Mindil Beach

Explore one of Australia’s best beaches by day or visit by evening to enjoy Asian food, a massage, live music and indigenous crafts at Darwin’s sunset markets.

Mindil Beach is one of Australia’s best beaches. Many visitors are surprised to find such a pretty tropical beach so close to a regional capital city. Some locals swim at Mindil during the dry season, but the possible threat of crocodiles and jellyfish makes this unwise for visitors to try. Better swimming is over at at Casuarina, which is patrolled by surf life savers, or alternatively at the Wave Lagoon water park and the free Leanyer Recreation Park. Still, at any time of day, a walk along the splendid Mindil Beach is not to be missed.

The Northern Territory is known for the blazing color of its sunsets, and it’s at this hour of the day that Mindil Beach really shines. Every Thursday and Sunday from late April to the end of October, people flock to the city’s iconic beachside market at sunset. Try Asian noodles or seafood from one of the food stalls, listen to live music, relax during a massage or simply watch the sunset. Pick up fashion items made from crocodile skin or paintings and crafts by Aboriginal artists. The illuminated market stalls provide a picturesque setting for a tropical night out.

The Mindil Beach Sunset Market is inspired by the night markets of Asia. The Darwin version includes similar food stalls, but has an indigenous focus. Browse handmade items, jewelry, Aboriginal paintings, musical instruments and sculptures.

For dinner, sample an array of international cuisine from Thailand, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Malaysia and, of course, from the Aussie outback. This is your chance to taste kangaroo sausages! If you arrive early, take your meal to the beach in time to watch the sunset.

After dark, enjoy displays of fire twirling, acrobatics, dance or live local music. There’s plenty for kids to do, too, from a petting zoo to jumping castles and family-friendly musical acts.

Mindil Beach is just over a mile (2 kilometers) from the center of Darwin, and getting there is easy on foot or by bus. Plastic bags are banned, as part of an initiative to save marine turtles that visit Darwin’s beaches.

2/13 Travers St, Coconut Grove NT 0810, Australia | View Google Map

Attractions and Neighbourhoods near Mindil Beach

George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens

Admire bush orchid displays, spiky palms and local bird species as you explore one of Darwin’s most diverse natural environments.

Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory

Learn the stories behind Aboriginal paintings, local wildlife, regional archaeology and the cyclone that flattened Darwin in this gallery that has free admission.

Aquascene

Head to Doctors Gully at high tide to see a natural phenomenon turned tourist attraction, as shoals of fish come to the shallow waters to be fed by hand.

Bicentennial Park

Take a break from the city and stroll through this calming natural space. Pass harbour views, native flora and sobering war monuments.

Crocosaurus Cove

This wildlife park offers the chance to admire a number of local species, as well as the safest encounter you can have with a saltwater crocodile.

Hotels near Mindil Beach

Travelodge Resort Darwin

64 Cavenagh St

Rated 4.0 / 5 by Guests

This family-friendly Darwin hotel is located near the airport, within 1 mi (2 km) of St Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Cathedral and Darwin Waterfront. The Esplanade and Smith Street Mall are also within 10 minutes.

Mantra on the Esplanade

88 The Esplanade

Rated 4.3 / 5 by Guests

Located in Darwin City Centre, this luxury hotel is within 1 mi (2 km) of The Esplanade and Darwin Waterfront. Darwin Harbour and Darwin War Memorial are also within 5 minutes.

DoubleTree by Hilton Darwin Esplanade

116 The Esplanade

Rated 4.0 / 5 by Guests

Located in Darwin City Centre, this hotel is steps from The Esplanade, The USS Peary Memorial, and Darwin Harbour. Bicentennial Park and Darwin Entertainment Centre are also within 5 minutes.

Hilton Darwin

32 Mitchell Street

Rated 4.3 / 5 by Guests

Located in Darwin City Centre, this luxury hotel is within a 15-minute walk of Maningrida Arts & Culture and Darwin Waterfront. Smith Street Mall and Parliament House are also within 5 minutes.

Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront

7 Kitchener Drive

Rated 4.3 / 5 by Guests

Located in Darwin City Centre, this hotel is within a 10-minute walk of The Esplanade and Darwin Waterfront. Wave Lagoon and WWII Oil Storage Tunnels are also within 5 minutes.

Rydges Darwin Central

21 Knuckey Street

Rated 4.4 / 5 by Guests

Located in Darwin City Centre, this hotel is within a 15-minute walk of Smith Street Mall and Darwin Waterfront. Maningrida Arts & Culture and The Esplanade are also within 5 minutes.

DoubleTree by Hilton Darwin

122 The Esplanade

Rated 4.2 / 5 by Guests

This family-friendly Darwin hotel is located by the sea, within a 5-minute walk of The Esplanade and Darwin Entertainment Centre. Smith Street Mall and Mindil Beach are also within 1 mi (2 km).

Novotel Darwin Airport

2 Sir Norman Brearly Drive

Rated 4.2 / 5 by Guests

Located in Eaton, this eco-friendly hotel is 0.8 mi (1.3 km) from Marrara Sports Complex and within 3 mi (5 km) of TIO Stadium and Casuarina Coastal Reserve. Casuarina Square and Charles Darwin University are also within 3 mi (5 km).

