Just a short drive away from the airport is the biggest city in NT. Don’t expect a huge metropolis, though; walking from one end of the city center to another takes only half an hour. 

 

Do: Watching sunsets is a real obsession here. We  found awesome views at Mindil Beach Sunset Market (www.mindil.com.au), which is touristy but worth it for cloud-watching on the beach while listening to trippy didgeridoo electronica. Outdoor movie screening series Deckchair Cinema (Jervois Rd., +61-8-8981-0700. www.deckchaircinema.com.au, from A$16/B457) is also a must-do, with an impressive line-up of critically-acclaimed art house films and a bar on-site. The upmarket waterfront dining enclaves are also nice at night, such as 

Darwin Waterfront Lagoon (Kitchener Dr.) and Cullen Bay Marina (3/68 Marina Blvd., Larrakeyah, +61-8-8942-0400. www.cullenbaymarina.com.au). 

 

Eat: Ducks’ Nuts (76 Mitchell St., +61-8-8942-2122, www.ducksnuts.com.au) is our pick for droolsome brunch food and coffee. At night, pan-Southeast Asian restaurant Hanuman (93 Mitchell St., +61-08-8941-3500. www.hanuman.com.au), draws a dressed-up crowd night after night. You can also go on a boozy dinner cruise with Darwin Harbour Cruises (www.darwinharbourcruises.com.au, A$89/B2,547)—the buffet fare isn’t all that, but the setting and sea breeze go a long way. For drinks, there are plenty of backpacker pubs along Mitchell Street, but edgy, gay-friendly club Throb (1/64 Smith St., +61-8-8942-3435. www.facebook.com/throbnightclub) is where there’s a real alternative nightlife scene.

 

Stay: Rydges Darwin Resort (1 Sir Norman Brearly Dr., Marrara, +61-8-8920-3333. www.rydges.com, from A$209/night or B5,980/night) resort is perfect for making the most of the tropical weather, although it’s next to the airport and you have take a shuttle to reach the city center. If you want to stay in the city, DoubleTree by Hilton (122 Esplanade, +61-8-8943-3600. doubletree.hilton.com, from A$169/night or B4,783/night) has rooms with top-floor harbor views.

If you’re driving (or being driven) south, stop for a dip in this incredible natural plunge pool. It’s a little rocky underfoot, but swimming in the cool, clear water (fish and all) is to die for, especially when it’s hot. 

This Aboriginal-owned national park is traveler HQ, due to the stunning Katherine Gorge (actually 13 linked gorges). It’s a half-day drive from Darwin city, so we recommend staying for at least a couple of nights.

 

Do: See Katherine Gorge on a breathtaking 15-min helicopter ride from Nitmiluk Tours (www.nitmiluktours.com.au, A$99/B2,833). They also do boat cruises and walks if you want to see the gorges up close. But it can be tricky to see more of the outback on your own, especially since mobile data coverage is spotty and it’s hard to get around. It pays to arrange a bespoke tour with the excellent Indigofera Ecotours (www.indigofera.com.au, from $189/person or B4,811/person per day). 

 

Stay: Super-luxe eco-lodge Cicada Lodge (Gorge Rd., Katherine, +61-8-8974-3100,  www.cicadalodge.com.au, from A$450/night or B12,870/night) has everything you need for an amazing time—gorgeously-furnished and lavishly-stocked “shacks,” a mini-pool, a fantastic restaurant and poolside bar, plus great service to boot.