Attractions
Botanical Gardens: Located in Gardens Road about 5 minutes
drive from the centre of Darwin. These gardens feature superb orchids,
ferns, figs and a wide variety of palms, which have been added since
Cyclone Tracy damaged the gardens in 1974. Aboriginal garden walks are
also available to offer an entirely different perspective to Top End
plant communities. The gardens make a relaxing day out for the whole
family or for the individual who appreciates the delicate features of
these gardens.
Territory Wildlife park: Only an hours drive south of Darwin,
set amongst 400 hectares of bushland. Here you'll find Kangaroos, Wallabies
and nimble Wallaroos in the company of endangered species such as the
Bilby and Ghost Bat. Birds of prey, reptiles, an extraordinary aquarium,
and a walk through the aviary are also major attractions within the
park.
Northern Territory Museum of Arts and Sciences: Situated at
Fannie Bay. The museum's features include a large collection of Aboriginal
Artifacts and Art. There are also objects from South East Asia and the
Southwest Pacific.
AQUASCENE: Situated at Doctors Gully near the corner of Daly
St. and the esplanade. A great place for families where you can see
many varieties of fish and hand feed the mullet. Feeding times change
daily with the tide, so check with your hotel reception, local publication
or telephone (08) 8981 7837.
Fish Feeding
- At Doctors Gully, right in the heart of Darwin and within walking
distance of most city hotels is AQUASCENE, where hundreds of fish
come to shore at high tide to be fed by hand.
- Milkfish, mullet, catfish, bream and batfish can be seen close to
enough to touch as they compete with each other for food. Many other
species including rays, cod, diamond fish and parrot fish may also
be seen in the shallows if you watch carefully.
- This daily fish feeding ritual began over 30 years ago when a nearby
resident started throwing bread scraps to a few small mullet at high
tide. Since then it has grown to the unique spectacle it is today,
attracting thousands of visitors each year.
- Trays of bread are provided at regular intervals during the feeding
period for hand feeding the mullet, milkfish and batfish. If you are
very gentle, you can even stroke the fish as you feed them however,
please be very careful not to frighten them and do not pick them up.
- Darwin harbour is subject to tide movements of up to 8 metres and
the fish that visit Aquascene can only come to the shore for a few
hours each day, then must return to sea with the tide. The numbers
of fish which arrive and opportunities to hand feed them will vary
each day that feeding occurs, and general seasonal and weather conditions.
The most favourable conditions are generally found when feeding occurs
in the mornings and fish numbers are highest from December to August.
Souvenirs and Refreshments
- There is an exclusive range of colourful T-shirts, postcards, spoons
etc. and when you are feeding the need for some light refreshment,
cold drinks and ice creams are also available from the kiosk.
Australian Pearling Exhibition: Located in the Darwin Wharf
Precinct, this exhibition reveals the history of pearling in northern
waters. Open daily 1000 - 1700 and an entry fee does apply.
Indo-Pacifc Marine: Located in the Darwin Wharf Precinct this
is a unique facility which has managed to faithfully recreate, underwater
life and coral, and has won well deserved plaudits from international
experts and thousands of visitors. Featuring an array of live aquariums,
each tank has its own ecosystem and features box jellyfish, stonefish
and sea horses. Situated only one minute's drive from the Darwin city,
an entry fee does apply.
Darwin Military Museum: A specialist World War II museum featuring
Darwin's war activities, World War ll Storage tunnels are also featured
here, they were considered as nuclear shelters during the cold war years.
Relics from the invasion of the Japanese have also been preserved as
a grim reminder of our countries heroes. Located at East Point, just
north of Fannie Bay.
Darwin Aviation Museum: Located 5 kilometres out of Darwin
at Winnellie on the Sturt Highway. The museum's main feature is an American
B52 Bomber.
Fannie Bay Gaol Museum: This was Darwin's main gaol from 1883
to 1979. Visitors can see the cells and the gallows which haven 't been
used since the last hangings in 1952 and there are also displays on
Cyclone Tracy. The gaol has recently been restored and the opening are
1000 - 1700 everyday.
