Some of Darwin's most applauded eateries are located at Cullen Bay. Whether you desire a relaxing venue overlooking the water to take in a casual drink, the ultimate romantic destination to indulge the one you love or less formal outings with big, value-for-money feeds with family or friends – you will find it all at Cullen Bay.
Aschara Thai Cusine – Whether you dine on the water’s edge or inside surrounded by the brightly-coloured décor, your taste buds will thank you for the dazzling taste sensations of Thai and Nonya cuisine. The lively, smiling staff offer exceptional service and are whizzes at explaining the nuances of the large menu of superb Thai, Nonya and Malay dishes.
Bahn Thai – Savour exotic Thai flavours with traditional Thai décor inside and exquisite waterside views outside. A family restaurant featuring live music some nights.
Buzz Café – Famous for it’s unique décor, food, atmosphere and men’s toilets (yes, I did mean toilets). Buzz is one of Darwin’s most popular restaurants. With a blend of Asian and funky tropical furnishings, there is an amazing bar carved from volcanic rock, one way mirrors and toilet seats with very real looking redback spiders in the men’s cubicles, and then there is the Marina view – to die for!
The menu will satisfy all tastes from good-old fish and chips and lamb-shank pies to salads, Asian dishes, plenty of mouth-watering desserts and a comprehensive wine list.
Charcoal Oven Restaurant – At first glance, one would think this was just a very contemporary and stylish Indonesian restaurant, but spend a bit of time here and you'll soon discover its quirky side. A hidden back deck overlooking the water and crazy karaoke and mahjong nights give this restaurant a fun, kitsch edge. The food is rather impressive too with delightful Indonesian dishes on offer such as the chicken in pandan leaves; fresh mud crabs and chilli bug tails; or the charcoal roasted duck salad. Finish the night off with a hard and fast game of mahjong.
D'annibale Italian Contemporary Cuisine - B.Y.O. Enjoy contemporary Italian cuisine at Cullen Bay with selected signature dishes, with a touch of service, music and ambience.
– Fresh Darwin seafood and meat prepared for a French-inspired menu is an experience not to be missed. One of the Territory’s finest restaurants, La Beach is a visual and sensory delight of smells, flavours and exceptional service. As you would expect of a classy, French restaurant, the wine list is sensational and combines a large range of Australian beers, wines, liqueurs and spirits along with the best French beverages on offer.
Schooners Bar and Grill – An old-styled Fishermen’s bar that has you scanning the room for Popeye and Black-beard. Glimpses of the Timor Sea from the balcony and the occasional sounds of the rolling waves complete the picture nicely. The lunch and diner plates are huge and filled with food and you don’t need a treasure chest to pay for the meals either. Not surprisingly, seafood is heavily featured on the menu but red meat, pasta and Indian cuisine lovers are catered for too.
Seadogs – This funky, family-friendly restaurant is just the spot for relaxed, outdoor fun and terrific Italian fare. Locally run by a father and son team, you get a real sense of Traditional Italian family spirit as you munch away on fresh, home-made garlic bread, perfect pasta’s and delicious pizza’s while the likes of Dean Martin croon in the background. Grab your favorite BYO drop and a mob of family or friends for a great night out.
Seafood On Cullen – A spacious, hearty,family-oriented restaurant where the focus is on the food and the fun. The meals are big and great value for money, the drinks flow easily with a substantial beer and wine list and then there is the huge balcony with gorgeous sea views that seem to go on forever. As the name suggests, they specialize in a large variety of seafood dishes but you can also tempt yourself with Asian fare and the good old roast and veggies too. Famous for thier all you can eat Seafood Smorgasboard
The Bay Seafood Cafe – Cullen Bay’s famous Fish & Chip restaurant where you can dine in or take your meal away to watch the sun setting while you perch on a rock or settle into the soft sand of tranquil Cullen Beach. The chips are just how they should be – soft and chunky. And the fish is fresh and firm. Is there a better take away fish and chip shop in Darwin? I think not!
