The 15 Tours in Darwin That Earn Their Price

1.Litchfield National Park and Jumping Crocodile Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,119 reviews · from $172Our pick

Leave Darwin early for a private Adelaide River crocodile cruise, then spend the day at Litchfield National Park. Swim at Wangi Falls and Buley Rockhole, visit Florence Falls and termite mounds, and enjoy lunch, snacks, water, and local stories from guides such as Dylan, Daz, Will, and Damo. Groups are capped at 24.

“Full day adventure, hotel pick up, swimming in some beautiful waterfalls, make sure to pack swimmers and comfy shoes, lunch provided which was delicious, really informative tour guide! Great day, really worth the money.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Adelaide River Cruises – Jumping Crocodile Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 997 reviews · from $43

Cruise the Adelaide River for about an hour while trained captains entice saltwater crocodiles to leap for food. You may see famous river residents such as Brutus and Dominator, along with smaller crocodiles and other wildlife. Guides including Jack, Jake, John, Dillon, and Sean are praised for their humor and local knowledge. The boat is shaded, stroller accessible, and limited to 28 people.

“Very close up experience with the cross. Guide was great bundle of knowledge. Purpose built boat feels safe.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Sunset 3-Hour Cruise from Darwin with Dinner and Sparkling Wine

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 980 reviews · from $132

Meet at Dock 1, Stokes Hill Wharf at 4:45 pm for a 5 pm departure aboard Sail Darwin’s spacious catamaran. You’ll receive sparkling wine soon after boarding, enjoy continuously served tapas and barbecue-style dishes, and watch the sun set over Darwin Harbour. The boat carries up to 36 people, with air-conditioned seating, open decks, and BYO drink storage.

“Loved the tapas/( more food than I could eat) the sunset/ all that bubbly! The staff was so friendly. Loved talking to people from all over which I was one of.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Litchfield Park Tour & Jumping Crocodile Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 829 reviews · 11 hours · from $162

Travel from Darwin in a small group for an 11-hour day of jumping crocodiles, waterfalls, swimming holes, termite mounds, and a bush picnic. Guides such as Dylan, Will, Daz, and Damo add local stories, humor, and practical help. The tour includes hotel pickup, air-conditioned transport, lunch, snacks, water, and return drop-off.

“Great day out in Litchfield National Park and jumping Croc cruise. Well organised, the guide is knowledgeable and available for questions. There is a lot of things in this one day tour to see and experience and the rythm is intense. Would work for me with one less waterfall and more time to enjoy the other two and lunch which was great and yummy. Would recommend this tour.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Charles Darwin Dinner Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 820 reviews · from $111

Sail Darwin Harbour aboard the three-level Charles Darwin catamaran for about two hours. Expect a Territory-style buffet, sunset views, air-conditioned seating, an outdoor sundeck, and commentary on Darwin’s history and cyclones. The cruise leaves from Dock 3 at Stokes Hill Wharf at 6 pm and returns there.

“Great service, great food, great views. When booking, it would be good to have the option of sitting inside or outside. We were allocated an inside table but were relieved that an outside table was available.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Kakadu Day Tour from Darwin with Offroad Dreaming

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 776 reviews · from $243

Set out from Darwin at 6:00 am for a long, rewarding day in Kakadu. Depending on the season, visit Ubirr or Nourlangie, then join an Indigenous guide on the Guluyambi or Yellow Water cruise. Guides such as Neville, Mike, Dan, and Chrissy bring the rock art, wildlife, culture, and scenery to life.

“The whole day was fantastic from start to finish, all stops great, bus driver Mike very informative and knowledge amazing also new when was time for us to have a sleep.”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Cape Adieu Darwin Sunset Dinner Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 750 reviews · from $121

Board the two-masted Cape Adieu at Stokes Hill Wharf for a 2.5-hour Darwin Harbour cruise. An onboard chef prepares a four-course Taste of the Top End dinner while Munro, Grace, and the crew guide you along the shoreline toward sunset. Drinks cost extra, and the cruise returns to the wharf.

“It was amazing , stunning, the staff were very friendly , and the food was out of this world , we are travelling from Adelaide , so was on our bucket list , met the captain , just amazing”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Yellow Water Cruise – Kakadu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 573 reviews · from $75

Join an Indigenous-owned cruise on Yellow Water Billabong from Cooinda Lodge. A local guide such as Dennis, Jess, Sarah, or Gecko leads the 1.5 to 2-hour trip, pointing out crocodiles, jabirus, eagles, ducks, lilies, buffalo, and Kakadu stories. Choose sunrise for cooler air or sunset for glowing water and skies.

