Highlights Of A Northern Territory Street Journey From Darwin

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Darwin locals are so lucky to be surrounded by a number of the most spectacular nationwide parks in Australia.

In case you are pondering of getting out and exploring a number of the finest Aussie nature, then a Northern Territory street journey from Darwin is a superb thought.

Whether or not you wish to see the distant, desert landscapes of the outback or the craggy gorges of the nationwide parks, there is no such thing as a higher means to do this than to pack up your automotive and hit the street.

On this information, I’ve created a two week Northern Territory street journey itinerary that takes in three of the perfect nationwide parks within the area, in addition to how one can prolong your street journey into the Australia outback.

How Lengthy to Do a Northern Territory Street Journey from Darwin?

We advocate taking not less than two weeks to completely discover the highest finish of the Northern Territory. You can begin from both Litchfield Nationwide Park or Kakadu from Darwin.

In the event you’re flying into Darwin, rent a automotive and loop round whichever place you please.

In the event you’re coming from the south, you would possibly wish to begin at Katherine and do a loop from there.

Map Of A Northern Territory Street Journey from Darwin

In the event you’re exploring the Prime Finish of the Northern Territory then a looped street journey from Darwin taking in Katherine Gorge, Kakadu Nationwide Park, and Litchfield Nationwide Park is a should.

That can assist you plan your Northern Territory street journey, here’s a map of all of the stops on this itinerary.

Northern Territory Street Journey Highlights

Wish to cease by the perfect Northern Territory highlights? Beneath are the stops we advocate you tackle a self-guided street journey within the NT and the actions you must do at every place.

Cease 1: Litchfield Nationwide Park

Litchfield Nationwide Park is just an hours drive from Darwin, which makes it an ideal weekend getaway. It’s among the best locations within the Prime Finish to go swimming with waterfalls plunging off the sting of the escarpment into crystal-clear, secure swimming holes. By secure, we imply salt-water crocodile free!

Florence Falls

Florence Falls is a double-plunge waterfall resulting in a well-liked swimming gap. There’s a steep staircase right down to the swimming pools passing by way of a stunning viewing level.

In any other case, you possibly can take the stroll right down to the falls from the automotive park through Shady Creek observe.

We didn’t get to do it, nevertheless it’s meant to be very fairly. We walked from Florence Falls to Buley Rockholes

Buley Rockholes

This was my favorite a part of Litchfield Nationwide Park.

It’s the proper place to go to with youngsters and we advocate getting there early to flee the tour buses and have the rock pool serenity to your self.

The Buley Rockholes is a sequence of rock swimming pools that has water cascading by way of them. Stroll as much as the highest and take your decide of rock holes to take a seat in for awhile.

Simply spend the day transferring from one to the opposite. It’s sizzling sufficient to warrant it – even within the winter.

Wangi Falls

Wangi Falls might be Litchfield’s hottest attraction with a big swimming gap and picnic space.While fairly and undoubtedly value a cease, I didn’t like Wangi as a lot as Florence and Buley.

Walker Creek

If you need a swimming gap expertise that’s away from the crowds then take the 3km stroll alongside Walker Creek to shared swimming gap quantity six. It was small, however simply beautiful to have all to ourselves and so refreshing after such a sizzling stroll with two youngsters.

Alongside the stroll, you’ll see varied personal camp websites subsequent to the creek with their very own personal swimming gap. One to noticeably take into account pitching a tent at should you like bush tenting. Primary was my decide.

Magnetic Termite Mounds

Wish to see a termite mount that’s as excessive as a constructing? These termites are fairly spectacular. Not solely do you see terribly massive ones however a area of them that appear to be gravestones.

These termite mounds are constructed by hundreds of termites with a north-south orientation to regulate the temperature contained in the mounds.

The place to remain in Litchfield Nationwide Park

We stayed outdoors the park At Batchelor Tourist Park. It was a stunning campsite with a pure bush setting. We needed to keep right here as we would have liked web service, however there are many tenting websites within the Nationwide Park.

