10 Day Itinerary

Got time to explore the Territory?

Got a bit more time to spend cruising around the Territory? A week or more means you can hit the road and explore all the incredible experiences the region has to offer. Swim under a waterfall in Litchfield National Park, bag a barra in Kakadu National Park, explore the waterfront attractions and markets, and revel in the Northern Territory’s iconic sunsets.

DAY 1 - Thursday

Ease into your trip with breakfast at the Darwin Waterfront where you’ll find alfresco restaurants, casual cafés and pubs with all-day menus. Pack your bathers and enjoy a swim in the Recreation Lagoon or catch a wave in the Wave Pool.

After lunch, make your way to Crocosaurus Cove in the heart of Darwin’s CBD on Mitchell Street. As well as catching the crocodile and fish-feeding shows you can get your heart racing in the Cage of Death. The ultimate adrenalin rush, here you come nose to snout with a five-metre saltwater crocodile – with just a piece of plastic between you! Unwind after your adventure on a sunset cruise around stunning Darwin Harbour.

DAY 2 - Friday

The Merlin Darwin Triple Crown program begins tonight, but today you’re going on a heart-stopping adventure, so start off with a fortifying breakfast at one of the many city cafés. Check out the impressive local street art as you stroll through the CBD – Darwin is fast becoming the street art capital of Australia.

Then it’s off to Darwin Airport for a sky dive with Top End Tandems. A 20-minute flight ends with you freefalling over the stunning Darwin coastline with views that will take your breath away if the jump doesn’t.

Not keen on jumping out of a plane? Try diving with tiger sharks instead with Darwin Red Devil Charters. No diver qualifications needed, because you enter the water in a cage. A bit of nerve is required when the tiger sharks show up. This activity is dependent on the tides, so book in advance.

DAY 3 - Saturday

It’s track day! Start your day like a local with breakfast at a waterside venue, such as Fannie Bay Cool Spot, The Foreshore Café at Nightcliff or The Boatshed Coffee House at Cullen Bay before driving out to Hidden Valley. Or stop off at the Parap Markets for a Darwin institution – a breakfast laksa. Don’t knock it before you try it! Ask any Darwin local what food we’re famous for and they’ll probably say barra and laksa. If you’ve never had one, laksa is a noodle soup from South-East Asia and the crown for who makes the best laksa in town is hotly contested. This is the kind of topic that starts arguments at backyard barbecues!

There are several laksa stalls at the Parap Markets, along with a wide range of other delights ranging from crepes and smoothies to the best chicken satay around. Linger over local arts and crafts and enjoy the distinctly tropical flavours and true Territory atmosphere.

Then buckle in for the ride as our Supercars heroes show why they’re in pole position when it comes to handling these monsters. Enjoy every second!

DAY 4 - Sunday

Start your day the right way with a stroll around Nightcliff Markets, where you can take your pick from a range of foodie offerings. Grab a freshly brewed coffee and sample some local tropical fruits, then head back to Hidden Valley for day two of Supercars action.

After an exhilarating day trackside, it’s time to unwind at the famous Mindil Beach Sunset Markets. Those legendary Territory sunsets you’ve had a taste of by now? This is right where you need to be to catch one of the best. So grab some food, a beer and a spot on the beach to toast your unforgettable Territory experience, reminisce on the adventure, and plan next year’s Territory Supercars trip!

Or top off the weekend by chilling out in our stunning open spaces with some tucker from one of the many street food vendors dotted around Darwin. Visit City of Darwin’s street food map for information about what stalls are where, when.

DAY 5 - Monday

Today, pack your swimmers and set out on a day trip adventure to Litchfield National Park, only 1.5 hours’ drive from Darwin. You can drive yourself or join one of the tours that depart from Darwin.

You’ll soon see why locals consider this as one of their favourite locations with its cascading waterfalls, waterholes and bushwalks. If a cool dip is what you’re after, plunge into crystal clear waterholes beneath the magnificent waterfalls at Florence and Wangi. Or relax in the gentle multi-tiered cascade waters shaded by rainforest at Buley Rockhole. Discover the local wildlife at the nearby Territory Wildlife Park, then call in at the Berry Springs Tavern, Darwin River Tavern, Rum Jungle Tavern, or Noonamah Tavern for a real rural watering hole experience and a pub feed to fuel up before driving back to the city.

Tonight, relax under the stars with a film at the Deckchair Cinema located at the base of The Esplanade. The open air cinema screens Australian, popular, family, foreign and classic films from April to November.

DAY 6 - Tuesday

The Territory is famous for fishing, both blue water and on the rivers that teem with wildlife – including the kind with big teeth! Join a charter and head out into the blue of Darwin Harbour or the waters off Dundee, or try your luck with the iconic barra in the rivers of Kakadu. Half-day or full-day fishing charters are available.

Back in Darwin, relax after a big day with dinner at a waterfront sunset spot such as the Darwin Trailer Boat Club, Darwin Ski Club or Darwin Sailing Club and toast to a day well spent.

DAY 7 - Wednesday

Missing the four-wheeled action from the track? Head to Darwin Kart Hire and recreate the action yourself with some friendly races, or try a more sedate two-wheeled Segway Tour of the George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens and experience the incredible flora of northern Australia. Wander through monsoon forests, coastal dunes, mangroves and open woodlands before relaxing with lunch at the onsite café.

This afternoon, head over to Stokes Hill Wharf in the Darwin Waterfront Precinct. This is a popular spot for fishing with the locals, and is dotted with popular restaurants, eateries and retail shops. Finish your day with local fish and chips and a cold drink while enjoying a beautiful Top End sunset.

DAY 8 - Thursday

Immerse yourself in our wetlands wildlife on a Corroboree Billabong cruise, just a 1.5 hour drive from Darwin. Expect to see wetland birds, including iconic jabirus and brolgas, in their natural habitat… along with a crocodile or three. For something even wilder, join a jumping crocodile trip at Adelaide River and marvel at the up-close-and-personal experience.

On the way home drop into the Humpty Doo Hotel, Humpty Doo Tavern or Virginia Tavern for a filling feed and some rural area hospitality.

DAY 9/10 - Friday/Saturday

Head south down the Stuart Highway to overnight in the Katherine region. A little over three hours from Darwin, Katherine is the jumping off point for visitors to the stunning Nitmiluk National Park, where you can kayak, trek or join a cruise – the Nabilil Dreaming Sunset Dinner Tour is famous.

On the way there or back, pull into the historic townships of Adelaide River, with its heritage railway centre, and Pine Creek, famous for its 1880s gold rush. If you fancy a change from the highway, the Northern Goldfields Loop takes you between the two.

Just over an hour south of Katherine you can bathe in the glorious crystal-clear thermal waters of Mataranka and Bitter Springs. These famous beauties are plastered all over social media for good reason. End your trip back in Darwin with dinner and drinks in the CBD and start planning next year’s Territory Supercars adventure!

Also, not-to-be-missed…

1. Try a heli pub crawl and visit out-of-the-way watering holes like Goat Island Lodge and Crab Claw Island Resort
2. Jump on a quad biking tour at the NT Adventure Park at Rum Jungle
3. Paddle through stunning Nitmiluk National Park in a canoe
4. Grab your rod and join a heli-fishing tour
5. Check out the new mountain bike trails at Charles Darwin National Park and Casuarina Coastal Reserve

Visit our mates at Travello for more tips and travel inspiration.