Flights from Rotorua to Darwin

What are the top sights in Darwin?

Charles Darwin National Park

Charles Darwin National Park is located around 4 kilometres southeast of Darwin’s CBD and is a great spot to spend warm, sunny days in the Northern Territory capital. History enthusiasts will love the park for its World War II–era concrete bunkers, some of which have been converted into visitors centres to display World War II memorabilia. There are also wonderful lookouts towards the city, providing the perfect spot to capture some photographs during your trip. If you’re booking tickets to Darwin from Rotorua in search of outdoor activities, the park also features a number of fire trails suitable for bush walking. There is also a mountain bike trail for more adventurous travellers and, if your flights Rotorua to Darwin bring you to the city in June, you might be able to enjoy the Earthdance festival as well.

Stokes Hill Wharf

Stokes Hill Wharf is the main wharf for the city of Darwin and is a popular spot among locals and tourists alike. It’s named after Stokes Hill, which it’s situated next to. Don’t be fooled by the laid-back atmosphere of the wharf; there is plenty to see, do and eat. If you’ve booked some cheap flights to Darwin from Rotorua with the family, catch a harbour cruise and see some of Darwin’s incredible wildlife while you travel along the river. There are also a number of casual restaurants, such as Crustaceans on the Wharf, which specialise in fresh local seafood. Aside from simply enjoying the amazing sunsets over Darwin Harbour, there’s also free live entertainment available on Wednesdays and Sundays during the dry season.

Darwin Military Museum

If you’re booking flights to Darwin from Rotorua and have an interest in history, the Darwin Military Museum is a great place to head. Home to a wide range of warplanes, it’s situated in what was one of the most fortified areas of Australia during the Second World War, so you’ll also be able to see concrete gun emplacements from that period as well.

What public transport is available in Darwin?

Public Buses Network

If you’ve purchased cheap flights to Darwin from Rotorua and want to enjoy a budget-friendly trip, the local bus network is the most affordable public transport option. Tap and Ride cards are available to purchase at bus interchanges or as you get on board the bus. The Tap and Ride card gives you up to 10 bus trips or seven consecutive days of unlimited travel before your credit runs out. Alternatively, buses also accept cash. Single tickets are valid for three hours from when you purchase them and daily tickets give you one full day of unlimited bus travel.

Big Bus Tours

Hop-on, hop-off Big Bus Tours are a really fun way to see Darwin’s top attractions, especially if you’ve only booked flights to Darwin from Rotorua for the weekend and want to see as much of the city as possible. You can either buy a one-day or two-day ticket on the day you plan to use it, or if you want to save some money, you can pre-book your tickets online to receive a discount. The bus travels from the city’s Tourist Information Centre to many of the city’s best sights, including the Waterfront Precinct and Cullen Bay Marina.

Ferries

In general, there’s limited public transport on Darwin's waterways. However, when you book flights to Darwin from Rotorua, you may be able to catch one of two ferry services. One operates from Darwin Harbour and travels between Cullen Bay and Mandorah. The other can take you to the Tiwi Islands located further north. To make sure the ferries are running, check the timetable before you head to the harbour area.

When is Darwin’s winter?

Summer (Wet season)

Darwin doesn’t really have a winter season. Instead, it has two distinct seasons: the wet season and the dry season. If you book flights to Darwin from Rotorua between November and April, you’ll be visiting the city during the wet season. While that might not sound appealing to some, you may be able to find cheaper flights as this time of the year coincides with the off-peak tourist season. If you plan to travel at the beginning or end of the wet season, you’re less likely to encounter as much rain.

Winter (Dry season)

Darwin’s tropical climate means that it also experiences a dry season from May to October. This is the most popular time for visitors to book Rotorua to Darwin flights, so you may want to think about booking in advance in order to secure your tickets to the Top End. As there’s less chance of rain during this time, many of the city’s attractions, such as the Mindil Beach Sunset Markets, are found outdoors.