Car Hire Darwin, NT

Curious about your car hire pickup location options throughout Darwin? From the Darwin CBD (including Darwin downtown) to Darwin Airport and even surrounding Darwin neighbourhoods (including Larrakeyah, Parap, and Stuart Park), Turo's hosts are able to deliver your hire car to a range of convenient locations across the region.

Darwin Airport (DRW):

Northern Territory (NT):

Find the perfect hire car type to suit your Darwin itinerary, all available to book through Turo.

8-seaters and people movers:

4WDs:

Vans:

SUVs:

Utes:

Compact cars:

Electric cars:

No matter what adventure you have in store, you'll find the perfect car hire option for any occasion in Darwin.

For those special moments (like weddings and formals), book a lavish luxury ride or classic car to arrive in style. When it comes to wedding car hire in Darwin, you'll find plenty of amazing vehicles, whether you want a luxury car, classic car, convertible or something else.

Even if you're just running errands or planning a weekend road trip, you'll find spacious vans, compact SUVs and even commanding 4WDs available to book in Darwin.

Thinking about taking a road trip around the Northern Territory or beyond? Planning ahead and seeking out expert advice will make your journey smoother and safer.

Head from Darwin to the world heritage-listed Kakadu National Park to Katherine on Nature's Way (roughly an eight-day road trip) or tackle the Overlanders Way drive (journeying for eight days from the NT outback all the way to the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland).

No matter what route you're planning to take, here's how to plan your trip and stay safe while driving around the Northern Territory:

- Check the road conditions before you depart, as these can change at short notice. In the wet season, flooding can cause road closures, so make sure to check the Road Report NT website to see what alerts might impact your trip.

- Ensure your car is in good condition and is capable of handling the outback roads. Before you leave, check your tyre pressure, headlights, indicators, fluid levels, as well as battery and windscreen wipers. It's important to carry a spare tyre, tools, water and even extra fuel (particularly if you're driving through remote areas).

- Plan your travel time and ensure you'll be able to reach your destination before dark (driving at night is strongly discouraged in the NT). Many drivers choose to depart at sunrise and only drive until 11 am to avoid driving through the scoring midday heat.

- Bring plenty of extra food and water for your trip (ideally 4-6 litres of water per person per day of driving).

- Make sure to take frequent breaks (ideally a 15-minute break every two hours of driving) and rotate drivers if possible. Plan ahead and figure out which rest stops you'll be visiting along your drive.

- Planning on driving through the outback? Consider bringing a satellite GPS and paper map in case of emergencies. If you're driving through national parks or remote areas, a satellite phone or Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) is a smart way to reach help in the event of an emergency.

Explore beyond Sydney for thrilling outdoor adventures. Hike the stunning Blue Mountains, try rock climbing, kayaking, and delve into the mesmerising depths of Jenolan Caves and discover the natural wonders just a stone's throw away from the city.

The Long Beach Walk: A 12km walk between Nightcliff and Casuarina Beach, this challenging route will take around 2 hours and 40 minutes to tackle (perfect for road bikers, runners and walkers alike).

Fishing: Choose a fishing charter and get out into the Timor Sea, with fishing tours available in Darwin Harbour, the Mary River wetlands, the Tiwi Islands and the Dundee Coast.

Scenic flights over Kakadu and Arnhem Land: Experience the spectacular Kakadu National Park from the air, soaking in Arnhem Land's world-famous wetlands, floodplains and ancient sandstone plateaus.

Dining in Darwin: From casual eateries to fine dining restaurants and even foodie markets, they're something for every taste in Darwin.

Darwin's Harbour: Did you know that Darwin Harbour is twice as large as the iconic Sydney Harbour? Explore the harbour and Waterfront Precinct, brimming with marine creatives and dotted with sunken World War II ships.

Crocosaurus Cove: Are you brave enough to experience Australia's only crocodile dive experience? Whether you swim with the crocs, hold a baby Saltwater Crocodile or browse the freshwater aquarium, you'll get an up close and personal look at these incredible creatures.

Shopping and markets in Darwin: If you're staying closer to Darwin's city centre, visit Smith Street Mall or head to Darwin's famous markets for authentic laksa, fresh juices and Asian street food.

