Deals > Explore > Darwin > Outdoors and festivals
Markets
The Mindil Beach Sunset Markets (Thursday and Sunday nights) dominate the city's social scene from May to October. The Rapid Creek Markets (Sunday mornings) are the city's longest running while the Parap Markets (Saturday mornings) and Nightcliff Markets (Sunday mornings) are both great for breakfast or brunch.
Deckchair Cinema
Located at the water's edge below Parliament House, the Deckchair Cinema is a great place to see independent and 'art house' movies under a canopy of stars most evenings between April and November. The Deckchair has a licensed bar and locals often bring their own picnic dinner.
Harbour Cruises
The fiery red sunsets make for a memorable evening cruising on Darwin Harbour. Learn a little of Darwin's history or simply soak up the atmosphere and warm tropical breeze whilst enjoying a cold drink and antipasto. There are several cruising options including some that offer a full dinner.
Darwin Festival
The Darwin Festival is one of Darwin's most popular events, running for 18 days and nights in late August. The festival program is packed full of events including outdoor concerts, workshops, theatre, dance, music, comedy and cabaret, film, and visual art.
Darwin Beer Can Regatta
Get a taste of Australian humour at its quirkiest at the annual Darwin Beer Can Regatta held in July. Participants compete by building boats out of beer or soft drink cans. The event is held at Darwin's Mindil Beach, only five minutes from the city and home of the Sunset Markets.
Fishing
Darwin is home to some serious fishing action. On our doorstep are beautiful inland billabongs, big tidal rivers, mangrove-lined estuaries and pristine coastal waters. This tropical environment is prolific with barramundi and produces the most exciting sportfishing in Australia.
Darwin's tropical climate lends itself to an outdoor lifestyle.
Much of the city's social activities take place at markets and festivals - in parks and reserves, by the beach or on boats down on Darwin Harbour. Even movie buffs prefer to enjoy the flicks outdoors at the Deckchair Cinema from April to November.
Darwin's calendar of annual cultural events and festivals also make the most of the weather with the majority held between May and September as the Territory sun shines while southern Australia rugs up for winter.
Open-air markets are held across the city every weekend in Parap, Rapid Creek, Nightcliff, Palmerston and further out of Darwin in Coolalinga. No holiday to Darwin between the months of May and October is complete without a visit to the Mindil Beach Sunset Markets.
If you over indulge at the markets, there's no shortage of scenic areas and open spaces in which to exercise. A network of bicycle paths and walking tracks follow the city's coastline through mangroves, monsoon forests and beaches.
The Darwin Festival, held annually every August takes place in venues stretching from Darwin's Botanic Gardens to the foreshore of its harbour and lively entertainment district. For something a little more irreverent, the Darwin Beer Can Regatta is a free-for-all race of boats built entirely of beer and soft drink cans held every July.
