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Location:

The VIBE Hotel Darwin Waterfront is perfectly positioned within the lively waterfront precinct in Darwin’s centre. With restaurants, cafés, bars, shops and a swimming lagoon just a short stroll away, it’s a convenient location for exploring.

Arrival and Check-in:

We arrived into Darwin airport in the early hours of the morning on board a flight from Singapore. After taking an Uber to the hotel, 25 minutes later we were being checked-in by a friendly team member and very soon heading up the lifts with our luggage.

The Room:

Our room was spacious with comfortable furnishings with decor echoing the coastal vibe of the hotel’s location. The beds were dressed with quality linen whilst the air-conditioning kept the room perfectly cool from the Northern Territory’s tropical heat. The room came equipped with a large wall mounted TV, armchair, hospitality tray, fridge with fresh milk that was replenished daily, and ironing facilities. Moving into the bathroom, this was traditionally styled with a bath with shower over, complimentary fragrant toiletries and a plentiful supply of thick, fluffy towels.

Dining:

We enjoyed breakfast each morning sitting out on the terrace of the hotel’s Curve Restaurant and Bar. Here we found a good selection to start the day with fresh fruit, pastries, yoghurts and a selection of hot dishes. Whilst sipping coffee, we glanced at the complimentary daily newspapers and even when there was a rain shower the shaded terrace kept us nice and dry. Meals and snacks were available throughout the day including family favourites such as pizzas, burgers and fish and chips.

The Facilities:

The hotel features an outdoor pool where we both enjoyed a relaxing dip to cool off from the tropical heat. The pool area was well maintained and surrounded by sun-loungers. The on-site gym was well equipped and open throughout the day for any guests requiring a work-out.

The spacious lobby lounge was light and airy with comfortable chairs and sofas on which to sit and relax or to sip a cocktail from the Curve bar restaurant. Located next door to the hotel was a multi-storey car park which offered guests discounted rates which was very useful as we made good use of this once we had collected our hire car. Wi-Fi worked well throughout the building enabling us to download our newspapers etc.

Out and About:

With the hotel’s location in the heart of the waterfront district it was an easy walk to the city centre via a lift and footbridge. The area is pedestrian-friendly and felt very safe at all times of the day.

Suggested places to visit:

Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory 

Home to Cyclone Tracy exhibits, Indigenous art and the legendary Sweetheart the crocodile. We found the immersive galleries really interesting and the exhibition on Cyclone Tracy made us appreciate how resilient a city Darwin is in rebuilding itself after a huge natural disaster. Admission free. Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory

Parliament House

Another interesting place to visit with free admission is Parliament House which is one of the largest and most striking buildings in Darwin. With its white façade and tropical architecture, it is both beautiful and symbolic.

Darwin Military Museum

Darwin’s wartime history is powerful and ever-present. The Darwin Military Museum at East Point Reserve takes visitors through the events of 1942 when the city came under attack during WWII. In addition to the indoor galleries there’s much to see in the grounds with the Darwin Holocaust Memorial and Education Centre portraying a tragic and dark chapter in world history. Also on display is a unique collection of artillery housed in the original concrete bunker used by the army to plan the strategy for the wartime defence of Australia’s northern shores.  Standard admission AUD $20 (£9.95). Darwin Military Museum

Darwin WWII Oil Storage Tunnels

Down near the waterfront the Darwin WWII Oil Storage Tunnels offer another glimpse into the city’s wartime past. The tunnels are located beneath the cliffs near the waterfront and were constructed during World War II after Japanese air raids destroyed exposed fuel tanks. The tunnels were designed to protect vital oil reserves yet were never used for their intended purpose. This made them a fascinating example of ambitious wartime engineering shaped by rapidly changing circumstances. Standard admission AUD $9.50 (£4.72). Darwin WWII Oil Storage Tunnels

George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens

The George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens are located just a short drive from Darwin’s city centre and are a peaceful escape with their tall palm trees casting a welcome shade over the winding paths. Information boards explain how the gardens had endured cyclones and been carefully shaped over time giving them a sense of resilience as well as beauty. Admission free.

Overall:

VIBE Hotel Darwin Waterfront was an excellent choice for our visit to Darwin. With its convenient location, comfortable rooms and relaxed atmosphere it enhanced our stay in the tropical north.

Details:

VIBE Hotel Darwin Waterfront 7 Kitchener Drive, Darwin, Northern Territory

If you have enjoyed this post you may also like:

Darwin Northern Territory Guide: What to See, Where to Go and Top Experiences

What it’s like to travel on board The Ghan from Darwin to Adelaide

Our stay was supported by VIBE Hotel Darwin Waterfront and as always, all views and opinions are entirely my own.