Darwin to Katherine drive: Best road trip stops, distance & time

The Darwin to Katherine drive through the Northern Territory is 317km in distance. The Darwin to Katherine driving time is around 3h12m. There aren’t many great stops in the way, so you might as well make it part of a wider Top End driving route.

Planning a Darwin to Katherine road trip itinerary

Nitmiluk National Park is one of the highlights of the Northern Territory’s Top End. It’s home to Katherine Gorge, which offers cruises and canoeing tours through the towering, rugged gorge walls.

Darwin, meanwhile, 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.

After a Katherine Gorge day tour from Darwin? Then skip the driving info, and book here.

The nearest town to Nitmiluk National Park is Katherine, which is a logical staging post for a night or two on the journey across central Australia. The same applies if you’re just coming down from Northern Territory capital Darwin to see Katherine Gorge. You’re realistically going to need to stay the night.

Katherine Gorge canoe tour — A Katherine Gorge canoeing tour with Nitmiluk Tours allows you to explore Nitmiluk National Park closer to the water. Photo courtesy of Tourism Australia/Nicholas Kavo.

Darwin to Katherine drive distance

The Darwin to Katherine drive is 317km long, with almost all of that distance from the northernmost city in Australia down the notorious Stuart Highway. Done in one stint, this Darwin to Katherine drive should take around three hours and 12 minutes. However, you might want to stop off along the way, increasing the driving time.

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.

BOOK NOW, PAY LATER

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.

The route along the Stuart Highway goes through Palmerston, Howard Springs, Coolalinga, McMinns Lagoon and Humpty Doo, before skirting Acacia Hills and the Manton Dam. The turn-off for Litchfield National Park comes just before Coomalie Creek. If you ignore that, the Stuart Highway continues past Tortilla Flats, then reaches Adelaide River.

Attractions between Darwin and Katherine: Adelaide River crocodile cruises

If you’re thinking of doing one of the famous Adelaide River jumping crocodile cruises here, prepare to be very disappointed. The cruises – where crocs jump out of the water trying to catch meat being dangled over the side of the boat – do take place on the Adelaide River. But they’re much further downstream, where the Arnhem Highway towards Kakadu National Park crosses the river. Adelaide River, the town, is miles away.

The only other settlement of any size before Katherine is Pine Creek. Don’t expect to see much there.

Darwin to Katherine: Katherine attractions

Good things to do in Katherine include the Katherine Hot Springs, the Katherine Outback Experience and the Top Didj Cultural Experience.

Katherine accommodation choices include the reliable three star Contour Hotel, the pool-centred Knotts Crossing Resort and the family-friendly Discovery holiday park.

Darwin to Katherine drive as part of a Northern Territory driving route

Given that the drive from Darwin to Katherine is pretty boring, you’re better off incorporating it into a wider loop of the Top End. The three great Top End National Parks – Kakadu, Nitmiluk and Litchfield can be weaved into a Top End driving route.

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.

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.