Mindil Beach
Mindil Beach
4.5
4:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
Closed
Wednesday
Closed
Thursday
4:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Friday
Closed
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
4:00 PM - 9:00 PM
About
Situated just 5 minutes from Darwin City, Mindil Beach is a local’s favourite for watching tropical sunsets over the ocean. With a palm filled, grassy reserve, Mindil Beach is popular for markets and events. The Mindil Beach Sunset Markets take place here every Thursday and Sunday evening throughout the dry season (April to October). Follow the surrounding walking paths, which take you from Mindil Beach to Fannie Bay and East Point Reserve.
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4.5
3,946 reviews
Excellent
2,129
Very good
1,318
Average
414
Poor
67
Terrible
18
Travelgirl0123
Queensland, Australia125 contributions
Sept 2023 • Solo
Mindil Beach and markets are listed as a must do when visiting Darwin. I visited on Sunday, one of 2 market days and so a lot of people in attendance. The beach is small and wide. The sunset was lovely but I had a better view from my accommodation balcony a few kms away. I noted a lot of people left the beach after sunset but you need to stay about 15 to 20 mins to get the beautiful changing colours of the western sky. As for the markets I've seen better. One long side of food vans of different cultures - pricey, tried little samples and then Asian for dinner. Not a lot of tables/chairs to sit and eat. Other side was similar expensive handicraft. Lovely live background music - country and didgeridoo. Had a great foot and shoulder massage which was worth price. If you need somewhere to look at sunset (and a Darwin sunset is wonderful) or really into markets then it's worth a visit.
Written 28 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kamal P
Byron Bay, Australia9,665 contributions
June 2024 • Family
Hundreds including me waited for this moment. The last five minutes until it vanished in the horizon, creating a very colourful background. Sunset would be visible to where ever you are, but this is a unique place on earth or may be the only place where hundreds of people gather to admire colours, clap and cheer, bidding the "Sun" good bye when the Sun goes down after doing the greatest job no other object would do! Tomorrow too, people will gather again, and the same will continue!
Written 11 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Back Packer
Kuwait City, Kuwait5 contributions
Sept 2022
This is the most visited event in darwin annually for a reason.
from the variety of amazing food, ranging from thai, malaysian, american, mexican, and of course australian, and then some; Including some unique options like croc, and kangaroo, you can find just about anything you would want to eat here at the markets.
There are plenty of booths selling local jerky, clothing, goods and services, for example, you can get a quick massage, or buy some locally made jerky, maybe get your palm read by a psychic, or just walk around and enoy the family friendly atmoshphere.
You can find authentic aboriginal art, boomerangs, didgeridoos, croc leather goods, and jewelry.
This is a must do for a visiting tourist or backpacker. and then after you bought yourself a crocodile vest, had some laksa and a kangaroo burger, seen a whip demonstration, listened to some digeredoo music, and had some mini pancakes for dessert, you can sit down on the beach and watch an amazing sunset over the ocean with music and firedancers performing all around you.
Do yourself a favor and do this if your in the area during the dry season.
from the variety of amazing food, ranging from thai, malaysian, american, mexican, and of course australian, and then some; Including some unique options like croc, and kangaroo, you can find just about anything you would want to eat here at the markets.
There are plenty of booths selling local jerky, clothing, goods and services, for example, you can get a quick massage, or buy some locally made jerky, maybe get your palm read by a psychic, or just walk around and enoy the family friendly atmoshphere.
You can find authentic aboriginal art, boomerangs, didgeridoos, croc leather goods, and jewelry.
This is a must do for a visiting tourist or backpacker. and then after you bought yourself a crocodile vest, had some laksa and a kangaroo burger, seen a whip demonstration, listened to some digeredoo music, and had some mini pancakes for dessert, you can sit down on the beach and watch an amazing sunset over the ocean with music and firedancers performing all around you.
Do yourself a favor and do this if your in the area during the dry season.
Written 19 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anthony459
Canberra, Australia50 contributions
June 2024 • Couples
Quite frankly it has gone off. The markets on Thursday are not what they used to be, while plenty of interesting and varied food experiences to enjoy, the craft side was limited, poor in range and what was good was expensive.
Would still recommend going for the experience and the sunset view from the beach, but just don't have high expectations, of course it is free with a cheep or free for Aus seniors bus from the city. The best street craft market in Australia is still in Hobart but that's about 4,000kms away, was there a couple of years ago and will be again later in the year.
Would still recommend going for the experience and the sunset view from the beach, but just don't have high expectations, of course it is free with a cheep or free for Aus seniors bus from the city. The best street craft market in Australia is still in Hobart but that's about 4,000kms away, was there a couple of years ago and will be again later in the year.
Written 13 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dan W
1 contribution
Sept 2023 • Family
Overly rated.. food options good but other stalls tourist orientated.
Best thing was the sun setting but that can be seen from many areas other than Mindil.
Local Aboriginal ladies singing at sunset was lovely x
Best thing was the sun setting but that can be seen from many areas other than Mindil.
Local Aboriginal ladies singing at sunset was lovely x
Written 24 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mazram
Sydney, Australia81 contributions
Aug 2022
We attended on the night of the Mindil beach markets which had food from every corner of the world. After looking at all the options, we decided on Sri Lanka beef curry dishes. As we live on the Australian east coast we do not experience sunsets over the ocean but only sunrises. See the sunset over the ocean was quite extraordinary with the many colours as the sun disappeared over the horizon.
