ESCAPE FROM THE CITY
Find WETLANDS teeming with wildlife, dramatic gorges, WATERFALLS and ancient ROCK ART all on Darwin’s doorstep.
1 KAKADU NATIONAL PARK
It takes just under two hours to hit the edge of Kakadu National Park from Darwin, but the effort is well worth it even for a day. There is so much to see and it is so vast, that you are going to want to book a one-day tour to get maximum bang for your 12 hours – try operators such as AAT Kings and Venture North. Itineraries often include star attractions such as Ubirr, Nourlangie Rock, East Alligator River, Yellow Water Billabong and Mamukala Wetlands.
2 LITCHFIELD NATIONAL PARK
You can’t come all the way to Darwin and not take the hour-long drive south to Litchfield National Park, where a wonderland of waterfalls, swimming holes, trails and giant termite mounds awaits. Camping and caravan sites are located within the park if you feel like super-sizing your day trip, or check into eco cabin Hideaway Litchfield (pictured).
3 MARY RIVER
Visiting the Mary River wetlands for a day provides rich rewards. The lush landscape here, roughly one hour from Darwin, is teeming with creatures, from birds to wildlife to fish, and a crocodile or two. Head to Fogg Dam Conservation Reserve in the dry season to see jabirus, brolgas and ibis in real life. And don’t head home before skimming across the wetlands on an airboat with Wildlands Wetlands Safari Cruises (wildlands.com.au).
4 ADELAIDE RIVER CRUISE
Like most things in the Top End, the Adelaide River and its surrounds are alive with fascinating wildlife. Sign up for a one-day wildlife tour with the family owned and operated Adelaide River Tours to cruise the river and spot crocodiles, wild buffalo and jabirus along the way. Morning tea is served onboard and lunch is enjoyed at a private riverside camp, with a stop at Goat Island on the way back . adelaiderivertours.com.au
5 KATHERINE/NITMILUK NATIONAL PARK
Located 30 kilometres north-east of the town of Katherine and just a tick over three hours from Darwin, Nitmiluk National Park boasts a total of 13 gorges across its vast expanse, although the crowd-pleaser is definitely Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge.You are going to want to max out your time so consider an organised tour departing Darwin to ensure you tick off the must-dos like seeing Edith Falls, learning about the Jawoyn people, and cruising the waters of Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge itself.
Jump on a ferry from Cullen Bay (sealinknt.com.au) bound for Crab Claw Island Resort, where you can lunch on fresh seafood before splashing around in the resort’s pools or exploring the wildlife sanctuary that surrounds it. Then get back on the ferry for the trip home.