How To Have The Perfect Family Holiday In The Top End

Take the kids wild swimming, croc-spotting and waterfall chasing with our guide to the best of the Top End for families.

There are a tonne of activities to do in the NT’s Top End, so it’s important to have a plan before you arrive. To help make things easier, here’s our seven- to 14-day itinerary for families on a self-drive holiday.

Darwin – Days 1 & 2

Start your visit to Darwin with a trip to the popular Crocosaurus Cove. The Cage of Death – Australia’s only ‘crocodile dive’ – is bound to get the adrenaline pumping, with parents and kids aged 15 and older able to descend into a pool with a saltie. If you have younger children, there’s still plenty of things to do, including holding a baby croc. Meantime, if your stay includes a Thursday or Sunday, take the kids to the famous Mindil Beach Sunset Market. Operating during the dry season (April–Oct), arrive when the markets open at 4pm to avoid the crowds and sample plenty of Asian cuisine.

Don’t miss: Finishing your night with mango, coconut or dragon fruit sorbet on the beach.

Darwin to Litchfield National Park – Day 3

120 kilometres

You could spend days exploring the delights of Litchfield National Park but if you only have a week, the two highlights are spring-fed Florence Falls and Wangi Falls. Florence is a good spot to start as it gets busy and is relatively small. It’s also easy to reach via a staircase from a car park.

Wangi Falls is much larger and although it, too, gets busy there is a lot more room for floating around. There are campsites within strolling distance of Florence, but if your family doesn’t camp, book a room in nearby Batchelor.

Don’t miss: Buley Rockhole, if you can squeeze in one more natural attraction. The rock hole is a series of tiered pools, with the shallow top pool great for toddlers and the lower, deeper pools fun for teens.

Litchfield to Mataranka – Day 4

422 kilometres

Hit the road early so you arrive in Elsey National Park with plenty of time, ready for a dip in the relaxing Mataranka Thermal Pool . In the dry season (winter), the place can get crowded with grey nomads but it’s still a great spot for families, with the water temperature around 34 degrees.

Follow the path through towering palms until you reach the spring with its clear, aqua water (entry is free). Camp in the park or stay at Mataranka Homestead.

Don’t miss: Bitter Springs (two kilometres away from Mataranka town), where the current will whisk you down the impossibly blue creek to a timber walkway that takes you back to the starting point. It’s like a lagoon ride at a theme park, only natural.

Mataranka to Katherine, via Cutta Cutta Caves – Day 5

106 kilometres

Around 15 metres below the earth are Cutta Cutta Caves, formed millions of years ago. Located in a 1499-hectare nature park of the same name, the caves are open year-round but can close due to weather conditions. Follow the Tropical Woodland walk, which takes around 20 minutes (return). Keep your eyes peeled for the rare orange horseshoe bat and blind shrimps. Yep, you heard right.

Don’t miss: An hour-long guided tour of the caves with Nitmiluk Tours.

Katherine to Darwin – Day 6

316 kilometres

Stock up on healthy car snacks in Katherine before you hit the road for the drive back to Darwin. Once you reach the city, call into Leanyer Recreation Park, which has free entry.

Families can easily pass a few hours here, with toddlers enjoying the splash area, mini waterslides and playground, older kids flying down the bigger slides and hitting up the skate park, and parents soaking in the lagoon-style pool. You can picnic here or buy an easy lunch from the kiosk.

Darwin – Day 7

Round out your Top End trip by spending a morning or afternoon at Darwin Wave Lagoon. Parents will be transported back to their youth as they splash about in rings and push the kids on bodyboards at this fantastic attraction (children under three are free). Afterwards, let teenagers test their balance on the inflatable obstacle course in the Recreation Lagoon, while little ones enjoy the nearby playground.

Darwin Harbor, Northern Territory, Australia. — Beautiful sunset at Darwin Harbour, Northern Territory, Australia.

Don’t miss: An ice cream under the palms on the foreshore or a seafood lunch at Stokes Hill Wharf, within strolling distance.

If you have 14 days…

Add these destinations to your itinerary.

Darwin to Cooinda Lodge, Kakadu National Park – Day 8

305 kilometres

A trip to the Top End wouldn’t be the same without calling into UNESCO World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park, which is surprisingly child-friendly. Hit the road early and enter Kakadu via the sealed Kakadu Highway.

Your first stop should be Bowali Visitor Centre, where you can get a lay of the land and talk to the park rangers about what waterholes and roads are open. Then you’ll want to check into Cooinda Lodge and Campground, where you can while away the rest of the day swimming in two resort pools and enjoying the playground.

Don’t miss: a night off cooking with a meal of barramundi, pizza or fish ‘n’ chips at Cooinda’s Barra Bistro.

Cooinda Lodge to Maguk (Kakadu) – Day 9

62 kilometres (approx. one hour, one way)

Don’t underestimate Kakadu – there’s a lot to see and the driving distances are considerable. Instead of trying to squeeze in too much and exhausting the entire family, pick a few of the main attractions and pace your days out. One of the best places to take children of any age is Maguk Waterfall . It’s about an hour’s drive along a 4WD-only dirt road and then a 2km (return) walk to the swimming hole and waterfall.

