Darwin to Daly Waters: Distance, driving time and road trip stops

The Darwin to Daly Waters drive covers a 590km distance, with a driving time of around 6h3m. The best road trip stops are in Litchfield National Park, Katherine Gorge and the Mataranka Hot Springs.

The drive from Darwin to Daly Waters makes a logical first leg on the long journey from Darwin to Cairns via the Carpentaria Highway.

Darwin brings schooner cruises, airboat tours and cage-swimming with massive crocodiles. To search for the best Darwin accommodation deals, head here. To check out the full range of tours and experiences available, go here.

Daly Waters is where the Carpentaria Highway meets the Stuart Highway coming down from Darwin. It is also home to the Daly Waters Pub, a classic outback pub offering good food, live music and accommodation.

Darwin to Daly Waters distance and driving time

The distance from Darwin to Daly Waters by car is 590km. This makes for a driving time of six hours and three minutes. However, there are several road trip attractions on the way that make doing this journey in one stint seem like something of a waste.

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.

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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.

On the Darwin to Katherine stretch of the drive from Darwin to Daly Waters, the obvious first stop is Litchfield National Park. Here you can take in several waterfalls, swim in the Buley Rockhole and admire the giant termite mounds.

Darwin to Daly Waters road trip stops: Katherine

The biggest town on the drive, and most logical overnight stop, is Katherine. Nearby Katherine Gorge in Nitmiluk National Park is one of the Northern Territory’s undisputed highlights. But there are other attractions in town, too. Good bets include the around the town, too. Highlights include the Top Didj Cultural Experience, Katherine Hot Springs and Katherine Museum.

Katherine experiences to book in advance

Two gorge boat cruise through Nitmiluk National Park – with commentary on nature, wildlife and Aboriginal Dreaming stories.
Half day Nitmiluk Gorge canoe hire – get closer to nature, paddling through at your own pace.
Outback show with live music, horse and working dog demonstrations.
Top Didj Aboriginal cultural experience – learn about ancient customs and feed baby wallabies.
Cutta Cutta Caves guided tour – spot bats and birds in the limestone cave system.

Best Katherine accommodation

The best Katherine accommodation choices are:

For a pool-based resort: Knotts Crossing Resort.
For location next to Katherine Gorge: Nitmiluk Chalets.
For really good value: Pine Tree Motel.
For a solid holiday park: Big4 Breeze or Discovery Parks – Katherine.
For glamping with a view: Gorge View Bush Retreat.

Nitmiluk National Park cruise through Katherine Gorge, Northern Territory. Photo courtesy of Tourism NT/Backyard Bandits.

The Katherine to Daly Waters section of the drive doesn’t have as many obvious attractions, alas.

Darwin to Daly Waters drive: Mataranka and Larrimah

The next logical stop is Mataranka, gateway to the Elsey National Park around the Roper River. Here, the Mataranka Hot Springs near the Mataranka Homestead are a fantastic place for a thermally-heated swim.

Mataranka Thermal Pool in Mataranka, Northern Territory. Photo courtesy of Tourism NT/Natalie Sum.

There’s not much to see on the section from Mataranka to Daly Waters. That said, you can see the ruins of the Gorrie Airfield, an important WWII base, and stop for refreshments at the Pink Panther Roadhouse in Larrimah.

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.