Cape Adieu Harbour Cruises Sundowner

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A three-hour evening cruise on Darwin Harbour aboard the Cape Adieu, timed so you are out on the water when the sun drops into the sea. No sit-down dinner, just a drink from the bar and room to spread out on three open decks.

Days

3 hours

Group size

Shared sunset cruise

Start / finish

Stokes Hill Wharf, Darwin / Darwin Harbour / Stokes Hill Wharf
Stokes Hill Wharf, around 8pm

Return

Stokes Hill Wharf, around 8pm

Transport

MV Cape Adieu, a converted 1978 fishing vessel

Meals

No meals; drinks from the licensed bar

Route

Map of Cape Adieu Harbour Cruises Sundowner

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Included experiences

Darwin Harbour — sunset cruise from Stokes Hill Wharf
Open decks — watch the sun set from the top deck or the bow
Licensed bar — local spirits, cocktails, beer and wine
Wildlife — a chance of dolphins, sea eagles and turtles

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

5PM: BOARDING AT STOKES HILL WHARF

Your evening begins at Stokes Hill Wharf on Darwin's waterfront, named after John Lort Stokes, the HMS Beagle officer who sailed in here in 1839 and named the harbour Port Darwin after his old shipmate Charles Darwin. Boarding opens at 5pm. The Cape Adieu is a 21.6 metre working boat built in Whyalla in 1978 for cray and shark fishing, and she has three open decks: sit up top in the breeze, stand out on the bow, or settle near the bar at the back. The bar opens as soon as you step aboard and stays open all night.

OUT ON DARWIN HARBOUR

Darwin Harbour is one of the biggest natural harbours in Australia, and in the early evening it's at its best, warm and calm, with the port, the city skyline and the waterfront cliffs sliding past. In February 1942 this was where Japanese aircraft made the first and heaviest raid on Australia, and wrecks from that day still lie on the bottom. Take a drink from the licensed bar, where Territory-made spirits and cocktails sit beside beer and wine, and keep watch over the side for dolphins, a white-bellied sea eagle or a turtle putting its head up for air.

SUNSET OVER THE BEAGLE GULF

Darwin's harbour faces west across the Beagle Gulf, so nothing stands between you and the sun going down into the sea. In the dry season the sky is clear more often than not, and the colours build fast in the half hour after sunset as the city lights come on behind you. This is a drinks cruise rather than a dinner cruise, so eat before you board or plan dinner on the waterfront afterwards.

BACK TO THE WHARF

The Cape Adieu eases back into Stokes Hill Wharf at about 8pm, right by the waterfront's restaurants and bars, with the rest of your evening ahead of you.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Stokes Hill Wharf, 45 Stokes Hill Road, Darwin. Arrive 5 to 10 minutes before boarding. There are accessible parking bays near the wharf.
Departure time: Boarding from 5pm on selected evenings in the dry season, roughly April to October.
Finishes: Back at Stokes Hill Wharf around 8pm.
Suits: Couples, friends and groups who want the sunset without a full dinner.
Please note: Outside food and alcohol can't be brought on board. To sit with friends booked on the dinner cruise, say so when you book, a day ahead. Wheelchairs fit on the main deck and the crew help on the gangway, but the toilets are not wheelchair accessible and the upper deck is up stairs, so mention any mobility needs when you book.

What to bring

A hat and sunglasses
Eat before you board, as there is no food on this cruise

What is included

Three-hour sunset cruise on Darwin Harbour
Water and sunscreen on board

Not included

Food (no meal is served on this cruise)
Drinks, bought from the bar on board

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.

Reviews

5.0

Based on 5 reviews

Verified from

Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.

How we collect and publish reviews

Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.

Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.

Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.

(5/5)

Three of us had a fantastic evening on the Sundowner, watching a classic Darwin sunset from the water. The staff were professional and friendly, and the chilli margarita is a must. They'd run out of the speargrass vodka I wanted to try, but it was a lovely night.

Robyn Craig Verified· Travelled 26th August 2026

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(5/5)

We did the drinks option, sitting at the back of the boat, which suited us. The staff were great and it's a lovely way to show visitors Darwin and the sunset from the water.

Debra Kenny Verified· Travelled 24th August 2026

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(5/5)

We did just the sunset cruise rather than the dinner, and the staff were wonderful. A magic way to see the harbour at sunset.

Karen Elliott Verified· Travelled 18th August 2026

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(5/5)

Great service from all the staff. We chose the bring-your-own-food option but could still order great cocktails, and the captain made sure both sides of the boat got sunset photos.

Sarah Van Eyk Verified· Travelled 30th July 2026

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(5/5)

We had a lovely evening on the sundowner and brought our own platter, which suited us as my husband has food allergies and we didn't have to wait for food. Lovely staff and an incredible sunset.

Claire Martin Verified· Travelled 12th July 2026

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