For a road trip holiday that highlights the best of the Top End, look no further than the Nature’s Way. In one week, take a self-drive adventure that starts in Darwin, travels through the natural wonders of Kakadu, Nitmiluk and Litchfield national parks, and loops back to the capital.
This easy drive is entirely on sealed roads. For the trailblazer, there are also great options to take 4WD side-trips that take you to hidden gems.
Day 1: Darwin to Kakadu (250km)
The unspoiled beauty of Kakadu National Park is only a 3-hour drive from Darwin. On your way to Kakadu, along the Arnhem Highway, there are several opportunities to see wildlife. Stop at the Adelaide River and board a cruise to see huge saltwater crocs jump for a snack from the safety of the riverboat.
Day 2 & 3: Kakadu National Park
Kakadu is a World Heritage-listed site and Australia’s largest national park. Explore and cruise its waterways to see crocs and birdlife, walk through ancient Aboriginal rock art galleries, or join a guided tour. Take in the stunning view of the wetlands from above at the Ubirr lookout at sunset.
Day 4: Kakadu to Katherine via Pine Creek (300km)
Head south along Kakadu Highway to Pine Creek, a small town that experienced a gold rush in 1871. A further 90km down the road is Katherine, a great place to base yourself and explore the region. It’s the gateway to incredible hiking trails, swimming in hot springs, canoeing and cruising, and Aboriginal cultural tours.
After arriving take a refreshing dip in Katherine Hot Springs – a series of clear pools fed by a natural thermal spring located on the banks of the Katherine River.
Day 5: Nitmiluk National Park
Nitmiluk National Park is a short 30km drive from Katherine. There are many options to explore the park: from the air on a helicopter flight, from the water on a guided cruise or canoe, or on foot with well-marked paths.
Day 6: Katherine to Litchfield (265km)
Stop in at Leliyn/Edith Falls on your journey north and enjoy a swim in the pandanus-fringed plunge pool. Just 2.5 hours’ drive away, Litchfield National Park is renowned for its accessible, unspoiled wilderness of monsoon rainforests and waterfalls that flow year-round. Cool off with a swim in the plunge pool below the permanent spring-fed Florence Falls or wade through the rock pools at Buley Rockhole.
Day 7: Litchfield to Darwin (130km)
Head back to Darwin via the Territory Wildlife Park. Wander through treetop aviaries, around a natural lagoon and walk through the aquarium to see animals, including the saltwater crocodile, in their natural habitats.
Before you enter Darwin, stop at Berry Springs Nature Park. A recreation camp for armed forces personnel during the war; today it’s a popular spot for a picnic and a dip in freshwater pools.
Get more inspiration with these NT road trip ideas.
Download the Nature’s Way itinerary
For a road trip holiday that highlights the best of the Top End, look no further than the Nature’s Way. Over a week, take a self-drive adventure starting in Darwin, travelling through the natural wonders of Kakadu, Nitmiluk and Litchfield national parks looping back to the tropical capital of the Northern Territory.
This easy drive is entirely on sealed roads. For the trailblazer, there are also great options to take 4WD side-trips that take you to hidden gems.
Day 1: Darwin to Kakadu (250km)
The unspoiled beauty of Kakadu National Park is only a 3-hour drive from Darwin. On your way to Kakadu, along the Arnhem Highway, there are several opportunities to see wildlife. Stop at the Adelaide River and board a cruise to see huge saltwater crocs jump for a snack from the safety of the riverboat.
Day 2 & 3: Kakadu National Park
Kakadu is a World Heritage-listed site and Australia’s largest national park. Explore and cruise its waterways to see crocs and birdlife, walk through ancient Aboriginal rock art galleries, or join a guided tour. Take in the stunning view of the wetlands from above at the Ubirr lookout at sunset.
Day 4: Kakadu to Katherine via Pine Creek (300km)
Head south along Kakadu Highway to Pine Creek, a small town that experienced a gold rush in 1871. A further 90km down the road is Katherine, a great place to base yourself and explore the region. It’s the gateway to incredible hiking trails, swimming in hot springs, canoeing and cruising, and Aboriginal cultural tours.
After arriving take a refreshing dip in Katherine Hot Springs – a series of clear pools fed by a natural thermal spring located on the banks of the Katherine River.
Day 5: Nitmiluk National Park
Nitmiluk National Park is a short 30km drive from Katherine. There are many options to explore the park: from the air on a helicopter flight, from the water on a guided cruise or canoe, or on foot with well-marked paths.
Day 6: Katherine to Litchfield (265km)
Stop in at Leliyn/Edith Falls on your journey north and enjoy a swim in the pandanus-fringed plunge pool. Just 2.5 hours’ drive away, Litchfield National Park is renowned for its accessible, unspoiled wilderness of monsoon rainforests and waterfalls that flow year-round. Cool off with a swim in the plunge pool below the permanent spring-fed Florence Falls or wade through the rock pools at Buley Rockhole.
Day 7: Litchfield to Darwin (130km)
Head back to Darwin via the Territory Wildlife Park. Wander through treetop aviaries, around a natural lagoon and walk through the aquarium to see animals, including the saltwater crocodile, in their natural habitats.
Before you enter Darwin, stop at Berry Springs Nature Park. A recreation camp for armed forces personnel during the war; today it’s a popular spot for a picnic and a dip in freshwater pools.
Get more inspiration with these NT road trip ideas.
