Darwin Holiday Weather Overview
Situated in the Northern Territory, Darwin is the largest city and capital city of the Australian territory. As it is found on the Timor Sea it is close to Indonesia and East Timor, making it an ideal gateway to South East Asia.
Darwin is also the site at which the Stuart Highway begins, the end of it being found in Port Augusta in South Australia.
Top places to eat in Darwin
When it comes to food in Darwin there is plenty of variety, whether you want to visit cafes, restaurants that overlook the ocean, oriental dining or fine dining, there is something to suit everyone.
For those who enjoy café culture and organic tea and coffee then Eva’s Botanical Gardens Café is somewhere not to miss. The café is focused around a vegetarian menu but is proud of to offer an organic menu with delicious tea and coffee.
For a night out with more formal dining then Pee Wee’s at the Point has a menu, atmosphere and price tag that will leave you feeling like you have not only had a fantastic night out, but that you have also gotten great value for money.
If you want a more oriental feel to your meal then there is the Magic Wok Restaurant and Hanuman that offer a variety of different oriental dishes, each focusing on different regions of Asian cuisine.
Top places to stay in Darwin
From resorts to hotels, to bed and breakfasts to private rental properties, Darwin has a varied amount of accommodation.
If you want a hotel that is well situated, modern and provides excellent views of Darwin and the ocean then the Adina Apartment Hotel and the Vibe Hotel are both excellent choices. If you prefer a resort to a hotel then the Leprechaun Resort has all the facilities you would expect and an excellent reputation.
There are also chain hotels such as the Hilton Darwin in the city as well as Novotel and Best Western in the city.
Things to do and see in Darwin
When it comes to things to do in Darwin there is a wide variety of different types of entertainment on offer. For something unique to Darwin there is the Deckchair Cinema, an open air cinema that shows fantastic movies and gives you a very different cinema experience.
When it comes to museums and historical exhibits there is the Defence of Darwin Experience and the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory that are not to be missed.
If you are more of a beach lover then you should visit the Mindil Beach that not only offers sand and suffer but also the amazing Mindil Beach market that is something that cannot be described, only experienced.
If you are more of a nature reserve then there are several spots to visit in and around Darwin such as Berry Springs, East Point Reserve and Crocosaurus Cove.
Best month to visit Darwin?
Due to the risks of tropical cyclones and monsoons you may want to avoid visiting Darwin in the summer, however for those who are wildlife buffs, it may also be the perfect time of year to experience the best of Darwin’s natural beauty.
Winter is more than warm enough to lay in the sun and enjoy the great outdoors in Darwin if you do want to avoid the rains.
As Darwin has a tropical climate, like other northern cities in Australia, it experiences a wet season and a dry season. The wet season starts in November and finishes in April which involves high rainfall, monsoons, storms, high humidity, tropical cyclones and flooding.
The dry season starts in April and comes to an end in October. The weather is relatively cooler than in the wet season, but it is still warm and pleasant enough to enjoy the deck chair cinema late into the evenings.
Summer in Darwin
Summer for Darwin starts in December and finishes in February. This is at the height of the wet season, so though the temperatures are high, ranging from on average 25 degrees Celsius to 33 degrees Celsius.
The rain is at its heaviest during the summer and it is often thought to be the most beautiful time of year in Darwin due to the sunny days mixing with the lightning storms in the afternoon that mean that animals and plant life are at their most active.
Winter in Darwin
Winter comes to Darwin in June, July and August and the temperatures are lower along with the rainfall, though you will still see temperatures reaching up to 32 degrees Celsius but averaging around 29 degrees Celsius.
As the weather is much drier due to the dry season having begun, the nights are much cooler and less humid than during the summer months making it a much more pleasant time to visit Darwin.
Autumn in Darwin
Autumn in Darwin comes from March to May in the Top End and brings a cooling of temperatures and lessening of humidity. There are still monsoon rain storms but not quite the same intensity that January and February experience.
Spring in Darwin
September to November is spring in Darwin, though the temperatures are getting warmer, the rains have yet to start and the humidity is not quite at its highest point. In October and November there are spectacular lightning storms that locals will line up to watch in beachside bars and restaurants.
What to wear in Darwin?
Due to the warm temperatures, even in the winter, short-sleeved light clothing is advisable. On the beaches swimming shorts and bikinis are more than enough to cope with the heat.
During the wet season, light waterproofs or ponchos are advisable though due to the risk of lightning storms and monsoons, umbrellas are not. Be careful to check the dress code of any hotels or resorts that you are staying at before you travel.
Best months to visit Darwin?
May and June are the best month to go for holiday or travel to Darwin. Within Australia the weather data gathered from Darwin weather forecast and Darwin weather history also forecast these months temperature to be around 31°c and average of 314.3333 hours of sunshine in a month.
Coldest months of Darwin?
July and August are the coldest months with temperature at around 21°c.
Which months receive most rainfall in Darwin?
January and December receive most rainfall with precipitation count of 565.50mm.
Travelling to Darwin? Check out our Weather averages of Darwin to better plan your holiday or travel.
If you would just like to know what the weather was for a past dates for research or education or you are just curious then visit our historical weather of Darwin section.