9 of the best Darwin resorts for ultimate relaxation

A tropical stay up Darwin way deserves a stunning resort to match. Here are our top picks

Want to soak up the Northern Territory sunshine in a poolside deck chair while in Darwin? We’ve put together the best Darwin resorts to keep in mind when you’re looking for accommodation outside the city centre, from budget-friendly options to some of the best luxury stays the Top End has to offer.

Mindil Beach Casino Resort Darwin

A hop, skip, and jump away from Darwin, you will find the Mindil Beach Casino Resort . A sleek and luxurious offering just across from the famous Mindil Beach and markets, this Darwin resort has one of the largest lagoon pools in Australia, with a serene, family-friendly feel and a swim-up bar to boot.

Want to lounge the day away on a sunbed with a cocktail in hand? The resort’s Infinity club should be your destination, with a fabulous central pool that is perfect for the party set.

Mindil Beach Casino Resort offers a mix of luxury suites and lagoon rooms and the option of interconnecting rooms for families.

Address: Gilruth Ave, The Gardens, Mindil Beach

Rydges Palmerston

With 200 guest rooms, suites and apartments in the town of Palmerston – a 15-minute drive or a 30-minute bus ride to Darwin in the north – Rydges Palmerston is a good pick for both families and business travellers.

Fans of the buffet breakfast should make a beeline for the deluxe serving at weekends, while on-site restaurant Madame Za dishes up shared plates of sesame-seared Australian scallops, braised pork belly, local NT barramundi in ginger and coconut curry sauce.

Address: 15 Maluka Drive, Palmerston

Club Tropical Resort Darwin

Just five minutes from Darwin Airport, Club Tropical Resort Darwin is super convenient for travellers who have come to the Top End to flop and drop – as soon and as affordably as possible. Take the complimentary airport shuttle, drop your bags in one of the four-star resort’s serviced apartments (a good shout for families) or a room or villa, then enjoy the short walk to Lee Point Beach. It’s a prime sunset-watching spot and just 200 metres down the road.

While it’s a little further out of town (20 minutes to be precise), the resort has two pools and a restaurant/bar to entertain you if you don’t fancy making the trip in.

Address: 622 Lee Point Road, Darwin

Palms City Resort

You could easily forget that you are right in the centre of Darwin City at Palms City Resort . Positioned on the Esplanade across from Bicentennial Park, rooms and villas are surrounded by tropical gardens, creating a calm, relaxing oasis to retreat to after a day of sightseeing. Lounge by the pool or book the luxurious Palms villa and enjoy your own private outdoor spa.

Address: 64 Esplanade, Darwin

Cullen Bay Resorts

Cullen Bay Resorts has an enviable location—positioned on the edge of Cullen Bay, it’s within walking distance of most city attractions and the Mindil Beach Markets while still offering harbour views in a quiet setting. Choose between contemporary rooms or self-contained apartments, many with balconies where you can catch one of Darwin’s famous evening sunsets.

Address: 26-32 Marina Bay Blvd, Cullen Bay

Mercure Darwin Airport Resort

If you have a late-night flight booked and want to spend the hours prior relaxing, a booking at Mercure Darwin Airport Resort is worth considering. Rooms are set amid tropical palms and greenery, making you feel worlds away from the Darwin International Airport, which is just 300 metres up the road. The 24-hour shuttle service will ensure you don’t miss your flight, even if you spend the day lounging by the lagoon-style swimming pool or enjoying a few cocktails at the on-site bar and restaurant.

Address: 2 Henry Wrigley Drive, Eaton

Hudson Parap

Located in the eclectic Darwin neighbourhood of Parap, the Hudson Parap is ideal for families or travellers who want to make themselves at home during their stay in Darwin and explore one of its most unique suburbs. It has 84 serviced apartments: a mix of studios and one, two and three-bedrooms, with amenities like kitchenettes and laundry. Chill out in the alfresco BBQ area or by the pool, listen to live music, and peruse tropical fruits and vegetables at the Parap Village Markets, or take a 20-minute bus (or nine–minute drive) to the CBD.

