Short road trips | Self-drive touring routes | Northern Territory, Australia

Download 2-5 day road trip itineraries

A short break in the Northern Territory takes you on an easy road trip, from exploring waterfalls by day to seeing the best of Australia’s sunsets and kicking back under star-filled evenings.

Journey to a part of the country where blue skies and breathtaking landscapes make driving a dream.

Follow the red desert sands around Uluru, venture to the tropical terrain of Kakadu National Park or park up in front of the sparkling waters surrounding Darwin. If you’re seeking a different kind of holiday, the NT is for you.

If you’re seeking to road trip differently, the NT is for you.

Discover more road trip experiences

Inspiration for your trip

Litchfield National Park Destination guide

Just 90 minutes from Darwin, Litchfield National Park is a true wonder of the Top End, replete with idyllic waterfalls, pristine swimming spots, beautiful walking trails and hidden natural wonders. Visitors to the park will remember it for a lifetime.

Drive the Red Centre Way from Alice Springs

Uluru may be the main attraction for many visitors to the Red Centre. But there’s much more to discover in the vibrant desert landscapes of Central Australia. Take a road trip along the Red Centre Way and you'll find plenty of attractions.

Ultimate Kakadu accommodation guide

Kakadu National Park is one of Australia's largest parks and is easily accessible from Darwin. The Top End park has a wide selection of accommodation options. Choose from nature-based campsites through to luxury lodges and everything in between, in this ultimate guide to accommodation in Kakadu National Park.

Secluded swimming holes in the Red Centre

It's true the Red Centre is about as far from the coastline as you can get in Australia. But don't let that deter you from packing your swimsuit and sunscreen. Wild swimming holes and outback beaches are the perfect way to cool down in the Red Centre.

Top End Local’s Tips: Darwin to Katherine

In case you haven’t heard: travelling like a tourist is out, and living like a local is in. Where better to develop a sense of place than a weekend trip to Katherine, where the outback meets the tropics?

9 Top End waterholes that are perfect for wild swimming

Road tripping through the Top End of the Northern Territory can be a sweaty affair, but luckily we can smell a freshwater swimming hole from 10km away. Strap in as we share 9of our favourite Top End waterholes where you can take a refreshing dip!

Search accommodation, tours & car hire

$400 – $435

$400 – $435

$400 – $435

$1,020

$2,220

$1,865

$1,750 – $2,500

$1,100

$995

$945

$134 – $499

6 Day Darwin, Kakadu & Litchfield During "The Wet"

$3,290 – $3,350

$159 – $739

$179 – $490

Metro Advance Apartments and Hotel Darwin

$99 – $599

$250

$350 – $495

$250 – $495

$460 – $495

$999

$650

$485

$335

$240

$325

$630

20 min Gregory National Park Scenic Flight

$210

$325

$990 – $1,150

$990 – $1,500

$202 – $399

$65 – $300

$417 – $799

Three National Parks in Two or Three Days

$5,740

$1,650 – $2,625

$2,370

$970 – $1,195

$845

$950 – $1,195

$1,010

$175 – $445

$565

$2,740

$1,135

$1,250 – $1,770

$279 – $338

$199 – $258

$150 – $209

$189 – $248

$189 – $248

$279 – $338

$100 – $450

$2,235 – $2,825

$95 – $320

$205 – $220

Kakadu 3 Day Cultural Rock Art Experience

Litchfield & Kakadu 4 Day Hiking Getaway

Litchfield & Katherine Authentic Top End Getaway

$149 – $589

$99 – $349

$2,600

$1,300

$900

$960 – $1,000

$400

$220

$190

$185

$85 – $320

$496

$100 – $409

$105 – $320

$213 – $620

$120 – $450

$35 – $250

$360

$2,699

$695

$495

$999

$899

60 Minute Heli Flight over Kakadu National Park

$660

60 Minute Fixed Wing Flight over Kakadu National Park

$259

30 Minute Fixed Wing Flight over Kakadu National Park

$159

45 Minute Heli Flight over Kakadu National Park

$495

30 Minute Heli Flight over Kakadu National Park

$345

$350 – $395

5 Hour Outer Harbour - Half Day Fishing Charter

$250 – $280

$370 – $390

An Extended Military History Tour of Darwin, Batchelor, Adelaide River and Coomalie Airfield

