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.

The ultimate Kakadu accommodation guide

Need to recharge the batteries and escape the hustle and bustle of the city? No matter your taste or budget, Kakadu National Park has accommodation options to suit every type of holiday experience.

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!

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AU$400 – $435

AU$400 – $435

AU$400 – $435

AU$1,020

AU$2,220

AU$1,865

AU$1,750 – $2,500

AU$1,100

AU$995

AU$945

AU$134 – $499

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

AU$3,290 – $3,350

AU$159 – $739

AU$179 – $490

Metro Advance Apartments and Hotel Darwin

AU$99 – $599

AU$250

AU$350 – $495

AU$250 – $495

AU$460 – $495

AU$999

AU$650

AU$485

AU$335

AU$240

AU$325

AU$630

20 min Gregory National Park Scenic Flight

AU$210

AU$325

AU$990 – $1,150

AU$990 – $1,500

AU$202 – $399

AU$65 – $300

AU$417 – $799

Three National Parks in Two or Three Days

AU$5,740

AU$1,650 – $2,625

AU$2,370

AU$970 – $1,195

AU$845

AU$950 – $1,195

AU$1,010

AU$175 – $445

AU$565

AU$2,740

AU$1,135

AU$1,250 – $1,770

AU$279 – $338

AU$199 – $258

AU$150 – $209

AU$189 – $248

AU$189 – $248

AU$279 – $338

AU$100 – $450

AU$2,235 – $2,825

AU$95 – $320

AU$205 – $220

Kakadu 3 Day Cultural Rock Art Experience

Litchfield & Kakadu 4 Day Hiking Getaway

Litchfield & Katherine Authentic Top End Getaway

AU$149 – $589

AU$99 – $349

AU$2,600

AU$1,300

AU$900

AU$960 – $1,000

AU$400

AU$220

AU$190

AU$185

AU$85 – $320

AU$496

AU$100 – $409

AU$105 – $320

AU$213 – $620

AU$120 – $450

AU$35 – $250

AU$360

AU$2,699

AU$695

AU$495

AU$999

AU$899

60 Minute Heli Flight over Kakadu National Park

AU$660

60 Minute Fixed Wing Flight over Kakadu National Park

AU$259

30 Minute Fixed Wing Flight over Kakadu National Park

AU$159

45 Minute Heli Flight over Kakadu National Park

AU$495

30 Minute Heli Flight over Kakadu National Park

AU$345

AU$350 – $395

5 Hour Outer Harbour - Half Day Fishing Charter

AU$250 – $280

AU$370 – $390

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

AU$719

Nitmiluk 13 Gorge + Jatbula/Edith Falls Tour

AU$615 – $674

AU$378 – $437

AU$289 – $348

AU$219 – $278

AU$159

Heli Fishing - Depart Katherine / Douglas Daly

AU$159 – $719

AU$300 – $490

AU$213 – $535

AU$2,945 – $11,835

AU$2

AU$495

AU$695 – $2,280

AU$350 – $2,500

AU$95 – $300

AU$200 – $300

AU$160 – $250

AU$2,690 – $7,190

AU$109 – $1,100

AU$159 – $700

AU$140 – $475

AU$3,995

AU$2,995

AU$3,195

AU$185

AU$695 – $770

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

AU$1,320 – $1,530

4 Day Kakadu Katherine Gorge Outback Adventure Tour

AU$2,260 – $2,795

3 Day Uluru & Kata Tjuta Kings Canyon Camping Tour

AU$950 – $1,095

3 Day Kakadu & Litchfield National Park 4WD Camping Tour

AU$995 – $1,150

1 Day Litchfield National Park + Fogg Dam Wetlands

AU$175

1 Day Katherine Gorge Cruise and Edith Falls Tour

AU$315

5 Day Kakadu Katherine Gorge Litchfield 4WD Adventure

AU$1,750 – $1,950