Address: 49 Parap Rd, Parap

Hudson Berrimah

Alternatively, there is also a Hudson branch in the eastern suburb of Berrimah – home to the famous Crocodylus Park . This family-friendly attraction is home to thousands of crocs, exotic animals (including wild cats, baboons, tamarins, lions, Asian water buffalo and a Burmese python), as well as many native animals and birds. The Hudson Berrimah has 88 serviced apartments, a barbeque area, a swimming pool and a gym.

Berrimah is a 10-minute drive or 15-minute bus trip into the CBD. For more crocodile attractions, you can read up on our reviews of Crocosaurus Cove and the jumping crocodile cruise.

Address: 4 Berrimah Rd, Berrimah

Quest Palmerston

Another Palmerston option? The Quest Palmerston . Close to the Palmerston Markets (a cheap and cheerful option for a Friday night dinner), the Quest Palmerston offers serviced apartment accommodations with kitchenettes and laundry facilities. There is also an on-site gym and pool, plus pet-friendly options if you’re travelling with your furry companions. If you don’t fancy heading out for groceries, the Quest can organise deliveries to your apartment, or you can check out their on-site restaurant.

Address: 18 The Blvd, Palmerston City

Originally written by Kate Bettes with updates by Melissa Mason

The Northern Territory is made for road trips, and this one hits all the highlights.

Craggy mountain ranges, inviting waterholes, ochre soil: the landscape of the Northern Territory is asking to be explored by road and foot. There are many iconic road trips to choose from here, but none so all-encompassing than the roughly 3000 kilometres of sealed road that make up Explorer’s Way.

Spend 14 days (or more, to really make the most of it) driving this route from Adelaide, hitting the NT near the small settlement of Kulgera before later finishing in Darwin. Along the way, you’ll find nearly all the territory’s most iconic sights.

Discover some of the top highlights that make Explorer’s Way one of Australia’s most incredible road trips.

1. Alice Springs

echidna at Alice Springs Desert Park — See the locals at Alice Springs Desert Park. (Credit: Tourism & Events NT)

Recently hitting the big screen again with the story of The Kanagroo Sanctuary , there’s a lot to surprise you in Alice Springs.

Three distinct desert habitats – desert rivers, sand country and woodland – are recreated over 1300 hectares at Alice Springs Desert Park . Time your visit for a presentation or a free bird show.

Later, turn your attention to the skies above, taking a dive into local astronomy at Earth Sanctuary . You’ll find a range of experiences, from a 90-minute toe-dip into the stars through to an overnight adventure.

Alice Springs packs a surprising punch with its tasty dining options, including pub grub and unique brews at Alice Springs Brewing Co , tapas and pizza at Epilogue Lounge and tasty cafe fare at the quirky Page 27 .

2. Tjoritja/West MacDonnell National Park

woman standing at Ormiston Gorge — Dive into Ormiston Gorge. (Credit: Tourism & Events NT/ Dom and Jesso)

Beginning 15 minutes from Alice Springs and stretching across 161 kilometres, Tjoritja/West MacDonnell National Park is packed with striking ancient landscapes and inviting water holes.

Visit Standley Chasm – traditionally known as Angkerle Atwatye, meaning ‘Gap of Water’ – to take in its bold red and orange hues, and to observe the diverse bird species, lizards and wallabies that call it home.

Cool off in one of several picturesque natural swimming holes, like Ellery Creek Big Hole and Ormiston Gorge.

3. Uluru & Kata Tjuta

three women looking at Kata Tjuta at sunset — Explore Kata Tjuta. (Credit: Tourism & Events NT)

Visiting the Cultural Heart of Australia is something everybody should experience. There are so many side trips in the Red Centre you could easily spend a week here, but to get the most out of a short time, park the car then get out on foot.

Take the 10-kilometre Base Walk around the entirety of Uluru or join a free, ranger-guided Mala Walk along part of the base, learning about Tjukurpa (creation stories) and geology as you go.

