Is there a Top End driving route through Kakadu, Nitmiluk and Litchfield National Parks?
Nature’s Way is the Top End driving route through Kakadu, Nitmiluk and Litchfield National Parks. It covers many of the best attractions in the Northern Territory in four to six days.
The size of the Northern Territory in Australia shouldn’t be underestimated. That said, many of the best things to do in the Northern Territory can be combined in one of two driving routes.
The first of these is through the Red Centre, combining Uluru, Kata-Tjuta and Kings Canyon. The second takes in the main attractions of the Top End on a loop from Northern Territory capital Darwin.
4 Kakadu experiences worth booking in advance
- Full day Kakadu tour from Darwin.
- Corroboree Billabong wetland cruises.
- Full day Arnhem Land tour from Jabiru.
- The Yellow Water crocodile cruise in Cooinda.
Nature’s Way: The Top End driving route
Marketed by Tourism NT as Nature’s Way, this Top End driving route combines Kakadu, Nitmiluk and Litchfield National Parks. It officially stretches for 457km through the Top End, but there are bound to be a few judicious detours en route. Allocate four to six days to the drive if you don’t want to feel too rushed.
Starting off down the Arnhem Highway from Darwin to Jabiru, Nature’s Way passes the Corroboree Billabong – a good bet for a crocodile-spotting cruise before entering the World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park.
This is Australia’s biggest national park and it offers a beguiling mix of nature and culture. Stop at the Mamukala Wetlands for high quality bird-watching before arriving in main settlement Jabiru. This is where you’ll find the Bowali Visitor Centre and a bizarre crocodile-shaped hotel. A diversion towards Arnhem Land leads to the rock art and look out at Ubirr, plus the notorious croc-filled Cahills Crossing.
Swinging back south-west on the Kakadu Highway, you’ll come to Nourlangie, home to the Anbangbang rock art gallery. If you’re in a 4WD vehicle, you can get to Jim Jim Falls and Twin Falls in the dry season. If not, further on at Cooinda is the departure point for wildlife cruises on the Yellow Water Billabong.
Driving to Nitmiluk and Litchfield National Park
The Kakadu Highway continues to Pine Creek, where it meets the Stuart Highway. Carry on as far to Katherine for Katherine Gorge in Nitmiluk National Park. Hard core walkers can attempt the five day Jatbula Trail here, but everyone else will prefer a gorge cruise or canoeing tour through Katherine Gorge.
Six amazing day trips from Darwin that will improve your visit
- Litchfield National Park day tour – including jumping crocodile cruise. (💲 Great value 💲)
- Tiwi Islands Indigenous cultural experience including ferry.
- One day or four day Kakadu National Park tour.
- Kakadu scenic flight – with gorges, waterfalls and epic floodplains. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Full day Katherine day tour – including Katherine Gorge cruise.
- Arnhem Land full day tour – with ancient rock art.
After that, it’s time to head back north up the Stuart Highway to Litchfield National Park. It’s possible to go camping in Litchfield and walk the Tabletop Track, but most visitors come for the waterfalls and giant termite mounds. If you skip Litchfield, the drive from Katherine to Darwin takes around three-and-a-half hours.
For most of the year, you’ll not need a 4WD vehicle to drive Nature’s Way. That said, be wary and check road reports in the wet season – especially between January and March. The highways have been known to flood to the point of unusability.
7 great Darwin experiences to book before arriving
- Swim face to face with an enormous crocodile in the Cage of Death.
- Enjoy the romance of Darwin Harbour on a sunset dinner cruise aboard a traditional fishing ketch.
- Explore Darwin’s food and art scenes on a 3.5 hour walking tour – with lunch or dinner included.
- Flit between Darwin’s top attractions with a hop-on, hop-off bus tour.
- Combine a wildlife tour with the famous jumping crocodiles cruise.
- Get a history fix on a Bombing of Darwin WWII tour and harbour cruise.
- Get the adrenalin pumping on a high speed airboat or jetski tour.
More Northern Territory travel
Get drunk at the Daly Waters Pub on the drive from Tennant Creek to Katherine.
How long is the drive from Alice Springs to Tennant Creek?
Swim at Ormiston Gorge in the West MacDonnell National Park.
What are the Aboriginal six seasons in the Northern Territory?
Enjoy the Sounds of Silence Dinner from a dune top next to Uluru.