Adelaide River Wetlands Jumping Crocodile Cruise

AU$140

1 Day Litchfield National Park + Crocodile Cruise

AU$225

1 Day Kakadu Wilderness Escape + Crocodile Cruise

AU$295

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

AU$995 – $1,150

1 Day Kakadu Wilderness Escape + Fogg Dam Wetlands

AU$245

AU$250 – $2,400

AU$2,400

AU$320 – $1,250

AU$250 – $970

AU$249 – $259

AU$189 – $219

AU$119 – $129

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

AU$950 – $1,250

Cowboy Country - 3 Day Katherine Regional experience - PRIVATE

AU$2,440 – $2,750

Flood Country - Alligator Rivers of Kakadu

AU$385 – $495

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

AU$1,450 – $1,950

AU$1,950 – $3,750

Wildlife and Environments of the Top End

Darwin Sunset City Sights -Private Charter

AU$285

10 Day Ultimate Top End Birdwatching Adventure Tour

AU$8,449

AU$1,050 – $1,600

Private birdwatching, photography and landscape tours

1 Day Darwin Birdwatching Tour "Sticky Beak'

AU$349 – $995

AU$310

AU$270

Full Day (10 hour) Bluewater Fishing Charter

AU$370

AU$4,500 – $5,500

5 Day Kakadu, Arnhem Land and Cobourg Peninsula

AU$4,190

AU$3,690

AU$2,500 – $4,000

AU$50 – $450

AU$69 – $295

AU$69 – $89

AU$195 – $295

AU$40 – $125

AU$500 – $600

AU$500 – $2,600

AU$420 – $3,400

AU$275 – $1,980

AU$3,895 – $7,495

AU$3,695 – $4,495

Litchfield Tour with Jumping Crocodiles and Sunset

AU$255

AU$219

AU$69

AU$59

AU$59

AU$59

AU$250 – $275

AU$110 – $250

AU$110 – $250

AU$155

Mikinj Valley Arnhem Land Sightseeing Tour

AU$307 – $345

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

AU$307 – $345

Across the Harbour Ferry Ride & Bike Tour

AU$239

AU$175 – $220

AU$140 – $200

7 Day Ride the Great Outdoors and Cultural Experience

AU$6,247 – $6,836

3 Day Darwin to Litchfield Splash & Ride Adventure

AU$2,565 – $2,977

AU$4,099 – $4,638

AU$48 – $95

AU$18 – $46

The Darwin History and Wartime Experience Tour

AU$25 – $125

AU$35 – $195

AU$280 – $325

AU$450 – $3,000

AU$450 – $3,000

AU$450 – $3,000

AU$1,285 – $2,550

AU$20 – $45

AU$405 – $449

AU$55 – $65

AU$55 – $65

AU$99 – $109

AU$369

WWII Bombing of Darwin Tour by Land and Sea

AU$129 – $149

Champagne Sunset Sail 3 hr dinner cruise on Darwin harbour

AU$165

AU$195 – $260

AU$99 – $350

AU$200 – $250

AU$475 – $495

AU$475 – $495

AU$139 – $229

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

AU$4,350

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

AU$5,195 – $6,195

AU$25 – $179

AU$2,970

AU$525 – $2,970

AU$2,350

Private Full Day Reef & Sport Fishing Charter

AU$2,970

AU$525 – $2,970

AU$290 – $460

AU$290

AU$460

3 Day Uluru - Alice Springs - Kings Canyon

AU$1,440 – $5,700

Katherine Gorge - Mataranka - Edith Falls

AU$1,700 – $3,820

AU$2,800 – $5,700

AU$1,440 – $2,980

AU$270 – $320

AU$6,295 – $6,995

AU$289

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

AU$159 – $440

AU$16 – $99

Litchfield Waterfalls & Finniss River Lodge (Seasonal)

AU$1,820

Litchfield Waterfalls & Finniss River Lodge (Year Round)

