on a budget

So, you’ve got a few free days in Darwin, but you’re unsure what to do, we’ll help!

If you ever find yourself in Darwin and on a budget, here are a few of our favourite free activities in Darwin!

• Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory

  The MAGNT is entirely free to entre. There are plenty of incredibly fascinating exhibits to take enjoy, each with their own Top End flair. Learn all about native flora and fauna in the region, relive the tragedy of Cyclone Tracy, and come face to face with Sweetheart the taxidermy crocodile.

  The MAGNT is a great way to escape Darwin’s heat for the afternoon or alternatively provides a nice dry retreat from those wet season tropical storms.

  The museum is constantly changing and updating its collection, so you’re always sure to see something new. The annual National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Art Awards are also held here each year and is the perfect place to see some of Australia’s next best artists.

• Mindil Beach Markets

  The Mindil Beach Sunset Market is Darwin’s premier market destination. Running twice a week the markets support the local Darwin community and uplift local artisans and crafters. There are over 200 stalls some nights, you’ll have hours of fun strolling around!

  Grab some dinner from one of the delicious street food vendors and be entertained by buskers across the foreshore. Combine this delightful local market with a famous territory sunset for a truly memorable evening.

• George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens

  Head on into the George Darwin Botanic Gardens and explore a world of flora. Found 2 kilometres from the city centre and just across from the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, the gardens are alive with wonderful plants for you to explore. Find native Northern Territory plants as well as species from tropics around the world.

  If you have a little bit of cash to splash join a Segway tour through the gardens, if not though they are just as wonderful if you take yourself for a walkthrough. There are several self-guided walks for you to choose from, the Tree Walk will take you to 18 significant trees within the garden. For something more cultural opt for the Matboerrma Walk. You’ll be taken to native plant species and learn how the local Larrakia people used the plants for traditional purposes.

• Bicentennial Park

  You can take some lunch and have a delicious picnic in the wonderful Bicentennial Park, but we recommend really spending your time here and exploring the many monuments and war memorials. Learn about the Bombing of Darwin and the city’s military history.

  If you want to learn more about the bombing, try the Adelaide River War Cemetery. It is a quiet and meaningful place to pay respects to those who lost their lives during this time.

  Following the Japanese air raid of 1942 huge oil storage tunnels were built beneath Darwin to protect supplies from potential future bombings. You can actually enter the tunnels for a small fee of $8 if you’re a history buff.

As you can see there are plenty of awesome things to do in Darwin for free, and this list is only the start!