Written 21 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Capitaine B
Western Australia, Australia8 contributions
Aug 2023 • Solo
Mindil beach is the only beach in the world where there are hundreds of people
(on markets day) on the beach to watch sunset but absolutely NOBODY going in the water, despite the water temperature being 27c ! Despite being in the middle of the dry season where the risks of crocodiles and jelly fish is low.
I went in and out the water for several dips. I could feel hundreds of people people taking me photos of me "before" and "after"... meaning when I went in and then coming out. People somehow expecting body parts would be missing when coming out ! Haha
Absolutely ultimate exhibitionistic experience !
Written 15 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark A
Ottawa, Canada89 contributions
Oct 2022
Despite all the rave reviews this is really not that exciting. Many food stalls, a few vendors of assorted tat. Lots of "musicians", read aboriginals banging sticks to beg for money. I found that part a little depressing actually. I would hope a country as rich as Australia could do better for these people. Those food items we did try were quite good. We actually flew into Darwin early so my wife could experience Mindil Beach and she liked it. Sunset is spectacular as you would expect in the tropics. I think this is a special place in Darwin because there is just not that much to do in Darwin.
Written 7 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kwchong2023
Sydney, Australia2 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
The Thursday Mindil Beach Sunset Market is a must-visit destination. My wife and I were there early and browsed through all the food-stalls. There were so many varieties. With so much options, it was hard to make a decision. We had an early dinner and then headed to the beach to watch the sunset. The sunset was spectacular. The beach was full of people, enjoying the view of the orange sky as the sun went down. When the sun went below the horizon, everyone applauded. Obviously, everyone had a good time. Highly recommended.
Written 2 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Euan R
Ettalong Beach, Australia501 contributions
June 2022
Went to the Markets and for the sunset and were very pleased with both. We caught a No. 4 bus to the market, stops right across the road, wandered markets bought some home made vanilla slice with REAL cream,Yummo!, sat on beach to watch sunset, very busy, great spectacle,a must visit
Written 19 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, we fly into Darwin on Sunday 22nd Dec any idea if the market will be on that night and what time it closes as we are only there for 2 nights
Written 10 May 2019
The markets are are only on during the dry season
Written 19 August 2019
Any recommendations for markets or other things to do on a Monday or Tuesday evening in Darwin in January?
Written 3 November 2018
No markets on these evenings. Parap Markets Saturday morning, Nightcliff Markets Sunday morning. Probably Wharf Precinct would be best.
Written 4 November 2018
Is there any other markets aside from Mindil Markets which is Thursday & Sunday only?
Written 28 September 2018
Mindil is famous but the food is mostly awful. Eat somewhere else.
Written 29 September 2018
Buongiorno, desidero sapere se è balneabile questa parte di spiaggia! Grazie
Written 18 July 2018
C'è una zona balneabile segnalata, come sempre, dalle bandiere rosse e gialle. Tuttavia, in alcuni periodi, ci sono le meduse. Comunque è tutto chiaramente segnalato e ci sono dei bagnini a cui, eventualmente, chiedere
Written 19 July 2018
Which is better Thursday or Sunday to go to the markets? Or both the same atmosphere, and amount of stalls?
Written 28 October 2017
Hi there we went on the Sunday. Just beautiful. Food was great, stalls were good and it was packed. Great start to a new week. I haven't been on a Thursday so I cannot compare. Enjoy
Written 28 October 2017
HI, if I would like take the bus from Mindil Beach Sunset Market to the Airport around 9PM, I knew it just route 3 will stop by the airport, but it just till 6PM. how can I go to the airport with the budget way? thanks!!!
Written 2 June 2015
The buses are at best sporadic at that hour. Sky city always has taxis so go there for a taxi. Alternatively you could arrange & check with the airport bus that leaves behind Mitchell street. It costs the same as a taxi. You will be hard pressed to get easy bus connections to the airport at 9pm @ night. Your best bet is the taxi if you need to get there fast. And it's the safest. Backpackers are easy to pick. And it's a remote city. Be safe!
Written 3 June 2015
Hello......I will be in Darwin (in October) only Monday and Tuesday night. Will the markets on Mindil Beach be open on these nights?????
Thank you for your help!
Written 19 May 2015
You will be disappointed as the Mindil Beach Sunset Market is only open on Thursday and Sunday nights from April to October.
Written 13 September 2015
Hi What bust stop (or where) do I get on the bus and what is the name of the stop I get off for the Mindil Markets will only be in Darwin from the 13th - 16th September 2015 so would have to be the Sunday market
Written 12 February 2015
The main bus teminus is on Harry Can Avenue, up past the Mall near Parliament house (Wedding Cake Building).
There plenty of information there about which bus to catch. I suggest talk to the bus drivers as they are a bunch of characters and very helpful. The drop off point is outside Skycity Casino, and it's right beside Mindil Beach. The return bus stop is across the road. We enjoyed using the buses as we are seniors, I think it was $1 for several hours around the city & out to Casuarina Shopping Mall.
I hope you enjoy Darwin, we loved it.
Written 12 February 2015
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