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 – $90

$900 – $5,000

$900 – $3,800

$900 – $5,000

$30 – $195

$179 – $490

$18 – $150

$140 – $450

$300 – $490

$99 – $10,000

$3,300

Full Day Offshore Reef & Sport Fishing Charter

$99 – $10,000

$169

$1,500 – $10,000

$99 – $169

$1,345

$1,345

$189 – $259

$199

$239

Uluru By Segway - Self Drive Your Car To Uluru

$189 – $209

$239 – $259

Royal Flying Doctor Service Darwin Tourist Facility

$365 – $440

$440

$365

$134 – $499

$185 – $685

$163 – $620

$109 – $1,100

$159 – $700

$61 – $295

$61

$94

$195 – $295

$129 – $1,699

$150 – $338

$279 – $338

$199 – $258

$150 – $209

$189 – $248

$189 – $248

$279 – $338

$149 – $300

$1,450 – $2,900

$180 – $200

$1,195 – $2,550

$1,380

$2,550

$2,155 – $2,345

$1,260

$1,210

$1,195 – $1,295

$3,600 – $13,000

$2,235 – $2,925

$45 – $210

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

Women’s Museum of Australia and Old Gaol Alice Springs

$205 – $220

$1,450

$9,200 – $28,900

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

$12,900 – $20,400

The Kimberley Cruise | Broome to Darwin | 10 Nights

$13,400 – $28,900

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

$12,990 – $20,400

The Kimberley Cruise | Darwin - Broome | 10 Nights

$13,400 – $21,600

Coral Frontiers and Kimberley Icons | Darwin - Broome | 10 Nights

$9,200 – $18,200

$45 – $900

$120 – $180

$89 – $249

$42 – $320

$299 – $399

Aurora Kakadu Lodge Camping and Caravan Park

$20 – $458

$35 – $120

$795

$795

$795

$50 – $175

$189 – $1,897

$1,127 – $1,897

$189

$180 – $750

Outback Camping Adventure (Yulara to Alice Springs)

$1,271 – $1,495

Outback Camping Adventure (Alice Springs to Alice Springs)

$1,271 – $1,495

3 Night Uluru Adventure (Alice Springs to Yulara)

$1,195

3 Nights Uluru Adventure (Yulara to Yulara)

$1,195

Uluru Adventure (Yulara to Alice Springs)

$995

$995

Tobermorey Station Roadhouse and Caravan Park

$30 – $220

Tjarnintja Birdwatching and Cultural Tours

$50 – $180

$40 – $195

$30 – $250

$39 – $350

$189 – $2,629

$189

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

$250 – $360

$510 – $1,020

Darwin Military Museum & Defence of Darwin Experience

Katherine Outback Experience – Outback Show

$100 – $409

$160 – $180

$148 – $3,996

$398 – $2,496

$198 – $3,996

$148 – $2,996

Enterprise Rent-A-Car – Alice Springs Airport

$2,450 – $3,210

$2,450 – $3,210

$455 – $2,465

Litchfield Waterfalls & Finniss River Lodge (Seasonal)

$1,820

Litchfield Waterfalls & Finniss River Lodge (Year Round)

