6 Best Darwin Hostels And Backpackers

Score a win for your wallet when you book in at one of Darwin’s top hostels and backpackers.

Hostels. You either love ’em or hate ‘em. But with a finely crafted mix of relaxed vibes, a sprinkling of group barbeques and free music, and a hearty splash of cheap accommodation, this award-winning recipe will always be a winner in our eyes. So, get ready (and get social). It’s time to check out the best backpacker hotels that Darwin has to offer.

(If your dorm days are done, we suggest you check out our favourite Darwin city hotels, caravan parks and resorts instead.)

1. The Cavenagh Hotel

The Cavenagh is the top hostel option for those who want to party in the Top End. Think cocktail happy hours, frozen mango daiquiris, dinner steak specials, taco Tuesdays and live music at an air-conditioned bar come Dry Season.

To our minds, it’s the perfect blend for meeting other like-minded travellers. Just don’t spend all your time here, instead of checking out the best things to do in Darwin.

The Cavenagh is a ten-minute walk from the Darwin Wave Pool at the Waterfront, or you can choose to flop and drop at the onsite pool.

Rooms with king, twin and dorm-style beds are available. We recommend popping in your suitcase the backpackers’ holy trinity: earplugs, a heavy-duty eye mask and a sarong (handy for a spot of privacy in a shared sleeping environment).

swimming pool, The Cavenagh Hotel, Darwin, NT — Lounge by the poolside. (Image: The Cavenagh Hotel)

2. Gecko Lodge

Gecko Lodge is a friendly little hostel about a 20-minutes walk from the CBD. While it might be on the smaller side (a description that includes the kitchen and pool size), travellers rate the Gecko for its warm atmosphere, quiet surroundings and some of the cheaper prices you will find in Darwin.

The family-run backpackers has dorms and private rooms. If you’d rather get something in town to eat than tackle the small kitchen, expect a 15-minute walk to the city centre.

family-friendly accommodation, Gecko Lodge, Darwin, NT — Gecko Lodge is a family-friendly accommodation in Darwin, NT.

3. MOM Darwin YHA

MOM Darwin YHA (AKA Melaleuca on Mitchell) is a cheap and cheerful hostel located in the city centre that opened in 2021.

With two pools and a deck bar, MOM has built-in space to have a relaxing day or a bit of a soirée come the famous Darwin sunset with your fellow backpackers.

It’s a sociable place to stay, with regular events in the dry season making for built-in entertainment. As always, have those earplugs handy!

Here for work, as well as play? There is also a co-working space with free wi-fi to boot. Twin, Queen, double and triple rooms are available, as well as mixed and female dorms. Parking can be booked from $5 a day.

poolside, MOM Darwin YHA, Darwin hostels, NT — A poolside crocodile statue matching the colourful exterior of MOM Darwin YHA.

4. Darwin Hostel

For good vibes and a party atmosphere, head to Darwin Hostel on Mitchell Street.

Darwin Hostel has shared female and mixed rooms (18 – 35’s only) and private rooms – all aimed at the young, international traveller who wants to socialise bang set in the centre of town.

Kitchens, bathrooms and barbeque facilities are shared, and there is a swimming pool to kick back and relax next to, with a BYO cold tinnie of beer, a plate from the group barbeque and your brand-new Brazilian best friend.

dorm-type room, Darwin Hostel, NT — Darwin Hostel’s dorm-type rooms are ideal for backpackers.

5. Youth Shack

Just five minutes from the Darwin Harbour is yet another hostel on the Darwin party circuit to check out.

The sociable Youth Shack’s bar has a terrace, pool and barbeque and drinks specials to boot. Expect music most nights, but the staff switches off the stereo around 10 pm.

Budget and regular twin and double rooms are available at Youth Shack. If you’re between 18 and 35 you can also book a spot in the mixed or female dorm room (repeat after me: ear plugs, eye mask, sarong).

There is a shared laundry, kitchen and dining space, while breakfast and some dinners come for free.

