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Australia
Darwin in December
🌧️ Rainy seasonWarm, humid and very wet.
🎒 Pack: light, breathable clothes & sunscreen · compact umbrella or rain jacket · quick-dry fabrics
Why December scores 7.4What goes into the score
How it works- Weather comfort5.5
- ✓Warm (31.5°C highs / 28.6°C lows)
- !Very humid/sticky (dew point 25°C)
- !Wet: ~261 mm rain, ~8 heavy-rain days
- Air quality9.8
- ✓Good (within WHO guideline) (PM2.5 ~6 µg/m³)
- Seasonal hazards9.0
- !Tropical cyclone: Edge of the Australian/South Pacific cyclone season
- !Flood: ~8 heavy-rain days in an average December
- Safety baseline8.5
- ·Normal precautions
| Dec | Jul | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 7.4 Good | 9.3 Excellent |
| Season | 🌧️ Rainy season | ☀️ Dry season |
| High / low | 32° / 29° | 31° / 22° |
| Rain | 261 mm | 2 mm |
| Humidity | dew pt 25° | dew pt 16° |
| PM2.5 | 6 µg/m³ | 12 µg/m³ |
Typical-month data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis) 2015–2024 (modelled, not a forecast).
Holidays & crowdsDecember 2026
Long weekendThere's at least one long weekend. Domestic travel picks up and popular spots get busier over those days.
- Christmas Day 25–27 Dec · 3 days off in a row
National holidays only; regional holidays and school breaks aren't included. Source: holidays (open-source public-holiday calendar).
Explore DarwinEvents, sights, food & souvenirs
Check event dates locallyThe tropical capital of Australia's Northern Territory, a gateway to Kakadu and Litchfield national parks and known for sunset markets and crocodiles.
No major events on our calendar for December.
Coming up later
Beer Can RegattaDate variesUsually July
A race of boats made from beer cans, with beach activities.
Why go: A fun family event.
Where: Mindil Beach
Darwin FestivalDate variesUsually August
An arts festival with music, theatre and comedy.
Why go: Held in the dry season.
Where: Venues across the city
Darwin Aboriginal Art FairDate variesUsually August
Art centres from across Australia sell work directly.
Why go: Good for buying ethically sourced art.
Where: Darwin
Mindil Beach Sunset Market
An evening market with food stalls and sunset views over the sea.
💡 Runs in the dry season.
Kakadu National Park
A vast park with rock art, wetlands and wildlife.
💡 Some roads and sites close in the wet season.
Litchfield National Park
Waterfalls and swimming holes closer to the city.
💡 Only swim where signs say it is permitted; some sites close for crocodiles.
Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory
Displays on Cyclone Tracy, Aboriginal art and natural history.
Darwin Waterfront
A precinct with a wave pool and a lagoon safe from stingers and crocodiles.
💡 Box jellyfish are present in the sea roughly October to May, and crocodiles year-round, so swim only in pools or the lagoon.
Adelaide River jumping crocodile cruises
Boat trips where saltwater crocodiles leap for bait.
Barramundi
Native fish, a staple of Top End menus.
Laksa
Spicy noodle soup, a Darwin favourite.
💡 Parap Village Markets on Saturdays
Mud crab
Local crabs cooked with chilli or steamed.
Mangoes
Top End mangoes, in season around October to December.
Aboriginal art
Paintings and fibre art from Top End communities.
💡 Galleries that buy directly from Aboriginal-owned art centres
Didgeridoo
The wind instrument originating in northern Australia.
💡 Reputable galleries selling Aboriginal-made instruments