$719

Nitmiluk 13 Gorge + Jatbula/Edith Falls Tour

$615 – $674

$378 – $437

$289 – $348

$219 – $278

$159

Heli Fishing - Depart Katherine / Douglas Daly

$159 – $719

$300 – $490

$213 – $535

$2,945 – $11,835

$495

$695 – $2,280

$350 – $2,500

$95 – $300

$200 – $300

$160 – $250

$2,690 – $7,190

$109 – $1,100

$159 – $700

$140 – $475

$3,995

$2,995

$3,195

$185

$695 – $770

4 Day Uluru to Kings Canyon & Kata Tjuta to West MacDonnell Ranges Tour

$1,320 – $1,530

4 Day Kakadu Katherine Gorge Outback Adventure Tour

$2,260 – $2,795

3 Day Uluru & Kata Tjuta Kings Canyon Camping Tour

$950 – $1,095

3 Day Kakadu & Litchfield National Park 4WD Camping Tour

$995 – $1,150

1 Day Litchfield National Park + Fogg Dam Wetlands

$175

1 Day Katherine Gorge Cruise and Edith Falls Tour

$315

5 Day Kakadu Katherine Gorge Litchfield 4WD Adventure

$1,750 – $1,950

Adelaide River Wetlands Jumping Crocodile Cruise

$140

1 Day Litchfield National Park + Crocodile Cruise

$225

1 Day Kakadu Wilderness Escape + Crocodile Cruise

$295

3 Day Kings Canyon Mereenie Loop to West MacDonnell 4WD Tour

$995 – $1,150

1 Day Kakadu Wilderness Escape + Fogg Dam Wetlands

$245

$250 – $2,400

$2,400

$320 – $1,250

$250 – $970

$249 – $259

$189 – $219

$119 – $129

Wild & Free - Tropical Summer adventure in Litchfield & Kakadu in the Wet Season

$950 – $1,250

Cowboy Country - 3 Day Katherine Regional experience - PRIVATE

$2,440 – $2,750

Flood Country - Alligator Rivers of Kakadu

$385 – $495

Awaken in the Wild - Litchfield 3 Day Camping experience - PRIVATE

$1,450 – $1,950

$1,950 – $3,750

Wildlife and Environments of the Top End

Darwin Sunset City Sights -Private Charter

$285

10 Day Ultimate Top End Birdwatching Adventure Tour

$8,449

$1,050 – $1,600

Private birdwatching, photography and landscape tours

1 Day Darwin Birdwatching Tour "Sticky Beak'

$349 – $995

$310

$270

Full Day (10 hour) Bluewater Fishing Charter

$370

$4,500 – $5,500

5 Day Kakadu, Arnhem Land and Cobourg Peninsula

$4,190

$3,690

$2,500 – $4,000

$50 – $450

$69 – $295

$69 – $89

$195 – $295

$40 – $125

$500 – $600

$500 – $2,600

$420 – $3,400

$275 – $1,980

$3,895 – $7,495

$3,695 – $4,495

Litchfield Tour with Jumping Crocodiles and Sunset

$255

$219

$69

$59

$59

$59

$250 – $275

$110 – $250

$110 – $250

$155

Mikinj Valley Arnhem Land Sightseeing Tour

$307 – $345

Yingana (the creation mother) Arnhem Land Day Tour - Injalak Hill

$307 – $345

Across the Harbour Ferry Ride & Bike Tour

$239

$175 – $220

$140 – $200

7 Day Ride the Great Outdoors and Cultural Experience

$6,247 – $6,836

3 Day Darwin to Litchfield Splash & Ride Adventure

$2,565 – $2,977

$4,099 – $4,638

$48 – $95

$18 – $46

The Darwin History and Wartime Experience Tour

