Northern Australia Top End Road Trip: Kakadu, Katherine, & Litchfield - 9 Days

Highlights

• Explore the best of the Northern Territory's national parks
• Connect with Aboriginal culture on Arnhem Land at Kakadu National Park
• Cruise through Kathrine Gorge at dawn, taking in sunrise from the water
• Swim beneath stunning waterfalls in Litchfield National Park

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Darwin

G'day and welcome to Australia's Top End! You've landed in Darwin, the capital of Australia's Northern Territory. On arrival, collect a rental car and check into your accommodation. Darwin is a tropical city that's all about outdoor living. Drop your bags and set out to explore. For nature lovers, a visit to Crocosaurus Cove is a taste of what's to come (the NT is home to more crocodiles than anywhere else in the world). Or, you could go for a walk through the gardens of the George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens to learn more about the area's tropical climate and history.

Darwin's tropical climate and scenic coast make it the perfect place for a walk along the beach. In the later afternoon, stop by the Mindil Beach Sunset Market to browse the stalls—or if it's not market day, join a romantic sunset cruise. After dark, the Deckchair Cinema lights up with outdoor screenings beneath the stars.

Day 2: Drive to Ubirr, Explore Rock Art, Overnight Cultural Experience

This morning, you'll jump behind the wheel and make tracks for Kakadu National Park. As Australia's largest national park, Kakadu contains countless wetlands, waterfalls, billabongs, and escarpments. Keep an eye out for water buffalo that have been sighted on the Kakadu Highway on your 3.5-hour drive in. Near the township of Jabiru you can see a variety of Kakadu's habitats on the one-hour return Bowali Track, which links the Crocodile Hotel to the Bowali Visitor Center.

After lunch, drive north into the East Alligator (Erre) region of Kakadu. Meet a guide at the Ubirr Border Store, where you'll transfer to a secluded lodge located in a remote and restricted part of Kakadu. This area is of significant importance to the local Aboriginal people, many of whom still live nearby. You'll gain access to Cannon Hill, a registered sacred site, and its surrounds, which are teeming with bird and marine life. This afternoon, enjoy a guided sunset rock art tour followed by a three-course dinner at the lodge.

Day 3: Arnhemlander Cultural & Heritage 4WD Tour

Today, you'll explore the beauty of Arnhem Land and northern Kakadu's famous landscapes, such as sandstone escarpments, outcroppings of ancient rock art, fertile flood plains, and billabongs alive with abundant birdlife. An Aboriginal guide will guide you through this remote region, where access is restricted to allow Aboriginal cultures to exist in the traditional way.

Continue through Cahill's Crossing on the East Alligator River to reach Injalak Arts, a nonprofit Aboriginal-owned community art center with around 200 active members. The center is famous for its hand-printed bolts of linen and silk emblazoned with colorful designs of creation spirits. Shop for one-of-a-kind artisanal objects, then take a lunch break by the Inkiyu Billabong with its calm waters and panomaric views.

Day 4: Guluyambi River Cruise, Explore Kakadu's Swimming Spots

This morning you'll board the Guluyambi Cultural Cruise, a unique boat tour on Kakadu's spectacular East Alligator River. Soak up the pristine wilderness of this UNESCO-listed landscape as you cruise upstream. An Aboriginal guide will share cultural insights, local mythology, and facts about the river's abundant food chain as you travel along. Disembark on the Arnhem Land side of the river for a special display of traditional hunting and gathering implements before returning to shore.

This afternoon, jump behind the wheel and explore the Mary River region of Kakadu. Here you'll find rugged stones, vast wetlands, stunning waterfalls—and some of Kakadu's famed swimming spots. The most famous (and easy to reach) is Gunlom Falls. A two-hour hike takes you to the base of the falls, then it's a short, steep hike to natural infinity pool at the top—it promises an idyllic dip. Alternatively, try Motor Car Falls. It's only accessible via a two-hour woodlands hike, or for a shorter hike, head to Maguk Gorge. End today at your overnight accommodation in Cooinda.

Day 5: Yellow Water Sunrise Cruise, Drive to Katherine

Cruise Kakadu's most famous wetland at dawn this morning and watch the billabong slowly come to life. Yellow Water (Ngurrungurrudjba) is part of the South Alligator River system, close to Cooinda, and the biodiverse billabong is located in its entirety within the park. Look for crocodiles and eagles, and admire the sunrise reflecting on the tranquil waters as you float around in the early hours with an Indigenous-owned tour company.

