Emerging from Gulumoerrgin, the city of Darwin has small town vibes with some big buildings. Larrakia People are the traditional custodians of the land on which the Festival creates, loves and explores.

In addition to checking out Fringe shows there’s so many other ways to connect with culture and community. Whilst not exhaustive these lists hope to help inspire your next visit.

Markets

• Mindil Beach Sunset Market is the place to be for events, functions, and a family night out operating April through to October, Thursdays 5pm – 10pm, Sundays 4pm – 9pm.
  Stroll beside stunning Mindil Beach and take in the glorious setting sun as you explore over 260 market stalls. Wander amongst the buskers and street theatre performers as you look around the collections of stalls selling quality arts & crafts, Indigenous arts, leatherwork, jewellery and tailoring. Next, grab a meal from one of the 60 food stalls featuring cuisines from Turkey, Sri Lanka, India, SE Asia, Greece and South America and find a place on the beach to picnic.

• Every Sunday 8am – 2pm locals and visitors flock to the Nightcliff Markets. Get there early and enjoy a lazy Sunday breakfast with delicious fruit juices, tropical fruit salads and freshly ground coffee. Pick up a great bargain as you wander through the stalls with everything from recycled CD’s and books to original crafts and hemp clothing. There are also stalls offering services like massages, reflexology and card readings. Don’t miss the local artists performing on the central stage between 11am and 12.30pm.

• The Parap Markets is a local institution with an emphasis on food. Make your way around the markets and take in the heady aromas of Asian cuisine, fresh coffee and fresh fruit and vegies.  There is also a variety of art & craft stalls as well as street theatre performances and buskers. Enjoy one of the delicious Saturday morning laksas or fresh tropical fruit smoothies from 8am – 2pm.

• People have been visiting The Rapid Creek Markets every Sunday 7am – 1pm for over 30 years. There are lots of stalls dedicated to selling the freshest of produce, great food and snacks, bric-a-brac, seafood and a variety of arts and crafts. Towards midday be sure to catch some of the live entertainment!

• Fred’s Pass Rural Market Locals head to Fred’s Pass, about 30 kilometres from Darwin’s CBD, to pick up second-hand books, have a massage and to relax at the tables with nibbles while listening to local musicians. For the kids, there’s a jumping castle and toy stalls. With ample parking for caravans, campervans and trailers, this is a good option for adventurers enjoying a road trip to Darwin. Saturday – 8am to 1pm

• Every Friday night operating April through October – 5pm to 9pm, Palmerston’s CBD comes alive with local entertainment and an array of 60 stalls selling dishes from Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Indonesia and Greece. At the Palmerston and Rural Markets there’s also locally grown tropical fruit and veggies, handmade jewellery, pot plants and massages.

• Join the locals for brekky at Berry Springs Community Markets, which has stalls laden with fresh fruit and veggies, second-hand goods and arts and crafts. For the kids there are often running races, a tug-a-war competition and arts and crafts activities. Operating March through to December, 8am to 12pm on the last Sunday of each month.

Art Galleries

• The Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT) is the Northern Territory’s premier cultural organisation. Set in a scenic location on Larrakia Country at Bullocky Point in Darwin, MAGNT is home to internationally renowned artistic, cultural and scientific collections and research programs. Each year MAGNT presents a dynamic program of internally-developed exhibitions carefully curated from the collection, and the best travelling exhibitions from around Australia. It is also the home of the annual Telstra National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Art Awards – the most significant award of its kind in Australia. MAGNT runs a series of dynamic public programs including talks, workshops and drop in kids activities. School and tour groups can take tours with specialist staff. Venue hire is available with a theatrette, amphitheatre and other attractive spaces.

• The Mason Gallery, Aboriginal Art brings to Darwin the distinctive designs and bright bold colours of art created by Aboriginal artists of the Arnhemland, Central Desert and the Western Desert regions. Call in to wander through the gallery and see these vibrant interpretations of dreaming stories or even choose a piece to add to your collection. The Australian Aboriginal art seen at Mason Gallery comes from through out the Northern Territory and is of premium quality. The Mason family have extensive experience and knowledge of Aboriginal art, having lived and worked with Aboriginal artists working in the Northern Territory for decades.

• Mbantua Gallery specialises in art from the Utopia Region in Central Australia and represents around 200 artists from that area, mostly women producing beautiful and fine creations which are showcased in our Darwin and Alice Springs galleries and also online. Mbantua Gallery also stock unique jewellery and opals, handcrafted sculptures and beautiful and ethically sourced souvenir range.

• Songlines is unique – and bigger and more beautiful than you expect. Under one roof you will find Darwin’s largest range of quality products from souvenirs, fabrics and books to natural fibre weavings, limited edition prints and fine art. Plus they have exhibitions, demonstrations, workshops, a children’s space, plus films and events. Staff are more than happy to give you a drink of (filtered) cold water and there are plenty of spaces to sit. They are bright, colourful and full of “beautiful things” (that’s what our visitors tell us).

