Top Things to Do in Darwin from a Cruise Ship | Kakadu Day Trips & Yellow Water Cruise
Discover Kakadu’s Wonders on Your Cruise Stopover in Darwin!
If you’re arriving in Darwin by cruise ship and have just one day to explore Australia’s Top End, make it unforgettable — spend it in Kakadu National Park. A short flight or scenic day tour away, Kakadu is a World Heritage–listed landscape of ancient rock art, billabongs alive with wildlife, and rich Indigenous culture.
For travellers looking to make the most of their Darwin port day, the Yellow Water Billabong Cruise and Nourlangie Rock Art Site offer the perfect taste of Kakadu in one unforgettable journey.
Day Trip Ideas from Darwin
1. Yellow Water Billabong Cruise – Experience the Heart of Kakadu!
Step aboard the famous Yellow Water Cruise, Kakadu’s most iconic wildlife experience. Glide through the wetlands teeming with life — Ginga (saltwater crocodiles) basking on the banks, graceful jabirus, sea eagles, and hundreds of native bird species.
Every season brings a new perspective, and your local guide shares stories that reveal the deep cultural connection between the land, the water, and the Bininj people.
2. Nourlangie Rock Art – Step into 20,000 Years of History
Continue your journey to Nourlangie (Burrungkuy), where the ancient rock shelters hold one of the world’s greatest collections of Aboriginal rock art. These incredible paintings tell stories of creation ancestors and the ongoing connection between people and Country.
The short walks here are suitable for most travellers and reward you with sweeping views over the escarpment.
3. Lunch at Mimi’s Restaurant, Cooinda Lodge
Between adventures, unwind with a delicious lunch at Mimi’s Restaurant, located at Cooinda Lodge in the heart of Kakadu. The menu celebrates native bush ingredients and local flavours — think barramundi, wild herbs, and tropical produce — all enjoyed in a relaxed, tropical setting.
No online bookings necessary, just walk on in!
4. Warradjan Cultural Centre — Aboriginal Art and Museum Exhibit
Before or after your Yellow Water Cruise, drop into the Warradjan Cultural Centre — a space alive with culture, stories, and connection. Browse artworks by local Bininj artists, and if you’re lucky, join a weaving session with Murumburr Traditional Owners.
Plan Your Day Trip from Darwin
Whether you join a guided day tour from Darwin to Kakadu, or arrange a private charter or flight, these experiences can fit neatly into your Darwin cruise itinerary. Many cruise passengers choose to combine the Yellow Water Cruise and Nourlangie Rock Art into a single, seamless day.
For booking information and recommendations, visit
👉 kakadutourism.com — the official home of Kakadu’s best tours, cruises, and accommodation.
Darwin to Kakadu Tours:
Kakadu Air Scenic Flight
Ethical Adventures
AATKings
Autopia Tours
NT Driver Guide: Private
Outback Spirit
Cyaround Australia Tours
Down Under Safaris 4WD Charters
NT Top Adventures
Venture North Safaris
Operating Year Round!
High end micro-group 4WD tours from Darwin through Kakadu, Arnhem Land and the Top End.
Offroad Dreaming
Charter North
Adventure Rentals Car Hire
Sugarbag Safaris
Why Kakadu Is Worth the Journey
Kakadu is more than a destination — it is a living landscape that tells the story of Australia’s oldest culture. Even in a single day, you can connect deeply with the beauty, spirit, and timelessness of this remarkable place.
So, next time your cruise ship docks in Darwin, go beyond the city — and step into Kakadu.