“If you only do one think in Kakadu, do this sunset tour. $105 for 2 hours, great value. We saw so many birds, crocodiles and sea buffaloes. Sarah, our guide was very knowledgeable without being boring. The sunset on the water was amazing!!”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.1 Day Corroboree Billabong Wetland Experience including 2.5 hour cruise + lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 501 reviews · from $168

Travel from Darwin with a local guide such as Evan, Cam, Connie, or Paul to Fogg Dam, Window on the Wetlands, and Corroboree Billabong. A shaded 2.5-hour cruise brings you close to wild crocodiles and more than 30 bird species, with lunch served on board.

“Adam our driver/host was an excellent choice to take us on the tour very knowledgeable with a touch aussie humour well done and thank you. The very best for the week I’ve travelled in Australia. Cheers Christopher”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.The Croc Bus to the Famous Jumping Crocodile Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 481 reviews · from $93

From Darwin, Lloyd, Jake, or Daz drive you by air-conditioned Croc Bus to the Humpty Doo Hotel, Adelaide River, and Fogg Dam. The one-hour cruise brings huge saltwater crocodiles close to the boat as they leap for food. Hotel pickup and drop-off, flexible departures, and a half-day schedule make this an easy family outing.

“The boat ride was awesome. It was great watching the crocodiles jump out of the water. We actually got a large one which was great photo opportunity.”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Darwin Sunset Cruise Including Fish ‘n’ Chips

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 441 reviews · from $78

Board Sea Darwin Sea Tiwi at 5:30pm for a 1-hour-45-minute cruise across Darwin Harbour. Enjoy wild-caught Northern Territory fish and chips, one beer, sparkling wine, or soft drink, and live commentary as the boat heads toward Fannie Bay. Crew members may include Kerry, Penny, Eddie, Gavin, or Laura.

“It's so fun! Our captain today was Penny and assisted by Eddie. Super friendly. A glass of bubbles, beer or soft drink (complimentary) on arrival and our fish'n'chips arrived soon after and were delicious! We had a lovely quiet cruise around Darwin Harbour out to East Pt and back, with a bit of speedy boating on the way back, a spot of fish spotting around the pier before returning. Watching the sunset is so lovely.”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Litchfield and Jumping Crocodiles Full Day Trip from Darwin

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 433 reviews · from $190

Travel from Darwin to the Adelaide River and Litchfield National Park with a local driver-guide. See crocodiles leap from the water, visit Wangi and Florence Falls, view giant termite mounds, swim in dry-season waterholes, and finish with champagne, prawns, and sunset views. Guides may include Ian, Ash, Amy, or Steve.

“Five star tour… jumping crocodiles cruise and swimming… an Aussie day out! Everyone kept all their limbs and had a fun time. Probably not for non swimmers or people who struggle with mobility. No matter what if in the NT don’t miss the jumping crocs!”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Darwin Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 428 reviews · from $35Best value

See Darwin from an open-top double-decker bus with a 24 or 48-hour pass. The circuit links Crocosaurus Cove, Cullen Bay, Mindil Beach, museums, the Military Museum, Stokes Hill Wharf, and the Waterfront. Pre-recorded commentary adds useful local history, while hop-on access lets you set your own pace.

“Plan your time because some of the attractions need a bit of time. The service from the staff was amazing and everywhere we visited was worth seeing. Loved it.”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.Katherine Day Tour from Darwin including Katherine Gorge Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 428 reviews · from $235

Travel from Darwin to Nitmiluk National Park by air-conditioned coach with an AAT Kings guide such as Mel, Kunch or Mark. Visit Adelaide River War Cemetery, swim at Edith Falls when conditions allow, enjoy a buffet lunch, then cruise between Katherine Gorge’s sandstone walls. Expect an early start, a late return and a long but rewarding day.

“The whole trip was amazing and well worth the long drive. The staff and guides during the experience were top notch.”

Check availability →Read our full review

15.Kakadu Wilderness Escape & Rock Art Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 403 reviews · 12 hours · from $180

Travel 620 kilometres from Darwin into Kakadu with an experienced English-speaking guide such as Becs, Dani, Leigh, or Tim. Choose a jumping crocodile cruise or Fogg Dam, then visit Bowali, Cahills Crossing, and Ubirr or Nourlangie. Expect a hot, packed day with about 2 kilometres of walking.

“Boggie was an excellent guide who was informative and funny and really took very good care of us on a very hot, long day. The culturally special sites and absolutely incredible scenery made this day a highlight for us. A big thank you to the traditional custodians of this area for their generosity of spirit in sharing their stories with us.”

Check availability →Read our full review