Is Darwin Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Darwin is a small yet cosmopolitan city. Here live people from more than 50 nations.

The population of the city is 150,000.

It is on the Timor Sea (a branch of the Indian Ocean) in north-central Australia.

Darwin is the tropical capital city of the Northern Territory.

So many diverse cultures in one place attract thousands of tourists to Darwin.

And also here you can visit many green parks and botanical gardens, museums of local culture, visit the World War II Oil Storage Tunnels and East Point Reserve.

There are also many restaurants, cafés, and street food establishments in Darwin, where you can try unique local cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere.

Warnings & Dangers in Darwin

OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM

In general, Darwin can be considered a safe city, but minor crimes happen here. Beware worth scammers and pickpocketers. Perhaps the greatest danger is brought by the wildlife of this region - dangerous crocodiles, poisonous snakes, and sweltering heat.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

Public transport is convenient and safe. You can use it to move around the city; however, always watch your pockets, especially if a bus is crowded with people. Taxis are usually a quick and safe way to travel around the city. Make sure that a taximeter is working in a taxi or call a taxi service from the application on your smartphone.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM

Pickpocketers and purse-snatchers are shared here. Especially in tourist places. Watch your pockets and do not carry valuable and expensive things with you. Keep valuables in the hotel safe and take a minimum of cash with you.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

Cyclones, earthquakes, fires, and floods occur here quite often. Before traveling to Darwin, you should carefully study the weather conditions and avoid visiting the city during dangerous times.

MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM

Grave robberies are rather rare here, but tourists should be alert and not leave their belongings unattended. Do not leave things in the machine when you leave it and always close it. Keep valuables and jewelry in the hotel safe. Robbery can happen near a bar at night or on poorly lit streets, so try to avoid these places.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

Australia did not have significant terrorist attacks, but the country has developed protection measures if any happen. The risk of terrorism in Darwin exists but is not common. Travelers should be very cautious and avoid demonstrations and protest actions.

SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM

Fraud happens in Darwin if tourists are not vigilant enough. You may be offered fake goods on the streets or fake tickets to exhibitions/museums. Make sure you buy everything in licensed places. also, avoid credit card scam at ATM and withdraw money only at ATM at banks.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

Women are free to travel to Darwin alone. The only thing worth taking care of is your safety and not being in bars late at night, not walking at night in poorly lit streets. It is also better to take a taxi at night to avoid robberies or attacks on the streets.

So... How Safe Is Darwin Really?

Darwin is a generally safe city to visit.

But travelers should use common sense to remain safe.

Petty crime can be a problem, unusually late at night, so avoid walking alone in unlit areas and don’t leave valuables in your car.

The crime rate has grown in recent years; the main crimes here are connected with hacking houses, theft of things, and car theft.

Tourists can quickly lose their pockets due to the abundance of pickpockets.

You should also be especially careful in bars: there were precedents when they could plant sleeping pills or drugs in your drink to rob you or cause other damage.

While in Darwin, remember that heat can cause discomfort, try to drink plenty of water, and find shaded areas to avoid heatstroke.

Also, always remember that in the waters near the city, there are many dangerous crocodiles.

Never camp near the water’s edge, and do not swim in dangerous places.

Cyclones can happen from November to April, while heavy monsoon rains can curtail outdoor activities from December to March.

They lead to river spills and flooding.

Beware of poisonous snakes, as there are also a lot of them in the Darwin area.

How Does Darwin Compare?

Useful Information

Visas

Australia has maintained a universal visa regime, meaning that every non-citizen in Australia must have a visa. Australia does not issue visas on arrival. Most visas any traveler can get electronically.

Currency

The Australian dollar is the currency of Australia. It is signed $ and code AUD. Almost always, it abbreviated with the dollar sign ($), with A$ or AU$ sometimes used to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies. It is subdivided into 100 cents.

Weather

The best times to visit Darwin for ideal weather are mid-April to mid-October. The average temperatures in Darwin vary very little. Temperatures feel hot for most of the year, with a fair chance of precipitation about half of the year.

Airports

Darwin International Airport is the busiest airport serving the Northern Territory and the tenth busiest airport in Australia. It is the only airport serving Darwin. It is located in Darwin's northern suburbs, 12 km from Darwin city center. The airport serves international and domestic flights.

Travel Insurance

The travel insurance policy is a must when visiting a foreign country. Make sure you got it before starting your journey, the customs officer may ask for it.

Darwin Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Average High/Low Temperature

Australia - Safety by City