You’ll find Asian food markets, sunset boat cruises, up-close-and-personal reptile encounters and much more when you visit the unique city of Darwin. Add warm nights, quirky locals and all the outdoor activities you could dream of, and you’ll begin to see why this place is called the top town of the Top End. The many and varied attractions are spread out, so securing car hire Darwin downtown is the best way to see it all.
Darwin is a remote city, but often a staple stop on many Australian road trip itineraries to or from other hot spots such as Cairns, Broome and Alice Springs. The city also has an international airport, just 15 minutes from the city centre.
The wildlife, culture and tropical delights make it worth the trip - come and see for yourself.
Car hire Darwin downtown
Airport Rentals has stacks of cheap deals and a huge range of vehicles to suit any preference. We make the process quick and easy: all you need to do is put in your search criteria, find the perfect vehicle, and key in a few details to secure your reservation.
Eventually you will experience that this is also the quality of service to expect from us, whether booking a car rental Darwin Airport has, or for any location in Australia and even worldwide. If you run into any issues before departure or on the road, no problem! Our customer service team is available 24/7 to assist you.
Not sure where to start? Begin a Canberra airport car hire tour and discover Australia's capital. You can also visit Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Gold Coast and Brisbane. No matter where you decide to start, Airport Rentals has got you covered.
A guide to Darwin
Darwin, beside the Timor Sea at the top of Australia, is the capital - and largest - city of the Northern Territory. It’s a multicultural city, with about 146,000 people from more than 60 nationalities.
Like most of the Top End areas, Darwin has a tropical climate with a wet and dry season. The wet season runs from late November to early December and brings heavy monsoons, spectacular lightning displays and increased cyclone activity. Clear skies and mild sea breezes characterise the dry season.
Considered Australia's gateway to Southeast Asia in business circles, Darwin is closer to Jakarta than Canberra and is about the same flight time from Singapore and Manila as from Sydney and Melbourne. Named after British evolutionist Charles Darwin, it’s the main service centre for a wide range of industries including mining, offshore oil and gas production, tourism and tropical horticulture, and the main outlet for Australia's live cattle export trade into Southeast Asia.
Driving in Darwin
Getting to the Darwin International Airport in your car hire Darwin downtown
From downtown Darwin, head north on McMinn St toward Tiger Brennan Dr.
Turn right onto National Highway 1.
Turn left onto Bagot Rd.
Use the right two lanes to turn right onto McMillans Rd.
Turn right onto Henry Wrigley Drive and proceed to the terminal.
Car hire Darwin downtown driving tips
If you’re visiting from abroad, be sure to familiarise yourself with the national road rules of Australia as well as the local driving conditions.
Darwin’s traffic is light, so the driving is easy. Just remember to keep left in your rental if you’re used to driving on the right.
You can drive on an interstate or overseas licence in the Northern Territory for up to three months. However, if your foreign licence isn’t in English and the class of vehicle you’re authorised to drive isn’t easily recognised, you’ll also need an international driving permit. You must carry these documents with you whenever you’re driving.
It’s dangerous to drive outside the city at night. Darwin sits at the start of the Stuart Highway; animals frequently appear on this route, and there are a lot of road trains travelling. Avoid driving from dusk until dawn if you can - plan ahead, especially when driving long distance.
Car hire Darwin downtown parking
The cost of parking in Darwin varies according to location; the CBD has three different on-street parking zones operating from 8 am - 5 pm on weekdays. Payment options are pay-by-phone, coins and credit card. Parking is free after hours, weekends and public holidays.
City Info
Darwin accommodation
Choose from a variety of lodging options in Darwin. Here are just a few.
Darwin Waterfront Luxury Suites - These luxury apartments are modern, stylish and have all the mod cons to make your stay comfortable and enjoyable.
Parap Village Apartments - Surrounded by lush tropical gardens, these two- and three-bedroom units are peaceful, clean and handy to the popular Parap Markets.
Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Darwin - Spacious guest rooms overlooking the famous Darwin Esplanade and within walking distance of the city centre.
What’s on in Darwin?
Darwin knows how to celebrate. Here are just a few annual events that happen in the city.
Territory Day (July) - Spectacular fireworks displays pay tribute to the anniversary of the Northern Territory becoming self-governing.
Great Northern Darwin Cup Carnival (August) - This eight-day carnival brings Darwin to life for a day of fashion, entertainment and vivid colour.
Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (August) - Workshops, exhibitions and performances showcase cultural artists, and gives people a chance to buy a vibrant range of art.
Things to do in Darwin
Start ticking off the city’s best attractions as soon as you pick up your car hire Darwin downtown.
The Deckchair Cinema - Watch a film under the stars. The Deckchair Cinema regularly screens movies at 7:30 pm, with double sessions on weekends.
Kakadu National Park - Three hours from Darwin, this World Heritage-listed park is one of the world’s last unspoiled natural wonderlands.
Crocosaurus Cove - See saltwater crocodiles in the wild. Crocosaurus Cove is home to the world’s largest display of Australian reptiles.
