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 <span>Destination guide</span>

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, experiences & car hire

$80 – $300

Humbug Fishing Extended Liveaboard Fishing Charter

$850 – $1,200

$199

$219 – $239

Uluru By Segway - Includes a Return Transfer To Resort

$209

Uluru By Segway - Self Drive Your Car To Uluru

$189 – $209

$239 – $259

$189 – $259

$440

$365

$365 – $440

$160 – $220

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

Park Trek Walking Holidays Northern Territory

$4,350 – $6,195

$500 – $2,000

$500 – $2,000

$835

$835

$170

$1,995 – $2,495

$1,695

$935

4WD Kakadu and Litchfield Tour – Camping

$935

$170 – $2,495

$150 – $450

$2,425 – $6,160

$125

Standley Chasm – Angkerle Atwayte Camping

$25 – $65

$340

$340

$1,400 – $2,600

$1,400 – $2,600

$179 – $490

$329

$250 – $2,400

$2,400

$320 – $1,250

$250 – $970

$250 – $2,400

$1,100 – $11,000

5 Day Kakadu Seven Spirit Bay Mt Borradaile Arnhem Land Tour

$4,820

4.5 Day Kakadu Arnhem Land Luxury 4WD and Light Aircraft

$3,770

$6,635 – $8,400

3 Day Kakadu and/or Arnhem Land Luxury 4WD

$5,400 – $7,600

$1,100 – $11,000

Litchfield Tour with Jumping Crocodiles and Sunset

$255

Kakadu National Park -Full Day Tour - including 2 Hour Cultural River Cruise (Small group tour) Tour

$465

3 Day / 2 Night Kakadu National Park - Accommodated Cultural Tour

$2,700 – $3,900

Katherine Gorge - Nitmiluk National Park - Full Day Tour

$379

Kakadu National Park Tour - Night Tour - 21 pax Group - Tour 3F

$399

Kakadu National Park -Day Tour - Yellow River Wildlife Cruise - Tour 3E

$399

Kakadu National Park Night Tour - Small Group - Tour 3C

$599

Kakadu National Park - Yellow River Wildlife Cruise - 1 Day - Tour 3B

$599

Kakadu National Park -2 Hour River Cruise - 21 Pax Group Tour - Full Day Tour (Tour 3D)

$369

Darwin's Jumping Crocodile Cruise, Aboriginal Art and Swimming Adventure at Berry Springs (Tour 1A)

$185

Litchfield National Park & Berry Springs - Full Day Adventure (Tour 2B)

$199

Litchfield National Park & the Spectacular Jumping Crocodile Cruise- Full Day Adventure (Tour 2A)

$220

Litchfield National Park - Full Day Adventure (Tour 2)

$199

1D Spectacular Jumping Crocodile River Cruise & Berry Springs Nature Park, Freshwater Swimming Hole

$299

Jumping Crocodile Cruise, Aboriginal Culture Tour & Berry Springs (Tour 1C)

$395

Aboriginal Art Workshop & Berry Springs Nature Park, Explore & Swim (Tour 1B)

$185

Kakadu National Park Fishing Tour - Yellow Water River

$699

$199

$185 – $3,900

$596 – $1,996

$496

$496 – $1,996

$2,000

Full day Litchfield Park Tour and Jumping Crocodile Small Group

$140 – $180

$140 – $2,000

5-Day – Private Kakadu, Katherine and Litchfield Tours

Tailor-made private tours of Kakadu, Katherine and Litchfield National Parks

$1,900

$390 – $490

Litchfield National Park – Notraces Bushwalking Australia

$390 – $1,900

Kakadu 3 Day Cultural Rock Art Experience

Litchfield & Kakadu 4 Day Hiking Getaway

Litchfield & Katherine Authentic Top End Getaway

The Ngurrungurrudjba (Yellow Water) Campground & Caravan Park

$29 – $129

$299

$299

$25 – $35

Top End Trails & Tranquility: Litchfield, Mataranka & Katherine

$1,195

The Ultimate Litchfield Adventure: Hiking, Waterfalls & Wellness

$255

George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens - Forest Bathing

$75

East Point Reserve - Mangroves to Monsoon: A Forest & Ocean Therapy Walk

$75

Down Under Discoveries - Northern Territory

$75 – $1,195

$129 – $1,699

$99 – $10,000

$169

$1,500 – $10,000

$99 – $169

$99 – $10,000

Kakadu Billabong Safari Camp overnight experience

$1,470

$1,500 – $4,200

Journey Through Time Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) Rock Art Tour

