The road trip from Darwin to Katherine is one all Top End Territorians know well, including our own Explorer & Editor, Amy. Here’s how to fit the best spots along the way into a single (long) weekend.

 

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Quick Overview

The direct route from Darwin to Katherine is a 317km drive, predominantly along the Stuart Highway, that takes around 3 hours and 10 minutes, without stops. But chuck in a few turns off the highway to unexpected freshwater holes, and you can easily push that estimated time of arrival out by a few days.

Read more: Staying Safe Around Swimming Holes and Waterfalls

 

Darwin to Katherine Road Trip Facts

Distance: 400km (one way)
Duration: 4.5 hours driving time (one way)
Start and end points: Darwin to Nitmiluk/Katherine Gorge

About the Darwin to Katherine Road Trip

In the Top End of the Northern Territory, the drive from Darwin to Katherine is a well-trodden path. As the two major hubs in the top half of the territory, a lot of people drive this route for work and other commitments. However, it’s also a classic tourist route that bustles in the dry season with an assortment of motorhomes, 4WDs, and caravans.

 

 

Although there’s not a lot to be seen along the main stretch of highway, the gems of the area aren’t difficult to uncover once you take a few turn offs. Expect to pull up at an assortment of natural waterways – from waterfalls to freshwater swimming holes to hot springs to rivers. Add in a stop at any one of The Bottle-Os along the route and you’ll be set for an outback road trip like no other.

Read more: Remember to leave no trace

How to Get to Darwin

For most Aussies, the fastest way to get to Darwin is by air, with daily flights from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide.

However the BEST way to get to Darwin is by road tripping there in the first place!

You can also catch The Ghan if you’re really feeling fancy.

Read more: Sydney to Darwin Road Trip

Where to Stay Along the Darwin to Katherine Road Trip

For those looking to camp along the route, I recommend setting up at Leliyn/Edith Falls on your first night, then booking a campsite at Nitmiluk Campground on your second.

If you prefer to sleep between four solid walls, I recommend staying the first night in accommodation at the small town of Pine Creek. The Lazy Lizard Caravan Park has some affordable dongas where you can rest your head for the night, or the Pine Creek Railway Resort is also a good option. (Take resort with a big pinch of salt here, we are in the outback).

Where to Eat on the Darwin to Katherine Road Trip

The Adelaide River Inn is great for a pub feed and has well-kept tropical gardens to sit amongst. Try the barra burger!

There’s a kiosk at both Leliyn/Edith Falls Campground (lunch not dinner) and Nitmiluk Campground (lunch and dinner) which is handy if you get stuck without your own food while camping. But times may vary so call ahead or come prepared!

In Katherine, a fan favourite is takeaway coffee and toasties from Black Russian. If you’re keen for a wider selection and more space to sit down, visit Maidens Lane instead.

 

Things to do Along the Darwin to Katherine Road Trip

  • Wild swimming
  • Hiking
  • Canoeing
  • Camping

Skill Level

Intermediate

Although this drive is along completely sealed roads, for those unaccustomed to driving at 130km/h alongside road trains on a single-lane highway, it can be a bit intimidating. Not to mention the possibility of encountering a buffalo on the road. If someone else has driven this route before, best to let them handle it!

Essential Gear for Darwin to Katherine Road Trip

  • Drinking water
  • Hiking shoes
  • Camping gear
  • Swimmers and towel
  • Sunscreen
  • Insect repellant
  • Camera!
  • Car snacks
  • Dry bags

What It’s Like to Drive From Darwin to Katherine

Day 1 – Darwin to Edith Falls

Distance: 308km
Duration: 3 hours 25 minutes driving time

With a car full of mates and camping gear, we hit the highway out of Darwin. We make a last minute pit stop at The Bottle-O Yarrawonga to stock up on refreshments for later than night at camp, but from there, it doesn’t take long before we leave any remnants of the city behind.

After a little over an hour, we arrive at Adelaide River, a great spot for a rest, and if it’s anywhere near lunch time, some would say the Adelaide River Pub is the best place in the Territory for a barramundi burger (I am some).

 

One of the rare times I regrettably did not order my barra on a burger

 

Robin Falls

With full tummies and fuel tank, we take our first detour of the trip to Robin Falls. A 15 minute drive from Adelaide River down Dorat Road, and we arrive at the short dirt track to the creekside campground and walking track. The campground is free and you can pull up almost anywhere along the creek. However there are no facilities here, so if you plan to stay, make sure to BYO water and bury your waste!

The short 500m trail to the bottom of the falls begins at the car park, and although short, it’s a rocky and uneven wander along the creekside. Admittedly, this waterfall dries up quite over the dry season (May-October), so it’s more of a wet season special once the rains have kicked in from January onwards. But it’s still worth the walk and scramble up to the main pool where we take in the high rocky walls around us. You can always dip further downstream in the creek too.

Once we’ve cooled off, we pile back in the car and bump the rest of the way down Dorat Road, taking advantage of the opportunity to skip some of the Stuart Highway. I always see a lot of wildlife on this road, from turtles to dingoes, so keep your wits about you!

