DIY Travel in Darwin, Australia

First of all, these are the hotels that we would like to consider.


The following page contains some info about taking a bus tour in Darwin, Australia.
http://www.australiantravel.us/_mgxroot/page_10773.html

The following page is on a tourist forum for touring Darwin. http://forum.virtualtourist.com/forum-1877297-1-Travel-Darwin-1-forum.html

The following page is a listing of those attractions in and around Darwin.
http://en.travelnt.com/explore/darwin/darwin-city-guide.aspx

They also show this map on their website:


Among some of the recommendations that I found on the net. These are the places to visit:

Day 1
Spend the day visiting Darwin Wharf Precinct which incorporates the Australian Pearling Exhibition. It may also be nice to visit the WWII Oil Storage Tunnel. Also of interest is the Indo Pacific Marine which contains a living marine eco-tourism display, featuring the coral reefs of the Northern Territory. In Darwin city follow the Historical Walk to discover the city's history and see Parliament House and Survivors Lookout for a view across the Wharf precinct. End of the day at the Deckchair Cinema, an outdoor cinema where movies are watched in deckchairs under the stars. Dinner at one of the alfresco eateries and enjoy fresh seafood as the sun sets over the Timor Sea.

More information on the Wharf, Indo Pacific Marine, as well as the Tunnel is listed below.

Day 2
Either a tour to Litchfield Nature Park
Get a close up view of the saltwater crocodile at either crocodylus Park, Darwin Crocodile Farm or on a jumping crocodile cruise on the Adelaide River.

Day 3
Take a self-guided walk through the George Brown Darwin Botanic Garden. The garden contain many species of tropical plants, including orchids, bromelidad, cycads and palms.
Check out Cyclone Tracy display at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory amongst other diverse exhibits. Continue to visit the casino at Skycity. Can also consider taking a buffet dinner in Sunset Restaurant at Skycity.
As the tropical sun sets, join the throng at Mindil Beach sunset market.

Day 4
Spend the morning relaxing and enjoy brunch at one of the many cafes or restaurants along Mitchell Street. Visit Aquascene, in the heart of the city, where hundreds of fish can be hand-fed at high tide.
The following page shows the high tide for fish feeding at Aquascene:
http://www.aquascene.com.au/feeding/Jun2008.htm
Spend some time walking around Cullen Bay Marina and taking in the sights. Just out of town take a scenic walk along the coast of Darwin Harbour. While touring around Darwin Harbour, consider taking a romantic harbour cruise to enjoy the scenery along the northern coastline of Australia. It is especially enjoyable when it is sunset time.

Darwin Wharf Precinct
Address: Stokes Hill Wharf, Darwin


Darwin's Wharf has had a colourful, busy and sometimes tragic history. Its beginnings reflect the times and the uncertainty surrounding the future of the township in the late 1800's. However, in 1871 the advent of the overland telegraph and undersea cable ensured Darwin's future. The ethnic population also has its beginnings linked to the Wharf. From 1884 the pearling industry was based in Frances Bay and, like the gold rush 10 years before, encouraged more Asian immigration to Darwin.

The wharf area today still has many of its historical landmarks standing. The fascinating background of Darwin's Oil Fuel installations, Traveller’s Walk, The Steam Pump House, the little known Civil Aviation Terminal and Stokes Hill Power Station all have their own stories to tell. Then there is the tragedy that happened at 0958 on February 19, 1942 - the destruction of the area by Japanese bombing which claimed the lives of many service personnel and waterside workers.

Today, the Precinct has many historical and modern attractions to interest residents and visitors to Darwin, including a pearling exhibition and pearl shop, and an a la carte seafood restuarant. Or why not dine al fresco and take in the cooling sea breezes. You can drop a line from the fishing platforms - a popular fishing spot, or take a fishing tour. Choose from a wide selection of harbour cruises that leave from the wharf to explore the harbour, or just relax and enjoy the seasonal live entertainment. From Survivors Lookout, a network of walking trails lead down to the World War II oil tunnels.

There is a free shuttle bus service from Darwin city and return to the wharf precinct while the Convention Centre is under construction. Please visit the Darwin Waterfront and Convention Centre website for a timetable.

WWII Oil Storage Tunnels
Address
Kitchener Drive
Darwin Wharf Precinct
Darwin
Entry fees apply
May to September:
Monday - Sunday 9 am - 4 pm
Tickets are available at the tunnel entrance:
Adults - $5 Children - $3


One of the more interesting constructions in Darwin during World War II are the oil storage tunnels located near the Darwin Wharf Precinct. Originally eight oil tunnels were planned, but only five were actually constructed. Today, two of these oil storage tunnels are open for viewing. The tunnels feature a collection of photographs of Darwin during World War II and the men and women that served in the Northern Territory.

