Stefanos Vasilakis is the General Manager at Metro Advance Apartments and Hotel Darwin, a property that is located right in the heart of the action. Read on for Stefanos’ insider tips on the best things to do, see and eat while you’re in Darwin.
The Vault Café on Smith Street.
Kurt’s Cakes on Cavenagh Street. They do beautiful fresh cannoli and they also do made-to-order cakes for special occasions which is handy if you’re having a birthday while you’re in town.
Di Croco and Arley Rae stores for crocodile products. You can also visit the flagship Paspaley Pearls store in town, and Mindil Beach Markets also have a number of stalls selling locally made products. This is particularly good place to buy things like indigenous art and crafts, jewellery, locally designed clothing and skincare made from native ingredients.
St Mary’s cathedral (one block from hotel) is one of the few buildings in Darwin that survived Cyclone Tracy. During World War II, the church of St Mary was also the seat of the garrison of the military chaplaincy for Aussie troops in Darwin.
It’s in a great CBD location right next door to a supermarket for convenient grocery shopping. It’s also within walking distance of the famous Mindil Beach Markets. You can easily stroll down to the Waterfront, walk to the Convention Centre and there are restaurants, cafes and shops right on the doorstep.
Smith Street – there are plenty of options there.
The Esplanade and the Waterfront.
The Cav Hotel on Cavenagh Street and The Tap on Mitchell Street which is particularly good for people watching.
Stokes Hill Wharf and Royal Flying Doctor Service Darwin, WWII Oil Storage Tunnels, Mindil Beach, Darwin Military Museum and the Art Gallery.
I love going down to the Waterfront for dinner, going out for coffee and ice cream at the Cool Spot, and riding my bike around the city. Darwin has really good bike paths that make it extra-easy to get around.