Why Darwin is the perfect long weekend getaway destination for Aussies

Stepping off the plane in Darwin, you're greeted with a thick wall of heat and humidity – even just after midnight when my flight from Sydney arrived.

I'm a fan of a warm 27-degree summer day and not much more, so I was immediately wondering just how much of my weekend in the Northern Territory would be spent sweating through my clothes.

But walking into the lobby of Darwin's Hilton Garden Inn felt like I'd suddenly been transported to a cool, island paradise. Whatever they use to fragrance their lobby is powerful stuff; within five minutes I was Googling "how to make my house smell like this hotel".

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It's a distinct smell of frangipani that, combined with their powerful air-con, makes entering the hotel the best part of your day.

Yes, there are plenty of other things that made my stay at the hotel comfortable and enjoyable – but damn, that smell. It's something I'll remember forever.

But onto the rest of it.

The accommodation

Though there are three Hilton properties in Darwin, the Garden Inn has been recently renovated to bring it into the 2020s, and is where I stayed for three nights. 

Located on the Esplanade, the rooms have stunning views out over the harbour while also being a short walk from everything there is to do in the city.

Well, to be fair, Darwin is small enough that you're always close to the action. But perched on a street just behind the main strip of bars and restaurants, the Garden Inn has an unbeatable location.

The rooms are spacious enough to be comfortable – with a giant king bed – but cosy enough not to feel like a generic hotel room. Finding out that the TV had a built-in library of movies was a nice surprise after I'd mentally resigned myself to watching whatever was on free-to-air. 

Hotel beds should be judged on two things: the softness of the mattress and the heaviness of the sheets. In both aspects, the Garden Inn certainly delivered.

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The food

My room included breakfast at Together & Co, the hotel restaurant. Get there early if you want to dine by the pool, where you can eat al fresco before it gets too hot.

As a big fan of breakfast buffets, this one certainly delivered. It had all the classic stuff - hot food, fruit, bread, yoghurt, cheese, meats - but I was most impressed by the DIY juice station.

Just take your pick of veggies and fruit, switch on the juicer, and make your own fresh juice in seconds. Sure, it's a small thing, but one that I truly enjoyed.

While Darwin has plenty of good food to enjoy, it's worth fitting in a dinner at Together & Co. during your stay. The menu is an interesting blend of Aussie cuisine and international influences, no doubt thanks to the roster of chefs they employ from around the world.

A Hilton worker even told me they're considering holding an "Around The World" dining event so keep your eyes peeled for that.

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When you visit for dinner, definitely try the salt and pepper crocodile, and if you're into seafood, the barramundi is excellent. And oh boy, the broccolini. Perhaps some of the best I've ever eaten.

Of course, you'll want to arrive a little early for dinner so you can enjoy a signature cocktail before tucking into your meal. 

While there are plenty of great bars around Darwin, being able to go from your room to a cocktail without having to leave air-conditioning is an unbeatable perk.

The city

I've always been Darwin-curious, but never had any actual burning desire to visit the city. So I was pleasantly surprised by what a cool city it is.

The impression that I got is that it's a more friendly and easier-to-navigate version of Melbourne.

Firstly, I was struck by just how multicultural Darwin is. Within the city itself, you can get over 70 different types of cuisines, according to an Uber driver I had. From Nepalese, Korean, and Sri Lankan to Mexican, Greek, and Italian, you've got all your tastes covered.

And oh boy – the laksa.

The city is obsessed with laksa. On weekend mornings, locals sit in the 35-degree sun and slurp down the spicy, piping-hot noodles like it's manna from the gods. And honestly, I don't blame them. Though there are many choices to try – and everyone has their favourites – visitors can't miss the Parap markets on a Saturday morning. 

You'll see keen Darwinites lining up at the food stalls clutching reusable laksa containers, and you'll know you're in the right place.

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While many Aussies tend to consider the Gold Coast and Melbourne as perfect weekend getaway destinations, there's really something to be said for Darwin.

It's often seen as nothing but a gateway to the NT Outback, but take this as your sign to consider a couple of days in Darwin. Book flights when they're on sale, park up at the Garden Inn for a few nights, eat as much laksa as you can, and soak up the good vibes of this northern gem.

The writer travelled to Darwin as a guest of Hilton.