Darwin, Australia
Waterfalls tumbling off sandstone escarpments, surreal rock formations that resemble an ancient city, and floodplains studded with towering magnetic termite mounds—these are just a few of the natural wonders that make Litchfield National Park a Top End must-see. If you don’t have time for the two-hour drive each way from Darwin, opt for an exhilarating doors-off scenic helicopter flight instead. Nautilus Aviation’s 90-minute itinerary, departing from Darwin Airport, whisks you over four waterfalls, the Lost City rock formations, the magnetic termite mounds, and Darwin River Dam. Keep your eyes peeled: with luck, you might even spot a saltwater crocodile lurking in the waterways below.
Bring home a piece of Australian craftsmanship
Darwin’s Smith Street Mall—home to shopping and breezy outdoor cafés—is also where you’ll find two iconic Australian luxury brands. First, stop into Paspaley, founded in the 1930s by a Greek immigrant and now synonymous with Australian South Sea pearls, among the world’s rarest and most valuable. Browse elegant strands, pendants, and bracelets, or design your own bespoke piece. A few doors down is R.M. Williams, the legendary outfitter known for handcrafted leather boots built for the outback. The shop also stocks premium men’s and women’s clothing, plus a curated selection of another Aussie classic: Akubra hats.
Meet Sweetheart—then discover so much more
Much fuss is made of Sweetheart, the 16-foot-long taxidermied saltwater crocodile. Impressive, yes—but there’s far more to the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT) than this ill-fated, semi-aquatic predator. Must-see permanent exhibits include Cyclone Tracy, chronicling the natural disaster that all but destroyed Darwin on Christmas Eve 1974, and Transformations, which follows the NT’s evolutionary timeline and showcases some of its deadliest wildlife, from mulga snakes to blue-ringed octopuses. For much of the year, MAGNT also hosts the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Awards (NATSIAA)—Australia’s longest-running and most prestigious awards celebrating First Nations artists.




