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Top 3 Northern Territory road trips

There’s something for everyone in the Northern Territory. Whether you love cities or wilderness, red deserts or green forests, we’ve got you covered with our top three recommendations for NT road trips you need to tick off your list.

1. Nature’s Way

Nature lovers rejoice! You can witness the stunning natural beauty of Australia’s Top End in a 7-day, 550km scenic drive that will take you from cityscapes to breathtaking wetlands, gorges, waterfalls and waterholes.

What you’ll see:

  • Kakadu National Park: A world heritage-listed site amazing for bird-watching, croc-spotting and ancient Aboriginal rock art
  • Nitmiluk National Park: Swap the car for a boat and cruise down Katherine Gorge
  • Katherine: The gateway to myriad nature parks, reserves and conservation areas. Arts and crafts lovers can wander the town’s galleries and meet local indigenous artists.
  • Litchfield National Park: See monsoon rainforests, float peacefully in isolated waterholes and take invigorating dips in Litchfield’s many waterfalls

Click here for more info on how to do Nature’s Way.

2. Binns Track

Got a taste for adventure? Discover the complete Northern Territory experience from Red Centre to Top End with an epic 10-day journey stretching 2,191 km up the length of the NT. Featuring far-flung outback towns, vivid colours, native wildlife and the unique rock formations of Central Australia.

What you’ll see:

  • Alice Springs: Visit the desert park for close encounters with Central Australia’s flora and fauna, catch the iconic Alice Springs Camel Cup, cheer on the battle boats at the Henley on Todd Regatta, and behold ancient rock carvings
  • Arltunga Historical Reserve: Explore the ghost town and abandoned gold mines, and pan for your own gold
  • Gemtree: Fossick for semi-precious stones in creek beds
  • Tennant Creek: Visit the large domes of Karlu Karlu, also known as Devils Marbles

Click here for more info on how to do the Binns Track.

3. Red Centre Way

Want to wow your friends on Facebook? Photo fiends will love journeying through some of Australia’s most Instagrammable landscapes and iconic landmarks in a 5-7 day loop covering 1,135km of the Red Centre.

What you’ll see:

  • Australia’s most iconic views, like Uluru (take a camel ride around the base of the rock or get an aerial view via helicopter), the 32 red domes of Kata Tjuta, the soaring cliffs of Kings Canyon, the Dreamings of Alice Springs, and the gorges, waterholes and ochre pits West MacDonnell Ranges
  • Travel through red desert sands, spinifex and mulga forest, lush valleys and towering gorges

Click here for more info on how to do the Red Centre Way.

{Photo credit: NT Tourism}

About the author

Alana Lowes

1 Comment

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  • Hi ?
    We’re planning a trip to the NT next year, I would love to see your itinerary for the “Red Centre Way”
    We’re so excited and any ideas of places to visit would be awesome!
    Thanks Ann-Marie