After, it's time to hit the road, traveling 2.5 hours southwest through Kakadu toward Katherine. On the way, pass Pine Creek, a former gold rush town full of historic character. Halfway between Pine Creek and Katherine, stop for a refreshing swim at Leliyn Falls, then continue your drive to the bustling township, situated on the banks of the Katherine River. Kathrine's main attraction is Nitmiluk National Park, with its beautiful series of red-rock gorges and dazzling waterfalls. Tonight, check into your accommodation and go for dinner at the Katherine Country Club.

Day 6: Malappar Traveller Canoeing, Katherine Outback Experience

Start today by paddling across Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge with the Malaparr Traveller self-guided canoe experience. A boat transfer will take you to the top of the first gorge, where you'll grab a paddle and explore the second gorge at your pace. Take advantage of the shallow swimming sections to cool off, or even find a nice place for a picnic. If you're an active crowd, you may even reach the end of the third gorge. Afterward, return to dry land and explore Nitmiluk National Park.

This afternoon, set off on your own to explore some of the 60 miles (100 km) of walking tracks within the park and gain a true sense of the grandeur and solitude of this special place. Drop by the local visitor center to grab hiking maps and choose your route. Later, head home to refresh ahead of this evening's Katherine Outback Experience. This show celebrates the Northern Territory's rich agricultural history through horse-starting and working dog demonstrations, entwined with live music and delightful bush tales.

Day 7: Gorge Dawn Tour, Visit Bitter Springs, Drive to Litchfield National Park

Embrace the peaceful morning air and appreciate the morning glow of the gorge's escarpment walls on today's dawn tour. A knowledgeable guide will accompany you through the first gorge by boat. Disembark, stretch those legs, and walk a short way to the second gorge, where another vessel awaits. Along the way, you'll hear cultural stories, Nitmiluk region history, and facts about local flora and fauna. Afterward, jump in the car and journey an hour southeast of Katherine to the best-kept regional secret—Bitter Springs in Elsey National Park.

Take a dip in the spring-fed thermal pool, whose temperature sits around 93°F (34°C), and unwind after an early start. When you're ready, return to the car for the three-hour drive northwest toward Litchfield National Park, a 580-square-mile (1,500 sq km) reserve of tumbling waterfalls and crystal-clear natural pools. This park gives you the chance to swim in cool, crocodile-free waters, or tackle many great hiking trails, from easy mile loops to the 24-mile (39 km) Tabletop Track. But both can wait until tomorrow—check into your accommodation and relax.

Day 8: Explore Litchfield National Park, Nina's Ark Wildlife Sanctuary Tour

Let your worries fade away as you stand under a refreshing waterfall in Litchfield National Park. Pack your swimming costume and go explore, starting with Tolmer Falls. A short walk to a lookout offers views of the dramatic falls, home to a protected colony of orange horseshoe bats. After, tour the park's best-known swimming hubs: Wangi and Florence Falls. Wangi has a huge cliff face, emerald pool, and a café and art gallery. Florence is a fern-framed double fall that plunges into a deep pool.

Make time for the 0.9-mile (1.5 km) Florence Creek Walk, which leads you to Buley Rockhole, a collection of natural spas and whirlpools. You should also stop at the Cathedral Termite Mound, where armies of termites have created a surreal, tombstone-like field of giant termite mounds—some are over 6 feet (2 m) tall!

Day 9: Drive to Darwin, Depart

It's your final day dashing about the Northern Territory and its wild national parks. Drive the 90-minute trip back up the Stuart Highway to Darwin. Depending on your flight time, you may want to stop at Berry Springs for a homemade fruit ice cream at Crazy Acres mango farm or take a refreshing dip in the clear waters of Berry Springs. If you have time, you could pull into Humpty Doo, a classic outback town, for lunch at the iconic Humpty Doo Hotel.

Finally, drop off your car at the airport and get ready for your flight. Safe travels!

More Great Australia Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Australia? Check out these other Australia itineraries, explore different ways to spend nine days in Australia, or discover the best time to visit Australia.

A note on diacritical and retroflex markings: In order to support the best technical experience and search functions, diacritical markings have been omitted from this article.