$25 – $125

$35 – $195

$280 – $325

$450 – $3,000

$450 – $3,000

$450 – $3,000

$1,285 – $2,550

$20 – $45

$405 – $449

$55 – $65

$55 – $65

$99 – $109

$369

WWII Bombing of Darwin Tour by Land and Sea

$129 – $149

Champagne Sunset Sail 3 hr dinner cruise on Darwin harbour

$165

$195 – $260

$99 – $350

$200 – $250

$475 – $495

$475 – $495

$139 – $229

Larapinta Highlights - Eastern End with Mt Sonder - Northern Territory - 7 Days

$4,350

Kakadu, Arnhem Land & Litchfield - Northern Territory - 6 Days

$5,195 – $6,195

$25 – $179

$2,970

$525 – $2,970

$2,350

Private Full Day Reef & Sport Fishing Charter

$2,970

$525 – $2,970

$290 – $460

$290

$460

3 Day Uluru - Alice Springs - Kings Canyon

$1,440 – $5,700

Katherine Gorge - Mataranka - Edith Falls

$1,700 – $3,820

$2,800 – $5,700

$1,440 – $2,980

$270 – $320

$6,295 – $6,995

$289

Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge Scenic Flights; 3 - 13 Gorges

$159 – $440

$16 – $99

Litchfield Waterfalls & Finniss River Lodge (Seasonal)

$1,820

Litchfield Waterfalls & Finniss River Lodge (Year Round)

$1,415

$900

$1,250

$1,050

Kakadu National Park Helicopter Scenic Flight

$2,465

90 Minute Scenic - Litchfield National Park

$965

$1,150

$415

$26 – $200

$36

$185 – $1,030

$119 – $255

Maruku Arts Dot Painting Workshop - Uluru

$39 – $219

$160 – $220

$150 – $1,000

$95 – $320

$2,000

Full day Litchfield Park Tour and Jumping Crocodile Small Group

$140 – $180

$1,900

$390 – $490

$35 – $120

$36

$36

$1,790

Kakadu and Katherine Gorge Full Day Tour

$1,700

$1,600

$760

$700

$480

$300

$1,080

$250 – $350

$150 – $395

$30 – $40

$165 – $250

$2,560 – $2,820

$5,620 – $6,185

$2,390 – $2,635

$1,480 – $1,630

$2,695 – $3,040

Humbug Fishing Extended Liveaboard Fishing Charter

$850 – $1,200

$109 – $679

$119 – $499

$115

The Full Katherine Gorge Experience | KG20

$279

$209

Katherine Gorge - Butterfly Gorge & Lily Ponds | KG12

$169

Ultimate Katherine Experience - Katherine Gorge & Waterfalls | KG45

$589

Katherine Gorge and 17 Mile Valley Waterfalls | KG30

$399

$1,090

$1,630

$1,140

$1,630

$400

$600

$3,974 – $7,948

$290 – $580

$140 – $175

6 Day Katherine Flora Daly Rivers Explorer

$1,895 – $2,295

$960 – $2,400

All Women Simpson Desert Crossing on Motorbikes

$290 – $1,200

$175

$105 – $959

$2,380 – $2,920

$40 – $195

$30 – $250

$200 – $220

$17 – $190

$75 – $185

$1,900 – $2,100

$2,850 – $3,150

Wet Season Build Up Charters - Arnhem Land, NT

$1,800 – $5,700

Wet Season Run Off Tours - Kakadu National Park

$1,800 – $5,700

1 Day Fishing Tour - Darwin and Surrounds

$475 – $495

$80 – $300

Territory Day Charles Darwin Dinner Cruise including Territory Day Fireworks Display

