Northern Territory Suggested Itineraries

Itineraries complied have been supplied by Thrifty Territory Rent a Car. Please contact Travel Online to book your self-drive holiday. We have a variety of accommodation to suit all your needs or budget and our service is FREE.

Itinerary 1 - Darwin & Surrounding Area

Hand feed the fish at Doctor's Gully, stop off at the NT Museum of Arts and Sciences or Darwin Aviation Museum and then prepare yourself for a walk through history at the Fannie Bay Gaol Museum. Relax over lunch at the Darwin Wharf Precinct which overlooks the Darwin Harbour and has a wide range of mouth watering treats. Take a leisurely drive along the winding ocean road and enjoy the beautiful scenery Darwin has to offer or visit the brand new Crocodylus Park Education & Research Centre. Finish off your day with some last minute shopping at Casuarina Shopping Square or the City Centre and then make your way to the Skycity Casino where you can participate in a spot of gambling or enjoy an evening meal. On Thursday evenings during the dry season (May to October) visit the Mindil Beach Markets, watch the setting sun and dine on a variety of tasty treats offered by more than 60 food stalls from more than 20 countries.

Itinerary 2 - Darwin to Territory Wildlife Park

Get back to nature for the day in the unique surrounds of Humpty Doo Reptile Park, Crocodile Farm and the Territory Wildlife Park. At the Territory Wildlife Park you can hold Monty the resident reptile and view the magnificent wedge tailed eagle. Take a leisurely stroll through a large dome aviary which allows visitors to get close to native birdlife or walk through an aquarium tunnel where Barramundi, turtles and sawfish swim overhead. Visit Australia's largest Nocturnal House where day has been transformed into night enabling a unique look at nocturnal wildlife including a Rock Wallaby and Ghost Bat. The Park is set in 400 acres of bushland and can be reached by travelling along the Cox Peninsula Road from Darwin and then following the signs. Further up the road is the Majestic Orchid Farm, which is the largest tropical orchid farm in Australia. See how orchids are grown or even go for a horse back ride.
[Darwin accommodation] [Darwin tours]

Itinerary 3 - Darwin to Litchfield Park

Enclosing much of the table top range is 146,000 largely untouched hectares of wide sandstone plateau surrounded by cliffs. The park's main attractions are the four spring fed waterfalls which drop off the edge of this plateau and the neighbouring rainforest patches. On the eastern side of the plateau is Florence Falls, and an excellent swimming hole in the dry season. Wangi Falls flows all year and is surrounded by extensive picnic and camping areas. The best all year round access to Litchfield Park is from Batchelor into the east end of the park. If you enter the park from Batchelor, it is 18km from the park boundary to the Florence Falls turn-off. [Litchfield Tours]

Itinerary 4 - Darwin to Kakadu

Kakadu encompasses a variety of superb landscapes, wildlife and some of Australia's best known Aboriginal rock art. Features to visit change according to the season and weather conditions. Visit Ubirr and Nourlangie Rock or try a wetlands cruise on Yellow Water Billabong. Scenic flights by helicopter or twin engine plane over Jim Jim Falls and Twin Falls are also on offer for those who want to see it all. To get to Kakadu National Park, take the Stuart Highway out of Darwin and turn-off on the Arnhem Highway, then following the signs. A park entrance fee is payable and remains valid for 14 days.
[Kakadu accommodation] [Kakadu tours]

Itinerary 5 - Kakadu to Katherine

On leaving Kakadu, travel via the Arnhem Highway to the Stuart Highway and follow the signs to Katherine or alternatively take the Kakadu Hwy via Pine Creek and follow the signs to Katherine. Along the way you can stop off and see the Jumping Crocodiles at the Adelaide River. Just south of Katherine are the Cutta Cutta Caves - limestone caverns 24km south-east of Katherine - which feature orange horseshoe bats, a rare and endangered species that roost in the main cave, and also some spectacular rock formations on the outside of the caves. Also a must is a visit to Katherine Gorge where you will view gorges separated from each other by rapids of varying lengths. During the dry season the gorge waters are calm, but from November to March they can become a raging torrent. It is 30km by sealed road from Katherine to the visitors centre and the camp site and approximately 1km further to the car park where the gorge begins and cruises start. [Katherine accommodation] [Katherine tours]

