Katherine to Timber Creek drive: Distance, time & road trip stops

The Katherine to Timber Creek drive in the Northern Territory covers a 290km distance in a driving time of around three hours. The only real road trip stop along the way is the Victoria River Roadhouse.

The Katherine to Timber Creek drive is one generally undertaken on the way into Western Australia from the Northern Territory. Most driving it are likely to being on a longer road trip from Darwin to Kununurra, the first town of any real size over the Western Australian border.

Katherine to Timber Creek distance and driving time

By car, the distance from Katherine to Timber Creek is 290km. You can expect a driving time of around three hours. The drive is along the Victoria Highway, which is the name given to National Highway 1 in these parts.

On the way out of Katherine, you’ll go past the Katherine Hot Springs, which is about as exciting as it’s going to get in terms of tourist attractions for the next two hours.

Katherine to Timber Creek road trip stops: Victoria River Roadhouse

The first realistic road trip stop on the Katherine to Timber Creek drive is Gregory on the Victoria River. This is the home of the Victoria River Roadhouse, which should sort you out for fuel, drinks and food.

However, there are a couple of good walking tracks by the Victoria River worth considering, too. The easiest of these is the 1.8km Nawulbinbin Walk, which is a moderate loop starting at the Joe Creek Picnic Area.

Harder work, but with bigger rewards in terms of views is the 2.4km walk to the Escarpment Lookout.

What to do in Timber Creek

Timber Creek is the next town along, about half way between Katherine and Kununurra. Accommodation options here include the Timber Creek Hotel and Caravan Park, plus the Wirib Store and Tourism Park.

Things to do in Timber Creek include visiting the Timber Creek Police Station Complex, which gives a sobering look at the treatment of Aboriginal Australians.

There’s also the Gregory Tree – a massive boab tree that marks the camp of the North Australia Expedition in 1855-56. It’s inside Gregory National Park, which requires a 4WD vehicle for any serious exploration.