Stokes Hill Wharf

Soak up historic Stokes Hill Wharf’s relaxed, friendly atmosphere in seaside alfresco eateries or casual restaurants which all specialise in fresh local seafood and steak.

What to expect

Take family or friends on a harbour cruise, enjoy year-round fishing or simply enjoy year-round panoramic views and sensational sunsets over Darwin Harbour. There’s free live entertainment at the wharf on Wednesdays and Sundays during April to September.


The award winning Royal Flying Doctor Service Tourist Facility is located at Stokes Hill Wharf, taking you back to WWII with their virtual reality experience of the Bombing of Darwin.


The wharf remains a working wharf for smaller marine industry users and cruising yachts, with harbour tours and cruises departing from the wharf daily.


A maximum of 3 hours free parking is available on Stokes Hill Wharf, providing a valid ticket is displayed. Disabled parking is also available. There are fewer car parks during lunch and dinner, so if you can't get one, hop on the FREE 21 seater shuttle bus.


Click here for more shuttle info.

  • Public Safety

    Stokes Hill Wharf is an operational wharf.

    All visitors must:

    • Ensure that children or vulnerable persons are under supervision by a capable adult at all times.
    • Be familiar with the emergency muster point located in the main wharf carpark.
    • Be aware and remain clear of machinery being operated such as forklifts, scissor lifts, elevated work platforms, cranes, service trucks, delivery vehicles.
    • Take care whilst walking at all times, or keep to the marked walkways when available. 
    • The wharf edge is marked with a yellow line and visitors must not cross under any circumstances for safety reasons. 
    • Lifebuoys are located around the Wharf in the event of an emergency, or seek advice on the nearest from a wharf worker if needed.
    • Public parking is only permitted in marked car parking spaces.

    Contact 000 immediately or raise the alarm with a wharf worker in the event of an emergency.



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Fishing at Stokes Hill Wharf

Land based fishing from Stokes Hill Wharf is popular year-round, especially for those eager to catch a fish without having to travel long distances from Darwin. 


The dedicated fishing platform half way along the wharf viaduct provides opportunity for all ages to fish amongst 15 artificial reefs submerged in front of the platform. Other locations surrounding the main wharf car park area also provide opportunity during ideal conditions to catch pelagic species such as queenfish, trevally or tuna.


Fishing tour operators also depart year round with the option to fish wrecks and reefs in the harbour for jewfish or various reef species, and nearby estuaries for saltwater barramundi or mangrove jack.

  • Fishing platform

    The platform is open 24 hours, with sufficient lighting, wash-down sinks and rubbish disposal available. 


    The fishing platform was originally constructed in the late 1990s with three confiscated foreign fishing vessels and several large concrete pipes submerged to support land based anglers. The vessels were the Seoak, Horizon (25 metres) and Jaya Abadi (25 metres), however unfortunately they have disintegrated over time and are unlikely to be detected whilst fishing in the area. 


    In July 2020, 15 artificial reef modules were submerged in front of the facility with an approximate casting reach of 50 metres. The artificial reefs are designed to combine the best features of a natural reef with internal caves, cryptic habitat, vertical relief and upwelling of water flow as a habitat for marine flora and demersal finfish species.


    The best time to fish is usually close to high or low tide. For tide times visit the Bureau of Meteorology 's tide predictions for Darwin.


    Boats are excluded from fishing the area providing preference only to land-based anglers at the wharf. 


    Nearby parking is available at the wharf entrance on Stokes Hill Road or at the main car park on the wharf .

  • Fishing exclusion zones

    Certain areas of Stokes Hill Wharf are fishing exclusion zones with relevant signage on site to notify anglers. Onsite management can also assist with any enquiries during peak trading times.


    No fishing areas include:

    • public eatery areas or from the end of the wharf - recognised as part of an aquatic life reserve
    • off floating pontoons, ramps, gangways, platforms or access ladders
    • close to vessels who berth alongside the wharf
    • underneath the wharf.

  • Fishing charters

    Reputable fishing charters depart year-round from Stokes Hill Wharf. 