In spite of everything that point spent in such lovely pure landscapes of the Northern Territory’s Prime Finish you would possibly want just a little metropolis civilisation. Park your automotive and butt in Darwin for some time.

It has a small-town, laid-back vibe. A little bit of tropical combined with Prime Finish nation. We like it.

Cease 2: Katherine Gorge

Nitmiluk Nationwide Park is owned by the native Jawoyn folks and Katherine Gorge is the primary attraction of the park. It’s a sequence of 13 deep sandstone gorges carved out by the Katherine River on its journey from Arnhem Land to the Timor Sea.

Solely three of the gorges will be accessed through excursions and actions from the primary customer centre. Visiting the opposite gorges contain a protracted five-day hike.

Listed below are our Katherine Gorge highlights:

Stroll to the Barrawei Lookout

This was a 3.2km loop stroll as much as the lookout with nice views over the gorge. You are able to do the shorter stroll taking a steep climb as much as the lookout from the river and again down once more. Don’t overlook to take a look at all of the bats hanging from the timber as you stroll alongside the river financial institution.

There are many different strolling trails in Nitmiluk. If we didn’t have the youngsters with us, I’d tackle the 12km Butterfly Gorge stroll.

Do the Dawn Gorge Cruise

This two-hour Dawn Break tour will take you thru to the second gorge. You get to stroll 800 metres when transferring from the primary to the second gorge and see some rock artwork and get a better appreciation of simply how lovely this gorge is.

It wasn’t till we arrived on the second gorge that I understood what the fuss was all about. It’s referred to as the breakfast cruise, nevertheless it’s actually only a bowl of fruit and a drink.

Neglect the consuming, it’s extra concerning the gorgeous surroundings within the delicate, morning gentle.

There are different cruises you are able to do: an extended one, which takes you into the third gorge and a sundown dinner cruise, which is supposed to be superior. Be sure you guide forward as they get very busy.

In the event you’re staying in Nitmiluk Nationwide Park, within the night at sundown stroll right down to the place the tour boats depart from and think about the tons of of fruit bats flying over the river. Superb website to see.

Kayak into Katherine Gorge

We couldn’t do the kayaking journey as Savannah was too younger, however Craig did it beforehand and it got here extremely really useful by our neighborhood.

Our buddy, Nick explored the gorge on his get up paddle board. Positively, make a day of it and paddle into the second gorge, which I discovered essentially the most lovely.

Katherine Scorching Springs

Outdoors the Nationwide Park within the city of Katherine, you will see that a sequence of pure thermal swimming pools. It’s the proper place to take a seat and chill out within the thermal mineral wealthy waters and soothe your aching limbs after a day of exploring.

One other sizzling springs you possibly can go to, which is larger than Katherine Scorching Springs however extra crowded, is Berry Springs Nature Park, which is simply outdoors Darwin.

You possibly can go to this on a day journey from Darwin so should you’re staying in Darwin for some time, it can save you this for an additional day.

Keep on the Nitmiluk Caravan Park

Proper close to the customer centre is the Nitmiluk Caravan Park and it’s the proper place to remain proper close to the doorway to Katherine Gorge, a few 30-minute drive from the city of Katherine.

You possibly can simply stroll to the gorge, it’s clear, tidy, shady and has an excellent swimming pool. You’ll want it!

If you need one thing just a little extra luxurious, take into account staying on the Cicada Lodge.

Cease 3: Kakadu Nationwide Park

Ah Kakadu Nationwide Park, an Australian bucket record should. I’m already planning my return journey in a distinct season.

It’s exhausting to place into phrases its energy, nevertheless it has an historical mysticism urging you to discover its altering landscapes.

From wetlands, to sandstone escarpments, waterfalls, swimming holes, billabongs and rivers, it teems with wildlife and abundance.

Spend awhile soaking it up.

I’m unsure I’ve been to such a strong place earlier than. It positive made me tremendous grateful to be born in such an beautiful nation.

Kakadu Nationwide Park is Australia’s greatest Nationwide Park, and is half the scale of Switzerland. You understand it’s an enormous place while you enter by way of the gates and you continue to have a 1.5hr drive to your campground, so you will have a little bit of time right here.

