Top End

Travel Guide

I will never forget #FoggDam, just off the Arnhem Highway, near Darwin - Australia. The amazing thing was that one can drive across the dam wall, seeing beauty in all directions; however, one could only stop in a few designated areas because of the risk of saltwater crocodiles. Well stop we did! I saw an abundance of flora and fauna. The birdlife was amazing, forever impregnated in my vision and not on my little iPhone. Fogg Dam Conservation Reserve lies in the Adelaide and Mary River Floodplains with year round accessibility. There are also some adjacent, designated walking tracks if one has time! For me, I spent my time looking for lillys and bird watching! This photo was taken mid May during a #roadtrip around the Top End of the #NorthernTerritory. #iPhoneonly
I will never forget #FoggDam, just off the Arnhem Highway, near Darwin - Australia. The amazing thing was that one can drive across the dam wall, seeing beauty in all directions; however, one could only stop in a few designated areas because of the risk of saltwater crocodiles. Well stop we did! I saw an abundance of flora and fauna. The birdlife was amazing, forever impregnated in my vision and not on my little iPhone. Fogg Dam Conservation Reserve lies in the Adelaide and Mary River Floodplains with year round accessibility. There are also some adjacent, designated walking tracks if one has time! For me, I spent my time looking for lillys and bird watching! This photo was taken mid May during a #roadtrip around the Top End of the #NorthernTerritory. #iPhoneonly
Wangi Falls in Litchfield NP.
I went to Ubirr to watch the sunset! The first thing to amaze me were the 360degree views at the top of the rocky outcrop, different in each 90degree arc. This view looks west and I was totally blessed. There is some smoke haze on the horizon, from seasonal burning in preparation for the dry season in Kakadu #NationalPark. Ubirr is easily accessible from the nearby township of Jabiru by road, then a walk and easy clamber over rocks to get to the top. The twilight descent was easy with the park ranger nearby! Kakadu is a #UnescoWorldHeritageSite in the Northern Territory of #Australia. #ILoveaSunburntCountry #GoldenHour #RoadTrip #iPhoneonly #hiking Ubirr
Mataranka Thermal Pool is worth a visit. Such a lovely place.

Where to stay in Top End

Darwin showing street scenes

Darwin City Centre

4/5(73 area reviews)

Darwin City Centre is known for its abundant dining options, and you can plan a trip to Smith Street Mall and The Esplanade while you're in town.

Darwin City Centre
Darwin Australia - February 22, 2019: Town Hall Ruins downtown now set in green park under blue sky with white clouds. Couple of standing walls are left.

Palmerston

Noted for its restaurants and shopping, you might consider exploring all Palmerston has to offer. You won't have to venture far to check out nearby attractions like Howard Springs Nature Park.

Palmerston
Crocodylus Park showing dangerous animals, zoo animals and general coastal views

Knuckey Lagoon

Travelers like the zoo in Knuckey Lagoon, and Crocodylus Park is a top attraction you might want to visit.

Knuckey Lagoon
When in Darwin, Cullen Bay is a great place to stay. Nice village atmosphere and GREAT sunset views. Oh and the Boatshed cafe for coffee is the bomb!

Cullen Bay

While visiting Cullen Bay, you might make a stop by sights like Cullen Bay Marina and Mindil Beach.

Cullen Bay
Pier at Nightcliff! Spectacular sunsets!!!

Nightcliff

Nightcliff might not have many top sights, but Casuarina Beach and Marrara Sports Complex are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Nightcliff
Fried veg from Frying Nemo. Some great vegan food. #Trovember

Stuart Park

Though Stuart Park might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Mindil Beach Sunset Market and Darwin Entertainment Centre.

Stuart Park
See our Where To Stay guide
Palms City Resort

Palms City Resort

4 out of 5
64 Esplanade Darwin NT
$98 nightly
The price is $108 total per night from Feb 6 to Feb 7
$108 total
Feb 6 - Feb 7
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this family-friendly motel in Darwin. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,000 reviews)
Friendly staff and convenience

Reviewed on Jan 6, 2026

Palms City Resort
Darwin City Hotel

Darwin City Hotel

4 out of 5
59 Smith Street Darwin NT
$72 nightly
The price is $80 total per night from Feb 4 to Feb 5
$80 total
Feb 4 - Feb 5
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this spa hotel in Darwin. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (633 reviews)
The room was very clean and modern, as was the hotel.The staff was very friendly and helpful and the hotel was in an excellent central location.

Reviewed on Nov 15, 2025

Darwin City Hotel
Mindil Beach Casino Resort

Mindil Beach Casino Resort

4 out of 5
Gilruth Avenue The Gardens NT
$107 nightly
The price is $117 total per night from Jan 26 to Jan 27
$117 total
Jan 26 - Jan 27
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this beach hotel in Darwin. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,001 reviews)
Great staff especially at check in

Reviewed on Jan 14, 2026

Mindil Beach Casino Resort
See all 748 properties in Top End
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Ramada Suites by Wyndham Zen Quarter Darwin

Ramada Suites by Wyndham Zen Quarter Darwin

4 out of 5
6 Carey Street Darwin NT
Book a stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Darwin. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,719 reviews)
Great stay overall. The location is excellent, the rooms are a decent size and comfortable, and the rooftop bar is a real highlight with magnificent views.

Reviewed on Jan 5, 2026

Ramada Suites by Wyndham Zen Quarter Darwin
Adina Apartment Hotel Darwin Waterfront

Adina Apartment Hotel Darwin Waterfront

4.5 out of 5
7 Kitchener Drive Darwin NT
Book a stay at this luxury aparthotel in Darwin. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), 24-hour room service, and a fitness center. Popular attractions Darwin Waterfront ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,158 reviews)
Clean, spacious, just be incredibly careful when choosing your room to go by the text room description, not the images on the website

Reviewed on Jan 18, 2026

Adina Apartment Hotel Darwin Waterfront
Coconut Grove Holiday Apartments

Coconut Grove Holiday Apartments

3.5 out of 5
146 Dick Ward Drive Coconut Grove NT
Stay at this aparthotel in Darwin. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions Mindil ...
7.8/10 Good! (512 reviews)
Great location easy to access everything in the area.

Reviewed on Jan 10, 2026

Coconut Grove Holiday Apartments
See all properties in Top End
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Darwin Waterfront featuring swimming as well as a large group of people

Darwin Waterfront

Explore Darwin’s scenic waterfront, where you can swim in the wave pool, see turtles up close and dine in restaurants overlooking the sea.

Darwin Waterfront
Mindil Beach which includes street performance, nightlife and performance art

Mindil Beach

Explore one of Australia’s best beaches by day or visit by evening to enjoy Asian food, a massage, live music and indigenous crafts at Darwin’s sunset markets.

Mindil Beach
Kakadu National Park showing wetlands

Kakadu National Park

This protected expanse of grassy plains, maroon-coloured cliffs and monsoon rivers offers some of the best hiking, boating, and camping opportunities in Australia.

Kakadu National Park
Darwin showing food

The Esplanade

Just a couple blocks from Darwin City Centre, this long street and bordering park offer great opportunities to appreciate nature, recreation and history.

The Esplanade
Litchfield National Park featuring swimming, landscape views and a waterfall

Litchfield National Park

Bring a camera to capture the streaming waterfalls, unique rock formations and clear swimming holes of this dynamic landscape in Australia’s Top End.

Litchfield National Park
Cullen Bay Marina featuring a coastal town, a sunset and a bay or harbor

Cullen Bay Marina

From early morning fishing excursions to evening sunset viewing, this waterfront spot north of downtown Darwin is filled with activity.

Cullen Bay Marina