‘Regardless of whether you’ve already got your BASSINTHEGRASS tickets or you’re still trying to convince your mates (send them this article!) – we’ve got all the local’s tips for how best to spend your weekend – and maybe even the week after!
We’ve got you covered for drinks, brunch, activities, outfits, and of course – fun!
FRIDAY
The day before the festival is for last minute shopping, relaxing by the pool with cocktails, and spending a night out for dinner and exploring the town with your mates!
LAST MINUTE OUTFITS
- Skin – When you’re getting coffee at Sweet Brew – head upstairs for chic basics for both men and women, super cool sunnies, and on-trend jewellery.
- Sister Buffalo – Head into Nightcliff for Sister Buffalo – a super cool recycled clothing store for both men and women. Check out our other favourites here!
- House of Darwin – When in Darwin… get some of the super cool threads from Darwin’s own fashion brand – the store is in the Air Raid Arcade!
- Stomp – If it’s a bag or statement earrings you’re looking for, Stomp in the CBD have literally one of everything in every colour!
- Splash – The best selection of swimwear we’ve ever seen – which is no surprise because we all live in them here!
- Lulu & Daw – Duck into the Star Arcade for a fantastic selection of summer festival-worthy outfits, including some local indigenous labels, and get some funky earrings to match!
- Embella – Also just down the Star Arcade, Embella stock the most lovely linen dresses, tops, and shorts to complete any breathable festival outfit !!
RELAX
There’s nothing better than being in an infinity pool, in a tropical destination with a cocktail in hand! Head down to the INFINITY @ Mindil Beach Casino Resort for the best Friday afternoon holiday vibes, or have a swim at the Darwin Waterfront with a Spicy Marg from the newly renovated Hot Tamale!
OUT FOR DINNER & DRINKS
If your vibe is waterfront dining, try out;
- Hot Tamale – great Mexican, bottomless Sangria on Sunday’s!
- De La Plage – A surf club turned cafe, and they do Fish & Chips Friday, or Food Trucks on Sundays
- The Ski Club, The Trailer Boat Club, and The Sailing Club are all beachfront surf club type venues, with a Darwin ambience!
If you want delicious (but not too fancy) in Darwin City;
- Meraki – Greek resturant in the heart of Austin Lane
- Alfonsino’s – The best pizza on Mitchell St
- Snapper Rocks – Australian cuisine with Local ingredients and great waterfront location
- Charlie’s of Darwin – Serves food till 10.30/11pm, an absolute hot tip!
DRINKS
- Stonehouse – Darwin’s CBD wine bar that backs onto Austin Lane
- Trader Bar – A vibey garden bar on the city’s edge
- Charlies of Darwin – A speakeasy vibe, behind a graffiti door on Austin Lane with it’s own distillery
- Babylon – Also on Austin Lane, quirky bar with craft beer and fun cocktails
- Hanky Panky – A dimly lit, moody and a little bit fancy cocktail bar
- Willing Distillery – A bar and cellar door/distillery!
BASSINTHEGRASS DAY
Fuel up for festival fun with market breakfast, and visit some popular watering holes before heading into BASS!
BIG BREAKFAST
Head down to the Parap Markets for the best pre-festival breakfast… a laksa! Trust us, you have to eat a Darwin market Laksa at some point, and a Saturday morning laksa is ICONIC Darwin!
A PRE-DRINK?
- Lola’s Pergola – A funky circus-themed bar overlooking the Cullen Bay marina
- The Precinct – Great waterfront pub & sports bar
- Beachfront Hotel – Classic pub overlooking Nightcliff beach
- One Mile Brewery – A funky industrial brewery and pizza place in Winnellie, open weekends
FESTIVAL TIME!
Get your final release tickets here if you haven’t already! And even better? Check out the Premium Packages including shade, elevated platforms, food, drinks – and dedicated bars and toilets!
