There’s nothing more appealing than an open road trip, especially one that stretches almost 1,500km from Australia’s spiritual and physical heart, Alice Springs and the Red Centre, to tropical Darwin.
Driving the Territory is not just any road trip. It’s an epic adventure like nowhere else. Out here endless landscapes stretch all the way to the horizon. Brilliant blue skies by day turn scarlet at sunset. Star-spangled skies light up the nights casting a twinkling glow. Expect abundant wildlife, Outback towns with larger-than-life characters and once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
There’s never been a better time to visit these natural Australian icons — the MacDonnell Ranges, Karlu Karlu/Devils Marbles, Nitmiluk National Park and Litchfield National Park. Each has its own unique appeal with something for everyone. The best thing? They’re all accessible on bitumen roads (no need for a 4WD!).
Explore the spectacular escarpments of the MacDonnell Ranges. Stay a while in Alice Springs and explore the ‘East and West Macs’. Hiking, camping, mountain biking and swimming holes are the reward for outdoor enthusiasts. Experience Aboriginal culture through art galleries and guided tours.
It’s worth spending a few days discovering Alice Springs’ café culture and culinary delights. Get up close and personal with kangaroos or float aloft in a hot air balloon at sunrise.
Take a detour on the Red Centre Way where outback waterholes of the West MacDonnell Ranges await. So too Uluru-Kata Tjuta and Watarrka National Parks, where spectacular landscapes hold deep spiritual significance in Aboriginal culture.
Alice Springs to Tennant Creek (508km)
Leaving Alice Springs behind, continue northwards towards the Top End. Along the way you’ll encounter Outback towns with colourful characters, stunning scenery and Aboriginal cultural experiences.
Your first stop should be at the Tropic of Capricorn marker, 30km north of Alice, where the sculptured marker was created to commemorate Australia’s bicentenary.
Admire the sculptures of ‘Anmatjere Man’ and ‘Anmatjere Woman and Child’ at Aileron. Fossick for garnets at Gemtree then settle in for food and refreshments and at Barrow Creek Hotel, one of the Territory’s oldest pubs.
Visit Karlu Karlu/Devils Marbles the landscape is dotted with mammoth formations and balancing rocks which are sacred to the Warumungu people. A campsite is perfectly positioned for sunset and sunrise viewing.
Further north you’ll reach Australia’s golden heart where the 1930s gold rush put Tennant Creek on the map. Earlier, the Overland Telegraph connected this remote outpost with the rest of Australia.
Try your hand at gold panning and take an underground mine tour at Battery Hill Gold Mining & Heritage Centre.
Spend time at Nyinkka Nyunya Art and Cultural Centre where an audio tour of arid zone gardens explains the importance of plants and animals to Aboriginal people.
An outcrop of boulders 11km north or Tennant Creek, called Kunjarra The Pebbles, is a sacred site for Warumungu people and is associated with Munga Munga dreaming and women’s rituals.
Tennant Creek to Daly Waters (400km)
More unusual and beautiful places to stop at include the mudbrick Banka Banka Homestead and Renner Springs and lagoon — a bird-watchers' paradise where honey-eaters, falcons and herons abound. The 360° views from Lubra’s Lookout are breathtaking. Lake Woods near Elliott is also a haven for birds.
Now a ghost town at the junction of three stock routes, explore the remnants left of Newcastle Waters cattle droving history. Explore the preserved 1960s Junction Hotel and Jones’s store historical buildings.
Lunch at the colourful, corrugated iron clad Daly Waters Pub is a must. Built in 1930 it’s seen bar brawls, street fights and even murders during its settlement days. Today it’s a jolly place with every nook and cranny covered in bras, hats, foreign money and an Irish hurling stick! People can’t resist leaving their mark.
Daly Waters to Mataranka (167km)
At Mataranka the Outback meets the tropics. The cooling calm of the palm-lined, spring-fed aquamarine waters of Mataranka Hot Springs is a refreshing reprieve. Nearby Bitter Springs also in Elsey National Park is another idyllic thermal pool.
Jeannie Gunn’s book and film, “We of the Never Never” made the area famous. Discover their lifestyle at Elsey Homestead, find the names of many characters at Old Elsey Cemetery, and learn the rich history at the Never Never Museum.
Mataranka to Katherine (106km)
Katherine is a jewel amongst its rugged surrounds. Set beside Katherine River, the NT’s fourth largest town is surrounded by stunning natural parks and attractions — Katherine Hot Springs, Low Level Nature Park, Nitmiluk National Park including Leliyn/Edith Falls, Cutta Cutta and Kintore Caves Nature Parks, Elsey and Gregory National Parks.
If you don’t want to walk the many trails, cruise or canoe any of the 13 ancient gorges, take a helicopter flight over them and nearby Edith Falls.
Your taste buds will dance with the range of creative cuisines around town. Not to be missed in Katherine — Black Russian Caravan’s massive gourmet toasted sandwich; the homemade cakes at Finch Café and at Katherine Hot Springs; and Pop Rocket Café’s famous salmon stack. All have fantastic coffee too!
During the dry season Nabilil Dreaming Sunset Dinner Cruise is a very special experience at Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge. Check into Cicada Lodge for an overnight stay in luxurious surrounds overlooking Katherine River.
Take a tour at Katherine Outback Experience for an interactive and entertaining insight into cattle station life. Katherine Museum is housed in an original WWII air terminal, is home to the first flying doctor, Dr Clyde Fenton’s 1030s Gypsy Moth plane. Discover Katherine’s vibrant arts scene through the Katherine Arts Trail and explore the surrounding area’s walking trails.
Katherine to Darwin (317km)
Waterfalls, swimming holes and hot springs are the main attractions on this northern section. The choices for cooling down are endless. Some of the best are Leliyn (Edith Falls), Umbrawarra Gorge Nature Park, Tjuywaliyn (Douglas) Hot Springs and Berry Springs.
Then there is Litchfield National Park with abundant waterfalls, swimming holes, walking trails, mammoth termite mounds and camping areas. Don’t miss Buley Rockhole, Wangi Falls and Florence Falls.
Australia’s most northern capital, Darwin, is like no other. Its blend of friendly characters, waterfront dining experiences infused with local and ethnic flavours, and seriously impressive sunsets bring together all the best things in life.
Discover the city’s military history, magical markets, relaxed tropical lifestyle, and don’t miss the chance to smile at a crocodile!
After spending two weeks following in the footsteps of pioneer John McDouall Stuart, you’ve earned “explorer” status.
Just make sure you rock into Darwin in time to sit on Mindil Beach and enjoy that spectacular red ball dropping into the Timor Sea.
Start planning your road trip to the NT.
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