Getting around in the NT

Public buses in the Darwin and surrounding areas run 7 days a week except Christmas Day and Good Friday. There are 3 main interchanges in the Darwin area:

• Darwin City
• Casuarina
• Palmerston

Alice Springs buses operate Monday to Saturday (except Public Holidays).

All public bus services in Darwin, Casuarina, Palmerston, and Alice Springs are currently free, until 30 June 2025.

Buses in the Northern Territory are managed by the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics. You can find out more information about bus timetables, tickets and routes on the Northern Territory Government website.

Travelling by car is one of the easiest ways to explore the NT, with 95% of Territory attractions accessible by sealed roads.

Depending on the time of year and where you are travelling, road conditions can change rapidly. It’s always good to check the NT Road Report website which provides up-to-date information on all government-controlled roads.

Parking in the NT

In the Territory, paid parking is generally less extensive and less expensive than other states and territories.

The NT has few urban areas that require paid parking, with its central business districts (CBDs) being the main locations where paid parking is in place. Parking fees are low, with hourly rates as little as $1.80 in the Darwin CBD and many areas offering free parking at specific times, such as after-hours or on weekends.

Taxis can be booked online, by phone, directly at taxi ranks, or hailed on the street, with various taxi companies operating across the NT.

Darwin and surrounds

Taxis operate 24 hours a day in Darwin and its surrounding areas, with taxi ranks located at the Darwin International Airport, at the end of the Smith Street Mall, outside the Mindil Beach Casino Resort and in various Darwin City locations including Mitchell Street, Peel Street and Smith Street.

Taxi companies that operate in Darwin and the surrounding areas include:

• Darwin Radio Taxis, phone: 131 008 or (08) 8985 0700
• Blue Taxi Company, phone: 13 82 94 or (08) 8980 3777
• 13cabs, phone: 13 22 27

Alice Springs

In Alice Springs, taxis are available at the airport, train station and various taxi ranks around the town. Taxi companies operating in the Alice Springs area include:

• Alice Springs Taxis, phone: (08) 8952 1877 or 131 008
• 13cabs, phone: 13 22 27
• A&P Private Hire, phone: (08) 8953 3030

Katherine

Taxi companies operating in Katherine include:

• Katherine Cabs, phone: (08) 8972 2925
• Katherine Taxis, phone: (08) 8972 1999 or 131 008
• Katherine Green Taxi, phone: (08) 8905 8990

Nhulunbuy

• Nhulunbuy Radio Taxis, phone: (08) 8987 1144 or 131 008

Tennant Creek

• Tennant Creek Taxi Service, phone: (08) 8962 3626 or 131 008

E-scooters and e-bikes operate in the Darwin CBD and certain other zones, offering users an accessible and sustainable means of transportation.

E-scooters that operate in the Darwin CBD can be ridden to renowned Darwin venues and areas including:

• Mindil Beach Markets
• Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT)
• Darwin Ski, Sailing and Trailer Boat Clubs
• Bundilla Beach
• Fannie Bay sops
• Parap
• Nightcliff

E-bikes have a much larger operating zone, and riders can travel further from the Darwin CBD to the suburbs of Parap, Nightcliff, Casuarina, Leanyer and Wulagi.

E-scooters and e-bikes are unlocked using a smartphone app and are fitted with GPS tracking so that users and the operator can find them.

You will need to be at least 18 years old to ride an e-scooter or e-bike in Darwin.

For more information, go to the Darwin City Council website.

According to the 2023 National Walking and Cycling Participation Survey, in the Territory almost 17% of residents ride a bike in a typical week, which is higher than the national average, and the second highest jurisdiction for cycling participation in Australia!

This is no surprise, given the Territory’s extensive network of cycling and walking paths. From the Darwin to Palmerston intercity bike path to a scenic walk around the Telegraph Station Historical Reserve in Alice Springs, the Territory is perfect whether you want to get around conveniently or unwind in nature.

To view each region’s cycling and walking paths, visit the cycling and walking page.

Buses in the NT

Public buses in the Territory have an easy-access low floor and are fitted with ramps that provide access for standard wheelchairs and light weight mobility aids.

Find out more about buses and mobility aids.

Free bus for Palmerston seniors and mobility impaired

This is a free service for seniors and mobility impaired Palmerston residents. It runs to and from the medical facilities 3 times per day, Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays.

The shuttle bus is subject to availability and 24 hours prior notice is essential. Learn how to book your appointment.

NT transport subsidy and incentive schemes

If you have a permanent disability or mobility restriction that prevents you from using public transport, you may be eligible for the:

• transport subsidy scheme (TSS)
• lift incentive scheme (LIS).

You can use the above for taxi services in the Territory.

For more information, read about transport subsidy and incentive schemes.

There are 2 passenger ferry services operating from Darwin:

• Cullen Bay to Mandorah
• Cullen Bay to Tiwi Islands.

The Northern Territory Government has an agreement with Sealink NT to operate the ferry service.

For timetables and fares, go to the Sealink NT website.

Buses in the Northern Territory are managed by the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics

To travel on a public bus in Darwin and Alice Springs, you need a valid ticket or Tap and Ride card.

View rules for catching public buses in the Territory.

Find out more about bus tickets and fares.

Find out more about bus interchange locations.

Find out more about catching a bus in a rural area.