WHEELY EPIC TOP END ADVENTURES

The Northern Territory offers ways to tick off the sights along easy-breezy sealed roads where you can discover ancient history, art and nature in all its pristine wonder

ABOVE: Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) from Nawurlandja Lookout. Credit: Tourism NT, Shaana McNaught

2-5 DAY ROAD TRIPS

Darwin to Litchfield National Park

With its refreshing swimming spots, picturesque waterfalls and leisurely walks, Litchfield National Park is a popular getaway for a day or weekend. A 90-minute drive from Darwin, check out Berry Springs, another beautiful swimming hole and Batchelor, the gateway to Litchfield, along the way. At Wangi Falls there’s spacious lawns, barbecues and a café. NT Air operates helicopter flights over the region from here. Also, splash around in Florence Falls and Buley Rockhole, and be dwarfed by the huge cathedral and magnetic termite mounds inside the park.

Wangi Falls

Swimmers at Florence Falls

Dundee Beach and Crab Claw Island

Further along Cox Peninsula Road, on the other side of Darwin’s expansive harbour, discover Crab Claw Island, Dundee Beach and quiet rivers, perfect for catching that prized barramundi. These local hotspot havens offer peaceful sea views, camping, cabins, bars and restaurants perfect for relaxing tropical beachside getaways and fishing weekends.

Fish and Chips at Crab Claw Island

Credit: Tourism NT, Christopher Nayna

Darwin to Kakadu National Park

World Heritage Listed Kakadu National Park is high on everyone’s list and not a place to be rushed. A straight threehour drive on the Arnhem Highway, tours offer day trips but when you’re driving it’s the ideal three or four-day getaway with much to see and do.

Stop at Humpty Doo Pub, Fogg Dam, Window on the Wetlands, and take an Adelaide River Jumping Crocodile cruise or Corroboree Billabong wetland cruise on the way to Jabiru. Learn about Arnhem Land Aboriginal culture, walk on their land and eyeball many a crocodile on a Guluyambi Cultural Cruise on East Alligator River. Walk around the Ubirr rock art site, view the vast Nabad floodplain and stay overnight, either camping or in accommodation at Jabiru.

Gunlom Falls

Credit: Tourism NT, Matt Cherubino

Stroll through the rock shelters and extensive rock art sites at Burrungkuy (Nourlangie). Chill in the hidden waterholes at Maguk, Gunlom (where Paul and Linda frolicked in Crocodile Dundee) or Jim Jim Falls. Birdwatch at Murrill Billabong and immerse yourself in the culture of Kakadu’s traditional owners, the Bininj/Mungguy people at Warradjan Cultural Centre. Stay at Cooinda Lodge Kakadu after enjoying a sunset cruise with wine and canapes on Yellow Water Billabong.

Barramundi Gorge (Maguk), Kakadu National Park

Credit: Tourism NT, Adriana Alvarado

If you have more time, continue to Katherine on Nature’s Way loop. Visit Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge in Nitmiluk National Park. Cruise or canoe these peaceful waters between towering orange cliffs. Along the Stuart Highway back to Darwin check out the old gold mining town of Pine Creek, Adelaide River and its war cemetery and relax in refreshing waterways at Litchfield National Park or Berry Springs.

Rock Art at Nourlangie Rock, Kakadu National Park

Credit: Tourism Australia, Nicholas Kavo

3-4 DAY ROAD TRIPS

Darwin to Katherine

The NT’s fourth-largest town Katherine is an easy three-hour drive from Darwin on the Stuart Highway and another ideal three to four-day break.

There’s something adventurous or relaxing around every corner. Swim at Katherine Hot Springs, Low Level Nature Park, and Leliyn (Edith Falls), venture underground at Cutta Cutta and Kintore Caves, and canoe, cruise or walk the trails at Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge. An hour further south, spend time at idyllic thermal springs in Elsey National Park.

