Melbourne to Darwin road trip: Distance, drive time & best stops
Into the tropics
From Daly Waters to Katherine, the main attraction is the Mataranka Hot Springs in Elsey National Park next to the Mataranka Homestead. Your Mataranka accommodation options are between the Mataranka Roadhouse and Territory Manor Motel and Caravan Park.
Katherine is most famous for being the gateway to Katherine Gorge in Nitmiluk National Park – take a gorge cruise or kayaking tour. Katherine is also home to the Katherine Hot Springs, the Katherine Outback Experience and the Top Didj Aboriginal cultural experience.
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.
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.
