The best places to camp from Darwin to Kakadu and Katherine

The driving route from Darwin to Katherine via Kakadu and Nitmiluk national parks is a popular one.

But it does require a little planning ahead – including knowing where to pitch your tent. We did the hard work for you: here are the best campsites from Darwin to Kakadu and Katherine.

Warm nights, bright stars, and the rush of nearby waterfalls – camping in the Top End is paradisiacal fare for summer-loving campers.

From May to September, the tropical dry season , rain is off the agenda; and that means camping without a tent fly and enjoying open access to the skies. With the city lights in your rear view mirror, set out from Darwin and explore these idyllic NT campsites.

1. Best places to camp from Darwin to Kakadu (Jabiru)

Mary River

The Arnhem Highway, linking Darwin with the gateway town to Kakadu National Park, carries you across five of the Top End’s eight rivers. Mary River National Park sits roughly at the halfway point along this journey.

Camp at Couzen’s Lookout, where sunset views stretch across a river system teeming with birdlife, crocs, paperbark trees and lotus flowers.

Cost: $3.30 per adult, per night
Facilities: campsite only, but the nearby Shady Camp has toilets and showers
4WD required: yes

Ubirr

One kilometre north of Jabiru you’ll pass the turn-off to Ubirr, one of the most evocative rock art sites in Kakadu.

Merl Campground sits three kilometres from the main rock formations, and is a great base for bushwalking along the East Alligator River and seeing the sun descend over the stone country of Arnhem Land.

Cost: $15 per adult, per night
Facilities: toilets, showers and picnic tables
4WD required: no

2. Best places to camp from Kakadu (Jabiru) to Pine Creek

Maguk

Travel south along the highway to visit Maguk , a larger swimming hole tucked behind a rolling trail of rocks and black wattle.

Photography: Dillon Seitchik-Reardon — The Maguk waterhole can be serene or for the more adventurous. Image courtesy: Dillon Seitchik-Reardon

The campsite is set in a quiet nook, one kilometre shy of the pools. After you’ve plunged inside Maguk’s sparkling emerald waters, follow the walking trail leading to a serene series of rock pools set above the main swimming zone.

Cost: $6 per adult, per night
Facilities: pit toilets and picnic tables4
WD required: yes

3. Best campsites Pine Creek to Nitmiluk (Katherine)

Discovery Parks Katherine

Lean into a smorgasbord of amenities at Discovery Parks Katherine , located about a 10-minute drive north-east of the local Woolworths and main life source (aka, the pub). New cabins with split-system air conditioning are up for grabs, as are budget-friendly rooms and campsites, and if you visit after April 2025, you’ll also find an additional spread of new cabins. Meanwhile, a swimming pool, barbecue, laundry, kiosk and wi-fi should sort out every one of you.

Umbrawarra Gorge

At this stunning and secluded gorge, red cliffs rise above a small sandy beach. The water here is crystal clear – but be sure to visit early in the dry to see the nearby creek flow (and keep an eye out for rock art on the gorge walls, too).

The Umbrawarra Gorge campsite – close to a tin mine site from the early 1900s – is small and sits one-kilometre back from the waterhole. Take the picturesque walking trail to the gorge early in the morning to maximise your tranquillity levels.

Cost: $3.30 per adult, per night

Facilities: barbeque and toilet

4WD required: yes

Nitmiluk National Park

Camp beside a cavernous gorge at Smitt Rock in Nitmiluk National Park, where red-tailed black cockatoos soar in the sky and a rambling track leads to a swimmable pool.

072 Smitt Rock, Katherine Gorge, NT — The spectacular sky as seen from the camp site at Smitt Rock, Nitmiluk National Park.

This is another of the Top End’s most jaw-dropping sites, but you’ll need to devote serious puff to getting here – namely, a 24-kilometre return walk along Nitmiluk’s Southern Walks trail.

Looking down at Smitt Rock during the day, Nitmiluk National Park. Image Courtesy Tourism NT / Shaana McNaught

Cost: $3.30 per adult, per night

Facilities: toilet only

4WD required: no

4. Best campsites Nitmiluk (Katherine) to Darwin

Douglas River Esplanade Conservation Area

Travel along the Stuart Highway and take the scenic route north of Hayes Creek, following Oolloo Road until you reach Douglas River Esplanade Conservation Area.

