Whether you’re in a campervan, a car or a 4WD, the options for adventure are endless. Here in the Territory, the roads spool out to the horizon, the wildlife is prolific and the landscapes are incredible
Katherine (Tourism NT/Let's Escape Together)
This unforgettable journey can take up to eight days and offers a journey around the highlights of the Top End, with an itinerary that goes big on adventure. Covering almost 900km, it takes in culture, wildlife, adrenaline and some truly astonishing natural attractions. For a heady dose of the cinematic scenery that the Northern Territory is famed for, look no further.
Jim Jim Falls in Kakadu National Park (Tourism NT/@helloemilie)
Begin your trip in Darwin, the Territory’s friendly, buzzy capital city. With its palm-tree vibe and manageable size, it makes for the perfect introduction to the region. A location on the Timor Sea gives it a tangible Asian influence, in everything from its climate to its food scene – sample the latter at the famous Mindil Beach Sunset Markets. Other highlights include the bars and restaurants of Mitchell Street, the excellent Museum & Art Gallery of the NT, and the modern boardwalks of Darwin Waterfront. The city also has a fascinating history to explore, taking in everything from freak cyclones to WWII air raids.
The name alone is enough to stir the hearts of travellers. Kakadu is a rarity – a national park UNESCO-listed for both its natural and cultural treasures. There are multitudes of both. The park covers more than 20,000 sq km, incorporating rolling floodplains, mighty escarpments, gushing waterfalls, crocodile-filled billabongs and birdlife-rich woodlands. At the same time, it also plays home to an Indigenous culture dating back tens of thousands of years, with ancient rock art to explore and guided Aboriginal experiences to enjoy. It’s a glorious place to spend time, with plenty of campsites, and if you’re in a 4WD there’s even greater flexibility.
Heading down the Kakadu Highway, as you begin edging from the tropics into the Outback, you’ll reach the town of Katherine. It’s well stocked with touring campsites and has its own hot springs – just the thing for unwinding after the drive. A little way to the south lies the tiny town of Mataranka, which has glorious thermal waters of its own. Just as enticingly, Katherine is also the gateway to the blockbuster spectacle of Nitmiluk Gorge, a 2km chasm of towering cliffs and rugged rapids. The gorge itself gives the potential for serious adventure, with cruising, bush walking and canoeing all options.
Returning back up the legendary Stuart Highway to Darwin, make a short detour to lovely Litchfield National Park. Still seen as something of a local secret, it’s a lush spread of classic Aussie bushland, with giant termite mounds, a series of natural swimming holes and some excellent bushwalking trails. It’s well set up for touring vehicles, so take the chance to park up, grab your swimming costume and wallow under postcard-pretty cascades. Highlights include the Buley Rock Holes, Florence Falls and Wangi Falls. You’re now only around 100km from Darwin, so it’s the perfect place to linger before your return to the city.
Tuck into fresh food (Tourism NT)
A family-run café daubed with colourful artworks, this Katherine favourite is where to head for watermelon smoothies, lunch quesadillas, fresh muffins, artisan coffee and much more besides. The lemonade is made from lemons that grow in its backyard.
This Jabiru restaurant is a great place to refuel after a day of adventure. Choose from gourmet dishes like duck confit to local Aussie favourites such as crocodile.
This brilliant bistro near Yellow Water Billabong offers alfresco dining in Kakadu National Park. Don’t miss the tasting plate with smoked and marinated crocodile, barramundi, chargrilled buffalo sausages and kangaroo fillet.
Nitmiluk Gorge (Tourism NT/Tourism Australia)
Close to Nitmiluk Gorge, and offering 18 rooms decorated with artwork from local indigenous artists, this luxurious and well located resort also has its own bar/restaurant and a swimming pool.
Situated beside the Yellow Water Billabong, Cooinda Lodge is a village-style property offering a relaxing stay that combines luxuries such as a swimming pool and bistro-style dining with nearby wildlife including crocodiles and birds.