$750 – $1,750

$750 – $4,200

$290 – $460

$290

$460

OBJ Adventures: Nhulunbuy Fishing Charters

$290 – $460

$290 – $1,200

4 Day Fishing Charter in East Arnhem Land

$15,910 – $16,895

$9,020 – $9,680

$5,810 – $8,290

$2,010 – $2,115

Top End Highlights | 6 Day Guided Holiday

$2,890 – $3,185

Outback Adventure | 15 Day Guided Holiday

$8,445 – $8,860

$6,790 – $7,120

$13,225

$2,010 – $16,895

$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

$140 – $2,795

Kings Canyon, Uluru and Kata Tjuta | 4 Day Short Break

$1,880 – $1,979

Kings Canyon and Uluru | 3 Day Short Break

$1,282 – $1,349

Uluru and Kata Tjuta Experience | 3 Day Short Break

$1,055 – $1,295

Uluru and Kata Tjuta Highlights | 2 Day Short Break

$609 – $729

Red Centre Highlights | 5 Day Short Break

$1,569 – $1,935

$609 – $1,979

$3,995

$1,995 – $6,495

$3,995

$2,995

$3,195

$1,995 – $6,495

Trek Larapinta Volunteer Project - Larapinta Trail maintenance

$1,495

5 Day Mt Giles Explorer Trek: guided hike up a desert peak

$2,195

$6,495

9 Day Larapinta Trek: a journey towards Mt Sonder

$4,695

$1,995

Super 6 Day: the Larapinta Trail challenge

$3,695

6 Day Larapinta Trek: highlights from the Larapinta Trail

$3,895

$1,495 – $6,495

$150 – $195

Larapinta Experience in Comfort - 3 Days

Larapinta Trail by Australian Walking Holidays

Kakadu, Litchfield & Katherine - 8 Day - Group-Guided

$4,315 – $4,495

Larapinta Trail Highlights - 5 Day - Group-Guided

$2,595

Larapinta & the East MacDonnells -9 Day - Group-Guided

$3,995

$3,895 – $3,995

$4,595 – $4,695

Red Centre - Uluru, Kata Tjuta, Kings Canyon and Larapinta - 6 Day - Group Guided