Listed below are our Kakadu Highlights:

Gunlom Falls

This must be essentially the most lovely swimming pool I’ve ever been in. Simply have a look at this view.

Wow! Wow! Wow!

It’s a little bit of a drive into Gunlom off the primary street inside Kakadu, however so value it. Go gradual on the filth street coming in, there’s just a few corrugations. When you arrive,  it’s a brief hike as much as the highest swimming gap. The underside plunge pool was closed because of the risk of saltwater crocs.

There are a sequence of swimming pools on the prime, which trickle down over the cliff as a waterfall. That trickle will develop as soon as the moist season arrives.

Word: there are only a few locations you possibly can swim in Kakadu as a consequence of saltwater crocodiles. You MUST take note of all indicators and speak to the rangers in case you are uncertain. A saltwater croc will eat you with ravenous intent.

Yellow Water Billabong Cruise

The Yellow Water billabong cruise is an absolute should and we extremely advocate you do the dawn cruise.

Seeing the mist dance on the water because the solar rose was mystical and magical.

You don’t wish to miss the billabong waking up. I’ve by no means seen such an abundance of wildlife: Searching sea eagles, flocks of storks and darters flying by, dancing brolgas, buffalos grazing on the floodplains and naturally the stealthily transferring crocodiles on the lookout for breakfast.

We have been fortunate to see the scary energy and velocity of 1 launch and snap at a passing fish. He bought him. Like he was ever going to overlook.

Yellow Water Billabong, Kakadu’s most well-known wetland, is positioned on the finish of Jim Jim Creek, a tributary of the South Alligator River.

The river system, which is the biggest in Kakadu, incorporates in depth wetlands that embody river channels, floodplains and backwater swamps.

Sundown at Nardab Lookout, Ubirr

Take a while to benefit from the rock artwork within the Ubirr gallery as you stroll as much as the lookout. It’s a number of the finest rock artwork you’ll see in Australia.

Test the schedule free of charge ranger guided excursions. We joined Kenneth, an area Aboriginal information who shared tales and aboriginal customs and beliefs behind each bit of artwork.

Then sit atop the lookout for an hour or two because the solar gently units over the huge emerald inexperienced floodplains, the outcropping of rocks glow within the daylight and appear to be the stays of crumbling historical temples.

Up right here you possibly can completely perceive why that is such a non secular land to the Aboriginal folks. There’s a timelessness and knowledge to this land.

One other nice sundown viewpoint if in case you have time is the Nawurlandja lookout.

We have been so pleased to spend it with our buddies from The Block Store. The youngsters performed cover and search, guffawing and laughing, whereas we had an opportunity to savour the sundown with grownup buddies!

Nourlangie Rock Artwork and Sundown

I cherished strolling alongside the Anbangbang Gallery by way of cave dwellings and a walkway alongside the partitions of the escarpment cliffs.

The youngsters had a ball racing from one image to the subsequent guffawing at Dreaming characters like Nabulwinjbilwinj, a harmful spirit who likes to bang females on the top with a yam after which eat them. (It’s far too straightforward to see this one is a boy!)

You possibly can stroll to Gunwarddehwarde Lookout for views of the red-sandstone cliffs, striped with oranges, whites and blacks rising above the woodlands. So fairly.

From right here drive just a few kilometres again up the street to Nourlangie Lookout, one other lovely place to see the sundown. It was setting behind us on the mountain (I believe you might stroll as much as the height to see it set nevertheless it was too exhausting with the youngsters)

We cherished watching the colors of the Arnhem Land escarpment change from gold to pink because the solar went down. Magic.

The place to Keep in Kakadu

We camped on the Kakadu Lodge and Caravan Park at Jabiru, the primary city inside Kakadu and proved to be an excellent base. There are many grassed, shady websites, a swimming pool and a bistro with nice meals.

There are many nationwide park campgrounds in Kakadu and the Gagudju Cooinda Lodge and tenting at Cooinda comes extremely really useful.

That is the place you get the Yellow Water Cruises from and could be value staying right here as you discover the south-western half to the park.

