Darwin Convention Centre

STAY & PLAY

in Australia's Northern Territory

In and Around Darwin City

Australia's Northern Territory is a treasure trove of adventures for every age, interest and fitness level.

Whether organising an official pre or post tours, or providing ideas and recommendations for delegates to tour independently, Darwin and the Northern Territory has something for everyone.

Many of the world-renown attractions are a day-long tour, such as the Tiwi Islands, Litchfield waterfalls, Katherine Gorge, or even a whistlestop trip to World-Heritage listed Kakadu National Park.

For those with a couple of days in hand, stunning tours can take in Arnhem Land, Kakadu, Katherine or a selection of highlights from various national parks, luxurious lodges, spa retreats or fishing expeditions.

Scenic trips to Alice Springs and Uluru typically comprise six or more days, including stops at the Northern Territory’s premier attractions.

For a list of sights, including images, details and tour operators, visit the NT Conventions website.

Tourism Top End
Tourism Top End is the Regional Tourist Association for the Top End Region of the Northern Territory of Australia which includes Darwin and Outer Darwin, The Mary River Region, Kakadu National Park, The Coomalie Region which includes Adelaide River, Batchelor and Litchfield National Park, the Tiwi Islands, the Daly River Region, and East and West Arnhem Land.

Aquascene
Hand feed hundreds of fish as they come in from the sea at high tide. A unique experience and one of Darwin’s most popular attractions.

Australian Aviation Heritage Centre
Among the impressive exhibits are a B52 bomber, Spitfire, Zero Fighter, Sabre Jet and Huey Cobra.

Crocosaurus Cove
Opening in May 2008. Set in the heart of Darwin, featuring the awesome Northern Territory Saltwater Crocodile. Swim with the crocs, or view over 50 exhibits.

Crocodylus Park
Home to more than a thousand crocodiles and other wildlife including big cats, primates, birds and hawksbill turtles. It is also a research centre for reptiles.

Cullen Bay
Delightful marina just a short trip from the city centre with restaurants, cafes and bars overlooking the harbour. Boarding point of popular sunset cruises.

Deckchair Cinema
Iconic Darwin experience. Pack a picnic and watch movies under the stars in a picturesque waterfront location.

di CROCO
With classic design and attention to detail, the di CROCO range not only includes handbags, work totes, wallets and purses but extends to matching belts, card holders, office accessories, key holders and even glasses cases for men and women.

East Point Reserve
A 200-hectare reserve with sweeping views across Fannie Bay and the harbour. Wallabies can be spotted feeding early morning and late afternoon.

George Brown Botanic Gardens
The tropical flora of northern Australia including 400 palm species is on show in this lovely 42-hectare parkland. Great night time setting for the annual festival shows.

Paspaley Pearls
Said to be the most beautiful in the world with unrivalled iridescence and lustre. Private presentations and viewing enjoyed can be arranged.

World War II Oil Storage Tunnels
Tunnel 5, one of five steel lined tunnels running from the wharf and under the city, is open for history buffs. There’s a photographic display of wartime in Darwin.

Art Galleries

Aboriginal Fine Arts
Traditional and contemporary Aboriginal art and craft including authentic works from Arnhem Land and Central Australia. View paintings, works on bark, hand-woven baskets, didjeridoos and carvings.

Framed
A large and diverse gallery with ten rooms of paintings, sculptures and other works by various artists. Aboriginal artists’ communities are strongly represented.

Maningrida Arts & Culture
Beautiful collection of bark paintings, sculptures, fibre art, books and limited edition prints presented by the community from the Maningrida region.

Mbantua Fine Art Gallery
Specialising in aboriginal art for over 20 years, Mbantua Gallery can provide an exciting venue for many events including dinners, cocktails. opening nights, meetings and art and culture educational programs.

Mason Gallery
Aboriginal artwork from the Arnhem Land and Western Desert regions including John Mawurndjul, Dorothy Napangardi and Ronny Tjampitjinpa.

Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory
There are permanent galleries displaying Aboriginal and Torres Strait arts supplemented by additional displays from time to time.

Nomad Art Productions
Working closely with local artists and Aboriginal Corporations, Nomad Art is dedicated to the production of limited editions and collections of fine art and craft.

Northern Editions
Situated amongst the tropical gardens of Charles Darwin University. Exhibits, promotes and sells limited edition etchings, screenprints, lithographs and linocuts.

Raft Artspace
Represents artists from Northern Australia and Southeast Asia. Presents solo exhibitions and curates group exhibitions.

The Didgeridoo Hut & Art Gallery
An aboriginal owned business selling genuine indigenous wares from many different areas of the Top End of Australia.

24HR Art
Contemporary art by emerging and established artists including multi-media projects.