SUNDAY
RECOVERY BREAKFAST
If you’re staying in the city & surrounds, we suggesting hitting up;
- Botanicool (Stuart Highway)
- Rays (Smith St)
- Rabbit Hole (The Mall)
- Sweet Brew (Stuart Park)
- Laneway (Parap)
- Eva’s (Botanic Gardens)
And in the suburbs…
- Ruby Gs (Coconut Grove)
- Besser Brew Bar (Winnellie)
- De La Plage (Casuarina Beach)
- Foreshore Cafe (Nightcliff)
And a BONUS… check out the best smoothie bowls in Darwin for the perfect hit of health post-festival!
CLOSE OUT THE WEEKEND
There is nothing better than closing out the weekend at the iconic Mindil Beach Sunset Markets – delicious food, entertainment, local arts and crafts… and a clap for sunset!
MONDAY
CAFFINATE
If you’re staying in the City or surrounding suburbs, the below cafes will satisfy your coffee craving – our tip? If you’re feeling the heat, ask for it on ice!
- Postie (City)
- Kopi Stop (City)
- The General (City)
- Laneway (Parap)
- Mad About Coffee (Parap)
- The 1995 (City)
If you’re staying in Nightcliff or the Northern Suburbs;
- Ruby G’s (Coconut Grove)
- DTown Coffee (Coconut Grove)
- De La Plage (Casuarina)
- Cafe Central (Rapid Creek)
WANT TO STAY FOR THE WEEK?
WHERE TO HANG OUT
- The Waterfront Lagoon – Simply Lay down by the swimming lagoon, or embrace your inner child and get out onto the aqua park!
- The Deckchair Cinema – Outdoor movies with friends are a vibe!
- The Galleries – Check out some of the fantastic Aboriginal Art galleries we have around the city.
- The Museum & Art Gallery of the NT – More art, and then some history, culture… and life size crocodiles! What more do you need!
- The Harbour – 00Seven Jetskis are an awesome way to see the city from the harbour, with no prior jetski experience required, or Sail Darwin does an epic cruise with canapes and champagne included…
- The Botanic Gardens – Plenty of places to lay on the grass, have a picnic, or just walk through some tropical plants and trees you might not be used to!
WHERE TO GET THE ‘GRAM SHOT
- INFINITY @ Mindil Beach Casino – There’s nothing better than being in an infinity pool, in a tropical destination with a cocktail in hand!
- East Point & Nightcliff foreshore walks – Grass, beaches, palm trees… need we say more?
- Crocosaurus Cove – Swim in the Cage of Death with crocs – if you’re game!
- Jumping Crocs on the Adelaide River – Because everyone loves a crocodile Instagram!
- Darwin Street Art – there’s actually an app you can download, and it brings the walls to life through Augmented Reality… a great one to screen record and put on your stories!
WHERE TO GO IF YOU HAVE A SPARE DAY
- Litchfield National Park – Jump in the car and head out the Stuart Highway for a dip in some of the best waterfalls in the country! Definitely head to Florence Falls and Buley Rockhole & check them out, but if it’s busy, try Cascades or Greenant Creek for a quieter dip! The Litchfield Hotel is a groovy little place to stop for lunch, or pack a picnic for extra swim time!
- A road trip out the Arnhem Highway – You need a couple of days to get any further out to Kakadu, but if you’re keen on a little day trip, you can stop in at the famous Humpty Doo, Join a cultural tour at Pudakul, check out Fogg Dam, or jump abord a Corrobboree Billabong cruise on some beautiful NT wetlands. OR after a look at the Jumping Crocs, head to Purple Mango Brewery for pizza and mango beers, or stop in at the newly renovated Bark Hut for a pub meal!
- Barramundi Adventures & Berry Springs – Catch a famous Barra at Barramundi Adventures, before checking out the beautiful oasis that is Berry Springs (check the access report!) and grabbing a meal at the Berry Springs Tavern.
- Crab Claw Island & Dundee Beach – Explore some remote NT coastline before heading back via lunch overlooking an island that isn’t an island – the Crab Claw Island Resort.
- See it all from the air – If you’ve got bucket lists to tick off, why not go all out and go on a Heli-pub crawl!!
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