Don’t miss: A tour with Yellow Water Cruises on Yellow Water Billabong and South Alligator River. There are tours from sunrise to sunset and you’re guaranteed to see crocodiles.

Cooinda Lodge to Jim Jim Falls (Kakadu) – Day 10

42 kilometres (approx. one hour, one way, depending on road conditions)

This is one older kids and parents will especially appreciate, although it’s doable for little ones, too, just expect the hike to take longer and that you may need to carry them for part or all of it, depending on their age. But it would be a shame to skip Jim Jim Falls . It is one of the most spectacular natural landscapes in Australia, with a 900-metre monsoon forest walk over tree roots and large boulders leading to an amphitheatre of towering stone walls and two natural pools. This is a dry season (May–October) excursion. If you visit during the wet season, ask the rangers at Bowali Visitor Centre which waterfalls are accessible by foot.

Jim Jim Waterfall, Kakadu, Northern Territory. — Jim Jim Waterfall, Kakadu.

Don’t miss: Swimming to the small sandy cove around the corner of the main beach at Jim Jim.

Cooinda Lodge to Berry Springs – Day 11

293 kilometres

Say goodbye to Kakadu National Park and make your way to Territory Wildlife Park, about an hour from Darwin. Check out the nocturnal house, where you can meet rare and endangered native animals, as well as the aquarium, home to crocodiles, turtles and barramundi. There are also aviaries and a bird show.

Don’t Miss: The wildlife park is next to Berry Springs Nature Park , a fantastic natural waterhole families will love. Pack a pool noodle and a picnic, and spend a couple of hours here.

Berry Springs to Pudakul Aboriginal Cultural Tours, Adelaide River – Day 12

43 kilometres

Before arriving back into Darwin, join a tour of Adelaide River wetlands , on the Aboriginal-owned and operated Limilngan-Wulna Land. The majority of Pudakul Aboriginal Cultural Tours operate from the Adelaide River and guests learn about didgeridoo playing, spear making and basket weaving. You can also sign up for guided walks and talks. Stay overnight in nearby Humpty Doo.

Berry Springs - Northern Territory. — Berry Springs – Northern Territory, Australia.

Don’t miss: The two-hour daily Aboriginal Cultural Tour, available May–October. Children aged under five are free when on self-driving trips.

Humpty Doo to Darwin – Days 13 & 14

38 kilometres

As you make your way back to the capital, stop into Darwin Aviation Museum , where you can introduce the children, young and old, to the city’s fascinating history. They’ll learn about the bombing of 1942 and see plenty of cool aircraft on display.

It’s also worth spending your final days getting up close to the NT’s most famous reptile – the crocodile – at Crocodylus Park and Zoo, about 15 minutes from the CBD. It’s a great place to expand everyone’s understanding of crocs, with hundreds of hatchlings and adults at the zoo.

Don’t miss: One of the daily croc feeding tours and the chance to hold a baby croc.

*If you don’t want to drive, you can piece together a few tours, including Kakadu Tourism Adventure Tours’ Spirit of Kakadu adventure (suitable for children eight and over).

For more information on things to do in the Top End, visit the official Northern Territory website at northernterritory.com

Summer transforms the Northern Territory into a lush paradise of colour and life, as a visit during the ‘low-season’ reveals secrets the locals willingly share.

Waterlilies bloom, floodplains are alive with birdlife, waterfalls are gushing, and everywhere the green is dazzling. Summer in the Top End and the Red Centre is a kaleidoscope of unexpected wonders that delight and surprise visitors. Of course, the locals know only too well that the Northern Territory low season is often the best time to see and experience this amazing part of Australia.

Here are some of the reasons why savvy travellers – avoiding the crowds – are discovering a new dimension to the Territory. Remember that you’ll need a Parks Pass to visit national parks.

1. Take a dip in the Florence Falls waterhole

Wander through savanna woodland and monsoon forest to discover the perfect place to cool off – the waterhole at the base of spectacular Florence Falls in the magnificent Litchfield National Park , just 90 minutes’ drive from Darwin. The falls flow year-round but are most spectacular during the summer. Camping is available nearby but bookings are essential and must be made online before you visit.

Surrounded by lush forest, a woman cools off in Florence Falls, just one of many incredible things to do in the Northern Territory. — Cool off beneath the cascading waters of Florence Falls. (Image: Joshua Griffin)

2. Wind down at Buley Rock Hole

Another popular local swimming spot in Litchfield National Park is Buley Rock Hole , open year-round. This is a great place to wind down after exploring everything the park has to offer, including towering termite mounds. Wade through the rock pools, soak up the scenic bush or just lie back and relax as the cool water rolls over you.

Buley Rockhole, Litchfield National Park — Let the cool water wash over you. (Image: Tourism Australia)

3. Tour the Tiwi Islands

The Tiwi Islands , a scenic 80km flight from Darwin across the narrow Clarence and Dundas Straits, reveal a different side to the Territory, with their own distinctive culture. Take a day tour with Tiwi by Design to visit Bathurst Island and learn about creation stories, the Mission days, World War II history and the islanders’ obsession with AFL!