An experienced guide will take you through the tunnels with informative commentary,and books and souvenirs are available.

Indo Pacific Marine
Address: 29 Stokes Hill Road, oposite the Darwin Convention Centre, Darwin
Opening Hours
DRY SEASON (APR – OCT)
10am to 5pm Monday to Friday
and 10am to 5pm Weekends and Public Holidays
We are closed Christmas Day, New Years Day and Good Friday
ADMISSION (effective 4 April 2008)

ADULT $18.00

Indo Pacific Marine is a unique exhibition which promotes their man-made onshore marine ecosystems, highlighting the exclusive features of the coral reefs. Indo Pacific Marine is the longest established marine visitor education facility in the Northern Territory. This exhibition is distinctive because it is a land based living marine education centre where each system is totally self supporting. There is no feeding, filtration or water changing carried out and visitors, regardless of their age or health, are able to experience, learn and marvel, under expert guidance and in full safety with guided tours during the day or night time.

This is a showcase of the beauty of the Northern Territory marine environment, which is considered to be one of the most beautiful, fragile, yet potentially dangerous environment on earth. They have committed much energy to the systematic formation of education information and they cover subjects such as food webs, relationships, dangerous marine animals, biodiversity and mans impact on the marine environment – pollution, catching and releasing fish and more. All the eco-systems they have developed are from local waters to ensure a true representation of the valuable marine environment.

SKYCITY Darwin

SKYCITY Darwin is set in 18 acres of lush tropical gardens, only moments from Darwin's central business district and offer complementary transfers four times daily. SKYCITY Darwin is an entertainment complex with a casino adjacent to the hotel. If it's gaming you are looking for, all of the old favourites as well as exciting new table games and pokies are available. There is also a wide range of dining options where you can relax in the laid back Sunset Cafe, enjoy authentic Chinese cuisine in Dragon Court, or sit down to fine dining in EVOO. SKYCITY Darwin is a popular venue for concerts, with regular performances by talented musicians or jazz bands on the lawns. There is something for everyone.

Great value buffet breakfast, lunch or dinner is awaiting you at the Sunset Restaurant, one of Darwin’s favourite restaurants, at SKYCITY Darwin. Enjoy ocean and tropical garden views while dining, with the choice to dine al fresco on the balcony. The Sunset Restaurant has a fully licensed bar.

Darwin Harbour

Dotted with sunken ships from World War II, Cyclone Tracy and confiscated Indonesian fishing vessels, Darwin Harbour is surrounded by scenic mangroves and pristine tidal beaches, meeting at Darwin’s cosmopolitan foreshore. Take a voyage of discovery around the foreshore or spend a day out fishing for barramundi, jewfish, golden snapper and threadfin salmon or go for the adventure of scuba diving around the wrecks. There are a number of very popular options for discovering the true extent of the harbour. Enjoy a relaxing cruise on an old pearl lugger, a seafood dinner on an old sailing ketch, a thrilling ride in a jetboat or sail into the sunset on a relaxing ecotour.

Harbour Cruise
Adult $40.00 2 hours

Enjoy a harbour cruise or charter aboard the Spirit of Darwin!

Enjoy an early morning breakfast cruise aboard the air-conditioned vessel. See the famous Darwin sunrise from the open upper deck while enjoying an early morning cup of tea. Or enjoy the lunchtime cruise as our vessel tours the majestic Darwin coastline. The sunset cruise completes another wonderful day in paradise. Experience the photographers dream with the incredible Darwin Harbour sunset.

Afternoon Jumping Crocodile Cruise Tour
Adult $92
In the murky waters of the Adelaide River lives the most dangerous reptile in NT. The huge saltwater Jumping Crocodiles are the stars of the fascinating Adelaide River Queen Cruise, which excites, entertains and educates.

Adelaide River Queen Cruises operate high quality sightseeing vessels, with fully enclosed air-conditioned lower decks and open air canopied top decks.

Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory
Admission Free

Set in a tropical garden on Darwin Harbour at Bullocky Point is the Northern Territory's premier cultural institution. There are permanent galleries, which include Aboriginal art and culture, maritime archaeology, visual arts, craft, Southeast Asian art and material culture. There is Northern Territory history and information on natural sciences. All add to providing an entertaining, diverse and educational experience for the local community and visitors to Darwin.