6 Best Darwin Hostels And Backpackers

Score a win for your wallet when you book in at one of Darwin’s top hostels and backpackers.

Hostels. You either love ’em or hate ‘em. But with a finely crafted mix of relaxed vibes, a sprinkling of group barbeques and free music, and a hearty splash of cheap accommodation, this award-winning recipe will always be a winner in our eyes. So, get ready (and get social). It’s time to check out the best backpacker hotels that Darwin has to offer.

(If your dorm days are done, we suggest you check out our favourite Darwin city hotels, caravan parks and resorts instead.)

1. The Cavenagh Hotel

The Cavenagh is the top hostel option for those who want to party in the Top End. Think cocktail happy hours, frozen mango daiquiris, dinner steak specials, taco Tuesdays and live music at an air-conditioned bar come Dry Season.

To our minds, it’s the perfect blend for meeting other like-minded travellers. Just don’t spend all your time here, instead of checking out the best things to do in Darwin.

The Cavenagh is a ten-minute walk from the Darwin Wave Pool at the Waterfront, or you can choose to flop and drop at the onsite pool.

Rooms with king, twin and dorm-style beds are available. We recommend popping in your suitcase the backpackers’ holy trinity: earplugs, a heavy-duty eye mask and a sarong (handy for a spot of privacy in a shared sleeping environment).

swimming pool, The Cavenagh Hotel, Darwin, NT — Lounge by the poolside. (Image: The Cavenagh Hotel)

2. Gecko Lodge

Gecko Lodge is a friendly little hostel about a 20-minutes walk from the CBD. While it might be on the smaller side (a description that includes the kitchen and pool size), travellers rate the Gecko for its warm atmosphere, quiet surroundings and some of the cheaper prices you will find in Darwin.

The family-run backpackers has dorms and private rooms. If you’d rather get something in town to eat than tackle the small kitchen, expect a 15-minute walk to the city centre.

family-friendly accommodation, Gecko Lodge, Darwin, NT — Gecko Lodge is a family-friendly accommodation in Darwin, NT.

3. MOM Darwin YHA

MOM Darwin YHA (AKA Melaleuca on Mitchell) is a cheap and cheerful hostel located in the city centre that opened in 2021.

With two pools and a deck bar, MOM has built-in space to have a relaxing day or a bit of a soirée come the famous Darwin sunset with your fellow backpackers.

It’s a sociable place to stay, with regular events in the dry season making for built-in entertainment. As always, have those earplugs handy!

Here for work, as well as play? There is also a co-working space with free wi-fi to boot. Twin, Queen, double and triple rooms are available, as well as mixed and female dorms. Parking can be booked from $5 a day.

poolside, MOM Darwin YHA, Darwin hostels, NT — A poolside crocodile statue matching the colourful exterior of MOM Darwin YHA.

4. Darwin Hostel

For good vibes and a party atmosphere, head to Darwin Hostel on Mitchell Street.

Darwin Hostel has shared female and mixed rooms (18 – 35’s only) and private rooms – all aimed at the young, international traveller who wants to socialise bang set in the centre of town.

Kitchens, bathrooms and barbeque facilities are shared, and there is a swimming pool to kick back and relax next to, with a BYO cold tinnie of beer, a plate from the group barbeque and your brand-new Brazilian best friend.

dorm-type room, Darwin Hostel, NT — Darwin Hostel’s dorm-type rooms are ideal for backpackers.

5. Youth Shack

Just five minutes from the Darwin Harbour is yet another hostel on the Darwin party circuit to check out.

The sociable Youth Shack’s bar has a terrace, pool and barbeque and drinks specials to boot. Expect music most nights, but the staff switches off the stereo around 10 pm.

Budget and regular twin and double rooms are available at Youth Shack. If you’re between 18 and 35 you can also book a spot in the mixed or female dorm room (repeat after me: ear plugs, eye mask, sarong).

