What to do in Top End

Activities, attractions and tours

I will never forget #FoggDam, just off the Arnhem Highway, near Darwin - Australia. The amazing thing was that one can drive across the dam wall, seeing beauty in all directions; however, one could only stop in a few designated areas because of the risk of saltwater crocodiles. Well stop we did! I saw an abundance of flora and fauna. The birdlife was amazing, forever impregnated in my vision and not on my little iPhone. Fogg Dam Conservation Reserve lies in the Adelaide and Mary River Floodplains with year round accessibility. There are also some adjacent, designated walking tracks if one has time! For me, I spent my time looking for lillys and bird watching! This photo was taken mid May during a #roadtrip around the Top End of the #NorthernTerritory. #iPhoneonly
I will never forget #FoggDam, just off the Arnhem Highway, near Darwin - Australia. The amazing thing was that one can drive across the dam wall, seeing beauty in all directions; however, one could only stop in a few designated areas because of the risk of saltwater crocodiles. Well stop we did! I saw an abundance of flora and fauna. The birdlife was amazing, forever impregnated in my vision and not on my little iPhone. Fogg Dam Conservation Reserve lies in the Adelaide and Mary River Floodplains with year round accessibility. There are also some adjacent, designated walking tracks if one has time! For me, I spent my time looking for lillys and bird watching! This photo was taken mid May during a #roadtrip around the Top End of the #NorthernTerritory. #iPhoneonly
Wangi Falls in Litchfield NP.
I went to Ubirr to watch the sunset! The first thing to amaze me were the 360degree views at the top of the rocky outcrop, different in each 90degree arc. This view looks west and I was totally blessed. There is some smoke haze on the horizon, from seasonal burning in preparation for the dry season in Kakadu #NationalPark. Ubirr is easily accessible from the nearby township of Jabiru by road, then a walk and easy clamber over rocks to get to the top. The twilight descent was easy with the park ranger nearby! Kakadu is a #UnescoWorldHeritageSite in the Northern Territory of #Australia. #ILoveaSunburntCountry #GoldenHour #RoadTrip #iPhoneonly #hiking Ubirr
Mataranka Thermal Pool is worth a visit. Such a lovely place.

Top End Attractions

Let Expedia help you experience the best that Top End has to offer! If you’re looking for fun itinerary ideas, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Activities and Tours

Top End is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay, and make it a breeze to explore the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Top End to make sure that you enjoy your experience to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights.

Top End Attractions

Expedia has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions to keep you entertained. In addition to scheduling local tours, booking reservations and scoring advance event tickets, Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, all on one consolidated travel itinerary, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Top End.

Looking for things to do can be time consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Top End attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season.

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Top places to visit

1. Darwin Waterfront

Head to the Darwin Waterfront and enjoy the music, food and atmosphere of this lively precinct. Just a short walk from the CBD, this picturesque oceanfront esplanade is very popular with locals. Enjoy sweeping views of the harbour, escape the summer heat at its swimming areas or try some seaside dining.
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Darwin Waterfront showing a garden, landscape views and a bay or harbor

2. Mindil Beach

Mindil Beach is one of Australia’s best beaches. Many visitors are surprised to find such a pretty tropical beach so close to a regional capital city. Some locals swim at Mindil during the dry season, but the possible threat of crocodiles and jellyfish makes this unwise for visitors to try. Better swimming is over at at Casuarina, which is patrolled by surf life savers, or alternatively at the Wave Lagoon water park and the free Leanyer Recreation Park. Still, at any time of day, a walk along the splendid Mindil Beach is not to be missed.
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Northern Territory featuring a beach and general coastal views

3. Kakadu National Park

Experience one of Australia's best natural reserves at Kakadu National Park. Hike through sheer red-rock gorges, camp amid local wildlife or watch powerful storms roll across the sky during the wet season.
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Kakadu National Park featuring wetlands

4. Litchfield National Park

Litchfield National Park is where you will find Northern Territory’s stunning natural environment at its best. Walk through rainforest trails, visit intriguing rock formations and cool off with a swim beneath dramatic waterfalls.
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Litchfield National Park showing a cascade and a lake or waterhole

