Stop 1: Darwin – The Tropical City
Darwin is a tropical city that looks out over the Timor Sea, closer to the equatorial paradise of Bali than the cosmopolitan beaches of Sydney. It’s a place that can feel a little removed from the rest of the country, with its typical Asian-style weekend markets illustrating its physical distance from the rest of the country, and its proximity to Asia.Darwin is a boom town, thriving off the profits of mining, which has transformed the city. In saying this, however, it still maintains its relaxed atmosphere, running at the pace of a rural town. Even in the fanciest restaurants, shorts and thongs (flip-flops) are de rigueur. The Northern Territory is known for its extreme weather, so it’s best to plan your visit. Most people prefer to go during Australian winter, from May to September, when the region is at its best. This is Darwin’s “dry season”, when the weather is balmy and the palm tree framed sunsets are nothing short of spectacular.
If you visit during the monsoon months, from January to April, you’ll be treated to vivid green landscapes, electrifying afternoon storms, and the chance to explore Darwin’s surrounds with fewer tourists to compete with. Nature and the great outdoors are part of the fabric of life in Darwin. And on its doorstep, you’ll find the famous national parks of Kakadu and Litchfield only a few hours drive away.
There’s nothing more exciting than hitting the road and taking in the scenery on an epic road trip. Begin by picking up your Hertz rental car in Darwin and then follow our lead below.
Stop 2: Kakadu National Park
At nearly 20,000 square kilometres, Kakadu National Park is a place of exceptional natural beauty and unique biodiversity. Across vast, diverse and exotic landscapes, the park plays host to an abundance of native wildlife, while multiple Indigenous Australian rock art sites contribute to the cultural and historical significance of the area.
The Bininj/Mungguy people have lived in this part of Australia for at least 40,000 years, and this has made the park a globally recognised UNESCO World Heritage site. When you visit and marvel at the ancient rock art, you’ll get a sense of the history of some of the world’s oldest peoples.
The park is also home to more than 2,000 plant species, a quarter of Australia's freshwater fish species, and more than a third of its native bird species. For those brave enough, you can also take a cruise to see saltwater crocodiles. Or why not challenge yourself and take on one of the many bushwalking trails. You could easily spend a couple of days exploring Kakadu National Park.
Stop 3: Katherine
After a couple of nights camping in Kakadu National Park, set out for Katherine, the Northern Territory’s fourth most-populous town.
Katherine is situated on the doorstep of the magnificent Katherine Gorge, in Nitmiluk National Park, and is set amongst the kind of stunning landscape you can only find in the Northern Territory.
The town is perfectly located for exploring the surrounding area, where you can go hiking, canoeing, take a river cruise, do a helicopter tour, or learn about Indigenous Australian culture. Katherine has an array or activities and sights to see. Our top five must-sees include Katherine Gorge, Edith Falls, Cutta Cutta Caves Nature Park, and Katherine Hot Springs.
A road trip through Australia’s Northern Territory is the quintessential Aussie experience, complete with wildlife, red dirt, and endless country roads that cut through stunning landscape. Get yourself in a rental car and set out to explore today.
