Mataranka to Darwin road trip: Your guide to the best stops
Mataranka to Darwin drive: Litchfield National Park and Humpty Doo
The main attraction on the Katherine to Darwin leg of the drive is Litchfield National Park. The turn-off is at Batchelor. Highlights here include waterfalls such as Florence Falls, Tolmer Falls and Wangi Falls, swimming in the Buley Rockhole and checking out the giant termite mounds.
Accommodation is available at the Batchelor Butterfly Farm, Litchfield Tourist Park and Litchfield Outback Resort for those who wish to stay overnight and spend more time exploring. There are also several Litchfield National Park campgrounds.
Further north along the Stuart Highway, you’ll pass the Manton Dam Recreation Area before arriving at the junction with the Arnhem Highway. Here, the townlet of Humpty Doo offers the Darwin Wildlife Sanctuary, the Didgeridoo Hut and Art Gallery and birdlife-filled McMinn’s Lagoon.
Next up: Darwin attractions and accommodation.