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Visit Mindil: Thurs: 4pm - 9pm, Sun: 4pm - 9pm

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Mindil Beach Sunset Markets
(08) 8981 3454

Our history

About the history of the Mindil Beach Sunset Market

During the mid 80s, six entrepreneurs shared their vision to bring a taste of Asia’s night markets to the tropical town of Darwin...

Little did they know they were birthing one of the Top End's most iconic events!

Where it all began

In 1987 their vision became a reality as the first stalls set up shop in Darwin Mall. It wasn’t long before the city’s mainstream retailers began voicing their objections so the market moved to its new home under the coconut palms of Mindil Beach Reserve; and so the iconic Mindil Beach Sunset Market was officially born!

  • Mindil Market Vintage B&W.jpg

A site of significance

The name 'Mindil' is taken from the Larrakia word 'Min-deel', meaning sweet nut grass.

With its clear water, clean beach sand and sweet tidal creek, Mindil Beach has always been a popular place to camp, swim and socialise, especially in the dry season. It has also been a significant cultural site for the Larrakia people of Darwin and during the 1920s and 1930s kids from nearby camps would collect coconuts and bush tucker from the shoreline.

Years later, the site would be used for rest and relaxation by military personnel and by the 50s was the place most people lived when they first arrived in Darwin. By the 1960's a caravan park was formally established but the devastation wreaked by Cyclone Tracy in December 1974 reduced the site to one of crisis accommodation once again.

In 2008, during the market's 22nd year of operation, Sky City established a decidedly more up-market style of beach-side accommodation and by this time, Darwin was establishing itself as a bustling centre.

Find the market

We are still located at the same historic site. Come and join us on Thursday and Sunday evenings.

Find us

A modern day market

Today, Mindil Beach Sunset Market supports over 300 small businesses, provides employment for more than 1000 locals and contributes more than $15 million to the Northern Territory economy annually. Committed to preserving the natural environment, plastics bags are banned and extensive recycling and environmental sustainability measures are in place across all aspects of the markets.

Our motto is to LIVE THE LIFESTYLE. To give each and every visitor a taste of the carefree, relaxed, creative lifestyle that typifies Darwin – especially after dark during the dry season when everyone comes out to play.

Mindil Beach Sunset Market is a truly iconic and unforgettable experience. As Darwin’s number one, most visited attraction it has won numerous awards for tourism, multiculturalism and was officially accorded national icon status by the National Trust in 2000.

Thank you to our sponsors

Thurs: 4pm - 9pm,
Sun: 4pm - 9pm

Last Thursday of April - Last Thursday of October

We acknowledge that we are meeting on Larrakia Country and pay our respects to all Larrakia people both past, present and emerging.

© 2019 Mindil Beach Sunset Market

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