 

Leliyn/Edith Falls

We soon turn back onto the Stuart Highway and drive an hour to the turn off to Leliyn/Edith Falls.

If there’s anywhere that’ll convince you of just how special the Territory is, it’s Leilyn/Edith Falls. We find our campsite in a quiet corner of its spacious, grassy campground that’s dotted with Northern Salmon gums. But before we can get too comfy, we tie our laces and pack supplies for the 2.6km loop to the Upper Pool.

This short but sharp hike is quite exposed and includes a few rocky inclines that really flog you in the heat! We timed it well by leaving in the late afternoon, so the sun isn’t too high, but if you’re not used to walking in the heat, take it slow and drink plenty of water.

Read more: How To Hike in Hot Weather

Once we reach the top and take in the natural playground of pools and shallow rapids, we strip off and submerge ourselves, splashing and playing.

 

 

Before the sun sets, we pack up and continue along the loop, descending down the other side of the creek system. We land at the bottom plunge pool just as the rock face is aglow with sunset before heading back to camp to whip up some dinner.

Read more: 9 Top End Swimming Holes

Day 2 – Edith Falls to Nitmiluk/Katherine Gorge

Distance: 90km
Duration: 1 hour

The next morning we start the day with a dip in the bottom plunge pool to shock our bodies awake. This pool is enormous and feels like a real oasis.

Back at camp, with coffee on the boil, we indulge in a slow morning pack up, before hitting the road, bound for Katherine. Thankfully, the bulk of the driving is done and it’s only 45 minutes before we’re on the main street of Katherine.

 

Katherine Hot Springs

While we’re in town, we race for a second coffee from the Black Russian cafe by the information centre and restock supplies for the night. A few of us head to the supermarket to get dinner while the others swing by The Bottle-O at The Stuart Hotel to get a few bevvies for later that evening at camp.

Before heading to the gorge, we decide we’re ready for our second daily swim and drive over to the Katherine Hot Springs for a splash. Don’t let the name fool you, they’re not stifling, more just thermal, sitting between 25-30ºC. The water is a picturesque shade of blue and is shaded by overhanging pandanus and palms. We jump in at one pool and swim our way down the creek system to pop out at another.

Then it’s back in the car for the final 25 minute drive out to Nitmiluk/Katherine Gorge, our home for the night.

Read more: Ultimate Guide to Katherine, NT

 

Nitmiluk Campground & Sunset

Arriving at the expansive campground, we check in and find a spot away from the bigger motorhome set ups. After relaxing at camp, we tie our laces for the last activity of the day – the short climb to Burawei Lookout for sunset over the gorge. Don’t forget your headtorch!

Another short walk with a decent chunk of incline, this 1.8km return walk from the Visitors Centre includes plenty of insightful signs along the way about the flora, fauna, and history of the gorge, so factor in time to read all about it.

 

 

Once we climb the final stairs to the top, the grand lookout platform gives us a sweeping view of the mouth of Nitmiluk/Katherine Gorge and the savannah plains on the other side of the river. We watch in wonder as the sun sets and shadows fall across the gorge as the sky turns a brilliant shade of blue and purple.

As the light fades, we flick on our headtorches and carefully retrace our steps down the staircases and back to camp.

We fire up the camp oven, crack open our long awaited beers from The Bottle O, and cheers to another unreal day. If you don’t have the facilities to cook for yourself, there’s a kiosk by the pool within the campground that serves up meals and is open from 12pm-8pm.

 

Day 3 – Nitmiluk/Katherine Gorge to Darwin

Distance: 345km
Duration: 3.5 hours

We wake up early, smash a coffee, pack down camp, and grab our dry bags cause this morning, we’re going canoeing! Down by the river, we board a large boat with a few other people and pull out into the gorge, heading upstream between the magnificent sandstone walls.

After 20 minutes of cruising, we land by a rocky platform and pair up to claim one of the many double canoes floating nearby. After a quick briefing, we’re slicing through the water with our paddles and peacefully making our way through the gorge, peering up at the sheer walls that tower above.

 

 

We get a few hours to explore the gorge, find hidden waterfalls, laze on warm rocks, and dive in for a refreshing swim before we have to be back by the boat.

Back on the boat and cruising back to the visitor’s centre, we keep eyes peeled for sunbaking crocs. By the time we make it back to our cars and into Katherine, it’s lunchtime (and we’ve still got a big drive ahead of us).

Read more: How To Stay Safe in Croc Country

We pay a visit to Maidens Lane for lunch, one of Katherine’s hidden gems tucked away off the main strip. After an extra coffee to keep us perky for the drive home, we clamber back into the cars and hit the Stuart Highway for the 3.5 hour drive, destination Darwin.

Tips for Driving from Darwin to Katherine

  • No matter what time of year you drive from Darwin to Katherine, it’s going to be hot! If you’re not used to hiking in the heat, try to go early in the morning, take plenty of water, cover up, and take it slow
  • There’s plenty more to do around Katherine, so if you have time, don’t rush back to Darwin, keep exploring!

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