There is a shared laundry, kitchen and dining space, while breakfast and some dinners come for free.

Youth Shack, Darwin hostel, NT — Stay in Youth Shack’s backpacker rooms.

6. Cozy Motel

An eclectic and quieter guesthouse in the centre of town, the Cozy Motel is aimed squarely at the under-35 set.

Drop off your backpack in one of its air-conditioned private rooms and dormitories, before mosey-ing on down to cook up a feast in its shared kitchen space or (if you time it right), to snag a sausage at one of the barbeque nights. And – in a win for your pocket – BYO alcohol is allowed at Cozy Motel.

You will find the hostel 10 minutes walk from Crocosaurus Cove and 20 minutes from the Mindil Beach Markets.

Cozy Motel, Darwin, NT — Simple yet chic Cozy Motel in Darwin, NT.

Heading to Darwin soon? Check out our ultimate guide for the best tours in and around Darwin.

Summer transforms the Northern Territory into a lush paradise of colour and life, as a visit during the ‘low-season’ reveals secrets the locals willingly share.

Waterlilies bloom, floodplains are alive with birdlife, waterfalls are gushing, and everywhere the green is dazzling. Summer in the Top End and the Red Centre is a kaleidoscope of unexpected wonders that delight and surprise visitors. Of course, the locals know only too well that the Northern Territory low season is often the best time to see and experience this amazing part of Australia.

Here are some of the reasons why savvy travellers – avoiding the crowds – are discovering a new dimension to the Territory. Remember that you’ll need a Parks Pass to visit national parks.

1. Take a dip in the Florence Falls waterhole

Wander through savanna woodland and monsoon forest to discover the perfect place to cool off – the waterhole at the base of spectacular Florence Falls in the magnificent Litchfield National Park , just 90 minutes’ drive from Darwin. The falls flow year-round but are most spectacular during the summer. Camping is available nearby but bookings are essential and must be made online before you visit.

Surrounded by lush forest, a woman cools off in Florence Falls, just one of many incredible things to do in the Northern Territory. — Cool off beneath the cascading waters of Florence Falls. (Image: Joshua Griffin)

2. Wind down at Buley Rock Hole

Another popular local swimming spot in Litchfield National Park is Buley Rock Hole , open year-round. This is a great place to wind down after exploring everything the park has to offer, including towering termite mounds. Wade through the rock pools, soak up the scenic bush or just lie back and relax as the cool water rolls over you.

Buley Rockhole, Litchfield National Park — Let the cool water wash over you. (Image: Tourism Australia)

3. Tour the Tiwi Islands

The Tiwi Islands , a scenic 80km flight from Darwin across the narrow Clarence and Dundas Straits, reveal a different side to the Territory, with their own distinctive culture. Take a day tour with Tiwi by Design to visit Bathurst Island and learn about creation stories, the Mission days, World War II history and the islanders’ obsession with AFL!

Take a ‘behind-the-scenes’ tour of Tiwi Design’s screen-printing workshop and pick up a great souvenir in the form of art. Choose from contemporary or traditional Tiwi designs and a wide range of work including carvings, paintings, pottery, printmaking, bark paintings and tunga (bark baskets).

A creative moment shared inside Tiwi Design’s screen-printing space. — Take a peek inside Tiwi Design’s screen-printing studio. (Image: Tourism NT)

4. Dine in Darwin

Foodies are spoilt for choice in multi-cultural Darwin. Try Sri Lankan flavours at Ella by Minoli, where Masterchef contestant Minoli De Silva creates delectable dishes, or head to Charlie’s of Darwin for gin-tasting, cocktails and more. Bowls of fragrant laksa, excellent coffee, fresh vegetables and authentic crafts are all part of a weekend visit to Darwin’s Parap Markets , Rapid Creek Markets and the Nightcliff Markets .

Prefer to catch your own dinner? Book a Top End fishing charter to bag a barramundi – and from October register for the annual Million Dollar Fish competition. Hooking one of the tagged barra released each year in waterways across the Territory could win you up to $1 million.

