Darwin on a Sunday - A Stroll or ???

Hi Wondering what tourist sights can easily be visited by strolling Darwin on Sunday.

Are the stores and shops open on Sunday? Also wondering if vendors will accept US dollars or British pounds.

Also considered going to Aviation Heritage Center and/ or Museum of the Northern Territory and / or Territory Wildlife Park and/or WWII Tunnels. Can these be seen by local transport - or tour operators at the pier?

Also heard about the TubTour. Is this a hop on bus and is it really worth it?

Thanks, Don

Hi Wondering what tourist sights can easily be visited by strolling Darwin on Sunday.

 

Are the stores and shops open on Sunday? Also wondering if vendors will accept US dollars or British pounds.

 

Also considered going to Aviation Heritage Center and/ or Museum of the Northern Territory and / or Territory Wildlife Park and/or WWII Tunnels. Can these be seen by local transport - or tour operators at the pier?

 

Also heard about the TubTour. Is this a hop on bus and is it really worth it?

Thanks, Don

The only thing I can tell you is - you need Aussie dollars or your bank card. They don't take any other currency - you would need to get your money changed to $AU

Here is a link to Darwin tourism http://www.australia.com/explore/cities/darwin.aspx I'm sure others will be able to help you more - but at least it gives you a start - and an idea.

Also the link to Tubtour - you can have a look and give it a good checking over - http://www.tourtub.com.au/

Any other thoughts we will be there on Sunday as well ??

While I have been to Darwin twice, it has never been by cruise ship. However, it is my understanding that you do not find tour operators at the dock as you might in a Caribbean port. So, you best have a plan of what you want to see and do (and how to get around) before you arrive in Darwin.

As for some of the sights mentioned by the OP:

Australian Aviation Heritage Center--according to the website, you can get there via the #4 bus. (It's a fair piece out of town, so it may take awhile to get there.)

Museum of the Northern Territory--Can be reached on the Darwin Explorer HO/HO bus, the Tub HO/HO bus or by taking the #6 bus, which runs every day.

Territory Wildlife Park--This park is a 45-minute drive from Darwin and the only way to get there is via private car, taxi or organized tour. Here's some info on the tours from the park's website: http://www.territorywildlifepark.com.au/plan/how_to_get_here.shtml

WWII Tunnels--These can be reached on the two HO/HO tours, but it's also just about a 5 minute walk from where the ships dock.

I have used public bus to visit both MAGNT (museum, art gallery) and Aviation Museum at the airport.

The bus for the Aviation Museum I think is #8 (Palmerston)

The bus terminus is about a 15-20 min walk from the ship, on the edge of town closest to the cruise dock.

Being a Sunday you would need to google the timetable for both directions as the buses will not be that frequent.

Both venues were very good and I really enjoyed Aviation Museum.

For the Aviation Museum I would plan about 4 hours from leaving the ship till arriving back in town.

If you have not seen crocs before then a visit to the Adelaide river is worthwhile. Below is a post I had an another thread with unfortunately was closed (and I don't know why) Is an out of town tour but extremely popular.

While in Darwin you can visit the Adelaide River (one of the most popular tours offered by many cruise ships visiting Darwin) and it can be a fantastic experience to see the massive crocodiles (who have been taught) to leap right out of the water to pluck a chicken from a pole extended by the boat tour operator.

These are huge salt water crocs so my advice is to sit as far away from the side of the boat from where the pole is held up as it is possible as the croc could - jump into the boat.

Should this occur don't jump overboard as there are many other crocs just waiting for you to hit the water. Better to lose one than many I say.

Also do not let your hands or arms extend over the side of the boat or you may have to learn how to write left or right handed (as the case may be)

when you return to the ship - if you get my drift.

But just think - how in the hell do all those crocs in the Adelaide River survive on a few chicken each day - I'll let you do the maths on that one.

In particular look out for Brutus - only has one eye but is one mean nasty croc and he will be lurking somewhere in those muddy waters - looking for a feed - if you know what I mean,.

Will also repost my recommendations for crocs in Darwin

To see crocs in Darwin city - see below

"For example, if you google Trip Advisor Darwin you will see the 10th most rated thing to do in Darwin is to visit the Crocosaurus Cove and you can even swim in the Cage of Death at the facility. To swim you will need to book online - cost $125.

Essentially, you will be put into a big big glass tube with water. the tube will be lowered into a big pool and huge crocs then released to swim around you in a really up and close personal way - bet you cannot do that anywhere else in the world??? Just have a look at the photos - OMG

A few years ago the glass tube did crack but fortunately the tourist was extracted from the water before....... well I leave that up to your imagination.

The poor tourist had to get to the toilet immediately afterwards for a change of swimming trunks - if you get my drift. To much information you say - well I like to ensure you are well and fully informed.

Fortunately no further incidents have occurred as I understand the glass tube has been reinforced and besides they would have very good indemnity insurance to cover medical/hospital bills and repatriation back to your home country.

Now here is a good tip - whilst visiting the Crocosaurus Cove - should you hear a large "Crack", it is unlikely to be the glass tube breaking again - but the famous Australian Stockman "cracking" his whip and driving thousands of cattle and buffalo up the main street of Darwin for loading onto a boat for export to China.

This would be an amazing sight to see, it's free of charge but I do recommend you view it from behind a tree or up on top of a nearby building - stampedes can happen.

Should the cattle drive not take place during your visit (not done every day) don't dispair. You can see the actual event recreated in that famous Australian movie "Australia" starring Hugh Jackman and the ex Mr's Tom Cruise - Australia's own - Miss Nicole Kidman (not sure why she is still a Miss, she has had been married twice to my knowlege!!!)

The movie "Australia" was a huge international hit worldwide a few years ago and should be on every visitors must see movie list before coming to Australia.

I do hope the above will help you and I may have a couple more attractions in Darwin to discuss before moving on to our other ports of call"