What To Do in Darwin According to the Pollen Count – Hay Fever Friendly Activities

Darwin is most well known for its lush nature attractions, including Kakadu Park. It’s also home to rich Indigenous culture. Just be sure to enjoy outdoor activities during lower pollen seasons, as pollen is released from grasses, weeds and trees. How will you know when it’s low or high pollen season? In a city like this, it would be helpful to have a tool that can tell you the pollen forecast and activities you can do in your area according to the pollen count that day. You can now lean on the new Kleenex Pollen Count tool to do this for you. 

Extreme pollen levels

Darwin is a city where pollen counts are high for most the year. If you do end up going outdoors in this city, it would be ideal to carry with you \ protective gear such as sunglasses or even a mask. When you get home, it’s most helpful to shower and rinse your eyes with water to get rid of any pollen.

Below is just a taste of some activities you can enjoy in Darwin depending on pollen levels.

Get cultured at museums and art galleries

Top indoor cultural attractions in Darwin include the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, completely free to visit, and includes the Cyclone Tracy exhibition. The Royal Flying Doctor Service Darwin Tourist Facility brings to life two iconic stories in Australian history that you can experience through state of the art technology such as VR headsets. While the Darwin Aviation Museum houses a B-52 bomber, one of only two on display outside the U.S., as well as other military aircraft. Immerse yourself in Indigenous art at one of the art galleries such as Mason.

Cosy up with books

Learn the history of the state at the Northern Territory library which is also housed inside Parliament House so you get to see two attractions in the same visit.  There are a wide range of materials relating to the history of the Northern Territory.

Book a luxury stay

Perhaps book yourself a luxury stay and enjoy the facilities inside such as spa and restaurants. You also get to marvel at lovely water views without needing to be outside. Suggestions include Mindil Beach Casino Resort Darwin Waterfront Luxury Suites or Mantra Pandaras.

Moderate pollen levels

With these levels it can be helpful to head somewhere with indoor areas you can duck into, to get some relief if needed.

World War II Oil Storage Tunnels

These tunnels were built as a "top secret" installation after the Bombing of Darwin saw the above ground oil storage tanks destroyed. Come and learn about how the construction of these huge tunnels.

Big Bus Darwin

Enjoy Darwin’s top attractions without having to worry about planning an itinerary and without the effort of driving. Just relax in the big double decker bus. You can hop on and hop off as you please.

Animal encounters

One way to avoid pollen is to go underwater! At Crocosaurus Cove, if you’re not so daring to try the confronting Cage of Death experience, there are many other encounters with the crocodiles. Watch turtles with Sea Darwin that run a fabulous Turtle Tracks tour.

At Territory Wildlife Park, 45 minutes from Darwin, you can see carpet pythons, blue-winged kookaburras, bandicoots, wallaroos, curlews, bats, echidnas, emus and more.

Dine out

Enjoy crocodile at award winning Pee Wee's at the Point. Enjoy a meal or high tea in the lovely greenery of Eva's Botanical Garden's Café. At Charlie’s of Darwin, tucked away in a lane, it is home to the town's first gin distillery where you can try gins infused with locally sourced botanicals including Kakadu plum, lemon myrtle and river mint. Enjoy these with tantalising contemporary shared plates. The rooftop bar overlooks Raintree Park.

Low pollen levels

Enjoy nature

Head to Charles Darwin National Park full of Aboriginal and Second World War history, wetlands and mangroves. Take a short ferry ride from the city to Wagait Beach, where locals love going on weekend getaways for its unspoilt sands and forest walks.

Take a walk

Darwin’s waterfront makes for an ideal walk, featuring an outdoor cinema and many spots to dine and drink along the way. Another beautiful walk is through the George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens near Mindil Beach.

You can also go for the famous Larapinta Trail, one of the top 20 treks in the world, walk through the lands of oldest culture in the world, immersing yourself in their Indigenous culture and learn from their story.

Go to a festival

August seems to the month of festivals in Darwin. The annual Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair celebrates First Nations art. It’s making global headlines and scheduled for August this year at the Darwin Convention Centre. Another annual festival in August is the Darwin Festival, dubbed Australia’s hottest winter arts festival featuring circus performances, evening light shows and concerts. The Darwin Street Art Festival also in August, (DSAF) transforming the streets of Darwin into a spectacular outdoor art gallery, which features murals and lots of more.