Cullen Bay Resort

26-32 Marina BoulevardCullen Bay, Cullen Bay

Rated 4.1 / 5 by Guests

Located in Cullen Bay, this apartment building is within a 10-minute walk of Cullen Bay Marina and Mindil Beach. The Esplanade and Smith Street Mall are also within 2 mi (3 km).

Mantra Pandanas

43 Knuckey Street

Rated 4.4 / 5 by Guests

Located in Darwin City Centre, this luxury hotel is within a 15-minute walk of Smith Street Mall and Darwin Waterfront. Maningrida Arts & Culture and Brown's Mart Theatre are also within 10 minutes.

Mercure Darwin Airport Resort

1 Sir Norman Brearley Drive

Rated 4.0 / 5 by Guests

Located in Eaton, this romantic hotel is 0.8 mi (1.3 km) from Marrara Sports Complex and within 3 mi (5 km) of TIO Stadium and Casuarina Coastal Reserve. Casuarina Square and Charles Darwin University are also within 3 mi (5 km).

Novotel Darwin CBD

100 The Esplanade

Rated 4.1 / 5 by Guests

Located in Darwin City Centre, this beach hotel is within 1 mi (2 km) of The Esplanade and Darwin Waterfront. Darwin Harbour and Bicentennial Park are also within 5 minutes.

Palms City Resort

64 Esplanade

Rated 4.4 / 5 by Guests

Located in Darwin City Centre, this motel is within a 15-minute walk of The Esplanade and Darwin Waterfront. Darwin War Memorial and Darwin Harbour are also within 5 minutes.

Mindil Beach Casino Resort

Gilruth Avenue

Rated 4.2 / 5 by Guests

Located in The Gardens, this beach hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Mindil Beach, George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens, and SKYCITY Casino. Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory and Cullen Bay Marina are also within 1 mi (2 km).

Value Inn

50 Mitchell Street

Rated 3.5 / 5 by Guests

Located in Darwin City Centre, this motel is within 1 mi (2 km) of The Esplanade and Darwin Waterfront. Maningrida Arts & Culture and Smith Street Mall are also within 5 minutes.

Quality Hotel Darwin Airport

225 Mcmillans Road

Rated 4.4 / 5 by Guests

Located in Jingili, this hotel is within 1 mi (2 km) of Marrara Sports Complex and TIO Stadium. Casuarina Coastal Reserve and Casuarina Square are also within 2 mi (3 km).

Adina Apartment Hotel Darwin Waterfront

7 Kitchener Drive

Rated 4.3 / 5 by Guests

Located in Darwin City Centre, this luxury aparthotel is steps from Wave Lagoon, Christ Church Anglican Cathedral Darwin, and WWII Oil Storage Tunnels. The Esplanade and Darwin Waterfront are also within 5 minutes.

Casa on Gregory

52 Gregory Street(Cnr Gregory & Toy Streets), (Cnr Gregory & Toy Streets)

Rated 3.9 / 5 by Guests

Located in Parap, this hotel is within 3 mi (5 km) of Mindil Beach, The Esplanade, and Cullen Bay Marina. Smith Street Mall and Darwin Waterfront are also within 3 mi (5 km).

Coconut Grove Holiday Apartments

146 Dick Ward Drive

Rated 3.8 / 5 by Guests

Located in Coconut Grove, this apartment building is within 2 mi (3 km) of Casuarina Coastal Reserve, Casuarina Beach, and Darwin Harbour. Marrara Sports Complex and Charles Darwin University are also within 3 mi (5 km).

Melaleuca on Mitchell Backpacker Accommodation

52 MITCHELL STREET DARWIN NT 0800, 52

Rated 3.8 / 5 by Guests

Located in Darwin City Centre, this hotel is within 1 mi (2 km) of The Esplanade and Darwin Waterfront. Maningrida Arts & Culture and Smith Street Mall are also within 5 minutes.

Darwin City Edge Motel & Suites

38 Gardens Road

Rated 3.7 / 5 by Guests

Located in Darwin City Centre, this motel is within 1 mi (2 km) of St Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Cathedral, Darwin Waterfront, and Cullen Bay Marina. The Esplanade and Darwin Entertainment Centre are also within 10 minutes.

Quest Parap

49 Parap Rd, Parap

Rated 4.6 / 5 by Guests

This hotel is situated in the business district.

Argus Apartments Darwin

6 Cardona Court

Rated 4.6 / 5 by Guests

This family-friendly Darwin aparthotel is located near the airport, within a 10-minute walk of Smith Street Mall and Darwin Waterfront. The Esplanade and Brown's Mart Theatre are also within 10 minutes.

Darwin FreeSpirit Resort

901 Stuart Highway

Rated 4.0 / 5 by Guests

Located in Holtze, this holiday park is within 6 mi (10 km) of Holmes Jungle Nature Park, Flight Path Golf & Outdoor Recreation, and Crocodylus Park. Darwin Aviation Museum and Charles Darwin National Park are also within 6 mi (10 km).