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Hours
Sun
10:00 am - 10:00 pm
Mon
10:00 am - 10:00 pm
Tue
10:00 am - 10:00 pm
Wed
10:00 am - 10:00 pm
Thu
10:00 am - 10:00 pm
Fri
10:00 am - 10:00 pm
Sat
10:00 am - 10:00 pm
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Ratings and reviews
4.5
Travellers' Choice 2024
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Food and ambience
Local cuisine, Asian, Pub, Bar, Australian, Vegetarian friendly
Special Occasion Dining, Romantic, View, Groups, Bar Scene
Does this restaurant offer free wifi?
Details
About
The Darwin Trailer Boat Club is Darwin's oldest seaside Club. From its humble origins in 1954, trading from a modified caravan, the Club has grown to become a Darwin institution. Today the Club boasts an architect-designed modernist Club House with a capacity of 1,000 people that takes full advantage of its absolute water frontage. Whilst the Darwin Trailer Boat Club is a members club we do welcome people visiting Darwin and the general public to enjoy our facilities and our hospitality. Visitors are allowed to use the Club for up to six occasions in any one year. Many choose to join before their sixth visit, seduced by the ideal setting, the fabulous fare at the Bistro and the Club spirit. Ask a Darwin local why they prefer the Blue Water Bistro and they might tell you it's because the seafood is always fresh and sourced locally. They might say that the price is right and the service always friendly. Possibly siting on the shore of the Arafura Sea won them over. Families love the pool and playground for the kids to entertain themselves in as the older ones enjoy a second drink. It could be the convenience of the Bistro staying open all day long. We think it's all of these things and more.
CUISINES
Bar, Asian, Pub, Australian
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner
FEATURES
Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Free off-street parking, Television, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Mastercard, Visa, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Live Music, Waterfront, Beach, Playgrounds, Dog Friendly, Sports bars
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4.5
880 reviews
Excellent
461
Very good
272
Average
91
Poor
33
Terrible
23
Clare J
Darwin3 contributions
Apr 2020 • none
We are so glad we headed down to the Trailer Boat Club tonight to grab some takeaway meals. Their takeaways were fast and delicious and it is so great that the staff are all donating their time and all funds support Foodbank.
Fantastic!
Written 30 April 2020
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.
Susan B
2 contributions
Apr 2020 • couples
Heartwarming to see DTBC operating from a place of generosity during Covid-19. Great drive through takeaway service, happy staff, fantastic food (including gluten free and vegan options!), and not a plastic bag or takeaway container in sight. On top of all this, supporting their community through the Community Kitchen with profits going to Foodbank NT. All of you at DTBC - THANK YOU for your creativity and hard work in difficult times.
Written 18 April 2020
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.
Christina H
1 contribution
Apr 2020 • none
My family and I just had the takeaway pumpkin soup from the Darwin Trailer Boat Club's Community Kitchen and it was DELICIOUS! Not only is the service and food wonderful but what an incredible thing they are doing raising money for Foodbank NT. Last week we had the pasta and rice dish as well and it was also delicious! They also have a vegan option. This is now what we do for dinner on a Tuesday night. Highly recommend it. Keep up the great work (and yummy food) DTBC!
Written 21 April 2020
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.
Dream767186
5 contributions
Jan 2021 • none
awful food wont eat there again. was looking forward to some seafood. ordered the soft shell crab for $30 ... it was terrible over battered and so deep fried , whatever crab was inside was like mush. the vegees were overcooked and tired ... we also tried the salad bar which was not good. great place for a wine and sea view will pass on the food
Written 22 January 2021
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.
Lily C
Darwin76 contributions
Dec 2020 • couples
We were hungry for quality seafood and decided to choose something special. The Festive seafood platter had a nice ring to it. The seafood tower looked sensational - a mixture of fresh cold and hot cooked platter. Enjoyed most. However, there was one disappointment. The half crayfish Mornay. It looks like crayfish Mornay but it’s like a cheat’s version. It tastes like a warmed up crayfish shell with pieces of crayfish meat, smothered with cheese - that was rather disappointing for a $80 platter!
Written 27 December 2020
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.
andie b
Perth63 contributions
Mar 2021 • none
We went twice for lunch during out trip, such a chilled out place to sit and watch the water. We travel to Bali often, and this place reminded us of sitting on the beach at Sanur, so we had our tropical fix of water, palms and Asian food!
The signature beef salad hit the spot on a very hot, wet- season afternoon, and my husband enjoyed a whole bucket of prawns to himself. The dessert special, a Laksa inspired cheesecake was unexpectedly decadent and delicious for pub food.
Great spot to shelter if it's raining, lovely friendly staff, we went during the week in wet season, so it was fairly quiet, but I imagine it's very popular on weekends and during the dry.
Written 30 March 2021
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.
Steven H
Adelaide204 contributions
Mar 2021 • family
Been here many times over many years, but not likely to come back anytime soon. Location is amazing with lovely lawns, beachfront and breathtaking sunsets. Looks like new management since last visit as the food quality has deteriorated and the meals are now no better than average pub meals, but at 50% higher price than elsewhere. Scotch fillet steaks were very well cooked but they were very poor quality cuts, tough and full of gristle. Chips were great, but salad bar is very average, with limited range. Bottled wines are expensive and disappointed that they think Shiraz needs to be kept in the fridge. Much better choice and value for money in the CBD. A shame that it has gone so far downhill.