A top pick for families with young kids, these shallow thermal hot springs feature quiet pools tucked inside a thicket of wattle and melaleuca trees.

The relaxing thermal pools of Tjuwaliyn (Douglas) Hot Springs Nature Park are a hit with all travellers. The springs are an oasis in the middle of the dry woodland, attracting birds and wildlife. like bandicoots, quolls and flying foxes. Image Courtesy Tourism NT / Nathan McNeil

Stroll along the river and picnic on the sandy banks. Nine campsites nudge the surrounding bushland, and a small store sells supplies.

Cost: $6.60 per adult, per night

Facilities: toilet only

4WD required: yes

Litchfield National Park

One hundred and forty kilometres further north lies Litchfield, home to an abundance of achingly pretty waterfalls and swimming holes. The most iconic of these is Wangi Falls.

Its campground has all the comforts, including wi-fi. Take the two-kilometre loop walk past a colony of fruit bats for views of the sparkling green lower pools, then pull out your swimwear and lounge beneath the twin falls.

An aerial of Wangi Falls, including the visitor centre and camping facilities at left. Image Courtesy Tourism NT / Dan Moore

Near to the smaller of these streams you’ll find a plunge pool thought to be a traditional fertility site for Litchfield’s Aboriginal people. Other waterholes with camping facilities worth a look in Litchfield include Florence Falls and Buley Rockhole.

Cost: $6.60 per adult, per night

Facilities: showers, toilets, cooking facilities and barbecues

4WD required: no

For more information on things to do in the NT, visit our Ultimate guide to the NT page and the official Northern Territory website .

Spend a few days visiting the real-life Central Australian locations that inspired the new film everyone is talking about, and discover why Alice Springs is such an important part of Australian culture.

In the credits of the new Australian film Kangaroo , the first name under ‘cast’ should read ‘The Northern Territory ’. Not only is Alice Springs (and the surrounding landscape) integral to the movie itself, but the spiritual heart of Australia and its local Indigenous owners also inform the look and feel of every frame, explains Producer Trisha Morton-Thomas of Brindle Films, who also plays Charlie’s grandmother Gwennie.

“By setting Kangaroo in Alice Springs (Mparntwe), the film embraces how visible Aboriginal people are here, and the living Aboriginal culture that is woven through this community,” she explains.

still from kangarro film — See *Kangaroo*, then visit the real-life filming locations.

And while shooting in such a sacred part of the Northern Territory required extra planning, it was something the cast and crew were highly invested in.

“There are incredibly significant sacred sites and places of deep cultural stories in the area, that at times are very gender-specific, which we’ve kept out of the production,” she explains. “Even if overhead drone footage captures a sacred site that isn’t meant to be seen by other people outside of that clan, we’ve made sure to omit it from the film.”

If Kangaroo piqued your interest in a Central Australian holiday, we don’t blame you. Read on to discover eight places featured in the movie that you can visit in real life – and get planning. Don’t forget to pack sunscreen and a hat.

1. Alice Springs/ Mparntwe

artist at Many Hands Art Centre — Visit the galleries of Alice Springs, like Many Hands Art Centre. (Image: Tourism NT/ Helen Orr/ Many Hands Art Centre)

The red and dusty streets of the film’s fictional town of Silvergum were filmed on the outskirts of Alice Springs. And, while the art gallery featured in the film is fictional, Alice Springs is a hub of creativity. See the work of local artists at the Araluen Art Centre , Yubu Napa Art Gallery , Iltja Ntjarra (Many Hands) Art Centre and the famous Tjanpi Desert Weavers .

2. The Kangaroo Sanctuary & Kangaroo Rescue Centre

The Kangaroo Sanctuary Alice Springs, the inspiration for the Kangaroo move — Visit the movie’s inspiration at Kangaroo Sanctuary. (Image: Tourism NT/ Kangaroo Sanctuary)

Kangaroo was inspired by the journey of Chris ‘Brolga’ Barns, who founded the now world-renowned Kangaroo Sanctuary based in Alice Springs. For lead actor, Aussie Ryan Corr, the animals were central to the movie, alongside the landscapes.

“The animals in this story were a real calling point for me,” he explains. “What this story tries to tell us about the connection between humans and animals is beautiful.”

