Flights from Napier to Darwin

What can you do in Darwin as a family?

Hit the beach or go swimming

Mindil Beach is a top family attraction worth visiting when you book flights from Napier to Darwin. It also just happens to be right next to one of Darwin’s biggest attractions: the Mindil Beach Sunset Market. You can spend the day lounging at the beach while the kids build sandcastles and swim in the sea, before finishing it all off perusing the delicious food stalls at the market.

Families with Napier to Darwin flights can also spend the day at Darwin’s Wave Lagoon. Situated at the Darwin Waterfront Precinct, the lagoon is suitable for kids of all ages. The huge pool features an artificial swell so you and the kids can have fun splashing around on boogie boards and tubes, while toddlers can enjoy the shallow water play areas. There’s also a free Recreation Lagoon nearby with a sandy beach and swimming area, a great spot if you’ve booked cheap flights to Darwin from Napier and are on a budget. Nearby suburbs of Leanyer and Palmerston also have recreation parks with water slides, playgrounds, skate parks, and more, for families with flights from Napier (Hawkes) to Darwin to enjoy.

See Darwin’s crocodiles

The Top End is famous for its crocodiles; they’re a must see for all visitors with flights to Darwin from Napier . One of the best places to visit when you book flights to Darwin is Crocodylus Park. It’s just 15 minutes from the CBD and Darwin Airport (DRW) if you drive or take a taxi, or approximately 40 minutes by bus. You and the kids will be able to see saltwater and freshwater crocodiles up close in their natural habitat. There’s also a wildlife park with big cats, monkeys, reptiles, and Australian marsupials. For anyone that’s booked tickets to Darwin from Napier and wants an authentic Northern Territory experience without leaving the city, the Crocodylus Park should be top of their itinerary.

Families with Napier to Darwin flights can’t forget about Crocosaurus Cove either. Kids can witness crocs and turtles being fed, and get up close with reptiles in their enclosure. Crocosaurus Cove also has the famous ‘Cage of Death’, which lets you safely get in the water with one of Australia’s biggest crocodiles.

Visit the Museums

When you purchase flights from Napier to Darwin, it’s a good idea to plan a couple of indoor activities to give the kids a break from Darwin’s warm and often humid weather. The Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory is a great place to do this. The family-friendly museum is home to several taxidermied animals, including Sweetheart, the massive 5.1 metre crocodile, and a number of rotating exhibitions that are sure to enthral. For parents and kids interested in modern history, there’s also a fantastic exhibit on Cyclone Tracy, the infamous cyclone that devastated the city in 1974. Museum entry is free so you don’t need to worry about costs if you’ve booked cheap flights from Napier to Darwin.

How much time should I spend in Darwin?

Short trips

When it comes to booking your Napier to Darwin return flights, it can be hard to decide how long to travel for. If you plan to stay inside the city, a long weekend is a great amount of time to visit. The Northern Territory capital is a favourite among New Zealanders and Australians looking to escape the colder winter months down south, making three or even four days the perfect length of time to get some sun and recharge your batteries. As the city is so compact, you can get between attractions like the Mindil Beach Sunset Market and the CBD in less than five minutes by car, or 30 minutes on foot. Thanks to the size of the city, you can start your day with breakfast by Darwin Waterfront, stroll to one of Darwin’s suburbs, such as Parap, head to the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, and still have time to visit Mindil Beach Sunset Market in the evening.

Longer trips

While it’s possible to book return flights from Hawkes Airport to Darwin for a long weekend, you could easily spend a week or more in the city, especially if you don’t want to rush around during your stay. If you’re booking flights to Darwin from Napier with family, it’s easy to spend the entire day at attractions such as Darwin’s Wave Lagoon, Crocodylus Park and Crocosaurus Cove. The Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory is also likely to take you a few hours to fully explore, and suburbs like Parap and strips such as Mitchell Street have plenty to see and do as well.

Stokes Hill Wharf is another great spot for visitors with tickets to Darwin from Napier. The area has undergone a revamp in the past few years and has been transformed into a popular drinking spot with restaurants and bars overlooking the lagoon and beach. Visit the Darwin Ski Club at sunset for some of the best views of Darwin’s iconic harbour area.

For longer trips, Litchfield National Park is another place worth visiting. It’s about 1.5 hours drive from Darwin and has some of the most spectacular cascading waterfalls, waterholes and bushwalks you’ll likely ever have the pleasure of seeing and experiencing. If you don’t want to drive, there are several tour operators who offer day trips to the park.