Ready to venture beyond the city streets of Darwin? Not only is Darwin the gateway to South-East Asia but it's surrounded by incredible national parks, native animals (from crocodiles to kangaroos and everything in between) and Palmerston - NT's second-largest city, situated just 20 km by car from Darwin.

Kakadu National Park and Litchfield National Park: Ready to get active? Hit the road in a sporty SUV or 4WD and venture to one of the NT's most iconic national parks.

Kakadu National Park brings you up close to one of the world's oldest living cultures. Not only is it Australia's biggest national park (spanning a whopping 20,000 square kilometres), but the park is home to exotic wildlife, ancient rock art and diverse natural landscapes.

Pack some snacks and water and take the three-hour drive to Kakadu National Park from Darwin.

Litchfield National Park is another unmissable NT attraction, located 120 km south-west of Darwin. Expect stunning waterfalls, swimming holes, scenic hiking trails and even 4WD tracks.

The Tiwi Islands: Experience the 'Island of Smiles' (a.k.a. the Tiwi Islands), nearby Darwin with an 80 km trip across the water. Immerse yourself in the thriving Aboriginal culture, incredible traditional artworks and awe-inspiring sunsets.

Explore the island's renowned art centres, boasting paintings, weaved fabrics and wooden carvings from local artists. Plus, there's endless opportunities to see the diverse coastal landscape, from tranquil rock pools to thick jungle and sparkling waterholes.

Uluru (Ayers Rock): No trip to the NT is complete without a visit to Uluru. This living cultural landscape is a sacred site for Australia's First Nations people, bursting with ancient wisdom and diverse plant and animal life.

Planning to drive from Darwin to Uluru? Make sure to rent a 4WD and prepare for a multi-day drive, as the journey takes upwards of 20 hours.

Turn your journey into a true adventure by tracking Red Centre Way, taking you from Alice Springs to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and Watarrka National Park in Australia's Red Centre.

Whether you're driving from Darwin to Broome, Alice Springs, Kununurra, or all the way to Adelaide or Melbourne, the NT has no shortage of road trip opportunities to explore. Here are some of the best driving roads connecting you to Darwin.

Stuart Highway (Explorers Way): Planning to travel from Darwin to Adelaide or vice versa? Explorer's Way connects Darwin with South Australia, taking you through Alice Springs. Expect to encounter Uluru and Kata Tjuta along with diverse landmarks, including Coober Pedy, Nitmuluk Gorge, Tennant Creek, Barkly Tablelands and beyond. This journey is a big undertaking, with the recommended journey taking at least 14 days. Once you reach the final stretch, the drive to reach Darwin from Katherine should only take just over three hours.

Nature's Way: Another must-try driving road is Nature's Way, taking you from Darwin to Kakadu and all the way to Katherine via Litchfield. Best explored in a 4WD, this route takes roughly eight days to navigate. But you'll be rewarded with natural swimming waterholes, lush bush walks and waterfalls throughout your journey.

Alice Springs Explorer (MacDonnel Ranges): Are you heading to Alice Springs from Darwin? While you're there, try the Alice Springs Explorer, a four-day itinerary brimming with rocky landscapes, wildlife and stunning swim spots.

To book a car on Turo in Darwin, you must create a Turo account, be 21 years old or older, have a valid driver’s licence, and get approved to drive on Turo. When you’re booking your first trip, you’ll go through a quick approval process by entering your driver’s licence and some other information. In most cases, you’ll get approved immediately, and you’ll be set for every future road trip, business trip, and family holiday!

No, you don’t need personal insurance coverage to book a car on Turo.

When booking a car in Australia, you’ll also choose between the Premier (if available), Standard, and Minimum protection plans. Each plan includes varying limits on financial responsibility for damage to a host’s vehicle. All trips include up to $20,000,000 (per event) in legal liability protection. Legal liability protection protects against damage to other people’s property and death or bodily injury (where the legal liability is not covered or capable of being covered by any statutory or compulsory scheme) as a result of an accident involving the vehicle. All protection is provided by Turo Travels Mutual.*