• Art Warehouse was founded by Carol Phayer a practising Artist in 2007. The goal was to have an Art Gallery in Darwin that is contemporary and supports local and regional Artists. Carol is passionate about showing Darwin off as an extremely creative and dynamic location, due the regional location and isolation; Territory Artists have a lot more freedom which radiates through their work.

NT Local Shops

You’ll find numerous locally owned unique shops around Darwin – for more information jump on Northern Territory Tourism page. Don’t forget to drop by the local markets. Some of our recommendations for gift shopping include but aren’t limited to:

• City of Darwin has compiled an interactive list of all Op Shops (second hand store) HERE.
• Larrakia Nation has an office in the city where you can find an evolving selection of local Larrakia artists works and handmade goods. Find them in Smith St Mall.
• Aboriginal Bush Trader’s is a 100% not-for-profit organisation committed to selling ethically sourced and sustainable products that directly support local Indigenous communities. Find them at the Fringe end of the Smith St Mall.
• The concept of the Sister 7 gallery was the first Women’s gallery in Darwin showcasing initially 7 professional Aboriginal female artists. Nowadays showcasing around 20 creatives you can find them at 55/59 Mitchell Street.
• Starwin Shopfront is a team of women in enterprise with a dream to grow a Made with Kindness Economy. With over a decade of experience, they have expertise in creating career pathways for community leaders to do what they love, on the country they love resulting in a huge range of products for sale. Their Darwin shop is located at Shop 2/93 Mitchell Street (literally next door to the Darwin Entertainment Centre).
• Tactile Arts is a member based, not-for-profit organisation that has been showcasing and promoting makers of contemporary art and craft in the top end of the Northern Territory since 1973. They have two shops, one at Parliament House, 15 Mitchell St and the other is at the Botanical Gardens, 200 Gardens Road (in their Visitor Centre).
• The Local NT offers a vibrant and supportive space where local creatives can exhibit their work with low overheads and no commission. Find them at the Parap Shopping Village (same location as Parap Markets) Shop 6/36 Parap Place.

Visitor Centre

The Top End Visitor Information Centre is situated in Darwin CBD and offers personalised visitor services and a comprehensive selection of brochures, booklets, maps and timetables. The team is made up of passionate and dedicated individuals committed to providing excellent customer service to all visitors. The Centre provides free up-to-date and knowledgeable information; create customised itineraries to suit any budget and time frame to help take all of the hard work out of planning a trip to the Top End. The Top End Visitor Information Centre helps visitors discover the incredible places that make up the Top End to ensure they have memorable experiences.

PS. The Visitor Centre is literally across the road from the Fringe Hub.

Getting around

There are multiple options for getting around.

Public buses operate 7 days a week except Christmas Day and Good Friday.

• They run from the Darwin, Casuarina and Palmerston bus interchanges.
• Before you travel, check if there are any bus alerts and route changes.

Uber operates throughout Darwin and its surrounding areas.

Various Taxi services also allow you ease of transportation in the Top End.

E-scooters operate in the Darwin CBD and can also be ridden out to some of Darwin’s most renowned venues including the Mindil Beach Markets, Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT), Darwin Ski, Sailing and Trailer Boat Clubs, Bundilla Beach and Fannie Bay Shops.

Key e-scooter parking locations

• Darwin Waterfront
• Darwin CBD
• Cullen Bay
• Mindil Beach
• Fannie Bay

E-bikes operate in a much larger operating zone allowing users to ride further from the Darwin CBD out and around the suburbs of Parap, Nightcliff, Casuarina, Leanyer and Wulagi.

Key e-bike parking locations

• Darwin CBD
• Parap
• Nightcliff
• Charles Darwin University
• Casuarina

Discounted Accommodation

Argus Apartments Darwin

• Promo code: DFringe24
• Discount for Fringegoers: 20% off accommodation at either property.
• Book dates: Anytime from today until the 27.07.24.
• Stay dates: 11.07.24 – 28.07.24.

Palms Resort

• Promo code: Fringe24
• Valid stay dates: 8 July – 25 July 2024.
• Discount: 15%
• Valid on Standard hotel rooms and Garden Bungalows only for direct website bookings via www.palmscityresort.com
• Not valid with any other offer.

Go wild

Not only is Darwin Australia’s most Northern Capitol city, it’s also a gateway to your Northern adventure. With beautiful swimming holes galore and plenty of places to explore, the dry season is the safest time of year to be near the water in regards to Crocodiles and Jelly Fish but ALWAYS BE CAREFUL and follow advice or signage.

• George Brown Botanic Gardens
• Darwin Dippers swimming group
• Casuarina Coastal Reserve and Boardwalk
• Berry Springs Nature Reserve
• Litchfield National Park
• Kakadu National Park

Keep exploring