5. Crocosaurus Cove

Crocosaurus Cove is surprisingly interactive for a wildlife park that houses notoriously ferocious species. It offers up-close encounters with crocodiles for those willing to pay for the unique experience. Jump into an immersion cage with huge crocs, feed a small juvenile or hold a tiny baby “saltie.”
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Crocosaurus Cove which includes dangerous animals and zoo animals

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Recommended things to do in Top End

Number of things to do
497
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Uluwatu Surf Lesson/Coaching- Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced: CA $0
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Top End

Discover the most popular places to visit in Top End

Darwin Waterfront which includes swimming as well as a large group of people

Darwin Waterfront

4.5/5(16 reviews)

Explore Darwin’s scenic waterfront, where you can swim in the wave pool, see turtles up close and dine in restaurants overlooking the sea.

Darwin Waterfront
Mindil Beach which includes street performance, nightlife and performance art

Mindil Beach

4/5(3 reviews)

Explore one of Australia’s best beaches by day or visit by evening to enjoy Asian food, a massage, live music and indigenous crafts at Darwin’s sunset markets.

Mindil Beach
Kakadu National Park featuring wetlands

Kakadu National Park

4/5(4 reviews)

This protected expanse of grassy plains, maroon-coloured cliffs and monsoon rivers offers some of the best hiking, boating, and camping opportunities in Australia.

Kakadu National Park
Darwin showing food

The Esplanade

4/5(14 reviews)

During your trip to Darwin, you can do some window-shopping at The Esplanade. While in this walkable area, you can savor the top-notch restaurants.

The Esplanade
Litchfield National Park which includes a waterfall, landscape views and swimming

Litchfield National Park

Bring a camera to capture the streaming waterfalls, unique rock formations and clear swimming holes of this dynamic landscape in Australia’s Top End.

Litchfield National Park
Cullen Bay Marina featuring a coastal town, a sunset and a bay or harbor

Cullen Bay Marina

4/5(4 reviews)

Explore the waterfront in Darwin with a trip to Cullen Bay Marina. Wander the area's picturesque gardens or simply enjoy one of its top-notch restaurants.

Cullen Bay Marina
Mindil Beach Sunset Market showing markets and food

Mindil Beach Sunset Market

5/5(1 review)

You can browse for the perfect souvenirs at Mindil Beach Sunset Market during your visit to Darwin. Wander the waterfront and picturesque gardens in the area.

Mindil Beach Sunset Market
Crocosaurus Cove showing dangerous animals and zoo animals

Crocosaurus Cove

5/5(1 review)

This wildlife park offers the chance to admire a number of local species, as well as the safest encounter you can have with a saltwater crocodile.

Crocosaurus Cove
Beautiful Katherine Gorge in NT Australia

Nitmiluk National Park

4/5(1 review)

Explore the great outdoors at Nitmiluk National Park, a lovely green space in Nitmiluk. You can enjoy the restaurants while in the area.

Nitmiluk National Park

Explore areas of Top End

Darwin showing street scenes

Darwin City Centre

4.5/5(26 area reviews)

Darwin City Centre is known for its abundant dining options, and you can plan a trip to Smith Street Mall and The Esplanade while you're in town.

Darwin City Centre
Fried veg from Frying Nemo. Some great vegan food. #Trovember

Stuart Park

Though Stuart Park might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Mindil Beach Sunset Market and SKYCITY Casino.

Stuart Park
Darwin Australia - February 22, 2019: Town Hall Ruins downtown now set in green park under blue sky with white clouds. Couple of standing walls are left.

Palmerston

Noted for its restaurants and shopping, you might consider exploring all Palmerston has to offer. You won't have to venture far to check out nearby attractions like Howard Springs Nature Park.

Palmerston
Cullen Bay Marina yachts in Darwin

Cullen Bay

3/5(1 area review)

While visiting Cullen Bay, you might make a stop by sights like Cullen Bay Marina and Mindil Beach.

Cullen Bay
Pier at Nightcliff! Spectacular sunsets!!!

Nightcliff

Nightcliff might not have many top sights, but Casuarina Beach and TIO Stadium are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Nightcliff
Magnetic Termite Mounds in Litchfield National Park, Australia.

Eaton

If you're spending time in Eaton, you might enjoy its restaurants and gardens. If you've got time to venture a little farther, you can make a stop by TIO Stadium or Marrara Sports Complex.

Eaton

 

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