Spirit of Darwin
We are a family-owned and operated business that has been running Spirit of Darwin cruises for over 15 years. Darren is your skipper, and Michelle his wife manages the office, bar, and anything else that needs doing! We employ local staff and, at times, even have our children helping out.
We are proud supporters of Variety – the Children’s Charity. We have participated in the NT Variety Bash for over six years, and you may sometimes see one of the Variety Bash cars near the boarding location at the wharf.
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Both the Sunset Cruise and Sunset Dinner Cruise run for 2.5 hours. Boarding is at 5:00 PM, and we return at approximately 8:00 PM.
Where do we board the Spirit of Darwin? Boarding takes place at Dock 2, Stokes Hill Wharf, Darwin.
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Yes! Our Captain provides live commentary throughout the journey, offering insights into Darwin Harbour’s rich history, marine life, and stunning seascapes. During dinner, we play light background music.
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Absolutely! All guests have access to our well-shaded upper deck for stunning 360-degree views of the harbour. You can also relax on the bow of the Spirit of Darwin, which features bean bag chairs.
Sunset Dinner Cruise
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- Reserved table seating on the air-conditioned main deck or upper deck.
- Welcome canapés for your group.
- Buffet dinner, including:
- A selection of roast meats
- Fresh salads
- Australian prawns
- A variety of desserts, including cakes, slices, and fresh fruit salad.
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- Adults: $135
- Children (6-17 years): $55
- Infants (5 & under): Free
Do you offer group discounts? Yes! We offer a 10% discount for groups of 20 or more adult dinner guests, provided the booking is paid in one transaction. T&Cs apply—please email us for more details.
Sunset Cruise
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- Welcome canapés for your group (please note: there is no reserved table).
- Access to the upper deck for panoramic harbour views.
- The unique opportunity to feed the batfish from the Spirit of Darwin!
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- Adults: $95
- Children (6-17 years): $55
- Infants (5 & under): Free
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Only light canapés are included. If you’d like a full meal, we highly recommend upgrading to the Sunset Dinner Cruise.
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If you have children or mobility issues, we highly recommend the Buffet Dinner Cruise instead. The Sunset Cruise seating is on the top deck, which requires steep stairs.
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If you have mobility issues (e.g., using a walking stick or walker), we advise booking the Buffet Dinner Cruise, as you will have a reserved table on the main deck, with toilets and bar access—no stairs required.
If you use a wheelchair, we highly recommend calling our office or sending us an email before booking. We need to confirm the width of your wheelchair to ensure it fits comfortably on board. Our toilets are NOT wheelchair accessible, but wheelchair-accessible toilets are available near the boarding location.
Food & Drinks
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No, BYO food and drinks are not permitted. However, we have a fully licensed cash bar offering a selection of soft drinks, wine, beer, and spirits.
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- Vegetarian spinach ravioli
- Vegetarian fried rice
- Up to three cold vegetarian salads
- fresh fruit salad (dessert option.)
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- fried rice
- some of the cold salads
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We cannot accommodate individual requests. Our staff can advance but not guarantee dietary requirements, we will do our best to assist you.
Bookings & Payments
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You can book directly on our website or contact us at 0417 381 977.
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Yes, there are booking and credit card fees.
Other Questions
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We recommend bringing:
- A light jacket (evenings can be breezy).
- A camera to capture the stunning sunset views.
- Comfortable shoes.
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- 100% cancellation fee applies if cancel less than 24 hours before the cruise.
- 50% fee for cancellations made between 24-48 hours before the cruise.
- 20% fee for cancellations made more than 48 hours in advance.
- Changes made within 24 hours of your scheduled cruise will attract a $20 per person rebooking fee.
- No refund on credit card and booking fees.
- 5% of all cancellation fees will be donated to Variety – the Children’s Charity.
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Spirit of Darwin reserves the right to cancel a cruise due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. In this case:
- An alternative date will be offered where possible.
- If no alternative date is available, a full refund will be issued.
Spirit of Darwin also reserves the right to:
- Cancel or shorten a cruise due to guest behaviour, intoxication, non-compliance, or bad weather.
- Disembark guests at the nearest suitable location for safety reasons.
Private Charters & Special Events
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Yes! We offer private charters for weddings, birthdays, corporate events, and special occasions. The Spirit of Darwin can accommodate up to 160 guests, and we can tailor the experience to suit your needs. Contact us for more details.
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Yes! As a family-owned and operated business, we proudly support Variety NT – the Children’s Charity.