The Boardwalk Cafe – Cullen Bays Value for Money Family Restaurant. Whether you are after a cappuccino and cake, or a full blown Territory Meal, the Boardwalk Cafe has something for everyone with the enthusus being on value for money and friendly casual service. Bring along the kids so they can enjoy the dedicated kids menu and play or watch DVD's in the airconditioned kids play area, the Squid Room. Meanwhile the big people can be enjoying the self service bottle shop, great meals and of course the picture perfect views of the Marina as you relax on either the Boardwalk, or inside in the modern and interesting decor.
Yots – Darwin’s only Authentic Greek restaurant, run by a traditional Greek family, nestled next to Cruise ships and fishing vessels along the Marina Boardwalk – you would be forgiven for believing you were actually in the Mother country. This restaurant is the place for loud, raucous, family dining. You might even find yourself dancing on the tables by the end of the evening. The glorious Greek menu is also peppered with modern dining delights and the beverage list includes a good selection of local and imported beers, wines, cocktails and spirits.
Sea Cat Ferries and Charters operates services from Cullen Bay to Mandorah and the Tiwi Islands, as well as providing private charters and functions.
The 25 metre high-speed catamaran 'Arafura Pearl' departs from Cullen Bay three times a week for the community of Nguiu on Bathurst island and two 18 metre high-speed catamarans provide for the Mandorah service that departs daily.
Visit www.seacat.com.au for times, prices and ticket purchase information.
Cruises
Arafura Sailing – Operate a 15m (50ft) sailing catamaran which specialises in seven-day cruises to Cobourg and the Tiwi Islands. Alternate three-day cruises are available to Bare Sand Island and Crab Claw Island in Bynoe Harbour. The vessel is also available for half and one day cruises in Darwin Harbour and is ideal for corporate team building, meetings and entertainment.
Anniki Harbour Cruises – specializes in sunset cruises on Darwin Harbour. Explore the beauty of Darwin Harbour with a three hour cruise aboard Anniki - a fully restored timber Pearling lugger that was featured in the movie "Australia" with Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman. Watch a magnificent tropical sunset while you sip on champagne and nibble on delicious hors d’oeuvres. Anniki is an owner operated venture, and both the owners and staff pride themselves on the presentation of their vessel and the service aboard this beautiful and unique vessel.
City of Darwin Cruises – come aboard and enjoy a day time or sunset cruise on one of their ultra modern and very spacious sailing catamarans. Specifically designed for day tours, these vessels boast extremely large lounge type area where people can sit under full shade, but still enjoy the sea air whilst appreciating the stable behaviour of a sailing catamaran. They also operate a luxury Seawind 1160 on two to five days extended tours for small groups being fully accommodated on board in four separate staterooms. For bookings on day and sunset cruises or enquires on one of their longer excursions give them a call. City of Darwin is proud to be a ECO accredited tourism business.
The Spirit of Darwin – Enjoy the airconditioned comfort watching one of Darwin's famous sunsets aboard this luxury vessel. Cruises operate two to three times daily with the real special one being of course the sunset cruise departing from Cullen Bay. 'The Spirit of Darwin' is also available for group bookings and as an exclusive private charter for weddings and functions.
ACP Fishing Charters – The Northern Territory's Goldcat is the most stable vessel in its class offering clients comfortable cruising and of course, great fishing. Operated by ACP Fishing charters, Gold Cat's master and crew will attend to your every need whether you're a first timer or a regular pro. The MV Goldcat is a 42' luxury NoosaCat specialising in extended live-aboard adventures and corporate style day charters. Goldcat cruises at 20 knots to the coastal reefs and the pristine estuary systems of the Top End.
