Darwin Harbour Cruises Gaze and Graze Sunset Cruise

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Two hours on Darwin Harbour at sunset with your own seat on the open-air Sundeck of the Charles Darwin, a grazing platter of prawns, kangaroo, barramundi dip and cheeses (or a vegan garden platter), and Crazy Acres mango ice cream to finish.

Days

2 hours

Age

All ages; 3 and under travel free

Group size

Shared sunset cruise

Start / finish

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

Return

Stokes Hill Wharf, 8pm

Transport

Charles Darwin, a three-level harbour catamaran

Meals

Grazing platter and mango ice cream

Route

Map of Darwin Harbour Cruises Gaze and Graze Sunset Cruise

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Included experiences

Sundeck — allocated open-air seat for the sunset
Darwin Harbour — cruise past the Esplanade, Cullen Bay and Fannie Bay
Grazing platter — prawns, kangaroo and cheeses, or a vegan garden platter
Crazy Acres mango ice cream — a local finish

Darwin Harbour Cruises Gaze and Graze Sunset Cruise

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Itinerary

Map

EARLY EVENING: BOARDING AT STOKES HILL WHARF

Boarding opens at half past five at Dock 3, at the city end of Stokes Hill Wharf, where the crew wait under big blue umbrellas. The hill is named after John Lort Stokes, who sailed into this harbour on HMS Beagle in 1839 and named the place after his old shipmate Charles Darwin. Your boat is the Charles Darwin, a 25-metre steel catamaran with three levels. Your seat is booked on the open-air Sundeck on top, the best place to be when the light starts to go. Two air-conditioned decks below are there if you want to cool off.

SUNSET: ALONG THE ESPLANADE TO FANNIE BAY

At six o'clock the lines come off and the skipper usually heads out along the Esplanade, past the Larrakeyah defence base and on towards Cullen Bay and Fannie Bay, changing course for the tides when needed. Darwin Harbour is Larrakia country and is said to be about five times the size of Sydney Harbour. Its tides can rise and fall by seven metres or more, among the biggest in Australia. On 19 February 1942 Japanese bombers struck these waters in the first attack on the Australian mainland. Tonight it's calmer: the sun drops into the sea and the sky turns orange, then pink.

ON BOARD: PLATTERS AND MANGO ICE CREAM

As the boat cruises, your grazing platter arrives. The gourmet one has prawns, barramundi dip, kangaroo, cured meats and three cheeses. The garden platter is vegan, with corn fritters, dips, grilled mushrooms and tofu. Want something extra? Australian oysters can be added for a little more. Drinks come from the licensed bar, which takes cards only. To finish there is mango ice cream made by Crazy Acres, a nod to the Top End's famous mango season, when the trees around Darwin hang heavy with fruit before the wet.

NIGHTFALL: BACK TO THE WHARF

With the last colour gone from the sky, the boat turns for home and the city lights come up along the waterfront. You step back onto Stokes Hill Wharf at about eight o'clock, two hours after leaving. The Darwin Waterfront precinct is a short walk away if you want dinner or another drink, and the city centre is just up the hill.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Dock 3, at the far city end of Stokes Hill Wharf, 45 Stokes Hill Road, Darwin. Look for the crew under the large blue umbrellas.
Departure time: Boarding 5:30pm to 5:45pm; the boat leaves at 6pm.
Finishes: Back at Stokes Hill Wharf at 8pm.
Minimum age: All ages. Children 3 and under travel free; from age 4 the adult fare applies. Small strollers are fine if you mention them when you book; there are no high chairs.
Fitness: You need reasonable mobility to board. Wheelchairs and scooters can't be taken on board, but walking sticks and folding walkers are fine. Toilets are down a flight of 11 or 12 steps.
Dietary needs: Choose the garden platter for vegan and vegetarian; both platters are nut free. Tell us about other needs when you book.
Please note: No BYO food or drink. Parking at Stokes Hill Wharf is limited to 3 hours with fines; parking near the Darwin Convention Centre and walking about 400 metres is easier. The boat is non-smoking.

What to bring

Visa or Mastercard (the boat is cashless; no Amex)
Hat and camera
A light layer, as it can cool to about 25°C on the water
Your booking confirmation

What is included

Two-hour sunset cruise on Darwin Harbour
Allocated seating on the open-air Sundeck
Gourmet or garden grazing platter
Locally made mango ice cream
Background music on board

Not included

Drinks (licensed bar on board; card only)
Oyster upgrade
Parking and transfers to the wharf

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

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.

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.

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

4.9

Based on 7 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)

A beautiful evening from start to finish and a must in Darwin. The boat was stunning and the crew gave friendly table service, with special thanks to Emma, Clement and Walter. We did the Gaze and Graze, with a great range of local Territory flavours.

Amelia Basedow Verified· Travelled 8th October 2026

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(5/5)

Travelling with friends, we did the Gaze and Graze, two of us on the meat platter and two on the vegetarian. The food was plentiful and delicious, the top deck had a lovely breeze and great views of the city and sunset, and the mango ice cream won over even my friend who doesn't like mango.

Erika Verified· Travelled 5th October 2026

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(5/5)

A picturesque way to see Darwin Harbour with an unobstructed view of a stunning sunset. Our platter was delicious and the staff were friendly all night. We'd do it again next time we're in Darwin.

Tim Ramsey Verified· Travelled 28th September 2026

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(5/5)

We did the Gaze and Graze and loved it. The food was delicious, the oysters were amazing, the views were beautiful and the crew were friendly, with a relaxed, fun feel all afternoon.

Brittany Bugg Verified· Travelled 27th September 2026

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(5/5)

The sunset Gaze and Graze was spectacular, and our server Joaquin made the night even better.

Abbey Moore Verified· Travelled 12th August 2026

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(4/5)

A lovely cruise with excellent food and great views of Darwin and the sunset. The Gaze and Graze had table service for both courses and drinks on the open top deck. The only downside was a lack of special diet options.

D W Verified· Travelled 2nd August 2026

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