Take a ‘behind-the-scenes’ tour of Tiwi Design’s screen-printing workshop and pick up a great souvenir in the form of art. Choose from contemporary or traditional Tiwi designs and a wide range of work including carvings, paintings, pottery, printmaking, bark paintings and tunga (bark baskets).

A creative moment shared inside Tiwi Design’s screen-printing space. — Take a peek inside Tiwi Design’s screen-printing studio. (Image: Tourism NT)

4. Dine in Darwin

Foodies are spoilt for choice in multi-cultural Darwin. Try Sri Lankan flavours at Ella by Minoli, where Masterchef contestant Minoli De Silva creates delectable dishes, or head to Charlie’s of Darwin for gin-tasting, cocktails and more. Bowls of fragrant laksa, excellent coffee, fresh vegetables and authentic crafts are all part of a weekend visit to Darwin’s Parap Markets , Rapid Creek Markets and the Nightcliff Markets .

Prefer to catch your own dinner? Book a Top End fishing charter to bag a barramundi – and from October register for the annual Million Dollar Fish competition. Hooking one of the tagged barra released each year in waterways across the Territory could win you up to $1 million.

A bowl of Laksa. — Eat your way through multicultural Darwin. (Image: Tourism NT)

5. Up close with Uluṟu

The magnificent monolith Uluṟu is even more magical when the summer rains fall. When it rains on The Rock, the locals come out to watch – consider yourself lucky if that happens when you visit. Waterfalls cascading off the sides of Uluṟu is a sight that relatively few tourists see.

There’s so much to do at Uluṟu, from guided walks to learn the stories of the Aṉangu people and the ancient landscape they live in to scenic flights for a bird’s-eye view or a leisurely walk around the base of Uluṟu. Book ahead to spend the evening wandering through the Field of Light installation by Bruce Munro.

A closer look at Uluru and uncover its ancient stories, sacred sites, and striking natural beauty – one of the most iconic things to do in the Northern Territory. — Discover the details that make Uluṟu truly sacred. (Image: Tourism NT)

6. Drive the Red Centre Way

From Alice Springs, take an epic road trip along the Red Centre Way, taking in Uluru and Watarrka National Park, home to the magnificent Kings Canyon. Allow at least a week to drive through the red heart of Australia by 4WD, a little longer on the sealed road by 2WD vehicle, travelling through ochre deserts, palm-lined valleys and dramatic gorges. Stop off at waterholes for a refreshing dip along the way.

Kings Canyon offers hiking options for all levels of fitness, from the three-hour Rim Walk atop soaring sandstone walls to the gentler Kings Creek Walk. Either way, you’ll have breathtaking views.

SEIT Outback Australia is a small group touring specialist offering exciting, adventurous, exclusive and specialised iconic, pioneering and cultural touring in the Red Centre of Australia, giving you the time to learn, absorb and relax in the heart of Australia.<br /><br />This innovative tour company focuses on providing clients with the ultimate interpretive touring experiences with a range of products and customised touring itineraries for small groups and bespoke private charters.<br /><br />The company bases its philosophies from the key words of Spirit, Emotion, Intellect and Task (SEIT). — Drive through Australia’s heart. (Image: Outback Australia Tours)

7. Take a walk at Kata Tjuṯa

Head out early to tackle the Valley of the Winds Walk at Kata Tjuṯa . This natural wonder, also known as The Olgas, is a labyrinth of soaring ochre domes that glow golden at sunrise and sunset (the walk may be closed during the middle of the day as temperatures rise).

Walking trails range from easy to longer, more difficult tracks. At the Kata Tjuṯa dune viewing area, take in the panoramic view of the domes. The longest of the trails is the Valley of the Winds Walk, a 7.4km circuit that winds between the domes and through creek beds. It’s moderately difficult and steep in places, but offers stunning views – and occasional encounters with kangaroos.

The Valley of the Winds Walk at Kata Tjuta is one of the most awe-inspiring things to do in the Northern Territory, especially at sunrise when the domes glow golden. — Step into the golden light of Kata Tjuṯa. (Image: Tourism NT)

8. Explore Tjoritja/West MacDonnell Ranges

Tjoritja/West MacDonnell National Park lies 135km west of Alice Springs, with many fascinating natural features to beguile visitors. The ‘West Macs’ formations include chasms, gorges and waterholes – take your swimsuit for a dip at Ormiston Gorge waterhole, open year-round. The Ormiston Pound Walk is a three to four-hour circuit that leaves from the visitor centre and loops back along the gorge via the main waterhole. Other places of interest in the park include Simpsons Gap , Standley Chasm , Ellery Creek Big Hole and Glen Helen .

Soaking in the serenity of Ormiston Gorge, these two travellers enjoy one of the most scenic things to do in the Northern Territory. — Take the plunge at Ormiston Gorge waterhole. (Image: Joshua Griffin Litchfield)

Start planning the NT road trip of a lifetime at northernterritory.com

How to keep the family happy on a holiday in the Top End