From the authentic outback of the Red Centre to the tropical paradise of the Top End, the Northern Territory is many holiday destinations rolled into one. It is the land of contrasts, and once you’ve seen it, you will understand why it is such a popular place to visit.
The journey from the southern border to the northern tip winds through a gradually unfolding landscape. It starts in the vast desert landscapes of the Red Centre, passes through the grassy savannah plains and ends at the frangipani-scented, palm-fringed shores of Darwin. With its World-Heritage listed national parks, incredible fishing and waterways, its famous crocodiles, and the world’s most iconic monolith, the NT is crammed with all the right ingredients for a perfect holiday.
The road trip is one of the most popular ways to explore the Territory, be it caravanning, camping or four-wheel-driving and takes you through some of the most memorable scenery in Australia. Roads include sealed, unsealed and four-wheel-drive adventure routes and allow you to explore the landscape and attractions at your own pace, with freedom and flexibility.
The Territory’s main highways are all sealed, enabling two-wheel access to over 95 per cent of the major tourist spots, including Darwin, Kakadu National Park, Katherine, Tennant Creek, Alice Springs and Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Fuel stops are located every 200km to 300km along the main routes and unless you want to go off the beaten track, visitors in a standard car can experience most of the Territory’s best attractions.
If off-road driving is more your style, there are a number of challenging four-wheel-drive routes to allow you to experience the most rugged parts of the Territory.
There are several caravan parks and campgrounds in each region. Many larger campgrounds have a mix of camping and budget accommodation, while smaller, more remote areas may just supply an area suitable to pitch a tent. Most campsites have camping fees, which help pay for the upkeep of the area.
Reignite your adventurer’s spirit with one of our five epic driving trails. Explorers Way was mapped out 147 years ago, tracing a line from South Australia to the Top End. Following pioneer John Stuart’s footsteps, it passes unforgettable natural assets like the undulating Flinders Ranges, opal-rich Coober Pedy, magical Uluru & Litchfield National Park.
Get a taste of the abundant wildlife in the Territory’s lush wetlands when you follow Nature’s Way, which takes in three national parks, including World Heritage-listed Kakadu. Discover the cultural equivalent when you tackle the Red Centre Way through the heart of Australia, where Aboriginal culture breathes life into the land.
Strap yourself in for the big one, the Savannah Way: a 3700km stretch from Queensland to Western Australia, with the Territory’s key sights wedged in the middle. Whether you want to cross north to south, east to west, traverse desert or roam the tropics, in the Territory you’ll find that place where clarity returns.
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