Car Rental in Darwin

Why rent a car in Darwin?

The capital of the remote Northern Territory, Darwin offers a lot to those who go the extra mile to get there. Increasingly easy to reach, the city has turned into a hub of historic sites, quality museums, and vibrant cultural life. The main draw of Darwin, however, remains its access to the tropical forests of northern Australia. Travelers visiting the city experience the ultimate tropical lifestyle Darwin is known for. With a rental car, it is easy to combine this beautiful tropical city with stunning national parks such as Litchfield, Kakadu, and Nitmiluk.

Top ways to enter Darwin

Darwin Airport: By far the busiest airport in the Northern Territory, it offers flights to both remote regional destinations and the largest Australian cities like Brisbane and Melbourne. An international airport, it also has flights to Singapore, China, Indonesia, and East Timor. Located about 12 km (7.4 miles) northeast of Darwin, the airport can be reached in about 15 minutes. 

City facts

Located in the north-central part of the country, Darwin is extremely remote – it would take 39 hours to drive Melbourne, 42 hours to drive to Perth, and 43 hours to Sydney (for obvious reasons, we do not recommend taking any of these car trips). In fact, the city is much closer to the nations of Indonesia, East Timor, and Papua New Guinea than any of these large Australian population centers.

Although it only has a population of about 140,000, making it tiny if compared to the aforementioned Australian metropolises, Darwin is, in fact, by far the largest urban area (and the capital) of the Northern Territory – more than half of the population of this vast region, larger in size than the country of Peru, live in the city.

Thanks to its relative proximity to the equator, Darwin is the hottest and the wettest regional capital in Australia – the city is surrounded by a lush rainforest, and many of the area’s most popular natural attractions are a part of this unique biosphere (more on them below).

Top sights and activities

• Museum and Art Gallery of Northern Territory. Having a surprisingly diverse collection, Darwin’s main museum can more than hold its own against counterparts from larger Australian cities. The museum is especially rich in exhibitions of Aboriginal Australian, Oceanic, and Southeast Asian traditional art. On a more recent note, Sweetheart, the 5.4 m (18 feet) long crocodile who used to terrorize the area’s boats in the 1970s, is also on display here. At the museum, you will also see an exhibition of Cyclone Tracy, the most intense cyclone that has ever hit Darwin.
• Aviation Museum. Also known as the Aviation Heritage Center, this museum honors Darwin’s role in the early development of the aviation industry. Many of the pioneers of the field, including Amelia Earhart and Amy Johnson, flew to and from Darwin during the first three decades of the 20th century. The museum has many of the original aircraft, as well as a Boeing B-52 bomber, on display. The museum is about 11 km (6.8 miles) northeast of the city center but can be easily reached by car.
• Charles Darwin National Park. Although not the largest national park in the Northern Territory, or even in the proximity of Darwin, it is one of the most famous and most visited. The park is home to prehistoric middens built by the original inhabitants of the area, World War Two bunkers, as well as bush trails and flora characteristic of the Darwin area. Located on a peninsula just east of Darwin’s center, the national park can be reached in just ten minutes by car.
• Darwin Waterfront. The Waterfront is the ideal place to cool down by taking a dip in the wave lagoon or at the beach. You can also have a delectible culinary experience at one of the several nice restaurants serving different world cuisines.
• Mindil Beach Sunset Markets. During Darwin's dry season, you can enjoy the Mindil Beach Sunset Markets on Thursday and Sunday evenings. Walk past cozy stalls selling local products and taste the most delicious world dishes. On some nights, there are even fireworks and live music.
• Deckchair Cinema. As a movie lover, Darwin is also the place to be, as near Darwin Waterfront, you will find the Deckchair Cinema wher,e you can watch the best films outdoor.s Enjoy a movie under a beautiful starry sky!
• Casuarina Square. The largest shopping center in the Northern Territory is located in Casuarina in the northern suburbs of Darwin.

Traffic and parking

• One of the largest road hazards in Australia is the wildlife. Take extra caution when driving in bad weather or after dark as this is when most of the collisions with wildlife take place. Animals like to lie on the road in the NT  because of the warm road surface — so drive extra carefully in the evening.
• Mobile coverage is very rarely available outside of major highways and population centers, so take extra caution when traveling in rural areas.
• Another great risk when traveling outside of main highways is the heat. The temperatures can reach extremes very easily, especially during the summer months and in inland areas. Always stay properly hydrated and plan your route in advance to be able to supplement your water supplies.
• Also, always make sure you have sunglasses in the car when you’re on a road trip in the NT. Australia is a country where it is often sunny, and especially in the Northern Territory, it can be dangerous if you are blinded by the sun while driving.
• Proof of insurance and the car’s documentation need to be in the car whenever you’re driving.
• When driving, you need to have your passport or ID card with you at all times.
• The primary, nationwide emergency number in Australia is 000. 

Toll roads

While there are many toll roads in Australia, none of them are in the Northern Territory.

Ideas for day trips

• Casuarina Coastal Reserve. Located just north of Darwin itself, this nature reserve combines a long sandy shore with scenic sandstone cliffs. Several beaches in the area are patrolled and good for swimming - it’s a good idea to avoid the unmarked ones as there may be saltwater crocodiles. And it is not recommended to swim during the wet season because of dangerous stingers.
• Kakadu National Park. Situated near State Highway 21, or the Kakadu Highway, this national park is one of the most famous attractions of Northern Australia. In addition to savanna landscapes and waterways, the area is famous for its abundance of ancient Aboriginal art. During the rainy season (which lasts roughly from November to April) most of the park can only be seen from above on a helicopter tour. The drive from Darwin to Kakadu Highway takes about an hour and 40 minutes.
• East Point Reserve. This is one of the most beautiful natural areas near the city. Here, you can take a beautiful walk along the rugged coast and spot wallabies during a magic sunset.
• Litchfield National Park. One of the most beautiful parks in northern Australia is Litchfield National Park, an area full of beautiful hiking trails, waterfalls, termite mounds, and natural pools. Places that we can recommend are Wangi Falls, Florence Falls, and Greenant Creek
• Nitmiluk National Park. This wonderful national park is located about 30 kilometers east of Katherine and is a three-and-a-half-hour drive from Darwin. One of the highlights of the national park is Nitmiluk (previously Katherine) Gorge, 13 spectacular cliffs that glow and change color during sunrise or sunset.

Car rental prices in Darwin

• Medium cars - from $43 per day
• Large cars - from $69 per day
• SUVs - from $51 per day
• Small cars - from $73 per day
• Station wagons - from $140 per day
• Vans - from $107 per day