How To Prolong this Street Journey

In case you have extra time in your aspect, otherwise you wish to embody your Northern Territory street journey into an even bigger Australia journey, then I recommend you head additional south in the direction of Uluru Kata Tjuta Nationwide Park and Alice Springs.

From Kakudu Nationwide Park, head south alongside the Stuart Freeway in the direction of Alice Springs.

It’s a protracted drive (18 hours or 1,794.8 km), so I like to recommend stopping in a single day in Daly Waters and Tennants Creek to interrupt up the journey.

From Tennants Creek you possibly can go to the Karlu Karlu (Devils Marbles) rock formations at sundown. After that, proceed south in the direction of…

Cease 4: The West MacDonnell Ranges

The West MacDonnell Ranges are a fantastic vary of rock formations simply outdoors the city of Alice Springs.

West MacDonnell Nationwide Park, or Tjoritja because it’s identified to its conventional house owners, is house to large purple formations, gorges, canyons and creeks, in addition to beautiful hikes to viewpoints.

Nevertheless, the park is basically sizzling, so it’s essential to make sure that to get up at dawn and go to all of the sights earlier than the noon warmth hits.

Listed below are three stops within the nationwide park you must make sure that to see.

Simpson’s Hole

Simpson’s Hole is a waterhole only a 25-minute drive from Alice Springs. Many individuals determine to cycle the sealed 17km bike observe (a method) ranging from Flynn’s Grave to Simpson’s Hole, so if in case you have extra time you can provide this a strive.

The waterhole will not be for swimming although. The realm is a crucial non secular website to the Arrarnta Aboriginal folks.

It’s additionally a habitat for Black-Footed Rock Wallabies who go to right here at daybreak and nightfall when the warmth isn’t too sizzling.

Ellery Creek Large Gap

A favorite swimming gap for the locals, Ellery Creek sits proper close to the automotive park, making it an excellent spot for individuals who aren’t eager on strolling in. It’s additionally an excellent spot for a picnic.

In the event you do fancy a swim, then Ellery Creek is a favorite swimming gap for the locals.

The creek is true close to the automotive park so you possibly can simply soar out your automotive and dive in.

Ormiston Gorge

One other fashionable swimming spot is Ormiston Gorge, which has the largest and prettiest nearly everlasting swimming gap within the West Mac.

You possibly can take a brief stroll into the gorge, go for a swim, or hike as much as the metal viewing platform overlooking the Ormiston Waterhole (20 min return).

Kings Canyon Nationwide Park

Kings Canyon is one other superb nationwide park within the Australian outback and is the place you will see that the well-known Kings Canyon Rim Stroll.

That is one other non secular website that has superb surroundings and vibrant purple rock formations. Be sure you hike as early as doable to keep away from the warmth.

You possibly can learn all about our Kings Canyon Rim Stroll hike right here.

Uluru (Ayers Rock)

Lastly, it Uluru, in any other case often called Ayers Rock. That is presumably essentially the most well-known landmark in Australia and a bucket record second for any traveller right here.

This sacred rock will be seen in so some ways, and there are such a lot of issues to do close by.

You possibly can learn our full information on visiting Uluru Ayres Rock to see how one can expertise this magnificent website.

Finest Time to Do a Northern Territory Street Journey

The very best time to do a Northern Territory street journey is within the Spring when the climate is ok and never too sizzling.

A few of these nationwide parks are extraordinarily sizzling in the summertime, and can be closed as a consequence of heavy rainstorms.

The dry season in Australia runs from Might to October, and the moist season is November to April.

Most vacationers go to in the course of the dry season, so you possibly can anticipate heat climate and plenty of crowds.

Earlier than You Go

So there you could have it, it is a two week Northern Territory street journey from Darwin, plus a approach to prolong your journey if in case you have extra time.

Earlier than you go, ensure you have your nationwide park allow sorted for Kakadu Nationwide Park. You possibly can normally get these on the customer heart, however if you wish to plan forward, you will get these passes here.

I hope this information helped you intend your street journey and gave you some concepts for what to see.