For a stylish stay in the heart of Darwin, look no further than Oaks Elan Darwin which offers comfortable rooms spread over 27 floors and a rooftop pool.
Kings Canyon (Tourism NT/Tourism Australia)
As you move down the Stuart Highway, the great expanse of Central Australia begins to open up to the south. This up to six-day adventure, which can stretch for more than 1,000km, takes in some of the most iconic sights in Australia and gives you a full taste of what makes the Red Centre such a fabled road trip destination.
UlUru (Tourism NT/Kate Flowers)
You’ll begin your journey in the unique desert town of Alice Springs, located in almost the exact centre of the Australian mainland and playing home to some 25,000 people. It’s ideally situated for a road trip into the Outback proper but has some serious attractions of its own, including a long pioneering history and some excellent Indigenous art galleries. It also sits a short way from the rugged West MacDonnell Ranges, which can easily be factored into your road trip. If you’re in a 4WD, there’s even the option to drive the Mereenie Loop, from the mountains down to Kings Canyon.
Around three and a half hours of scenic driving from Alice Springs brings you to this gigantic geological wonder. Part of the majestic George Gill Range in Watarrka National Park, Kings Canyon is a vast natural chasm of toppling cliffs and verdant greenery. It’s best enjoyed by making the famous Rim Walk, which leads up and around its perimeter and serves up never-ending views across the desert. The hike itself covers 6km and takes between three and four hours. It makes sense to arrive the night before, make the most of the facilities at the resort at the canyon’s base, then rise early to enjoy the walk in the cool of the morning.
Looming silently over the Outback like a sandstone colossus, Uluru has a stature, size and presence that is hard to describe. When you arrive by road, having spent hours surrounded by dramatic flat horizons, there’s a sense of having reached somewhere momentous. Uluru rewards however much time you can spare it, whether you’re joining a guided walk around its base, learning more about its deep spiritual significance, watching its colours shift in the sunset hours, or dining under the stars as art installations twinkle across the plains. It’s well set up for touring vehicles, with a large campground close by.
Just over 50km away, 36 vast domes cluster in the desert, covering an area every bit as imposing as Uluru itself. Kata Tjuta – which translates, fittingly, as ‘Many Heads’ – is a maze of natural valleys and crevices, and a joy to explore. Parts of the site are traditionally seen as sacred, and are consequently off-limits to travellers, but much of the formation can be admired on the 7.5km Valley of the Winds loop walk. Its proximity to Uluru means you won’t have to change accommodation, and as a spectacle it makes for an unforgettable finale before your return to Alice Springs.
Tuck into tasty food (Tourism NT)
This trendy lounge and rooftop bar in Alice Springs’ Todd Mall offers tasty food, cocktails, craft beers and a brilliant atmosphere.
Enjoy all-day dining in a rustic setting and tuck into the likes of wood-fired pizzas, burgers and BBQ options that are big on flavour.
This magical evening will see you dine under the sparkling canopy of the Outback’s sky with views of Uluru. As well as the incredible views, you will be treated to fine food including a bush tucker-inspired menu.
Glamping tents are one accommodation option at Kings Canyon (Tourism NT/Tourism Australia)
Well-equipped and comfortable, and recently refurbished, this resort offers standard and deluxe resort rooms as well as glamping tents and a campground with uninterrupted views, as well as various bars and restaurants. It’s well placed for travellers doing the Rim Walk.
There are no less than seven accommodation options here, from 5* luxury at Sails in the Desert to 3* comfort at the Outback Lodge and a campground to boot. The resort offers free daily activities, lots of dining and touring options and a free shuttle bus.
If you’re looking for luxury, Longitude 131˚ is most definitely the place. Its upscale tented pavilions all have unbeatable views of Uluru, while spa treatments and fine dining add to the overall premium feel.
It pays to book with the experts. With extensive experience of the Northern Territory’s many highlights and with a knowledgeable and friendly team on-hand to find your perfect holiday, Trailfinders will help you to uncover the very best of this part of Australia. To book call 020 7795 4551 or visit trailfinders.com
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