$1,415

$1,155

$1,250

$1,050

Kakadu National Park Helicopter Scenic Flight

$2,465

90 Minute Scenic - Litchfield National Park

$1,155

$1,150

$455

$399 – $2,400

$1,250

$1,150

$1,050

$900

$2,400

$399 – $499

$900

Litchfield Waterfalls 60 Minute Scenic Flight

$799

$40 – $150

$22 – $700

$7 – $15

$329

Australian Geographic Birdwatching Safari of Kakadu & Litchfield National Parks

$4,790 – $5,690

$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

$3,690 – $4,590

$75 – $4,000

$75

$4,000

Simpsons Gap Sunset Watercolour Painting Class

$175

$5,970

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

$5,970

Barrow Creek Telegraph Station Historical Reserve

Tennant Creek Telegraph Station Historical Reserve

Yeperenye / Emily and Jessie Gaps Nature Park

Heli Tours Darwin - Finniss River Helicopters

$200 – $1,880

$799

$200 – $799

$1,149

$949

$1,790

$1,880

$1,199

$1,299

$889

$729

$2,799 – $3,499

$2,999

$2,999

$2,799

$2,799

11-day Kakadu and Gulf Savannah (Cairns to Darwin) tour

$3,499

11-day Kakadu and Gulf Savannah (Darwin to Cairns) tour

$3,499

Kimberley Off-Road Adventure - Private Charter

$2,799 – $3,499

$2,999

Casey Australia Tours - Northern Territory

$3,290 – $8,850

$8,490 – $8,850

Australia's Longest Shortcut - 15 Days from Perth to Cairns through the Centre

$7,790 – $7,850

16 Day Central Australia, Lake Eyre & Flinders Ranges

$7,490 – $7,550

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

$3,290 – $3,350

$600 – $1,500

$600 – $1,500

$600 – $1,500

$100 – $450

Kakadu Day Tour Nourlangie Rock Art and Yellow Water Cruise - March and April

$355 – $1,390

$135 – $145

$135 – $2,400

$2,240 – $2,400

Kakadu Day Tour Ubirr Rock and Guluyambi Cultural Cruise - May to October

$320 – $1,250

$95 – $300

Ayal Aboriginal Tours Kakadu - rock art, nature, history and culture

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

$465 – $489

$85

$340

$340

$110 – $250

$89 – $269

$169

$259 – $269

$219 – $229

$89 – $139

$40 – $119

$110 – $600

$385

$180 – $350

$105 – $320

Metro Advance Apartments and Hotel Darwin

$99 – $599

$265 – $375

$35 – $250

$200 – $300

Frew Ponds Overland Telegraph Line Memorial Reserve

$119 – $499

$15 – $150

$2,690 – $7,190

$3 – $15

$2,560 – $2,820

$5,620 – $6,185

$2,390 – $2,635

$1,480 – $1,630

$5 – $18

$40 – $150

$150

$209

$209

$105 – $129

$105 – $129

$105 – $129

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

Wurrumiyanga Catholic Church Precinct, Bathurst Island

$220

World War II Manbulloo Airfield Operations Centre and Abattoir

$205 – $310

$205

$205

$310

$48 – $195

$3,895 – $7,495

$3,895 – $7,495

$4,295 – $5,495

$36

$350 – $1,650

Wildlife Spotting Tour on the Mary River

$350

$1,650

$650

$485 – $600

$60 – $195

$195

$60

$400 – $1,000

WILDFOTO Full Day Private 4WD and Boat Safari

$1,000

$400 – $500

$30

$2,677 – $3,297

$2,937

Shred the Desert - Womens Mountain Bike Retreat

$2,677 – $3,297

$38

$85 – $220

$85 – $220

$25 – $40

Wangi Falls to Walker Creek – Tabletop Track

$255

Litchfield Tour with Jumping Crocodiles and Sunset

$255

$24

$59 – $69

$69

$59

$59

$59

$95 – $500

$250 – $275

5 Day Kakadu, Arnhem Land and Cobourg Peninsula

$4,190

$3,690

$2,500 – $4,000

$55

Under A Desert Moon – Discovery Resorts – Kings Canyon

$250

$250

Uluru Scenic Helicopter Tours – Professional Helicopter Services

$205 – $450

$450

Uluru Only Helicopter Scenic Helicopter Tour

$205

Uluru & Kata Tjuta Scenic Helicopter Tour

$335

$199

$199

$159

$159

$92

$19 – $49

$19

$49

$109 – $129

$109 – $129

$36

$30 – $36

Tuxworth Fullwood House - Tennant Creek Former Outpatients Clinic

$20 – $58

$3,195 – $3,995

$3,995

$3,195

$3,195

$1,695 – $5,995

Trek Larapinta Volunteer Project - Larapinta Trail maintenance

$1,695

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

$2,495

$5,995

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

$155

$155

$495 – $2,280

$495

$695 – $2,280

$307 – $355

Mikinj Valley Arnhem Land Sightseeing Tour

$307 – $345

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

$307 – $355

$140 – $6,836

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

$46

$100 – $200

Tnorala (Gosse Bluff) Conservation Reserve

$90 – $180

$160 – $240

$34

$48 – $124

$250 – $500

The Original Adelaide River Queen Jumping Crocodile Cruises

Adelaide River Queen Original Jumping Crocodile Cruise

Pathfinder Jumping Original Crocodile Cruise

The Ngurrungurrudjba (Yellow Water) Campground & Caravan Park

$29 – $129

The Lost City – Litchfield National Park

$330 – $360

$100 – $250

$105

Guided Sunset Tour of The Kangaroo Sanctuary

$105

$220 – $350

$80 – $300

The Darwin History and Wartime Experience

$25 – $125

The Darwin History and Wartime Experience Tour

$25 – $125

$95 – $320

$160 – $175

$170 – $2,495

$835

$835

$170

$1,995 – $2,495

$1,695

$935

4WD Kakadu and Litchfield Tour – Camping

$935

$35 – $195

$599 – $650

$599 – $650

Talinguṟu Nyakunytjaku Sunset Viewing Area

$450

$54

$24

Sunrise Viewing Area Talinguṟu Nyakunytjaku

$125

$36

5-Day – Private Kakadu, Katherine and Litchfield Tours

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

$680 – $1,200

$30 – $60

Stockmans Pioneer Memorial Katherine Icon

Standley Chasm – Angkerle Atwayte Camping

$25 – $65

$450 – $3,000

$450 – $3,000

$450 – $3,000

$450 – $3,000

$650 – $7,897

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

$290

$290

$199 – $2,690

$83

$24

$20 – $25

$99 – $404

SEIT Patji - A True Aboriginal Experience

$365

$404

$99

$219

$169

$355

$219

$219

$219

$284

$165

$399 – $479

$399 – $479

$55 – $369

$129 – $149

$55 – $65

$55 – $65

$99 – $109

$369

WWII Bombing of Darwin Tour by Land and Sea

$123 – $159

$250 – $270

$270

$250

$14 – $28

Saltbush Restaurant at DoubleTree by Hilton Alice Springs

$475 – $1,100

$169

Champagne Sunset Sail 3 hr dinner cruise on Darwin harbour

$169

$195 – $260

$185 – $3,900

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

$2,500 – $7,015

$5,485 – $7,015

$2,500 – $5,500

$149 – $899

$99 – $350

$17

Royal Flying Doctor Service Alice Springs Tourist Facility & Museum

$22 – $189

$140 – $160

$35 – $175

$475 – $495

$475 – $495

$475 – $495

$155 – $500

$48

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