$4,735

$2,595 – $4,735

$5,395

$3,995 – $4,095

$3,995 – $5,395

Uluru Sacred Sites & Sunset | Half Day Tour

$169

$235

Kings Canyon & Outback Panoramas | Full Day Tour

$285

Uluru Sunrise & Kata Tjuta | Half Day Tour

$179

Uluru Sunrise & Field of Light | Half Day Tour

$89

$125

Kata Tjuta Sunrise & Valley of the Winds Half Day Tour

$199

$105

Palm Valley Outback Safari by 4WD | Full Day Tour

$215

Uluṟu Morning Guided Base Walk | Half Day Tour

$169

$145

Uluru Aboriginal Art & Cultural Experience | Half Day Tour

$289

$85

$85 – $289

Classic Larapinta Trek in Comfort - 6 Days

Walk the Top End 7 Day Guided Pack-Free Walk

$5,099 – $5,499

Kakadu and Beyond 5-Day Pack-Free Guided Walk

$3,999 – $4,399

The Ultimate Larapinta Trail 6-Day Pack-Free Guided Walk

$3,099 – $3,499

$3,099 – $5,499

$2,989 – $3,139

$3,450 – $4,000

Inspiration Outdoors Tours – Northern Territory

$2,989 – $4,000

1 Day Uluru & Sunset BBQ - Start & End in Ayers Rock

$299 – $319

$1,149 – $1,798

$979 – $1,998

$3,399 – $5,598

$169

1 Day Uluru & Sunset BBQ Tour - Start in Alice Springs

$345 – $359

Uluru Coach Transfer – Ayers Rock Resort to Alice Springs

$191 – $249

Uluru Coach Transfer – Alice Springs To Ayers Rock Resort

$191 – $249

Alice Springs Desert Park Entry & Transfers

$85

$149 – $159

$165 – $179

$229 – $239

$85 – $5,598

$2,600

$1,300

$900

$960 – $1,000

$400

$220

$190

$185

$185 – $2,600

Adelaide River Queen Original Jumping Crocodile Cruise

Pathfinder Jumping Original Crocodile Cruise

The Original Adelaide River Queen Jumping Crocodile Cruises

$50 – $175

$104 – $138

Croc Spot Tours - Jumping Crocodile Encounters.

$60

$60 – $138

$129 – $149

$55 – $65

$55 – $65

$99 – $109

$369

WWII Bombing of Darwin Tour by Land and Sea

$123 – $159

$55 – $369

$150 – $1,000

$40 – $200

Champagne Sunset Sail 3 hr dinner cruise on Darwin harbour

$169

$250 – $500

$40 – $150

$150 – $2,000

$42 – $320

$2,900

$385

$425

$3,950

$415

$850

$325

$285

$285 – $3,950

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

$249 – $2,629

Apollo Motorhome Holidays – Alice Springs

Adelaide River Cruises - Jumping Crocodile Experience

$35 – $199

$35 – $199

$110 – $250

$149 – $899

$185 – $1,030

$110 – $600

Batchelor Airfield and Anti-Aircraft Battery

$220 – $350

$41 – $345

$1,795

$1,795

$110 – $195

$753

Nitmiluk 13 Gorge + Jatbula/Edith Falls Tour

$649

$439

$299

$229

$175

Heli Fishing - Depart Katherine / Douglas Daly

$175 – $753

$175 – $753

$100 – $409

$209

$209

$100 – $200

$50 – $180

$399

$105 – $129

$105 – $129

$105 – $129

The Lost City – Litchfield National Park

Guided Sunset Tour of The Kangaroo Sanctuary

$105

$105

$249 – $259

$189 – $219

$119 – $129

$119 – $259

$25 – $110

$25 – $110

Darwin Military Museum & Defence of Darwin Experience

$69 – $295

$69 – $89

$195 – $295

$69 – $295

$29 – $42

Alice Springs Desert Park – Nocturnal Tour

$29 – $42

Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory

Tennant Creek Telegraph Station Historical Reserve

Mac Clark (Acacia peuce) Conservation Reserve

Battery Hill Gold Mining & Heritage Centre

Women’s Museum of Australia and Old Gaol Alice Springs (National Pioneer Women’s Hall of Fame)

Royal Flying Doctor Service Alice Springs Tourist Facility & Museum

National Road Transport Museum and Wall of Fame

Alice Springs Telegraph Station Historical Reserve

Alice Springs School of the Air Visitor Centre

Yeperenye / Emily and Jessie Gaps Nature Park

$360

Uluru Only Helicopter Scenic Helicopter Tour

$180

Uluru & Kata Tjuta Scenic Helicopter Tour

$295

Uluru Scenic Helicopter Tours – Professional Helicopter Services

$180 – $360

$19

$49

$19 – $49

$109 – $129

$109 – $129

$68

$350

$190

$125

Kings Canyon Scenic Helicopter Tours – Professional Helicopter Services

$125 – $350

Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Experience Tour

$99 – $246

Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Experience and Tours

$99 – $246

$250

$54

$54

$110

$90

$90 – $110

$205

$205

$310

$205 – $310

$250

Under A Desert Moon – Discovery Resorts – Kings Canyon

$250

$148

$148

$92

$92 – $148

$450

$290

$290

$85

Light-Towers at Discovery Resorts – Kings Canyon

$85

$135

$355

$49

$49 – $355

Godinymayin Yijard Rivers Arts and Culture Centre

$40 – $195

$30 – $250

$39 – $350

Alice Springs to Uluru via MacDonnell Ranges Tours or reverse.

