City in Northern Territory, Australia
Is Darwin safe?
Generally safe for visitors; take care at night in the CBD and keep well away from croc habitat.
Is Darwin safe?
Generally safe for visitors; take care at night in the CBD and keep well away from croc habitat. Heat and wildlife are bigger risks than crime.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 4/5, safe with normal care.
- US travel advisory: Level 1: Exercise normal precautions, updated 2025-05-29.
- Homicide rate in Australia: 0.9 per 100,000 people (2023, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Australia: 4.9 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 000 · Ambulance 000 · Fire 000 · All emergencies 000.
Safety in Darwin at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Alcohol-related disputes in the city center at night, plus car break-ins and bag theft from unattended items. |
| At night | Central streets are fine until late; avoid empty parks and walk with others. Rideshare or taxi after the last bus. |
| Solo women | Generally comfortable, though drinking-related harassment happens near late-night pubs. Use rides at night. |
| Other risks | Saltwater crocodiles in rivers, creeks and beaches; Box jellyfish and Irukandji, Oct–May; Cyclones and floods, Nov–Apr |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Fake rental listings and deposits sent before viewing a property
Take care
- Mitchell Street late at night when pubs close
- Parks after dark, such as Bicentennial Park
- Any water outside marked swimming enclosures
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Driving while holding a phone is caught by cameras and brings large fines
- Nicotine vapes are legally sold only by pharmacies
- Drinking alcohol is banned in many streets, parks and beaches (alcohol-free zones)
How Darwin compares in Australia
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Hobart | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Noosa | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Blue Mountains | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Sunshine Coast | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Great Ocean Road | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Port Douglas | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Canberra | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Margaret River | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Launceston | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Magnetic Island | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Sydney | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Melbourne | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Brisbane | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Gold Coast | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Perth | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Cairns | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Byron Bay | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Adelaide | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Bondi Beach | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Whitsundays | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Uluru | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Darwin | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| K'gari | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Fremantle | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Broome | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Newcastle | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Manly | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Alice Springs | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
Quick answers
Is Darwin safe for solo female travelers?
Generally comfortable, though drinking-related harassment happens near late-night pubs. Use rides at night.
Is Darwin safe at night?
Central streets are fine until late; avoid empty parks and walk with others. Rideshare or taxi after the last bus.
What is the crime rate in Darwin?
Alcohol-related disputes in the city center at night, plus car break-ins and bag theft from unattended items. Nationally, Australia records 0.9 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Darwin?
Police 000 · Ambulance 000 · Fire 000 · All emergencies 000.
More about Darwin
Going to Darwin solo?
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Northern Territory Government: Darwin buses
- Darwin International Airport
- Parks Australia: Kakadu National Park
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.