Youth Shack, Darwin hostel, NT — Stay in Youth Shack’s backpacker rooms.

6. Cozy Motel

An eclectic and quieter guesthouse in the centre of town, the Cozy Motel is aimed squarely at the under-35 set.

Drop off your backpack in one of its air-conditioned private rooms and dormitories, before mosey-ing on down to cook up a feast in its shared kitchen space or (if you time it right), to snag a sausage at one of the barbeque nights. And – in a win for your pocket – BYO alcohol is allowed at Cozy Motel.

You will find the hostel 10 minutes walk from Crocosaurus Cove and 20 minutes from the Mindil Beach Markets.

Cozy Motel, Darwin, NT — Simple yet chic Cozy Motel in Darwin, NT.

Heading to Darwin soon? Check out our ultimate guide for the best tours in and around Darwin.

Spend a few days visiting the real-life Central Australian locations that inspired the new film everyone is talking about, and discover why Alice Springs is such an important part of Australian culture.

In the credits of the new Australian film Kangaroo , the first name under ‘cast’ should read ‘The Northern Territory ’. Not only is Alice Springs (and the surrounding landscape) integral to the movie itself, but the spiritual heart of Australia and its local Indigenous owners also inform the look and feel of every frame, explains Producer Trisha Morton-Thomas of Brindle Films, who also plays Charlie’s grandmother Gwennie.

“By setting Kangaroo in Alice Springs (Mparntwe), the film embraces how visible Aboriginal people are here, and the living Aboriginal culture that is woven through this community,” she explains.

still from kangarro film — See *Kangaroo*, then visit the real-life filming locations.

And while shooting in such a sacred part of the Northern Territory required extra planning, it was something the cast and crew were highly invested in.

“There are incredibly significant sacred sites and places of deep cultural stories in the area, that at times are very gender-specific, which we’ve kept out of the production,” she explains. “Even if overhead drone footage captures a sacred site that isn’t meant to be seen by other people outside of that clan, we’ve made sure to omit it from the film.”

If Kangaroo piqued your interest in a Central Australian holiday, we don’t blame you. Read on to discover eight places featured in the movie that you can visit in real life – and get planning. Don’t forget to pack sunscreen and a hat.

1. Alice Springs/ Mparntwe

artist at Many Hands Art Centre — Visit the galleries of Alice Springs, like Many Hands Art Centre. (Image: Tourism NT/ Helen Orr/ Many Hands Art Centre)

The red and dusty streets of the film’s fictional town of Silvergum were filmed on the outskirts of Alice Springs. And, while the art gallery featured in the film is fictional, Alice Springs is a hub of creativity. See the work of local artists at the Araluen Art Centre , Yubu Napa Art Gallery , Iltja Ntjarra (Many Hands) Art Centre and the famous Tjanpi Desert Weavers .

2. The Kangaroo Sanctuary & Kangaroo Rescue Centre

The Kangaroo Sanctuary Alice Springs, the inspiration for the Kangaroo move — Visit the movie’s inspiration at Kangaroo Sanctuary. (Image: Tourism NT/ Kangaroo Sanctuary)

Kangaroo was inspired by the journey of Chris ‘Brolga’ Barns, who founded the now world-renowned Kangaroo Sanctuary based in Alice Springs. For lead actor, Aussie Ryan Corr, the animals were central to the movie, alongside the landscapes.

“The animals in this story were a real calling point for me,” he explains. “What this story tries to tell us about the connection between humans and animals is beautiful.”

To gain a real insight into the fauna and flora of the Red Centre, you can visit the Kangaroo Sanctuary on a sunset tour, where you might even get the chance to hold a baby kangaroo.

3. Ormiston Gorge

woman walking along the edge of Ormiston Gorge near alice springs — Take a dip in Ormiston Gorge. (Image: Tourism NT/ @domandjesso)

The film captures the raw beauty of the West MacDonnell Ranges, known in the Arrernte language as Tjoritja. This national park is rich in Indigenous culture and stark geological wonders.

