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Australia · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Darwin scores 78/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Darwin is generally safe for travelers, with low rates of violent crime and no specific government advisories against visiting. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and tourist-targeted scams.
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Australia · Assessed 13 October 2026
78
/ 100
What drives this score
01 · Official Guidance
No advisory against travel
“Global travel impacts due to escalation in the Middle East Escalation in the Middle East has caused widespread travel disruption, including airspace closures, delayed and cancelled flights. Your travel plans may be affected, even if your destination is not in the Middle East.”
Updated 2026-10-07T10:24:13Z
Full advisory →Exercise normal security precautions
“Canada's official risk level for Australia: exercise normal security precautions.”
Updated 2026-10-09T09:34:08.6817882-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Mugging & robbery risk
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
Robbery / mugging
LowViolent crime is low, but there is a moderate concern among locals about being mugged or robbed.
Pickpocketing
ModerateProperty crime is perceived as a significant local problem, suggesting a moderate risk of pickpocketing and bag-snatching in crowded areas.
03 · Environment
04 · Institutions
05 · Field Research
Traveller sentiment score
Mixed to Negative
70/100
Locals report feeling unsafe walking alone at night and express significant concern about violent and property crime, indicating a low level of perceived safety.
Darwin is generally safe for travelers, with low rates of violent crime and no specific government advisories against visiting.
While Darwin has a low homicide rate and strong governance indicators, local perceptions of crime, particularly property crime and drug-related issues, are higher. Travelers should be aware of potential risks, especially when walking alone at night, and take precautions against heat and natural hazards.
Recent developments
Common scams
Full briefing
Darwin presents a generally safe environment for travelers, with official advisories indicating normal security precautions are sufficient. The city benefits from strong governance, a low homicide rate, and a low incidence of sexual violence. However, local perceptions, as reflected in crowd-sourced data, suggest a higher concern regarding property crime and drug-related issues.
Recent reports highlight some localized incidents, including youth brawls and arrests, as well as concerns over public safety measures like armed patrols on buses. While these do not directly target tourists, they indicate a degree of social unrest and crime that visitors should be mindful of. Travelers should exercise caution, particularly when walking alone after dark, and be aware of their surroundings in public spaces.
Given Darwin's tropical climate, extreme heat is a significant factor, especially in October. Travelers should prioritize hydration and sun protection. Additionally, there are active wildfire alerts in surrounding areas, and while these are currently green (non-immediate threat), it is advisable to stay informed about local conditions and heed any official warnings. Reputable tour operators should be chosen for any wildlife or nature excursions.
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06 · Neighbourhoods
Our field research rated 6 Darwin districts for visitors: 4 safer, 2 needing caution. See them plotted on the Darwin safety map.
CBD (Central Business District)cautionCan be busy during the day, but some areas may feel less safe after dark, with potential for petty crime.
Stuart ParkcautionMixed-use area; exercise awareness, especially near industrial zones or less populated areas after dark.
Darwin WaterfrontsaferGenerally well-maintained and popular with tourists, with good lighting and security presence.
ParapsaferA residential area with markets, generally considered safe for visitors.
NightcliffsaferCoastal suburb known for its foreshore and parks, generally safe and pleasant.
Coconut GrovesaferPrimarily residential, considered safe for visitors.
07 · After Dark
Violent crime is low, but there is a moderate concern among locals about being mugged or robbed.
After dark, be most careful around CBD (Central Business District), Stuart Park. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Darwin is generally safe for travelers, with low rates of violent crime and no specific government advisories against visiting. While Darwin has a low homicide rate and strong governance indicators, local perceptions of crime, particularly property crime and drug-related issues, are higher. Travelers should be aware of potential risks, especially when walking alone at night, and take precautions against heat and natural hazards. (Assessed 13 October 2026.)
Safety is not one number, and this Darwin report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.
No districts were flagged as no-go areas for visitors at the last assessment.
Darwin ranks #9 of 9 Australia destinations we've assessed, scoring 78/100. See the Australia safety overview for the full list.
The score blends 13+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.
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Raw data: darwin.json (CC BY 4.0).
