Brisbane to Darwin road trip: Best stops, distance & drive time
Brisbane to Darwin road trip: Litchfield National Park and Darwin
The main highlight on the Katherine to Darwin leg of the drive is Litchfield National Park. Turn off at Batchelor for waterfalls such as Florence Falls, Tolmer Falls and Wangi Falls, swims in the Buley Rockhole and the fields of giant termite mounds.
If you want to stay overnight, accommodation options include the Batchelor Butterfly Farm, Litchfield Tourist Park and Litchfield Outback Resort. There are also several Litchfield National Park campgrounds.
Carry on along the Stuart Highway, you pass the Manton Dam Recreation Area before arriving at the Arnhem Highway junction. Here, the tiny town of Humpty Doo is home to the Darwin Wildlife Sanctuary, the Didgeridoo Hut and Art Gallery and birdwatcher-friendly McMinn’s Lagoon.
The best of Darwin
The drive into Darwin is via underwhelming satellite towns Howard Springs and Palmerston. You’ll also pass croc farm Crocodylus Park and the mangrove-heavy Charles Darwin National Park.
Top Darwin accommodation picks include the well-located Adina Darwin Waterfront and the apartment-style Oaks Elan Darwin.
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.
Darwin attractions include the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, the Darwin Ferris Wheel, the Wave Lagoon and the Cage of Death crocodile swim.
For experiences, try sunset dinner cruises, jet ski tours and the Darwin water park.
The best places to stay in Darwin
You can check out deals on a wide range of Darwin accommodation options. But these are some of the best choices.
- For luxury on a special occasion: The superior suites with direct lagoon pool access at the Mindil Beach Casino Resort.
- For the buzziest location at the Waterfront: Adina Apartment Hotel Darwin Waterfront.
- The one with the best guest ratings: Hudson Parap.
- For affordable city centre apartments with a pool: City Gardens Apartments.
- For the magic combo of quality, price and location: Travelodge Resort Darwin.