Townsville to Darwin road trip: Distance, drive time & best stops
Attractions between Townsville and Darwin: Katherine and Nitmiluk National Park
The Sterling Mill Rest Area and King River Rest Area are journey breaks on the leg from Mataranka to Katherine. But the section of a massive limestone karst system known as the Cutta Cutta Caves is the highlight.
Katherine is usually seen as a base for visiting Nitmiluk National Park, where the Katherine Gorge cruises and canoe tours are staples of a Top End holiday itinerary.
Great things to do in Katherine itself include bathing at the Katherine Hot Springs, as well as the Katherine Outback Experience and the Top Didj Cultural Experience.
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.
The turn off for Leliyn (Edith Falls), with its glorious natural swimming pool, is a little further along the Stuart Highway.
Click through for the next section: Pine Creek and Adelaide River.