Itinerary 6 - Katherine to Tennant Creek

Take the Stuart Highway south en route to Tennant Creek - one of Australia's best known gold mining towns. Approximately 103km south-east of Katherine is Mataranka Homestead, 7km off the highway south of the small town. Here you will find a thermal pool surrounded by a rainforest and it is just the place to relax and enjoy Mother Nature - there's no charge. Mataranka also provides accommodation - camp sites, motels or youth hostel, and meals. On arriving in Tennant Creek you can visit the Tennant Creek Battery, where gold-bearing ore was crushed and treated up until the 1900's. The Battery is still in good working order and tours are conducted daily from April to October. Along this road you will find the One Tank Hill lookout or visit the National Trust Museum on Schmidt Street which features reconstructed mining scenes.

Itinerary 7 - Tennant Creek to Alice Springs

Follow the Stuart Highway south from Tennant Creek and after 90kms, you will see the Devil's Marbles, a collection of spherical boulders scattered on both sides of the road. Aboriginal myth says that they were scattered by a Rainbow Serpent. Other attractions in this area include the Stuart Memorial, commemorating John Stuart and east of the highway is Central Mt Stuart which is the geographical centre of Australia. At Barrow Creek there is an old post office telegraph repeater station. It was attacked by Aborigines in 1874 and the graves of the station master and linesman can be seen from the road. [Alice Springs accommodation] [Alice Springs tours]

Itinerary 8 - Alice Springs & Surrounding Area

Arrive in Alice Springs, take a leisurely stroll around the heritage walk where you can travel back in time. The historical sites include memorials, Panorama Guth, a gaol, old homes, an early school, the first Government Residence and the Royal Flying Doctor service. There is also the opportunity to take a camel out for dinner or visit the only winery in the Northern Territory. See the MacDonnell Ranges & Alice Springs from the air in a hot air balloon. [Alice Springs accommodation] [Alice Springs tours]

Itinerary 9 - Alice Springs to Uluru (Ayers Rock)

Travel further through this harsh landscape to visit the world's largest Monolith (Ayers Rock), approximately 460km from Alice Springs. Along the way, visit the Ranger Station for information and advice. Muruka Arts and Crafts Centre adjoins the Ranger Station where Aboriginal handcrafts are on display and for sale. Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) are amongst the worlds greatest natural wonders. Owned by the traditional Aboriginal people, there is a great deal to enjoy in this park, including the magnificent views, photography, sunset and sunrise over the rock. Walk up and around both the rock and the Olgas. Accommodation and camping facilities are available at Ayers Rock Resort beside the Park, but no camping is allowed in the park.
[Ayers Rock accommodation] [Ayers Rock tours]

Itinerary 10 - Alice Springs to Kings Canyon

From Alice Springs you can travel onto the photographic wonderland of Kings Canyon, approximately 197kms along the Stuart Highway and turn off onto Lasseters Highway a further 199kms to Kings Canyon itself. Dubbed "Australia's Grand Canyon", Kings Canyon is a spectacular gorge with natural features such as the Lost City and the lush palms of the narrow gorge called the Garden of Eden. Kings Canyon offers superb views and some not so difficult walking trails. Alternative route to Kings Canyon is via the Mereenie Loop Road (remote area vehicle is required for this journey).
[Kings Canyon accommodation]

Itinerary 11 - Kings Canyon to Uluru (Ayers Rock)

Leave Kings Canyon in the morning to see many different colours of the Watarka National Park. The maze of rock domes lie at the start to the Mereenie Loop Road at Kings Canyon. Travel the Ernest Giles Road to Luritja Road and then on to the Lassiters Highway leading you to Ayers Rock. [Ayers Rock accommodation] [Ayers Rock tours]

Itinerary 12 - Uluru (Ayers Rock) to Adelaide

Leave Ayers Rock enroute to Adelaide, enter the Stuart Highway, turn right and travel south 485km to Coober Pedy, the opal capital of the world. See the famous gemstones and how the people who mine them have built their homes underground. Continue your journey to Adelaide to enjoy the many vineyards and historical sites that surround the countryside. [Adelaide accommodation]

Ayers Rock Uluru Kings Canyon Katherine Gorge Kakadu Palm Valley Kakadu National Park Kakadu National Park