The Darwin to Katherine drive

What is the drive from Darwin to Katherine like?

Easy and long: a sealed two-lane highway through flat savanna woodland, with termite mounds, a few towns and road trains. Allow 3.5 to 4 hours without stops.

Nitmiluk Tours and NT Tourism give 3.5 hours; another NT Tourism page says 4. The difference is the stops. Dual carriageway ends around Howard Springs, then it's two lanes the rest of the way. The NT signs its major highways at up to 130 km/h, with town zones far lower.

It's not the most scenic road in Australia. What makes it worth doing is what's just off it.

Where to stop between Darwin and Katherine?

Adelaide River for the war cemetery, Pine Creek for the old gold-rush town, and Edith Falls for a swim. Litchfield is a detour worth a day of its own.

Distances from NT Tourism (Adelaide River 114 km from Darwin, Pine Creek 90 km north of Katherine) and NT Parks; the rest are approximate. Tjuwaliyn (Douglas) Hot Springs, south of Hayes Creek, was listed as closed until further notice (NT Tourism).

What is there to do in Adelaide River and Pine Creek?

Adelaide River has the war cemetery and a pub with a famous buffalo; Pine Creek has gold-rush relics, a mine lookout and a tavern built from termite-mound mud brick.

The Adelaide River War Cemetery holds the dead of the Japanese air raids on Darwin and the Top End in 1942 and 1943, servicemen and civilians. It's quiet, shaded and takes 20 minutes. The AAT Kings day tour stops there.

Pine Creek was the Territory's first big gold find. The Lazy Lizard Tavern, which NT Tourism says is built from termite-mound mud brick, is the cold-drink stop. It's also where the Kakadu Highway turns east, if you're doing the loop.

How far is Katherine from Katherine Gorge?

About 30 km, a 20 to 30 minute drive on the sealed Gorge Road. You don't need a 4WD.

Nitmiluk Tours gives both 20 and 30 minutes on different parts of the same page (how to get here). Allow 30 if you're catching a boat; you still need to park and walk to the ramp. The road ends at the Nitmiluk Centre, with the cafe, the bookings desk, the helipad and the boat ramp all close together.

No car? This day tour from Darwin covers the road, the 2-hour cruise, lunch and Edith Falls.

★ 4.5 · 14 hours · from $240

Explore the AAT Kings day tour → Tour details

What should you know about fuel, road trains and wildlife?

Fill up at Adelaide River or Pine Creek, give road trains plenty of room, and stay off the road from dusk to dawn.

• Fuel: available at Adelaide River, Hayes Creek, Pine Creek and Katherine. Roadhouse hours vary; don't run low.
• Road trains: up to three trailers and over 50 m long. Overtake only on a long straight with a clear view, and pull over on the left if one wants past.
• Wildlife: wallabies, cattle and the odd buffalo wander onto the road around dawn, dusk and at night. Some hire companies restrict driving outside towns after dark; read your contract.
• Heat: carry water in the car, at least a few litres each. Mobile coverage drops out between towns.
• Wet season: check the NT Road Report before you leave. Floods can close the highway and Gorge Road.

Can you get from Darwin to Katherine without a car?

Yes. Greyhound runs daily, about 4 hours, from about A$104. Air North flies Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. From Katherine to the gorge there is no scheduled shuttle.

Greyhound's first coach leaves Darwin City (Harry Chan Ave) at 9:55 am and the last at 3:20 pm; it stops at the petrol station at 6 Stuart Highway in Katherine (Greyhound). Air North takes about 45 minutes, at A$270 to A$500 one way (Nitmiluk Tours).

For the last 30 km, Nitmiluk Tours only suggests hire cars (Thrifty or Hertz in Katherine) or a taxi, about 20 minutes. No public bus runs to the gorge that we could find. A tour solves it in one go: the day trips compared.

Does The Ghan stop at Katherine?

Yes. The Ghan's Adelaide to Darwin journey stops at Katherine on day 3, with an off-train Nitmiluk Gorge cruise among the excursions.

In 2026 Journey Beyond lists a gorge cruise, the Katherine Outback Experience or Cutta Cutta Caves as the off-train choices, with a helicopter flight as a paid upgrade (Journey Beyond). The caves are closed for 2026, so expect the cruise. Departures run on Sundays from March to November and Wednesdays from April to October.

Should you drive yourself or take a tour?

Drive if you can stay at least one night; take a tour if you only have a day. Driving 700 km there and back in one day is the worst of both.

With a car and two nights you get Edith Falls on the way, the first boat in the morning, a flight if you want one, and the drive home in daylight. Without them, a day tour is cheaper than a hire car for one or two people once you add fuel, and someone else drives home in the dark.

Not sure the gorge earns two nights? Our verdict says yes.

Frequently asked questions