Coastal reef fishing is an excellent way for you to relax and have a great day trolling or bottom reef fishing. Taste the excitement of trolling lures through a mackerel and tuna feeding frenzy, haul in the prized Top End Jew fish or big Golden Snapper or sit down to a freshly prepared smorgasbord lunch and cold drink. Extended mothership charters are the ultimate Northern Territory fishing experience. You wake up in the morning, step into the dingy with your guide and start fishing. The cook has your meals ready upon your return to the mothership, and the fish you catch can be served to you for dinner! For creek and estuary sports fishing, two tenders are used to probe into the many estuary networks and near shore fishing hot spots of the Tiwi Islands and Northern coastline.
Whether your preference is for blue water reef and sports fishing, casting a lure for the Barra, Salmon and Jack's or enjoying the peace and tranquillity of a quiet island backwater. We can deliver you and your friends to some of the most remote locations in the Top End. ACP Fishing Charters provides quality rods and tackle to ensure the big ones stay on the line. Your safety, comfort and enjoyment remain the top priority of the friendly Goldcat crew.
Address: 28 Cullen Bay Cresent, Cullen Bay Fax: 08 8947 3984 Website: www.goldcat.com.au
Arafura Bluewater Charters – are based in Cullen Bay and specialise in Bluewater Reef and game fishing charters. Their day tours are a unique opportunity to make the catch of a lifetime. Their experienced crew operate three well-equipped vessels being 'Wai Tui' ,"Wai Adi" and the 'Tere Tiki'. Leave civilisation behind as you head out for the deep water to relax, enjoy a fun trip with friends or even for corporate promotion or team building.
Cannon Charters – operating a purpose built luxury 23m mothership, Cannon Charters offer award winning extended fishing tours to some of the most scenic and spectacular parts of the Top End. Being fully self sufficient, you will travel mostly overnight to areas where you will drop anchor, after which the five tenders that are stored on the flybridge are lowered into the water so your guides can take you in small and personalised groups out to catch Barra, Jewfish, the list goes on. For more information on this Top Class operation visit their web site or call them direct for availability
Equinox Fishing Charters – Choose a day fishing charter or an extended fishing safari and the experienced and knowledgeable crew will take you to some of the best fishing locations in the Top End. Whether you're sitting over a shallow inshore reef, working the offshore reefs or looking for the big fish out wide, you can be assured we have the right vessel for your comfort, safety and total enjoyment. Equinox Fishing Charters has three vessels and their 10 metre aluminum power boat is the fastest fishing charter boat in Darwin (giving you more time fishing). Every fishing adventure includes all meals, tackle and bait, soft drinks and drinking water.
Fish Darwin – is locally owned and operated, offering exciting fishing tours on the beautiful and expansive Darwin Harbour. You’ll have the chance to hook up a golden snapper, black jewfish, Spanish mackerel, or any number of assorted reef fish, all from the secure Dolphin Diver II with its large walk around deck, or thier larger vessels Northern Exile.From providing all fishing equipment and bait, including a delicious barbeque, Fish Darwin will also assist you with everything from baiting your hook to filleting your fish ready to take home. They also cater for all experience levels, and pride themselves on providing an enjoyable, relaxing and unforgettable fishing experience. All tours depart from the Cullen Bay Marina.
Reef and Wreck – specialising in half day fishing tours of Darwin Harbour, this is a perfect tour for those that are a little short on time but would still like to try fishing in the Top End Offering both morning and afternoon fishing dependant on the tides, they will try their hardest to get you on the water to catch that big one so you have official NT bragging rights. They also offer extended overnight trips on their larger vessel. For more information call the Darwin Fishing office or call in and see them in Mitchell Street next to Wisdoms Bar.
Inzane Fishing Charters – Specialising in extended fishing charters for groups, Insane specialise in tailor made trips to all parts of the Top End. Specialising in open water and sports fishing, your trip will be fully cattered for with top class accommodation aboard the extremely capable 20m vesell "Glenalan, a purpose built charter boat designed by boating legend Phil Curren. Being able to design a holiday around your specific needs puts this company apart from the rest so if you have a group that is looking for the ultimate fishing trip, give them a call.