New and used shipping containers for sale and hire in Darwin — the northern suburbs, the Winnellie and Berrimah industrial areas, the port at East Arm and the Stuart Highway corridor heading south.
Supplied from stock at a Berrimah depot, topped up off the East Arm wharf — cargo-worthy steel sold wind and watertight for the wet (as-is units are not).
Areas we service around Darwin: Winnellie, Berrimah, East Arm, Casuarina, Nightcliff, Karama, Leanyer, Stuart Park — and everywhere between. Not listed? Ask us — we go further than you'd think.
Darwin containers come from stock held at a depot in the Berrimah area, which is topped up off the wharf at East Arm. That puts the stock in the middle of the city's industrial belt — a short run to Winnellie, the airport side and the northern suburbs, and straight onto the Stuart Highway for anything further out. It is a far shorter road leg than any of our Western Australian deliveries, and the quote reflects that: container and delivery as one figure.
Outback Containers has no office or crew in the Territory; we are a Queensland business supplying the Top End from that Darwin stock. Sales calls go to 1300 235 972, Mon–Fri 7:30am–5pm and Sat 8am–12pm Queensland time. Inspection at the Berrimah depot can be arranged, and photos of the actual unit are available on request before delivery.
The Top End has two seasons that matter for a delivery. Through the dry, most sites are easy: firm ground, clear tracks, predictable access. In the wet, monsoon rain and storms soften unsealed ground, pond water in low spots and can close rural tracks altogether. If you can order during the dry, do; if not, choose a drop spot on sealed or well-drained hardstand.
In the suburbs, the usual Darwin catches are low mango and palm canopies, overhead power lines and tight carports under elevated houses. A tilt-tray needs clear height above the tray and a straight approach; a 40ft needs a side-loader and more room. The delivery page lists what the driver needs.
The build-up — the humid, stormy months before the monsoon arrives — is when condensation is at its worst and afternoon storms can soften ground quickly, so plan the drop spot with that in mind.
Winnellie, Berrimah and East Arm are home to transport firms, marine businesses, fabricators and suppliers to the gas, mining and defence sectors. Containers there serve as secure yard storage, spares cages and site stores, often on hire for the length of a contract. Defence families posted to Larrakeyah Barracks or RAAF Base Darwin use them for household goods between houses.
If the drop is inside a secured compound or on port land, tell us who authorises vehicle entry and we will line it up before the truck is booked. A used cargo-worthy 20ft covers most commercial needs; a new single-trip unit suits fit-outs and anything on public view.
Builders on apartment and commercial jobs around the city centre take site stores on hire too. Space in the CBD is tight, and a container on or beside a road usually needs a permit to occupy it — check with the City of Darwin before booking.
Darwin's humidity is hard on anything stored in a sealed box. Condensation forms under the roof as the air cools overnight, and it drips. Vents, moisture absorbers for sensitive items and never storing anything damp are the basics. Termites are active across the Top End, and a container floor is timber, so keep it off the ground on steel or concrete supports and keep grass and debris clear around it.
Darwin is in a cyclone region. A container is not a cyclone shelter, and we make no claim about how any container performs in a cyclone. Tie-down requirements are a question for the City of Darwin, the NT building rules and an engineer — ask well before the season. On grade: cargo-worthy containers are sold wind and watertight; as-is units are not sold watertight, which matters a great deal in a Top End wet season.
Darwin's northern suburbs — Nightcliff, Rapid Creek, Casuarina, Tiwi, Wanguri, Leanyer, Malak and Karama — are mostly established blocks with carports, big trees and houses either raised or on slabs. Access is usually along the side of the house or across the front yard, and overhead lines and tree canopies are common. Closer to the city, Stuart Park, Parap, Fannie Bay and Larrakeyah have smaller, older lots and narrower streets.
For those sites, a 10ft can be the answer where a 20ft will not fit, or a crane truck where a tilt-tray cannot get in. Measure the narrowest point along the path, look up for wires and branches, and send photos. Near the harbour and the beaches, salt air adds to the humidity problem, so wash the container down after the wet, keep the seals clean and deal with scratches before rust takes hold.
Brisbane-depot guide pricing — local Darwin pricing varies with depot stock, and freight is quoted upfront with your quote.
Price guide only — Brisbane-depot floor pricing; regional prices vary with local stock and freight. Call 1300 235 972 for today's exact price, delivered.
At a depot in the Berrimah area, restocked off the wharf at East Arm. Inspection there can be arranged — ask when you call.
Often, yes, where the drop spot is sealed or well drained. Rural or unsealed sites may need to wait for firm ground, and we will tell you if the site is not safe for the truck.
It depends on zoning and the site. Check with the City of Darwin and, if tie-downs are involved, an engineer. Our approval guide lists what to ask.
Yes. A 20ft on hire suits household goods during a posting or between houses. It is delivered to your address and collected when you are finished with it.
A straight approach, firm ground and clear height above the tray as it lifts. Overhead power lines and tree canopies are the usual problems. The delivery page lists the clearances.
Yes, from the same Berrimah stock. See the Palmerston and Humpty Doo and rural area pages for access notes specific to those areas.
Timing depends on stock and the truck schedule; we confirm it when you book.
Delivery is quoted upfront based on your exact address and container size — one clear number covering container + freight, GST inclusive. Call 1300 235 972 for a delivered price today.
Ask us and we'll send photos of your actual container — serial number visible — before it's delivered. Local inspection options depend on depot stock; ask when you enquire.
Quotes within the hour*
Tell us what you need and we'll come back with a straight price — container plus delivery to Darwin, no surprises.
*During business hours. After hours, first thing next morning.
Access widths, ground prep and truck types — everything to sort before delivery day so your container lands exactly where you want it.
The genuinely useful answer: usually no for temporary storage, often yes for permanent placement — and how to check your council in ten minutes.
Real-world price ranges for new and used containers, what moves the market, and how to make sure you're comparing quotes properly.