6.1 magnitude earthquake in Banda Sea rattles Darwin and Top End

Darwin has been rattled by an earthquake in the Banda Sea in the middle of the night.

The magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck at about 1.30am local time and was felt by at least 600 residents across Darwin and nearby Palmerston, according to Geoscience Australia.

The tremor was felt as far away as Katherine, 300 kilometres south of Darwin.

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There is no tsunami threat to the Australian mainland, islands or territories.

The quake was detected at a depth of 151 kilometres and was detected across the Top End.

Darwin residents reported being awoken by the shaking.

One Darwin resident posted online their entire apartment had been rattled and multiple reports described a large shake, followed by a few minutes of minor tremors.

Taller buildings in the Darwin CBD were most affected, with some hotel guests reporting strong swaying.

"I felt the Novotel building sway in Darwin CBD a few floors up," one person told 9News Darwin.

"I thought I had one too many nightcaps until people in the lobby confirmed they felt the same."

No reports of property damage were received and nearby Timor-Leste and parts of Indonesia were also unscathed.

A smaller 5.2 magnitude quake was detected in the same region north of Darwin two days before this quake.

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