$2,995 – $3,995

Tanami Track Tours Alice Springs to Broome or reverse

$2,980 – $3,300

Kimberley Darwin (or Kununurra) to Broome Lake Argyle Bungles El Questro Mitchell Falls option Acco

$6,997 – $7,897

Gulf Savannah Way Tours Darwin to Cairns and Reverse

$5,985 – $6,495

$650

$650 – $7,897

Wildlife Spotting Tour on the Mary River

$350

$1,650

$650

$485 – $600

$350 – $1,650

Uluru Sunset Cheese Board with Uluru Audio Guide Download

$109 – $169

Uluru Morning Tea Hamper with Uluru Audio Guide Download

$69 – $109

$395 – $999

$545 – $835

$395 – $830

$69 – $999

$160 – $175

$35 – $195

$2,090

Kakadu and Katherine Gorge Full Day Tour

$1,980

$1,780

$880

$800

$550

$350

$1,180

$350 – $2,090

$150 – $380

$100

$100

$220

$880 – $1,080

The Darwin History and Wartime Experience Tour

$25 – $125

The Darwin History and Wartime Experience

$25 – $125

$45 – $240

$289

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

$159 – $1,228

$159 – $1,228

$129 – $249

$302

Arnhemlander Cultural & Heritage 4wd Day Tours

$302

$62 – $310

$85 – $140

$16 – $99

$26 – $200

$165 – $250

$45 – $416

$69

$59

$59

$59

$59 – $69

$22 – $700

$109 – $1,100

$2,900

$1,680

$1,100 – $2,200

$1,680

$1,100 – $2,900

$149 – $1,960

Metro Advance Apartments and Hotel Darwin

$99 – $599

$495

$695 – $2,280

$495 – $2,280

$99 – $350

$125 – $385

$500 – $1,500

$34 – $220

$270 – $320

WWII RAAF Explosive Storage Area, Darwin

WWII Quarantine Anti Aircraft Battery Site

WWII Pell Airstrip Camp A 4RSU Workshop, Adelaide River

WWII Noonamah Railway Siding and Stores Depot

WWII Noonamah Cricket Pitch and Oval, near Strauss Airfield

WWII Navy Oil Storage Tunnels 5 & 6, Darwin

WWII K5 Anti Aircraft Gun Battery Site, Coomalie Creek

Wurrumiyanga Catholic Church Precinct, Bathurst Island

World War II Manbulloo Airfield Operations Centre and Abattoir

$45 – $195

$3,895 – $7,495

$3,695 – $4,495

$3,695 – $7,495

$36

$195

$60 – $195

$60 – $195

WILDFOTO Full Day Private 4WD and Boat Safari

$1,000

$400 – $500

$400 – $1,000

Corroboree Billabong Wetland Cruises - 2 hour sunrise cruise - Self drive option

$60 – $90

Corroboree Billabong Wetland Cruises - 2.5 hour lunch cruise

$70 – $110

Corroboree Billabong Wetland Cruises - Full Day Tour including 2.5 hour lunch cruise

$130 – $210

Corroboree Billabong Wetland Cruises - 2 hour sunset cruise - Self Drive Option

$60 – $95

Corroboree Billabong Wetland Cruises - 1.5 hour morning cruise - Self Drive Option

$45 – $75

$45 – $210

$2,937

Shred the Desert - Womens Mountain Bike Retreat

$2,677 – $3,297

$2,677 – $3,297

$85 – $220

$25 – $40

Wangi Falls to Walker Creek – Tabletop Track

$300 – $490

$250 – $275

5 Day Kakadu, Arnhem Land and Cobourg Peninsula

$4,190

$3,690

$2,500 – $4,000

$2,500 – $4,190

$195 – $750

$1,795 – $1,995

$1,795 – $1,995

$48

$199

$199

$20 – $130

$3,995

$2,995

$3,195

$2,995 – $3,995

$155

$155

$30

Mikinj Valley Arnhem Land Sightseeing Tour

$307 – $345

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

$307 – $355

$307 – $355

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

$140 – $6,836

Tobermorey Station Roadhouse & Caravan Park

$30 – $220

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, experiences & car hire