Territory Colours
Paintings, jewellery, fine crafts and glass creations by Northern Territory Artists, including works by stained glass specialist Jon Firth.

Tiwi Art Network
Take a one-day tour of the three art centres in the Tiwi Islands. Each centre produces traditional and contemporary art with its own unique style.

Markets

Mindil Beach Sunset Markets
Darwin’s famous market and the largest in the Northern Territory, held every Thursday (5pm-10pm) and every Sunday (5pm – 10pm) from the last week in April until the end of October. Up to 60 food stalls and 200 stalls offering arts and craft. There’s also lively free entertainment.

Nightcliff Markets
Held every Sunday (8am – 2pm) at the Nightcliff Shopping Mall. Stalls sell a wide variety of goods. There’s also massage, reflexology, card reading and live entertainment.

Parap Markets
A visit to this Saturday morning market has become a weekly ritual among locals. Browse the markets for local produce, arts and crafts while enjoying light entertainment.

Rapid Creek Market
Darwin’s oldest market held every Friday 3pm to late and Sunday 6:30am to 1pm at the Rapid Creek Business Village. The usual routine is to start with a massage, followed with Sunday brunch, before browsing the stalls.

Harbour Cruises & Fishing

Arafura Bluewater Charters
A full day of bluewater reef and game fishing up to 30 nautical miles offshore. Departs Cullen Bay daily.

Cape Adieu Harbour Cruises
The sailing ketch can take up to 50 guests on a variety of cruises, from sunrise breakfast to lunch or the popular sunset dinner cruise. Departs Stokes Hill Wharf.

Darwin Harbour Cruises
Enjoy a range of cruises, from a barbeque lunch or gourmet dinner aboard two luxuriously restored schooners. Departs daily from Stokes Hill Wharf.

Darwin Reef ‘n’ Wrecks
This superb half-day fishing charter departs twice a day from the pristine Darwin Harbour, where you’ll fish around historical wrecks and tropical reefs.

Darwin Fishing Office
Explore the magical harbour and estuaries of Darwin with tours and cruises to suit all water and fishing enthusiasts.

Streeter Pearl Lugger Cruises
This traditional pearl lugger, a 65ft gaff-rigged ketch, has been beautifully restored to provide a unique and romantic cruise experience. Departs Stokes Hill Wharf daily.

Tour Experiences

AAT Kings
From the lush wildlife of Kakadu to the ancient rock formations of Uluru and Kata Tjuta, the splendour of Katherine Gorge to the majesty of Kings Canyon, AAT Kings provides memorable experiences through a wide range of tours.

APT Tours
Short breaks, independent packages and mini stays to Top End highlights including Kakadu, Katherine Gorge, Litchfield and Nitmilluk parks. Or venture farther out to spectacular central Australia and Alice Springs.

Arnhemland Barramundi Nature Lodge
Barramundi and sports fishing safaris with a remote but comfortably outfitted nature lodge for a base, set on a scenic escarpment. Exclusive access to pristine rivers, coastal creeks and inland lagoons attract keen fishermen.

Aussie Adventure Holidays
Ideal small group tours to the major attractions of the Northern Territory. Choose from accommodated or camping safari tours to Kakadu, Litchfield, Tiwi Islands, the Top End and Central Australia.

Bamurru Plains
Unique bush camp located just to the west of Kakaku on the Mary River floodplains. The wetlands and savannah woodlands harbour a diversity of flora and fauna. Enjoy airboat tours, bird watching, river cruises, fishing and 4WD safaris in ‘wild bush luxury’ style.

Dugong Beach Resort
Idyllic island paradise with a sports fishing lodge, varied recreational facilities and a golf club. The Amuwarngka Cultural Tours offer two-hour walkabouts to half-day tours visiting rock art sites, the Emerald River or experiencing traditional fishing.

Gagudju Dreaming
The ultimate outback experience, an off-the-beaten track opportunity to experience Kakadu. Journey through wetlands, barely touched by mankind. Not to be missed are the Yellow Water Cruises and a visit to the Warradjan Cultural Centre.

Goanna Eco Tours
Unforgettable one-day tour to the wetlands. See the awesome jumping crocodiles of Adelaide River, then on to Rum Jungle and Litchfield to swim at Florence Falls, take the Shady Creek Walk and check out the Meridian termite mounds.

Peppers Seven Spirit Bay
Situated in Garig Gunak Barlu National Park on the Cobourg Peninsula, Arnhem Land, this inspiring landscape is accessible by permit only. Visitors will come to understand why this area has been revered by the area’s indigenous Australians for millennia.

Territory Discoveries
Mix and match from a wealth of options from the local experts – the largest and most comprehensive range of tours, accommodation, car rental and holidays in the Top End and Central Australia.

All information provided was correct as at 1st October 2009.