$170

$130

Private Forage for an Outback Gourmet Feast & Sightseeing

$2,629

Forage for an Outback Gourmet Feast & Sightseeing

$879

Private 5-hour Tropical Gardens Tour & Sightseeing

$1,729

Full Day Tropical Gardens Tour with Outback Gourmet Meal & Sightseeing

$598

5-Hour Distilleries Tour with Gourmet Meal & Sightseeing

$329

PRIVATE 5-Hour Outback Gourmet Food & Art Tour & Sightseeing

$1,829

$1,729

$249

$150

Heli-foraging - a bespoke gin making experience

$150

$350 – $750

$190

Kimberley Icons, Ashmore and The Rowley Shoals | Broome - Darwin | 12 Nights

$10,340 – $22,240

Best of The Kimberley & Tiwi Islands | Darwin - Broome | 10 Nights

$9,775 – $15,300

The Kimberley Cruise | Broome to Darwin | 10 Nights

$9,000 – $12,800

Best of The Kimberley & Tiwi Islands | Broome - Darwin | 10 Nights

$9,775 – $15,300

The Kimberley Cruise | Darwin - Broome | 10 Nights

$9,000 – $12,800

Kimberley Icons, Ashmore and The Rowley Shoals | Darwin - Broome | 12 Nights

$10,340 – $22,240

17-Day Kakadu & Gulf Savannah (Darwin to Cairns) Tour

$5,970

$99 – $159

$150 – $320

$93 – $400

$1,500 – $5,500

$89 – $155

$110 – $155

$53 – $200

$199 – $400

$35 – $442

$41 – $345

$200 – $600

$500 – $1,900

$500 – $1,900

$15 – $200

$1,974 – $2,987

4 Day Fishing Charter in East Arnhem Land

Australian Geographic Birdwatching Safari of Kakadu & Litchfield National Parks

$3,990 – $4,590

$3,390 – $3,990

Alice Springs to Uluru Luxury 4WD Camping Safari

$4,990

$4,490 – $4,990

Kakadu and Litchfield Active - Hiking and Cultural Adventure

$3,390 – $4,590

Katherine Gorge/Edith Falls - 1 Day Tour

$575

$535

$2,480 – $10,050

$80 – $750

$150 – $1,800

$520

$275

$375

3.5 day Barramundi. Reef & Sport Fishing Package

$110 – $600

Full Day Wildlife Tour From Darwin on the Adelaide River

$220 – $240

Kakadu, Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge & Tiwi Islands | 4 Day Short Break

$2,179

Kakadu & Tiwi Islands Explorer | 3 Day Short Break

$1,699

Kakadu & Arnhem Land Explorer | 3 Day Short Break

$1,869

Kakadu & Arnhem Land | 2 Day Short Break

$1,269

Kakadu & Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) | 3 Day Short Break

$1,609

Kakadu & East Alligator River | 2 Day Short Break

$1,129

$1,985

Darwin City Sights & Jumping Crocs | Full Day Tour

$195

Tiwi Islands Aboriginal Cultural Tour Full Day Tour

$375

Litchfield National Park Waterfalls | Full Day Tour

$209

$85

Katherine Gorge Cruise and Edith Falls Full Day Tour

$339

Kakadu National Park Explorer | Full Day Tour

$365

Jumping Crocs and Nature Adventure Half Day Tour

$135

Short road trips in the NT 2-5 day road trip itineraries

Discover 2 – 5 day road trip itineraries in the NT

Discover more road trip experiences

Inspiration for your trip

Litchfield National Park Destination guide

Drive the Red Centre Way from Alice Springs

Ultimate Kakadu accommodation guide

Secluded swimming holes in the Red Centre

Top End Local’s Tips: Darwin to Katherine

9 Top End waterholes that are perfect for wild swimming

Search accommodation, tours & car hire