At a glance
- On-street fees
- Zone A $3.30 an hour on weekdays (2-hour limit); Zone B $2.40 an hour (3-hour limit); Zone C $2.00 an hour, capped at $10.00 for the day (as of 7 November 2026)
- When you pay
- Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm in all three zones; Zone A also charges $2.00 an hour on Saturday from 8am to 2pm. Zones B and C are free on weekends
- Off-street car parks
- Nine car parks with over 1700 spaces; $5.10 or $5.50 for the day in the surface car parks, and free after hours, on weekends and on public holidays
- How to pay
- The PayStay app, the PayStay website (as a guest, by scanning the QR code on a meter), the parking meters, or a call to 1300 322 111
- Free parking
- Signed 1/4P bays give 15 minutes free, but time limits apply at all times
- Who it’s for
- Anyone driving into the Darwin CBD for work, an appointment or a night out, who wants to know which zone or car park costs what
- What to do now
- Check the zone number on the sign, pick a zone or car park that suits how long you will stay, and start your PayStay session before you walk away
- Last checked
- Saturday 7 November 2026, against the City of Darwin’s on-street fees, off-street fees, PayStay, parking meters and parking zones pages
- Not yet confirmed
- What the “Overnight*” rates in the multi-storey car parks cover (the City’s table does not explain its asterisk), and any special event parking rules
Parking in the Darwin CBD costs $2.00 to $3.30 an hour on the street on weekdays, and $5.10 to $10.30 for a day in the City of Darwin’s off-street car parks, depending on the zone or car park you choose. This guide uses the City of Darwin’s own parking pages, checked on 7 November 2026, to set out the fees, the time limits, the free hours and how to pay with PayStay or at a meter.
How much does on-street parking cost in the Darwin CBD?
The City’s on-street parking fees page divides the CBD into three zones. All of them are patrolled regularly to check that a valid payment has been made.
| Zone A | Zone B | Zone C | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fee | $3.30 per hour on weekdays; $2.00 per hour on Saturday | $2.40 per hour | $2.00 per hour, up to $10.00 for the whole day |
| Longest stay | 2 hours | 3 hours | All day (8am to 5pm) |
| When you pay | Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm; Saturday 8am to 2pm | Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm | Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm |
| Where the ticket is valid | Zones A, B and C | Zones B and C | Zone C only |
The page says paid parking in Zone A and Zone B applies from 8am to 5pm on weekdays, and in Zone C from 8am to 5pm. On Saturdays only Zone A charges, from 8am to 2pm. Outside those hours, and on weekends in Zones B and C, parking is free.
The “valid in other zones” row works one way. A Zone A ticket also covers Zones B and C, a Zone B ticket covers Zone C, but a Zone C ticket covers Zone C only.
Is any CBD parking free?
Yes, in two ways. First, the on-street zones do not charge outside their paid hours: weekday evenings, and weekends in Zones B and C. Second, the City signs a number of 1/4P bays around the CBD. These give 15 minutes free “for your convenience”, but the City says time restrictions apply at all times, and a ticket from another zone cannot be used in a 1/4P bay.
The City’s parking zones page explains the signs. 1/4P, 1P, 2P and 3P mean 15 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours and 3 hours. 1/4P parking is free, while 1P, 2P and 3P parking needs a valid payment, and Council Rangers patrol the zones regularly for unpaid, expired and illegal parking.
What do the off-street car parks charge?
Darwin City has nine off-street car parks, two of them multi-storey, with over 1700 spaces between them. The off-street fees page lists them by price.
| Car park | Fee |
|---|---|
| McMinn St, Woods/Daly St, 96 Mitchell St and Mitchell/Daly St | $5.10 for the day, Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm |
| McLachlan St, Darwin Oval and Nichols Place | $5.50 for the day, Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm |
| Dragonfly multi-storey (maximum height 2.3 metres) | $7.20 early bird (before 9am); $1.60 per hour; $9.00 overnight*. Open Sunday to Thursday 6am to 8pm and Friday to Saturday 6am to 10pm. Friday to Sunday nights free |
| West Lane multi-storey (maximum height 2.35 metres) | $10.30 early bird (before 9am); $2.10 per hour; $10.30 overnight*. Open 6am to 7pm, seven days. Friday to Sunday nights free |
The City says parking is free after hours, on weekends and on public holidays in all off-street locations. The hourly and early bird rates in the multi-storey car parks are charged Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm. The table marks the overnight rate with an asterisk but the page does not explain it.
