Darwin beaches

An insider's guide to the best beaches in Darwin and the Northern Territory, including Mindil Beach with the iconic Sunset Markets, the top spots for coastal walks, as well as Galaru for a Territory beach adventure. By Jennifer Pinkerton, Telegraph Travel's Darwin expert.

Beaches in Darwin

Mindil Beach 

With its superb sunsets and lolling palm trees, Darwin’s Mindil Beach is the quintessential piece of tropical coastline. But it’s not about swimming or sunbathing at this Darwin hotspot (box jelly fish and crocs rule this out). Instead, you come here for the iconic Sunset Markets. Held twice a week during the April to October dry season, you can expect an overindulgence of smells, tastes and colours that can take you anywhere from northern Australia to far-east Asia, the Mediterranean and beyond. Selling everything from didgeridoos to doughnuts, the atmosphere is carnival-esque, with live music and roving entertainers. There's a veritable stampede to the beach just before sunset every Thursday as visitors scramble to photograph the setting sun. Sunday is my pick for a quieter night, to enjoy oysters on the sand. No alcohol is served, but you can bring your own.

Address: Gilruth Avenue, Darwin, 0800
Contact: 00 61 8 8981 3454; mindil.com.au
Getting there: bus to Gilruth Avenue / Casino (4, 6, 15, 16, 17, 19)
Opening times: markets: Apr-Oct, Thu 5pm-10pm, Sun 4pm-9pm

Nightcliff Foreshore 

One of my favourite things to do in Darwin is to head down to the Nightcliff Foreshore which runs along an expanse of milky blue ocean and ocher cliffs. A path winds around the beach’s edge, which, at sunset, fills with walkers, runners, bikers, and roller skaters. Bring a picnic blanket and park at the jetty, perched on the foreshore’s northern end. Here, you can feast on burgers and fries from Harry’s Yurios Van or try Jay’s Coffee Bar food truck, which serves up ice cream and coffee on weekends. Alternately, take a stroll north to discover a yet more food vans on the Rapid Creek-end of the Foreshore. At sunset, Cucina Sotto le Stelle serves wood-fired pizzas on Wednesday and Fridays, and on weekend nights, you'll find tiny red van Jetty and the Fish selling hot bundles of fish and chips, too. Time a visit for after 5pm when things start to cool down in this part of town

Address: Casuarina Drive, Nightcliff, 0810
Getting there: bus to Aralia Street, Nightcliff (4)

Beaches in the Northern territory 

Tiwi Islands

Where the Arafura Sea joins the Timor Sea, you’ll find the beautiful Tiwi Islands. The islands are covered in dense rainforest, have secluded waterfalls and are fringed with sandy beaches, and are well known for their vibrant indigenous art market. As tourism is restricted on the islands (and there’s no public transport), the only realistic way to visit is on an organised tour from Darwin or on the day of the annual football grand final, held in late March. A day trip offers visitors a glimpse into the life of a modern Aboriginal community. The tour run by Aussie Adventures/AAT Kings includes the two-hour ferry ride from Cullen Bay to Nguiu on Bathurst Island. Alternatively you can take a 20-minute flight from Darwin Airport or the ferry, which takes around 2.5 hours each way. A local guide will drive you into town to see the early Catholic mission buildings, a handful of art workshops and the Patakijiyali museum, where the early black-and-white photographs are worth the trip alone. There is also the opportunity to see the carved and painted pukumani burial poles, which are erected around Tiwi graves. Unfortunately, the tours do not take you to the beaches and you can't go off on your own and explore them.

Address: Tiwi Islands
Contact: 00 61 1300 721 365; aussieadventure.com.au 
Getting there: for ferry, Bus to Cullen Bay (14); then Sealink Ferry ($60 one way; 2.5-hour trip) which runs on Thursday, Friday and Sunday
Opening times: flight: Mon-Wed, 7am-5:30pm. Ferry: Mon, Thurs & Fri, 7.30am-5pm
Price: day trip with Aussie Adventures/AAT Kings: ferry A$295, children A$148; flight A$309, children A$155
Payment type: credit cards accepted
Reservations: essential

Galaru 

For a true Territory beach adventure, head to Galaru (East Woody Beach), a spectacular and isolated piece of coastline in north-east Arnhem Land. Imagine pristine white sands and azure waters as far as the eye can see – and the sunset is pretty unbeatable too. Beyond the beach are expanses of open forests and shaded inland waterways. Swimming, however tempting, is a no go because of crocodiles and box jelly fish, but there are a myriad of opportunities for fishing, boating and walking in the area. Wander down the western end of the beach to East Woody Island (Dhamitjinya), a conical 25-metre high granite peak that is permanently connected to the beach via sand banks. It is a renowned birdwatching area, so don’t forget your binoculars. As access can be affected due to high tides, check with Dhimurru Aboriginal Corporation for details. Travellers must also obtain a recreation permit from Dhimurru prior to visiting the area.

Address: East Woody Point, Nhulunbuy, 0880
Contact: 00 61 8  8939 2700; dhimurru.com.au 
Getting there: no public transport: drive or take a taxi from Nhulunbuy
Price: 7 day visitor permit: A$35; 17 and under, free

Garig Gunak Barlu National Park

Up there on the bucket list of remote Australian journeys is a trip to Garig Gunak Barlu National Park (pronounced Gah-rig Goon-uk Bar-loo) on the Cobourg Peninsula, 570km northeast of Darwin. It is an area of forests, stark cliffs, white sandy beaches and abundant wetlands. There are buffalo and their calves in large numbers; giant elusive tropical Banteng cattle; Timor ponies; and birds, birds, birds. The area adjoins a marine park, where the clear waters (no swimming due to crocs and box jelly fish, sorry!) teem with aquatic wonders such as dugong, dolphins, six species of sea turtle, tropical fish and corals, and enough trophy-size fish to make any angler happy. The vehicle and camping permit isn’t cheap, so try to spend at least three of the seven nights allowable. You must bring everything with you, including all fuel, food and water; the nearest supplies are in Jabiru, which is 320km away. A boat is handy too. As the Cobourg Peninsula is one of the Top End's most popular tourist destinations, it is advisable that you book your permit and secure a spot within the campgrounds in advance, especially during the school holidays.

Address: Cobourg, 0822
Contact: 00 61 8 8999 4814; parksandwildlife.nt.gov.au 
Getting there: no public transport: you need your own car
Opening times: May-Oct
Price: permit A$232.10 per vehicle (Camping Fee A$220 plus Transit Fee A$12.10), covering up to 5 adult passengers for up to 7 nights; extra adult passengers, A$11.00; children 15 and under, free
Payment type: credit cards accepted
Reservations: essential

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