Written 9 March 2021
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.
lylnnn
Cairns22 contributions
Sept 2020 • solo
Saturday night, all the same comments, service vgood, view superlative, house SavBlanc expensive. I ordered a porterhouse steak, medium rare. It came medium rare, but stewed rather than fried/grilled/BBQ. I arrived 10min before close and when the meal was delivered, the salad trays where empty! Obviously very popular, with b'day party and seats full. Paying for view, not food.
Written 22 September 2020
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.
Rob R
Byford148 contributions
Feb 2021 • family
You can't complain about the view, raised up right on the beach. The food was generally well prepared and a good size. The prices were a bit higher then other pubs and clubs in the area, we paid $200 for 6 meals so over $30 each.
Written 24 February 2021
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.
Katherine
28 contributions
July 2022 • friends
Had lunch at the trailer boat club yesterday. My friend had the snapper (fish) which was so dry and unpalatable - perhaps that’s why the cook/chef smothered it in grated green apple. Gross. I had the chilli prawns. There was nothing chilli about what I was served - which appeared to be swimming in an oil slick. I presume the two slices of bread was some king of gastronomical disaster cleanup tool for the oil slick. The prawns were soft and not unlike cotton wool in texture. I managed to eat 3 until my reasoning kicked in and persuaded me that I was under no obligation to eat anymore. Both plates were left barely touched. What a waste of money. Not cheap either. So that’s four times in twos years that I’ve eaten here and each times I’ve been disappointed in the food. I’m just hoping that management takes note and does something about what can only be described as a far from tantalising rip off. At least the beer was cold.
Written 3 July 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.
Annette R
Darwin12 contributions
July 2020 • friends
Authentic, tasty curry, I went twice mid year and could not fault the food,cold drinks and panoramic views. Talk about extensive menu, every dish you could think of & made it hard to decide.
As a Darwin resident always take my visitors there and really enjoy the place.
(My uncle John boasted about the Club starting out with a palm tree make-shift shelter back in '50s).
Go mid week, no crowds like on the packed weekends.
Written 24 November 2020
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.
Matt L
Woonona464 contributions
Apr 2022 • family
We ate at the Trailer Boat Club last night while visiting a friend in Darwin, at his suggestion.
We were really impressed by the whole club, the food selections, drink selections and the atmosphere. There was a wide range of foods on the menu, however I would highly recommend looking at the specials board next to the ordering counter before ordering, as there were a lot of additional dishes available there. I changed my mind when I got to the counter..
The dishes we ordered were the Beef Cheeks, Bangers and Mash, kids spaghetti and the special Lamb Curry, all of which were delicious and we would recommend. There was a good selection of beers and other drinks available at the bar. The club accepts Visa card / Mastercard and Eftpos with no surcharge, which is also excellent.
A huge drawcard of this venue is the outdoor setting, leading on to the beach and with both a pool and a kids play area to enjoy. Highly recommending being there at sunset for the view (see the photo).
We really enjoyed our evening there and would definitely return on a future visit to Darwin.
Written 10 April 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.
annabel33245
Adelaide52 contributions
Aug 2020 • family
Members club that welcomes guest, all you need to do is sign in, no membership charge however non-member prices slightly more but still very reasonable. Birthday dinner, great view of sunset , able to walk on beach while waiting for food. Extensive menu, good food, friendly staff. Location so good we came back next afternoon for a daytime drink .
Written 19 August 2020
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.
Lorraine L
Tarwin Lower3581 contributions
July 2021 • none
This club was recommended to us by one of the drivers on the Darwin HoHo bus, it doesn't look much from East Point Road so we were very surprised when we drove down for a closer look yesterday when we stopped and had a beer. This is an amazing space overlooking Fannie Bay with tables inside and out on the grass area and a few along the fence line overlooking the beach. I decided yesterday that this is now going to be my favourite spot in Darwin for eating on the water, and we have eaten at all the others, we made a decision yesterday to come back for lunch today. Once again we started with a beer each and we could both get what we wanted on tap and the beer was icy cold, we found a table under an umbrella along the fence line so nothing to complain about with the view. My husband chose to have the steak on special and it was cooked just how he liked it and it came with chips a buffet salad and two sauces, a mustard and a creamy garlic sauce. I chose the club signature dish Bun Thit Nuon which was Lemongrass Pork skewers with vermicelli noodles and Asian salad, it looked quite small when it came out but proved to be more than enough for me. The service was excellent as were the prices. Don't miss this club when in Darwin.
Written 11 July 2021
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.
Alex H
1 contribution
Oct 2020 • none
From the moment we arrived at the Trailer Boat Club we knew we were going to have a great evening!
The first thing that hits you is the spectacular view, it really is stunning and gets better as the sun starts setting. We were warmly welcomed by the bar staff and the bar was stocked with a great range of craft beers and wines - it was nice to see something different to the usual club/pub drinks menu's in Darwin. These guys have obviously put some thought in to their drinks list.
We sat down right next to the sea to look at the food menu, which was extensive and had something for everyone i.e. big feeds all the way through to fresh salads for those not wanting to stuff their faces. We went for the duck laksa - which was incredible and the barra with paw paw salad, again a really nice, fresh dish.
Overall we had a superb evening at the DTBC. The view, staff, food and drinks make this a must visit if you are in Darwin.
Written 26 October 2020
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.
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