Live the Darwin Lifestyle with Gecko Car Hire

If you find yourself in the Northern Territory but only have limited time to explore, there’s plenty to do in and around Darwin. While the city and surrounds can be easy enough to get around on public transport, organising car rentals in Darwin will allow you to see more in a shorter time period. With Gecko, you can take advantage of cheap car hire and ute hire in Darwin.

Crocosaurus Cove & Crocodylus Park

Always wanted to swim with a croc? Crocosaurus Cove is home to the only crocodile dive in the country, allowing you an up close and personal interaction with some pretty large saltwater crocodiles. Swimming not for you? Feed the juvenile salties, hold a baby croc and discover some of our Northern Territory reptiles in the reptile house.

Crocodylus Park is fantastic for the smaller people travelling with you. With saltwater crocs ranging from babies to 4.5m adults, big cats, primates, water buffalo, kangaroos, meerkats and a range of reptiles and birds, you certainly won’t be short on things to see. Make sure you jump on a crocodile feeding tour or a Croc Boat Cruise.

Image via http://www.crocosauruscove.com/cage-of-death/

City’s Military History

Darwin is absolutely teeming with military history, and the Bombing of Darwin is still the largest single attack on Australia by a foreign power, as the target of Japanese air raids in 1942. As a result, there are a number of fantastic heritage sites around the city including ammunition bunkers, airfields, oil storage tunnels, explosive stores and watch towers.

Jump on one of the guided tours from the city, or visit the Darwin Military Museum and Defence of Darwin Experience in East Point Reserve, Bombing of Darwin Harbour and Royal Flying Doctor Service Experience at Stokes Hill Wharf, the WWII Observation Post in Sandy Creek, WWII Strauss Airfield Precinct in Noonamah. ​

Sunset Markets at Mindil Beach

The Mindil Beach Sunset Markets are a must visit when in Darwin. With food stalls serving cuisine from over 30 different countries across five continents, there’s certainly plenty to choose from. Walk around the markets, purchase quality art and craftwork from local artists, watch buskers and performing artists before deciding on what to eat and heading down to the beach to watch the sunset.

The markets run on Thursdays and Sundays from April to October and are certainly worth the visit. ​

Image via https://www.fleamapket.com/listing/mindil-beach-sunset-market/

Taste the Local Food

With residents from so  many different countries and cultures living in and around Darwin, you could be forgiven for getting overwhelmed with where to eat! From local mackerel in a fish curry from Spice Garden Eating House and Wild Caught NT Saltwater Barramundi at Pee Wee’s at The Point to local Mud Crabs from the Darwin Fish Market and Crocodile Laska at Elijah’s Kitchen, there is plenty to try.

Consider a Day Trip to the Tiwi Islands

It comes as a surprise to many visitors to Darwin that the Tiwi Islands are only a 2.5 hour ferry ride away. SeaLink runs a ferry trip to Bathurst Island where participants meet their local Tiwi guide for a journey through the Wurrumiyanga community. Visit the Patakijiyali Culture Museum, as well as the Mission Precinct where you can view the unique Catholic Church. Have morning tea with the Tiwi women who will bless you with a smoking ceremony. View and purchase Tiwi arts and crafts from the various centres and learn some of the rituals associated with the Pukamani (burial ceremony). Permits are required to travel to the Tiwi Islands. ​

Tiwi Islands on Instagram via @powershala

​Darwin is full of amazing and wonderful places to discover. Grab yourself cheap car hire in Darwin and start exploring! ​