For a change of pace, wait until nightfall and wander through the iconic Field of Light display by celebrated artist Bruce Munro, or see the Wintjiri Wiru lightshow that shares the ancient Mala story using drones, lasers and projections.

4. Tennant Creek

pson looking at Karlu Karlu (Devils Marbles) northern territory — See the ancient granite boulders of Karlu Karlu (Devils Marbles). (Credit: Tourism & Events NT/ Dom And Jesso)

Tennant Creek was Australia’s third-largest gold mining town in the 1930s, and visitors can discover that history at Battery Hill Mining Centre – and even try their own hand at gold fossicking.

For a completely different side of history, pop into Nyinkka Nyunyu Art & Culture Centre , which preserves and shares Warumungu culture through art, performance, a museum and more.

Just outside town, find the ancient granite boulders of Karlu Karlu (Devils Marbles). A site integral to important stories held by the Warumungu, Kaytetye, Warlpiri and Alyawarra peoples, the boulders appear to almost have dropped out of the sky and seemingly continue to defy gravity.

5. Mataranka

aerial of people swimming in bitter springs northern territory — Dive into Bitter Springs. (Credit: Tourism & Events NT/ Ben Savage)

A town made famous by the novel We of the Never Never by Jeannie Gunn (and a movie of the same name), Mataranka is also known for its sandy-bottomed thermal pool, Bitter Springs , within Elsey National Park. Follow a 500-metre loop track around these spring-fed pools that stay a toasty 34°C year-round, before choosing your favourite spot to dive into. Enjoy the local birdlife while you relax.

Elsewhere in the park, find historical sites, several scenic walks and Roper River, which is perfect for boating and fishing.

6. Nitmiluk National Park

Nabilil Dreaming Sunset Dinner Cruise — Join a sunset cruise with Nabilil Dreaming. (Credit: Tourism & Events NT/ Lachlan Gardiner)

Nitmiluk National Park is sandstone country, with 13 stunning gorges and plenty of waterfalls waiting to be explored.

One of the most beautiful spots can be found along the 62-kilometre Jatbula Trail, a five-to-six day bushwalk that follows an ancient Jawoyn songline from Nitmiluk Gorge to Leliyn (Edith Falls). Numbers are restricted and book out quickly, so be sure to plan well ahead. Not up for the hike? Drive right up to the falls and enjoy a dip without the challenge.

Elsewhere, explore Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge. Paddle a kayak through the river running through the canyon, or save your energy on a Nabilil Dreaming Sunset Dinner Cruise , discovering the stories and ways of the Jawoyn people while enjoying a candlelit dinner as the cliffs around you shift colour and glow with the changing daylight.

Continue your cultural journey at local art centres like Godinymayin Yijard Rivers Art & Culture Centre or Mimi Aboriginal Art & Craft .

7. Litchfield National Park

cathedral termite mounds in Litchfield national park — Be awed by giant cathedral termite mounds. (Credit: Tourism & Events NT/ As We Wander)

Just over an hour’s drive from Darwin lies the beautiful Litchfield National Park. It’s famous for stunning waterfalls and swimming holes, including Buley Rockhole, Wangi Falls, Florence Falls and Tjaynera Falls.

Here you’ll also find hundreds of giant – and magnetic – cathedral termite mounds that are truly a sight to see. Ageing up to 100 years old, you won’t find mounds like these outside the northern parts of Australia. Stroll along the accessible boardwalk to see them up close.

8. Darwin

darwin street art — Darwin art is streets ahead. (Credit: Tourism & Events NT/ Mark Fitzpatrick)

This list wouldn’t be complete without the territory’s capital city: Darwin. Situate yourself upon arrival with a stroll through the main streets, admiring the many art murals by local, interstate and international artists. They’re all remnants of the annual Darwin Street Art Festival , one of Australia’s longest running street art festivals.

Stop to recharge along Darwin’s Waterfront Precinct , an area of delectable restaurants, public swimming pools and free events. And, of course, it would be wrong to leave the city without enjoying a bowl of laksa at Mindil Beach Sunset Market as the sun goes down.

Learn more and start planning your Explorer’s Way road trip at northernterritory.com/drive.