AU$1,415

AU$900

AU$1,250

AU$1,050

Kakadu National Park Helicopter Scenic Flight

AU$2,465

90 Minute Scenic - Litchfield National Park

AU$965

AU$1,150

AU$415

AU$26 – $200

AU$36

AU$185 – $1,030

AU$119 – $255

Maruku Arts Dot Painting Workshop - Uluru

AU$39 – $219

AU$160 – $220

AU$150 – $1,000

AU$95 – $320

AU$2,000

Full day Litchfield Park Tour and Jumping Crocodile Small Group

AU$140 – $180

AU$1,900

AU$390 – $490

AU$35 – $120

AU$36

AU$36

AU$1,790

Kakadu and Katherine Gorge Full Day Tour

AU$1,700

AU$1,600

AU$760

AU$700

AU$480

AU$300

AU$1,080

AU$250 – $350

AU$150 – $395

AU$30 – $40

AU$165 – $250

AU$2,560 – $2,820

AU$5,620 – $6,185

AU$2,390 – $2,635

AU$1,480 – $1,630

AU$2,695 – $3,040

Humbug Fishing Extended Liveaboard Fishing Charter

AU$850 – $1,200

AU$109 – $679

AU$119 – $499

AU$115

The Full Katherine Gorge Experience | KG20

AU$279

AU$209

Katherine Gorge - Butterfly Gorge & Lily Ponds | KG12

AU$169

Ultimate Katherine Experience - Katherine Gorge & Waterfalls | KG45

AU$589

Katherine Gorge and 17 Mile Valley Waterfalls | KG30

AU$399

AU$1,090

AU$1,630

AU$1,140

AU$1,630

AU$400

AU$600

AU$3,974 – $7,948

AU$290 – $580

AU$140 – $175

6 Day Katherine Flora Daly Rivers Explorer

AU$1,895 – $2,295

AU$960 – $2,400

All Women Simpson Desert Crossing on Motorbikes

AU$290 – $1,200

AU$175

AU$105 – $959

AU$2,380 – $2,920

AU$40 – $195

AU$30 – $250

AU$200 – $220

AU$17 – $190

AU$75 – $185

AU$1,900 – $2,100

AU$2,850 – $3,150

Wet Season Build Up Charters - Arnhem Land, NT

AU$1,800 – $5,700

Wet Season Run Off Tours - Kakadu National Park

AU$1,800 – $5,700

1 Day Fishing Tour - Darwin and Surrounds

AU$475 – $495

AU$80 – $300

Territory Day Charles Darwin Dinner Cruise including Territory Day Fireworks Display

AU$170

AU$130

Private Forage for an Outback Gourmet Feast & Sightseeing

AU$2,629

Forage for an Outback Gourmet Feast & Sightseeing

AU$879

Private 5-hour Tropical Gardens Tour & Sightseeing

AU$1,729

Full Day Tropical Gardens Tour with Outback Gourmet Meal & Sightseeing

AU$598

5-Hour Distilleries Tour with Gourmet Meal & Sightseeing

AU$329

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

AU$1,829

AU$1,729

AU$249

AU$150

Heli-foraging - a bespoke gin making experience

AU$150

AU$350 – $750

AU$190

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

AU$10,340 – $22,240

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

AU$9,775 – $15,300

The Kimberley Cruise | Broome to Darwin | 10 Nights

AU$9,000 – $12,800

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

AU$9,775 – $15,300

The Kimberley Cruise | Darwin - Broome | 10 Nights

AU$9,000 – $12,800

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

AU$10,340 – $22,240

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

AU$5,970

AU$99 – $159

AU$150 – $320

AU$93 – $400

AU$1,500 – $5,500

AU$89 – $155

AU$110 – $155

AU$53 – $200

AU$199 – $400

AU$35 – $442

AU$41 – $345

AU$200 – $600

AU$500 – $1,900

AU$500 – $1,900

AU$15 – $200

AU$1,974 – $2,987

4 Day Fishing Charter in East Arnhem Land

Australian Geographic Birdwatching Safari of Kakadu & Litchfield National Parks

AU$3,990 – $4,590

AU$3,390 – $3,990

Alice Springs to Uluru Luxury 4WD Camping Safari

AU$4,990

AU$4,490 – $4,990

Kakadu and Litchfield Active - Hiking and Cultural Adventure

AU$3,390 – $4,590

Katherine Gorge/Edith Falls - 1 Day Tour

AU$575

AU$535

AU$2,480 – $10,050

AU$80 – $750

AU$150 – $1,800

AU$520

AU$275

AU$375

3.5 day Barramundi. Reef & Sport Fishing Package

AU$110 – $600

Full Day Wildlife Tour From Darwin on the Adelaide River

AU$220 – $240

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

AU$2,179

Kakadu & Tiwi Islands Explorer | 3 Day Short Break

AU$1,699

Kakadu & Arnhem Land Explorer | 3 Day Short Break

AU$1,869

Kakadu & Arnhem Land | 2 Day Short Break

AU$1,269

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

AU$1,609

Kakadu & East Alligator River | 2 Day Short Break

AU$1,129

AU$1,985

Darwin City Sights & Jumping Crocs | Full Day Tour

AU$195

Tiwi Islands Aboriginal Cultural Tour Full Day Tour

AU$375

Litchfield National Park Waterfalls | Full Day Tour

AU$209

AU$85

Katherine Gorge Cruise and Edith Falls Full Day Tour

AU$339

Kakadu National Park Explorer | Full Day Tour

AU$365

Jumping Crocs and Nature Adventure Half Day Tour

AU$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

The 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

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