Territory Livin’
Picture this: you land in the sweltering heat of Darwin, the northernmost part of Australia, greeted by a packed itinerary to explore some of the most stunning natural wonders in Australia. Sounds like a dream, right? Well, it’s my reality because my sister absolutely understood the assignment. After touching down at the ungodly hour of 1:00 AM, she whisked me away to her air-conditioned home, where the smell of fresh crepes filled the air. “Airport crepes.” It's a tradition. Don’t knock it.
The following morning, after a bit of a sleep-in, I kicked things off with brunch by the Nightcliff Foreshore. I quickly learned that no one gives a flying shit if you’re sweating immensely in Darwin — it’s just part of the experience. In fact, the more you’re drippin’, the more you’re livin’, Barry. It's a Darwin thing. After a refreshing fruit-and-ice concoction, I took a stroll along the foreshore, which resulted in me completely drenched within minutes. Luckily, it was the dry season (aka "less humid," but who are we kidding?), so the evenings were delightfully warm and breezy.
That night, my sister and I headed to the Deckchair Cinema, an outdoor cinema by the water, to catch a movie while watching the sun dip below the horizon. If you’re visiting Darwin during the dry season, definitely make time for this gem. It’s one of the best ways to experience the tropical magic of the city.
The next day was all about more relaxation and local exploration. We had brunch (again — I’m a lady who brunches now), then ventured to Darwin's only swimmable saltwater hole. The coastline is beautiful, but let’s be real — Darwin's beaches are home to lots of crocodiles. So, swimming in the open ocean is a hard pass. But we had a blast swimming in the lagoon, a safe, enclosed area where locals flock to cool off. Afterward, it was time for cocktails and a showing of The Party at the Darwin Festival. The Party was so good, we ended up rolling in late that night.
The following morning came with a bit of a headache, but luckily, my sister’s itinerary had a solution: a day trip to Litchfield National Park. This day of adventure included stops at the stunning Florence Falls, the relaxed and rejuvenating Buley Rockhole, and the sprawling Wangi Falls. While each spot was unique and beautiful in its own right, Buley Rockhole was my favourite. It has a calm, almost meditative vibe — the perfect place to just slow down, take a picnic with some friends and unwind.
After two days of relaxation and adventure, it was time for a road trip to truly explore the depths of Darwin. Seriously, my sister could charge for her tour guide skills. Early Monday morning, we set off for the Jumping Croc Cruise along the Adelaide River. It was hands down one of the most thrilling experiences of the trip — and a little terrifying, too. The sound of a crocodile's jaw snapping shut will stick with me forever. Crocs are fascinating creatures: they have regenerative teeth (though I can’t imagine teething constantly is too comfortable), they keep their mouths open to stay cool, and they can weigh up to 1,000 kg (WHAT?!?).
After our croc adventure, we made our way to the Cooinda Lodges in Kakadu. Along the way, we stopped to visit Ubirr, a sacred site where ancient rock art created by Indigenous Australians has been preserved. It was an awe-inspiring experience — a must for anyone wanting to learn about Australia’s rich history, especially in the Kakadu region.
That evening, we rested up before waking early for a sunrise Yellow Water Cruise in Kakadu National Park. The silence and stillness of the wetlands at dawn were beyond words. As we drifted through Ngurrungurrudjba (Yellow Water), we watched crocodiles bask in the sun, eagles soar overhead, and brolgas dance in the distance. If there’s one thing you do when visiting Darwin, let it be this. The natural beauty and serenity of the experience were indescribable.
After soaking in the magic of Kakadu, we hit the road again, passing through Katherine and stopping in Mataranka for the night. Mataranka is a peaceful spot, surrounded by peacocks and thermal springs. We swam in the warm, clear waters with a couple of curious turtles, and it felt like the perfect way to unwind after such a big adventure.
The next morning, we continued our journey and made a quick stop at Edith Falls before heading back to Darwin. For our final night in the Top End, we wrapped things up with a visit to the Mindil Beach Markets. The sunset was picture-perfect, and as the sun dipped below the horizon, the crowd clapped in unison (felt weird to get involved in this experience). Overall though, it felt like the perfect end to an unforgettable trip.
I couldn’t have asked for a better tour guide, sister, and all-around legend than my amazing sister, Halz. Seriously, she’s now officially set the gold standard for all future trips. So if you’re ever planning an adventure, just know I’ll be expecting personal VIP treatment, flawless itineraries, and airport crepes on the regular. No pressure, Halz. Thanks for making this trip unforgettable — you’ve earned yourself a lifetime of “best sister” awards.