Only a 15-minute drive from Alice Springs, Tjoritja offers visitors the chance to camp, hike and swim among ancient landscapes (most attractions are less than a three-hour drive away).

Ormiston Gorge , a cooling oasis in among the red desert sands, is one of the most popular destinations, no doubt because of the permanent swimming hole and towering red cliffs. From here, visitors can also embark on the beautiful Ormiston Pound Walk and the shorter – more accessible – Ghost Gum Walk. Bring your bathers – it’s safe for swimming.

4. Standley Chasm

woman walking through Standley Chasm near alice springs — Wander through Standley Chasm. (Image: Tourism NT)

The 1.2-kilometre walk to nearby Standley Chasm will be a highlight for any visitor as the imposing 40 metre-high chasm walls project strength and ancient wisdom.

Visit at midday to experience the path illumined by the midday sun. Not only will you fill your camera roll with vibrant red images of the gorge and its intoxicating shadows, but you can also camp nearby in a powered or unpowered site so you can watch the brilliance of the desert stars fill the night sky after dusk.

5. Simpsons Gap

three people walking on path through simpsons gap near alice springs — Walk the trails of Simpson’s Gap. (Image: Tourism NT/ Helen Orr)

Closer to Alice Springs, the photogenic Simpsons Gap is the perfect place to spot the endangered Black-footed Rock wallaby near the permanent watering hole. While swimming isn’t permitted, soaking up the sun and views certainly is.

Explore the area’s numerous walking trails, appreciate the soaring cliffs on either side of the ‘gap’ and pick out the shooting locations of Kangaroo in the area.

6. Ellery Creek Big Hole

aerial of Ellery Creek Big Hole near alice springs — Dive into Ellery Creek Big Hole. (Image: Tourism NT/ Tourism Australia)

When it comes to classic Northern Territory landscapes, you can’t go past Ellery Creek Big Hole/ Udepata : tall gum trees sidling up to a refreshing watering hole (fed by the West MacDonnell Ranges and surrounded by rugged red cliffs.

Swim in the cooling waters, hike the cliff tops, watch for birds and even stargaze as you camp here overnight. It’s locations like this that attracted the film’s director Kate Woods to the project.

“It humbles you to be in this environment: it’s so beautiful, so old and so vast,” she explains. “I was thrilled to get a chance to … shoot such a beautiful story in the incredible landscape of the Northern Territory.”

7. Larapinta Drive

aerial of Larapinta Drive into alice springs — Drive along Larapinta Drive. (Image: Tourism NT)

There is no better way to get a feel for how the characters arrived at the fictional Central Australian town of Silvergum than to travel along the iconic state road, Larapinta Drive.

Connecting Alice Springs to the mighty King’s Canyon in the west, via the historic community of Hermannsburg, this road takes in the West MacDonnell National Park, Alice Springs Desert Park and artist Albert Namatjira’s house, among other attractions. Take your time, bring a camera and prepare for numerous stops along the way.

8. Todd River

competitors in Henley on Todd Regatta, alice springs — Join in the fun of the quirky Henley on Todd Regatta. (Image: Tourism NT/ TImparja Creative)

Meandering through Alice Springs like a lazy Western Brown snake, the Todd River is a central part of Alice Springs culture. Known as an ‘intermittent river’, the Todd can go from a dry dusty riverbed to a flowing waterscape in less than 15 minutes after heavy rainfall.

When it’s dry, the famous Henley on Todd Regatta fills the sandy riverbed with handmade ‘boats’ carried by sailors. This is the world’s only dry river boating event, and it’s referenced in the ‘Silvergum Boat Race’ in the movie. Inspired by the real-life event, the characters built quirky “Flintstones-style boats” and competed in teams.

See Kangaroo in cinemas now, and start planning your NT getaway at northernterritory.com.

6 best Darwin hostels and backpackers