To gain a real insight into the fauna and flora of the Red Centre, you can visit the Kangaroo Sanctuary on a sunset tour, where you might even get the chance to hold a baby kangaroo.

3. Ormiston Gorge

woman walking along the edge of Ormiston Gorge near alice springs — Take a dip in Ormiston Gorge. (Image: Tourism NT/ @domandjesso)

The film captures the raw beauty of the West MacDonnell Ranges, known in the Arrernte language as Tjoritja. This national park is rich in Indigenous culture and stark geological wonders.

Only a 15-minute drive from Alice Springs, Tjoritja offers visitors the chance to camp, hike and swim among ancient landscapes (most attractions are less than a three-hour drive away).

Ormiston Gorge , a cooling oasis in among the red desert sands, is one of the most popular destinations, no doubt because of the permanent swimming hole and towering red cliffs. From here, visitors can also embark on the beautiful Ormiston Pound Walk and the shorter – more accessible – Ghost Gum Walk. Bring your bathers – it’s safe for swimming.

4. Standley Chasm

woman walking through Standley Chasm near alice springs — Wander through Standley Chasm. (Image: Tourism NT)

The 1.2-kilometre walk to nearby Standley Chasm will be a highlight for any visitor as the imposing 40 metre-high chasm walls project strength and ancient wisdom.

Visit at midday to experience the path illumined by the midday sun. Not only will you fill your camera roll with vibrant red images of the gorge and its intoxicating shadows, but you can also camp nearby in a powered or unpowered site so you can watch the brilliance of the desert stars fill the night sky after dusk.

5. Simpsons Gap

three people walking on path through simpsons gap near alice springs — Walk the trails of Simpson’s Gap. (Image: Tourism NT/ Helen Orr)

Closer to Alice Springs, the photogenic Simpsons Gap is the perfect place to spot the endangered Black-footed Rock wallaby near the permanent watering hole. While swimming isn’t permitted, soaking up the sun and views certainly is.

Explore the area’s numerous walking trails, appreciate the soaring cliffs on either side of the ‘gap’ and pick out the shooting locations of Kangaroo in the area.

6. Ellery Creek Big Hole

aerial of Ellery Creek Big Hole near alice springs — Dive into Ellery Creek Big Hole. (Image: Tourism NT/ Tourism Australia)

When it comes to classic Northern Territory landscapes, you can’t go past Ellery Creek Big Hole/ Udepata : tall gum trees sidling up to a refreshing watering hole (fed by the West MacDonnell Ranges and surrounded by rugged red cliffs.

Swim in the cooling waters, hike the cliff tops, watch for birds and even stargaze as you camp here overnight. It’s locations like this that attracted the film’s director Kate Woods to the project.

“It humbles you to be in this environment: it’s so beautiful, so old and so vast,” she explains. “I was thrilled to get a chance to … shoot such a beautiful story in the incredible landscape of the Northern Territory.”

7. Larapinta Drive

aerial of Larapinta Drive into alice springs — Drive along Larapinta Drive. (Image: Tourism NT)

There is no better way to get a feel for how the characters arrived at the fictional Central Australian town of Silvergum than to travel along the iconic state road, Larapinta Drive.

Connecting Alice Springs to the mighty King’s Canyon in the west, via the historic community of Hermannsburg, this road takes in the West MacDonnell National Park, Alice Springs Desert Park and artist Albert Namatjira’s house, among other attractions. Take your time, bring a camera and prepare for numerous stops along the way.

8. Todd River

competitors in Henley on Todd Regatta, alice springs — Join in the fun of the quirky Henley on Todd Regatta. (Image: Tourism NT/ TImparja Creative)

Meandering through Alice Springs like a lazy Western Brown snake, the Todd River is a central part of Alice Springs culture. Known as an ‘intermittent river’, the Todd can go from a dry dusty riverbed to a flowing waterscape in less than 15 minutes after heavy rainfall.

When it’s dry, the famous Henley on Todd Regatta fills the sandy riverbed with handmade ‘boats’ carried by sailors. This is the world’s only dry river boating event, and it’s referenced in the ‘Silvergum Boat Race’ in the movie. Inspired by the real-life event, the characters built quirky “Flintstones-style boats” and competed in teams.

See Kangaroo in cinemas now, and start planning your NT getaway at northernterritory.com.