Oaks Elan Darwin: Hotel review
The Oaks Elan Darwin offers some surprisingly good one bedroom apartments – many of which come with fabulous harbour views.
What is the Oaks Elan Darwin?
The Oaks Elan Darwin is a reasonably-priced Northern Territory accommodation option that often crops up on itineraries put together by tour operators.
This Darwin hotel is part of the Oaks chain, which runs apartment-style hotels throughout Australia. Many of them seem a little scruffy and dated, but they’re otherwise perfectly fine and come with plenty of space and facilities.
Oaks Elan Darwin café and location
The Oaks Elan Darwin fits that mould in some ways, but not in others. On the downside, the lobby looks somewhat pedestrian and the O.A.K. on-site café isn’t going to win awards any time soon. The buffet breakfasts are a bit sorry-looking.
The location of the Oaks Elan Darwin is decent, but not great. It’s on Woods Street, a couple of blocks back from the street art bonanza of Austin Lane, and a couple more back from the Smith Street Mall.
It’s in a bit of a nothing zone, with not much going on around it, but with relatively easy walks to most Darwin attractions.
7 great Darwin experiences to book before arriving
- Swim face to face with an enormous crocodile in the Cage of Death.
- Enjoy the romance of Darwin Harbour on a sunset dinner cruise aboard a traditional fishing ketch.
- Explore Darwin’s food and art scenes on a 3.5 hour walking tour – with lunch or dinner included.
- Flit between Darwin’s top attractions with a hop-on, hop-off bus tour.
- Combine a wildlife tour with the famous jumping crocodiles cruise.
- Get a history fix on a Bombing of Darwin WWII tour and harbour cruise.
- Get the adrenalin pumping on a high speed airboat or jetski tour.
What are the rooms like at the Oaks Elan Darwin?
Where the Oaks Elan Darwin does surprise is the rooms, which feel fresh, bright and airy. Many offer fabulous views out over Darwin Harbour.
The hotel rooms are solid enough, and are pretty big at 36 square metres. These cost from $166 per night. But the real value comes in the one bedroom harbour view apartments, which have balconies overlooking Darwin Harbour.
Six amazing day trips from Darwin that will improve your visit
- Litchfield National Park day tour – including jumping crocodile cruise. (💲 Great value 💲)
- Tiwi Islands Indigenous cultural experience including ferry.
- One day or four day Kakadu National Park tour.
- Kakadu scenic flight – with gorges, waterfalls and epic floodplains. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Full day Katherine day tour – including Katherine Gorge cruise.
- Arnhem Land full day tour – with ancient rock art.
Oaks Elan Darwin prices: One bedroom apartments
They also have kitchenettes, dedicated work areas and – extremely handily, washing machines and tumble dryers in the bathroom. These one bedroom apartments cost from $238 per night.
There are also fully-contained two bedroom apartments as well.
The Oaks Elan Darwin is by no means the greatest hotel on earth. But it’s pretty good, and worth considering for a couple of nights in the Northern Territory capital. Bookings can be made online.
Other Darwin accommodation options include the Adina Waterfront Darwin.
The best places to stay in Darwin
You can check out deals on a wide range of Darwin accommodation options. But these are some of the best choices.
- For luxury on a special occasion: The superior suites with direct lagoon pool access at the Mindil Beach Casino Resort.
- For the buzziest location at the Waterfront: Adina Apartment Hotel Darwin Waterfront.
- The one with the best guest ratings: Hudson Parap.
- For affordable city centre apartments with a pool: City Gardens Apartments.
- For the magic combo of quality, price and location: Travelodge Resort Darwin.
Darwin attractions worth considering include the Wave Lagoon, Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory and Crocosaurus Cove.
Tour options include an airboat adventure, sunset dinner cruises, a food and art walking tour and a cruise focused on the WWII bombing of Darwin Harbour.
More Northern Territory travel
Highlights of the Mount Isa to Daly Waters drive.
Do the Guluyambi Cultural Cruise in Kakadu National Park.
Review of the Adina Waterfront Darwin.
Stay near Katherine Gorge at the Nitmiluk Chalets.
How long is the Mount Isa to Katherine drive?