thread: Places to stay in Darwin in Nov for 2 Adults, 2 yo and 4 month old

  1. #1
    Registered User

    Sep 2008
    Melbourne
    3,300

    Places to stay in Darwin in Nov for 2 Adults, 2 yo and 4 month old

    My grandma lives in Darwin and is turning 90 at beginning of November - so we are heading up their for a surprise party (as she hasn't met DD or DS yet), and am looking for tips on suitable accomodation for 2 Adults, 2 yo and 4 month old - I have only ever been in middle of dry season before and am not a fan of the heat/humidity so need aircon, and we have always stayed at my grandmas but there isn't really room for all of us and we want to make it more of a holiday - so maybe somewhere with a pool? Would ideally like access to a cooking area e.g. apartment so don't have to eat out all the time. Staying for 5 nights I think.

    Ideas for activities while we are there also welcome. We will have access to a car or will hire one.

  2. #2
    Registered User

    Sep 2005
    In the middle of nowhere
    9,362

    Most places in Darwin have a pool.
    We lived for 3 months last year at the Botanic Garden Apartments at the entrance to said gardens. They were great. They had both hotel style rooms or 1/2 bedroom apartments. 2 pools, easy parking, a/c.
    We only lived there in dry so not sure what markets are on in November, but there's Leanyer Water Park, lots of crocodile parks, the Fishermans Wharf.

  3. #3
    Registered User

    Sep 2008
    Melbourne
    3,300

    Thanks for the tip Kim, those apartments look good and are more reasonably priced than some. Also was having a look at cabins (with aircon) - we could save a fair bit by staying in a cabin - have you heard anything about Hidden Valley Tourist Park? It doesn't seem to far out of Darwin (about 15 mins to my Grandma's in Wulagi).

  4. #4
    Registered User

    Sep 2005
    In the middle of nowhere
    9,362

    No I don't know much about them, but I do know where they are and they look nice from the outside. I will ask DH when he gets home though (he's driving from Sydney).
    They are right next to the raceway (well not literally but with 1km) so you might just want to make sure there are no noisy race meets on that weekend.

  5. #5
    Registered User

    Sep 2008
    Melbourne
    3,300

    Thanks for the tip about checking out the race meets, if there are not any on will probably stay there as is a fair bit cheaper and the difference will pay for the car rental. I have booked the flights now so can now look forward to it instead of thinking about how much flights are costing.

  6. #6
    Registered User

    Sep 2008
    Melbourne
    3,300

    Just got back from Darwin, we had a great time and the Hidden Valley Tourist park was great, lovely and clean and not too busy (although that might have been because wet season). Was disappointed to miss Mindl Beach market by a day as finished for season before we got there. Was so so hot (I take my hat off to people who have toddlers and babies up there), but will probably go again as is nice to combine seeing my grandma with a holiday.

    So thanks for the tips Kim

  7. #7
    Registered User

    Sep 2005
    In the middle of nowhere
    9,362

    Oh no, that sux about the Mindil Markets. Glad you had a good time though. The humidity is oppressive isn't it? You experienced one of the worst build-ups for a while. You do get relatively used to it though.

  8. #8
    Registered User

    Sep 2008
    Melbourne
    3,300

    The kids and I are going up again last two weeks in May and staying at Hidden Valley with my parents who are over from the UK - weather should be better - any other must see stuff with a 3 year old and 10 month old?

  9. #9
    Rach83 Guest

    I live in Darwin. I am pretty sure that most accommodation has aircon. The following places/activities are good for families:

    -crocosaurus cove
    -wavepool
    -crocodylus park
    -museum
    -playshack(Palmerston)
    -territory wildlife park
    -aquaduck (bus that drives into harbour)
    -leanyer water park
    -the planet (tenpin and kids play centre)
    That should do for a start


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