Download the Nature’s Way itinerary
Arrive in Darwin and head straight to Kakadu National Park on this 7-day tour that takes in the best of Australia’s Top End.
Start in Darwin
ExploreDay 1
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Drive:
52 min -
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Jumping crocodile cruise
Darwin & SurroundsTourJoin a cruise on the scenic Adelaide River and see powerful saltwater crocodiles propel themselves high out of the water to snatch their prey.
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Drive:
1 hr 52 min -
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Bowali Visitor Centre
Kakadu National ParkSee & doBefore you start exploring Kakadu National Park, get familiarised by exploring the Bowali Visitor Centre.
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Stay:
Kakadu View 7 options
Day 2
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Kakadu National Park
Kakadu & SurroundsSee & doCovering nearly 20,000 square kilometres of exceptional natural beauty and unique biodiversity, Kakadu National Park is teeming with wildlife, home to important Aboriginal rock...
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Kakadu scenic flights
Kakadu National ParkTourWitness the magic of Kakadu National Park from above. Fly over world-famous wetlands, floodplains, and on to the sandstone plateaus of Arnhem Land.
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Drive:
1 hr 2 min -
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Ubirr
Kakadu National ParkSee & doUbirr is one of Kakadu National Park's two most famous Aboriginal rock art galleries.
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Stay:
Kakadu View 7 options
Day 3
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Drive:
26 min -
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Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) rock art site
Kakadu National ParkSee & doThe walls of the Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) rock art site, in World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park, have served as a shelter and canvas for thousands of years.
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Drive:
31 min -
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Yellow Water cruises
Kakadu National ParkTourYellow Water Billabong, Kakadu's most famous wetland, is located at the end of Jim Jim Creek, a tributary of the South Alligator River.
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Drive:
1 hr 3 min -
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Optional | 4WD onlyMaguk
Kakadu National ParkSee & doOne of Kakadu's lesser-known attractions, Maguk is a pristine natural waterfall and plunge pool at the base of steep gorge walls.
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Stay:
Kakadu View 7 options
Day 4
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Drive:
2 hr 17 min -
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Pine Creek
Katherine & SurroundsDestinationsEstablished in the late 1800s after a gold rush in the area, Pine Creek is located 90km north of Katherine.
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Drive:
56 min -
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Katherine
Katherine & SurroundsDestinationsKick off your Katherine adventure in the NT's third-largest town.
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Stay:
Katherine View 30 options
Day 5
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Drive:
30 min -
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Nitmiluk National Park
Katherine & SurroundsSee & doThere are many ways to experience the spectacular Nitmiluk National Park and its world-renowned gorge system - you can walk, swim, ride, canoe, boat or fly.
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Nitmiluk Gorge helicopter flights
Nitmiluk National ParkTourSoar above great tracts of spectacular scenery and witness the magnificent Katherine Gorge from the cockpit of a helicopter.
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Nitmiluk Gorge Tours
Nitmiluk National ParkToursTrawl along Katherine River through Nitmiluk National Park, moving deeper into the pristine wilderness of the stunning Katherine Gorge.
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OptionalNitmiluk Gorge canoeing
Nitmiluk National ParkPush off from the river bank, fasten your lifejacket, and get your paddles going for an unforgettable journey through stunning landscapes.
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Stay:
Katherine View 30 options
Day 6
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Leliyn (Edith Falls)
Katherine & SurroundsSee & doPicturesque waterfalls and great swimming are the well-known features of this section of Nitmiluk National Park.
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Drive:
2 hr 20 min -
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Litchfield National Park
Darwin & SurroundsSee & doWith 2WD accessible roads into all of the main waterfalls, it’s no wonder Litchfield National Park is one of the most popular spots in the Top End.
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Florence Falls
Darwin & SurroundsSee & doLocated in Litchfield National Park, the spectacular Florence Falls cascade into a plunge pool, set in a pocket of monsoon forest.
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Buley Rockhole
Darwin & SurroundsSee & doEnjoy a refreshing swim in the cascading pools of Buley Rockhole.
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Stay:
Batchelor View 7 options
Day 7
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Drive:
41 min -
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Territory Wildlife Park
Darwin & SurroundsSee & doAt the Territory Wildlife Park you can see the Top End of Northern Australia in 4 hours rather than 4 days!
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Berry Springs Nature Park
Darwin & SurroundsSee & doBerry Springs Nature Park is a picturesque area 47km south of Darwin that is a popular day trip destination for picnics, incorporating shady areas, manicured lawns, picnic tables...
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Drive:
40 min
Finish in Darwin
Explore
Book this trip Nature’s Way 7-day itinerary
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Book it yourself
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Car hire
Pick-up: day 1
Return: day 7 -
Jumping Crocodile Cruises
Departing: day 1
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Kakadu Parks Pass
Required for entry to Kakadu National Park. Read about passes & permits
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3 nights accommodation in Kakadu
Check-in: day 1
Check-out: day 4 -
Kakadu scenic flights
Departing: day 2
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Yellow Water cruises
Departing: day 3
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2 nights accommodation in Katherine
Check-in: day 4
Check-out: day 6 -
Nitmiluk Gorge helicopter flights
Departing: day 5
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Nitmiluk Gorge cruise
Departing: day 5
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Canoeing in Nitmiluk Gorge
Departing: day 5
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1 night accommodation in Bachelor
Check-in: day 6
Check-out: day 7 -
Territory Wildlife Park
Entry: day 7
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