Things To Do Outside Of Darwin:
Darwin Crocodile Farm: Darwin Crocodile Farm is home to over
7000 salt and freshwater crocodiles. The farm is open daily and the
feeding times which are very popular are at 1400 daily. You can enjoy
in airconditioned comfort a tasty crocodile burger, snap up a photo
with a juvenile crocodile or view the extensive range of Crocodile leather
products.
Litchfield National Park: Litchfield National Park is situated
140 kilometres south of Darwin. Its main attractions are the four waterfalls
which run along the edge of the Tabletop Range and its surrounding rainforests.
The four falls are Florence Falls, Tolmer Falls, Wangi Falls and Tjaynera
Falls. Wangi Falls are the most popular as there is a constant water
flow all year round. Tjaynera Falls has four wheel drive access only.
At all falls except for Tolmer Falls camping is permitted as well as
picnics. The best time to see the falls and get around the park easily
is from May to October.
The Deckchair Cinema: This cinema is run by the Darwin Film
Society and offers an alternative cinema under the stars Wednesday to
Sunday nights between April and mid November. Programs can be obtained
at any information or tourist outlet, at the ABC Shop, Northern Territory
News and the Darwin Region Tourism Association.
Katherine Gorge: Katherine Gorge has 13 gorges and during the
wet season the huge amount of water causes waterfalls, whirlpools and
rapids. The continuous rains can sometimes cause roads to be cut off
and the weather is very hot and humid. Katherine Gorge is best visited
from April to October. Flat bottom boats cruise the river. Sights include
sheer cliff sides, Aboriginal wall paintings, kangaroos, dingoes and
echidnas, many colourful birds and freshwater crocodiles.
Cutta Cutta Caves Nature Park: Situated 29 km south of Katherine
via the Stuart Highway, these caves were formed millions of years ago
and are still growing today. These fascinating limestone rock formations
are about 15 metres below the earth's surface. The landscape surrounding
the caves is unique and there are two interesting short walks marked
in the area. Cutta Cutta and Tindal caves are open to the public, both
are home to a variety of wildlife including the Brown Tree Snake and
the rare Orange Horseshoe Bat. The recently opened Tindal Caves feature
different sights, including sponge formations, false floors and a daylight
hole.
Mataranka Thermal Pool: The pool is part of the Elsey National
Park, managed by the Territory's Park and Wildlife Division and was
dedicated as a reserve in 1967, to ensure the preservation of the thermal
spring and its environs. The pool is a constant 34 degrees Celsius and
flows from Rainbow Springs at an amazing 30.5 million litres each day.
A swim here is an invigorating experience and not to be missed. The
surrounding rainforest survives from an earlier age and feeds from the
thermal spring's deep source. Leisurely walks through the lush, cool
rainforest are well marked and not too strenuous. Picnic facilities
are also available.
Bathurst and Melville Islands: Bathurst and Melville Islands
are located off the north coast of Darwin and are separated by the Apsley
Strait. These islands are the home of the Tiwi people who have a culture
very similar to the Aborigines. The Tiwi people are famous for their
pukumani burial poles which are carved and painted with symbolic and
mythological figures which are erected around their dead. A permit is
required to visit Bathurst and Melville Islands so the best solution
is to take a day tour.
Pine Creek: Pine Creek was once a small mining town in the
gold rush of the 1870's and today has a museum and railway station which
have been restored and display the history of the area. Nearby is Edith
Falls. There is a swimming hole at the bottom of the falls which is
surrounded by forest. Above the falls are more rapids and pools, however
be aware of freshwater crocodiles. At the falls there is a free camp
site with showers and toilets and barbecues.
Kakadu National Park: Kakadu National Park is situated 220
kilometres east of Darwin, covering almost 20,000 square kilometres
and is a world heritage listing. It is one of the most diverse parks
in the world, containing around 280 species of birds, 115 species of
reptiles, 25 species of frogs and more than a third of the Top End's
plant life. Features also include ancient Aboriginal rock art, spectacular
mangroves and gorgeous lagoons. Waterfalls fall to lowlands where in
the dry season are the home to thousands of birds such as the famous
jabiru (a type of stork), whilst in the mangroves is a totally different
type of birdlife such as the famous kingfisher. The estuaries are home
to the world famous and delicious barramundi fish as well as the deadly
saltwater crocodile. Kangaroos and bats can be found in the wooded areas.
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