What are the rules for off-street tickets?
The City sets out several conditions that are easy to miss:
| Rule | What the City says |
|---|---|
| One car park only | A daily off-street session is only valid for the car park you bought it from, or its PayStay zone |
| Early bird | Valid only on the day you park, until you leave. Once you exit, the session ends and does not cover re-entry. You pay the full early bird rate even if you stay for a shorter time |
| Not for the street | Off-street and PayStay car park sessions cannot be used for on-street parking |
| Height | Dragonfly 2.3 metres; West Lane 2.35 metres |
| After-hours release | For a vehicle release after hours in a multi-storey car park, phone 08 8930 0900 (Wilson Security); fees apply |
How do the parking meters work?
The City has replaced its meters with solar-powered, pay-by-plate machines, so there is no paper ticket to display. The parking meters page gives four steps:
- Enter your vehicle’s licence plate number at the meter.
- Select your parking duration.
- Pay with tap-and-go, a debit or credit card, or mobile payment.
- That is all; your plate is recorded and you do not need to display a ticket.
The City adds that the new meters do not take cash or a basic card, although alternative tap-and-go cards, sold at Australia Post and supermarkets, can be used. At the “Touch and Go” meters you tap your phone and are sent to the PayStay app or website. To report a faulty meter, use the Snap Send Solve app or call PayStay on 1300 322 111.
How does PayStay work?
PayStay is the City’s pay-by-phone system for the CBD, and the City’s PayStay page describes it as a cashless way to start, stop and extend a parking session from your phone. Your licence plate is registered digitally, so you only pay for the time you use.
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Download the PayStay app from the App Store or Google Play |
| 2 | Register with your phone number, vehicle registration and payment details |
| 3 | Start a session by entering the PayStay zone number shown on the parking sign |
| 4 | Stop the session when you leave, so you are charged only for the time used |
You can also pay by phone on 1300 322 111, through the PayStay website, or as a guest by scanning the QR code on a meter. Accepted payment methods are Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay and Google Pay. Optional SMS reminders before a session expires carry a fee. You can register up to two vehicles on one account and pick which one you are paying for.
The City’s FAQ answers two common worries. If you forget to stop your session, it continues until it reaches the maximum time allowed in the zone, and you are charged for it. If the zone allows extensions, you can add time through the app without going back to your vehicle.
What about yellow lines and loading zones?
Yellow lines mean no stopping and no parking, and they are placed where there is a hazard to vehicles, pedestrians or other traffic. The City says that if Council officers see you stopped on a yellow line, you can face a $50.00 penalty infringement notice.
Loading zones are for goods vehicles only, with a 15-minute limit. The City says trucks, utilities and commercial vans primarily designed to carry goods count, but sedans and station wagons do not. Businesses can apply for a loading zone permit online, and permits expire on 30 June each year.
Who do I contact with a parking question?
For parking matters in the CBD, the City gives 08 8930 0600. For payment problems or general PayStay questions, call PayStay on 1300 322 111 or email customerservice@paystay.com.au. The City also publishes an interactive City Parking Map, linked from its parking pages, that lets you choose parking locations by zone. All vehicles are parked at the owner’s or driver’s risk, and drivers must park in designated bays and follow the signs for their zone.
Sources
- City of Darwin — On-Street Parking Fees (checked 7 November 2026)
- City of Darwin — Off-Street Parking Fees
- City of Darwin — Parking Zones
- City of Darwin — Parking Meters
- City of Darwin — PayStay
Featured image: Mitchell Street, Darwin, 2023 (photo: Bahnfrend / CC BY-SA 4.0) (text added)
OZ Local Updates is an independent local guide and is not affiliated with the City of Darwin or PayStay. Fees, hours and rules can change; check the City’s parking pages and the signs on the street before you park.