Townsville to Darwin road trip: Distance, drive time & best stops
Townsville 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.
Top Darwin accommodation picks include the well-located Adina Darwin Waterfront and the apartment-style Oaks Elan Darwin.
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.
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.
6 Townsville experiences to book in advance
- Magnetic Island ferry tickets.
- SS Yongala wreck dive.
- Great Barrier Reef and Museum of Underwater Art cruise.
- Helicopter ride along the coast.
- Sunset sailing cruise.
- Jetski tour to Cape Pallarenda.
Townsville accommodation recommendations
The best bets for Townsville accommodation are…
- For beachside location: Water’s Edge The Strand.
- For a good value, well located motel: Yongala Lodge By The Strand.
- For a sassy, chic resort: Rambutan Resort.
- For families: Discovery Parks Townsville.
- For business-friendly apartments: Quest Townsville on Eyre.
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.