Dining at Stokes Hill Wharf


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Port Arcade

Alfresco dining

Incredible India

Kim's Fish & Chips

Portside Char Grill

The Liquor Bar

Sanchos Taco Bar

Red Dragon

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Starboard Arcade

Alfresco dining

Fusion on the Wharf

Wild Burger

Siam Thai

Kim's Fish & Chips

The Ice Cream Shop


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Crustaceans on the Wharf

Restaurant dining

Relaxed restaurant with a sprawling harbourfront terrace, for fish, oysters & char-grilled steak.


*Discount available for members


Visit website

Activities to enjoy

Royal Flying Doctors Tourist Facility

This award winning tourist attraction features two iconic Darwin stories told through displays, audio visual experiences and virtual reality.



Learn about the Royal Flying Doctor Service and the Bombing of Darwin Harbour.

Find out more

Harbour Cruises

See Darwin in a different perspective from the harbour.


There is a range of cruise and harbour experiences to suit everyone, including turtle tours, fishing charters, sunset cruises and jet skis.


All harbour cruises depart from Stokes Hill Wharf.

Find out more

Parking

  • Important information

    Parking tickets

    • A valid ticket must be displayed at all times on your vehicle dash.
    • Tickets are free from the parking station (at each end of the carpark) and valid for a maximum of 3 hours only, per visit.
    • Please ensure the ticket is placed the correct side up, and check the ticket after you close the door to ensure it remains visible from outside the vehicle.

     Parking within a marked bay

    • You must ensure your vehicle is parked completely within a marked bay.
    • Large coaches visit the Wharf and require adequate clearance to manoeuvre.
    •  If you have an extra-large vehicle/motorhome that protrudes outside the standard parking bay, you must reconsider parking at Stokes Hill Wharf, or park in  an area that does not impede coach access.
    • Infringements may be issued for vehicles overhanging too far into the vehicle access lane.

     Disabled parking

    • There are 3 disabled parking bays in the SHW Carpark.
    • Disabled customers are entitled to 6 hours free parking (instead of 3) providing the valid disabled parking permit is placed the correct way up and it is completely visible from outside the vehicle.

    Busier times

    • There are fewer car parks available during dinner, so try the Stokes Hill Road Off Street Carparks (500m from the Wharf) which are also perfect for stays longer than 3 hours.
    • The Free Waterfront Shuttle Bus operates from 11.30am to 2pm and 4pm to 9pm daily and connects Stokes Hill Wharf and various parking locations  around Darwin Waterfront.

  • Additional car parking

    If the car park is full at Stokes Hill Wharf, there are additional parking areas.


    CARPARKS

    - Darwin Convention Centre rear car park (behind the centre off Stokes Hill Road)

    Cost to park during the day from 8am to 4pm is $2 per hour or $6 all day. Free parking from 4pm in the evenings.


    - Stokes Hill Road car park A (opposite Convention Centre)

    Cost to park during the day from 8am to 4pm is $2 per hour or $6 all day. Free parking from 4pm in the evenings.


    - Stokes Hill Road car park B (adjacent Indo Pacific Marine)

    Cost to park during the day from 8am to 4pm is  $1 per hour for a maximum of 3 hours. Free parking from 4pm in the evenings. (Parking App Only in the Carpark, there are no machines)


    (Note: All the above carparks are 500m walk to Stokes Hill Wharf)

  • Free 21 seater Shuttle Bus

    Simply park at one of the Darwin Waterfront carparks (listed above) and catch a ride over to Stokes Hill Wharf on the free shuttle from the yellow bus stops. The shuttle operates from 11.30am -2pm and 4pm- 9pm daily.


    To view and download a copy of the shuttle map, click here



Accessibility

  • Free Shuttle Bus
  • Disability parking
  • Step free and wheelchair accessible
  • Qualified/accredited assistance dogs serving the person they are with are welcome at the Wharf

Events

Live Music

Every Wednesday and Sunday 6pm-9pm during the Dry Season.

Find out more

General Information

Contact Darwin Waterfront Corporation.

Phone  08 8999 5155

Email  darwinwaterfront@nt.gov.au