George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens

If you haven’t taken the kids to the Botanic Gardens yet, you’re missing one of Darwin’s best free days out. There’s a water feature the little ones love, plus loads of open grass to run around on while you actually get to sit in the shade for once. The walking paths are paved and genuinely accessible, which matters when you’re pushing a pram in the wet season heat. Pack a lunch and grab one of the picnic tables near the shade trees — you’ll want to stay longer than you planned, especially with the pond and bush trails close by.