Mackay to Darwin road trip: Distance, drive time & best stops
Mackay to Darwin road trip: Litchfield National Park and Humpty Doo
The key attraction on the Katherine to Darwin leg of the drive is Litchfield National Park. You need to turn off at Batchelor for waterfalls such as Florence Falls, Tolmer Falls and Wangi Falls. Other highlights of Litchfield include swims in the Buley Rockhole and the fields of giant termite mounds.
For an overnight stay, take a look at the Batchelor Butterfly Farm, Litchfield Tourist Park and Litchfield Outback Resort. There are also multiple Litchfield National Park campgrounds.
Continue along the Stuart Highway, and you pass the Manton Dam Recreation Area before arriving at the junction with the Arnhem Highway.
The small settlement of Humpty Doo hosts the Darwin Wildlife Sanctuary, the Didgeridoo Hut and Art Gallery and birdwatcher-haven McMinn’s Lagoon.
Drive into Darwin
The drive into Darwin comes via unexciting satellite towns Howard Springs and Palmerston. The route also passes croc farm Crocodylus Park and the mangrove-lined Charles Darwin National Park.
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.
Top Darwin accommodation picks include the well-located Adina Darwin Waterfront and the apartment-style Oaks Elan Darwin.
Darwin attractions include the Darwin Ferris Wheel, the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, the Wave Lagoon and the Cage of Death crocodile swim.
For experiences, take a look at sunset dinner cruises, jet ski tours and the Darwin water park.
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.
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.
More Northern Territory travel
Is the free Ayers Rock Resort shuttle bus any use?
Swim in the gorge at Maguk in Kakadu National Park.
Take a Darwin Harbour brunch cruise aboard a 20 metre schooner.
How to avoid flies at Uluru.
Are the Yellow Water Villas the best accommodation in Kakadu?