A bowl of Laksa. — Eat your way through multicultural Darwin. (Image: Tourism NT)

5. Up close with Uluṟu

The magnificent monolith Uluṟu is even more magical when the summer rains fall. When it rains on The Rock, the locals come out to watch – consider yourself lucky if that happens when you visit. Waterfalls cascading off the sides of Uluṟu is a sight that relatively few tourists see.

There’s so much to do at Uluṟu, from guided walks to learn the stories of the Aṉangu people and the ancient landscape they live in to scenic flights for a bird’s-eye view or a leisurely walk around the base of Uluṟu. Book ahead to spend the evening wandering through the Field of Light installation by Bruce Munro.

A closer look at Uluru and uncover its ancient stories, sacred sites, and striking natural beauty – one of the most iconic things to do in the Northern Territory. — Discover the details that make Uluṟu truly sacred. (Image: Tourism NT)

6. Drive the Red Centre Way

From Alice Springs, take an epic road trip along the Red Centre Way, taking in Uluru and Watarrka National Park, home to the magnificent Kings Canyon. Allow at least a week to drive through the red heart of Australia by 4WD, a little longer on the sealed road by 2WD vehicle, travelling through ochre deserts, palm-lined valleys and dramatic gorges. Stop off at waterholes for a refreshing dip along the way.

Kings Canyon offers hiking options for all levels of fitness, from the three-hour Rim Walk atop soaring sandstone walls to the gentler Kings Creek Walk. Either way, you’ll have breathtaking views.

SEIT Outback Australia is a small group touring specialist offering exciting, adventurous, exclusive and specialised iconic, pioneering and cultural touring in the Red Centre of Australia, giving you the time to learn, absorb and relax in the heart of Australia.<br /><br />This innovative tour company focuses on providing clients with the ultimate interpretive touring experiences with a range of products and customised touring itineraries for small groups and bespoke private charters.<br /><br />The company bases its philosophies from the key words of Spirit, Emotion, Intellect and Task (SEIT). — Drive through Australia’s heart. (Image: Outback Australia Tours)

7. Take a walk at Kata Tjuṯa

Head out early to tackle the Valley of the Winds Walk at Kata Tjuṯa . This natural wonder, also known as The Olgas, is a labyrinth of soaring ochre domes that glow golden at sunrise and sunset (the walk may be closed during the middle of the day as temperatures rise).

Walking trails range from easy to longer, more difficult tracks. At the Kata Tjuṯa dune viewing area, take in the panoramic view of the domes. The longest of the trails is the Valley of the Winds Walk, a 7.4km circuit that winds between the domes and through creek beds. It’s moderately difficult and steep in places, but offers stunning views – and occasional encounters with kangaroos.

The Valley of the Winds Walk at Kata Tjuta is one of the most awe-inspiring things to do in the Northern Territory, especially at sunrise when the domes glow golden. — Step into the golden light of Kata Tjuṯa. (Image: Tourism NT)

8. Explore Tjoritja/West MacDonnell Ranges

Tjoritja/West MacDonnell National Park lies 135km west of Alice Springs, with many fascinating natural features to beguile visitors. The ‘West Macs’ formations include chasms, gorges and waterholes – take your swimsuit for a dip at Ormiston Gorge waterhole, open year-round. The Ormiston Pound Walk is a three to four-hour circuit that leaves from the visitor centre and loops back along the gorge via the main waterhole. Other places of interest in the park include Simpsons Gap , Standley Chasm , Ellery Creek Big Hole and Glen Helen .

Soaking in the serenity of Ormiston Gorge, these two travellers enjoy one of the most scenic things to do in the Northern Territory. — Take the plunge at Ormiston Gorge waterhole. (Image: Joshua Griffin Litchfield)

Start planning the NT road trip of a lifetime at northernterritory.com

6 best Darwin hostels and backpackers