Parking throughout the Darwin Central Business District (CBD) is controlled by paid parking. You should always read all parking signs and understand the zone you have parked in.
City of Darwin is making changes to parking in the Darwin city centre, including new meters over the next few weeks.
Why we have made the change
- The current meters are running off a 3G network that is reaching the end of useful life. Without a complete upgrade to each metre, enabling connection to an upgraded network, these metres will not continue to operate.
- City of Darwin officers regularly receive negative feedback that the current on-street meters do not accept credit card.
- An audit conducted on parking in the Darwin City Centre found the technology used is old, outdated and time consuming.
- At the Ordinary Council meeting on 31 October 2023 Council endorsed removing a number of meters and converting the existing meters to cashless.
- Changes have been made to make paying for parking in the city centre more streamlined.
- On average, 76% of payments for on-street parking are made via the PayStay app.
- On average, 79% of payments for off-street parking are made via the PayStay app.
- People can now validate their parking as a guest without the need to set up an account.
During the transition
- Meters in the city centre will be temporarily unavailable as we transition to new parking technology.
- During the transition period, people will be unable to pay at the meter but can utilise a debit or credit card to:
- Pay using the PayStay app
- Pay through their account on the PayStay website
- Scan the QR codes displayed on the existing meters
- Call PayStay on 1300 322 111 - We will be testing the parking QR code as well as paying for parking with and without the PayStay app installed.
- Basics cards can be used with the PayStay app or by calling PayStay.
How to get help
- Users can call PayStay for immediate assistance on 1300 322 111.
- Users can also call City of Darwin Customer Service, or come into Customer Service at the Civic Centre and our team can assist.
- Users can provide feedback on the app through the platform they download their apps in (eg Apple App Store).
- If the app or public free Wi-Fi aren’t working, please let us know and we will investigate.
- The Click and Fix app is available to report non-emergency issues in the Darwin area
About the new meters
- The new meters will have pay-by-plate and credit card payment functionality.
- The new meters will allow people to:
- Pay-by-plate, using their registration plate details to activate a parking session
- Pay with a credit or debit card either online, through the PayStay app or directly at the meter. - The new meters will not take cash, meaning the parking system will be completely cashless.
- The new meters won’t accept Basics cards, but Basics cards can be used with the PayStay app or by calling PayStay.
Conditions of Parking
- All vehicles are parked at owners/drivers risk. City of Darwin, its employees or agents are not liable, for any loss or damage caused by negligence or otherwise, to vehicles parked in this car park.
- City of Darwin, its employees or agent do not have authority to accept vehicles or articles for safekeeping.
- Under common law the bailment of good does not apply in respect to the parking of a vehicle and or its contents in the car park.
- No person has authority to vary these conditions. Vehicles entering this car park are subject to NT Traffic Regulations. Park in bays only.