There's something adventurous or relaxing around every corner

Cultural experiences around town include Top Didj, with hands-on Rarrk painting, fire lighting and spear throwing, or learn about station life and pat some animals at Katherine Outback Experience.

The food doesn’t disappoint either. Must-tries are the massive fresh toasted sandwich at Black Russian Caravan Bar, Pop Rocket Café’s famous salmon stack, a fine dining dinner on the Nabilil Dreaming sunset cruise along Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge, or a traditional camp oven meal under the stars at Marksie’s Stockman’s Camp Tucker.

Make time to stop at Pine Creek and Adelaide River on the way down or back and discover their respective gold mining and WWII history.

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Alice Springs Explorer

Choose this short four-day drive from Alice Springs that takes you into Australia’s spiritual and physical heart. Hidden amongst the towering red rock gorges of the MacDonnell Ranges are restorative swimming holes, striking landscapes and many mind-clearing short walking trails to share with the friendly wildlife. This area is also home to the 223km Larapinta Trail from Alice Springs to Mt Sonder. It’s divided into 12 sections; if you’re a keen walker, pick one to appreciate the picturesque surroundings.

Alice Springs is making a name for itself with its hip cafes, markets and Aboriginal art centres and galleries. See the unique wildlife at the Desert Park. Overlook the town from Anzac Hill or take a hot air balloon flight overlooking the MacDonnell Ranges.

See Simpson’s Gap and Standley Chasm. Splash around in Ellery Creek, Glen Helen, Ormiston and Redbank Gorges – all have walking trails and camping nearby, and your only neighbours are beautiful birds, curious lizards and marsupials. Take the loop back via Hermannsburg, home of renowned Aboriginal artist Albert Namatjira. Visit this historic settlement and sample their flavoursome apple strudel.

Walkers at Keep River National Park

Credit: Tourism NT, Shaana McNaught

5 DAY ROAD TRIPS

Katherine to Keep River National Park

This stunning five-day road trip is part of the Savannah Way – an epic and exciting journey across Australia from Cairns in Queensland to Broome in Western Australia.

One of the Northern Territory’s best-kept secrets, this section rewards self-sufficient travellers with rugged red escarpments and rivers set amongst tropical savannah forests of Gregory and Keep River National Parks. It’s the ideal way to see and feel what Australia is made of and a haven for fishers, hikers and photographers.

Stop at quirky Victoria River Roadhouse and Timber Creek along the way. Enjoy escarpment walks, the surrounding WWII history, fishing, abundant bird and wildlife. Keep River is rich in ancient rock art sites and spectacular rock formations. Some tracks are unsealed and 4WD access only in Judbarra/Gregory National Park, Flora River Nature Park and Keep River National Park.

Walkers at Keep River National Park

Credit: Tourism NT, Shaana McNaught

Alice Springs to Uluru – Red Centre Way

This 1750 km five-day sealed road loop ticks off iconic Uluru, Kata Tjuta, Watarrka National Park, Kings Canyon and the West MacDonnell Ranges.

The Red Centre Way route includes Simpson’s Gap, Standley Chasm, Ellery Creek Big Hole, Glen Helen, Ormiston and Redbank Gorges. At Kings Canyon, walk the rim and breathe in the awe-inspiring canyon floor views or take to the air in a helicopter.

Along Lasseter’s Highway to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park pass Mt Conner (often mistaken for Uluru), and the salt plains of Lake Amadeus. Take a walk or partake in a paper making workshop nearby.

Ayers Rock Resort, a town centre close to the park, has a variety of accommodation and dining options from one to five stars and even a campground where you can set up under the million-star sky.

Viewing these icons and the Field of Light at sunrise and sunset is a must. Their colours change with the seasons and time of day — it’s sensory overload. There are walks around the base, or hire a bicycle or jump on a Segway. Camel rides just outside the park allow you to experience the outback with Uluru in the background. On the way back to Alice Springs stop at Wayside Inn in Curtin Springs — a working cattle station with accommodation and on-site café.