Exploring the Northern Territory of Australia with kids is an adventure like no other. Our journey, equipped with a car, rooftop tent and a small tent for the boys, took us through the wild and wonderful landscapes of Northern Territory.
We started our journey in Cairns, 2700km away, passing through Limmen National Park and Mataranka before arriving in Darwin. If you're planning a trip with your family, this 15-day itinerary is perfect for those who love road trips and want to experience a mix of nature, history, and city life. You’ll notice that we adjusted the itinerary to be starting in Darwin, instead of how we travelled, because Darwin is a more common starting point to explore Northern Territory compared to Cairns 😉
Because we travel with kids, we like to take it slow and don’t do too many activities on one day. We don’t want to rush, and things usually take much longer than we expect. The kids are easily impressed and like to spend hours exploring. Also, if we have to drive more than four hours and set up camp we rarely plan an activity on the first day of arriving.
Watch the Video: 'Northern Territory in 15 days with Kids'
Our 15 days itinerary for Northern Territory with kids
Summary
Day 1-4: Discovering Darwin
Day 5-8 Litchfield National Park
Day 6 Wangi Falls
Day 9 Crocodiles and Rock Art
Day 10 Hiking Kakadu
Day 11 Heading South
Day 12-14 Mataranka – hot springs
Day 15: Back to Darwin, or extending
Day 1-4: Discovering Darwin
When starting in Darwin, spent the first four days in and around the city. Darwin offers a great mix of relaxation and cultural experiences, making it a perfect start to your adventure.
We camped in Coolalinga at Coolalinga Tourist Park. It’s a 20-minute drive from Darwin but well worth it for the clean and affordable facilities. We spent our days exploring the Darwin Waterfront Precinct, relaxing at the De La Plage beachside café, and visiting the local markets. You can choose which activity you do on which day, since the planning might change according to the weather and if the markets or open or not.
» Read more about our stay in Darwin in our blog: ‘Visit Darwin with Kids’.
Day 5-8 : Litchfield National Park
About Litchfield National Park
Litchfield National Park is a must see if you're in the Top End.
The park covers approximately 1,500 km2 and is just over an hour drive from Darwin.
It's home to several gorgeous waterfalls that cascade into crystal clear pools, iconic magnetic termite mounds and clusters of weathered sandstone pillars.
Litchfield National Park is an ancient landscape shaped by water.
Spent four days exploring Litchfield’s waterfalls and unique landscapes. Find a spot on one of the great government campsites (camp sites website) to have a unique stay in this national park. Book early though, since the spots are scarce.
On arriving we took a short stop at the Magnetic Termites mounds, an interesting phenomenon unique to this area, which you can’t miss when you drive through Litchfield.
Good to know when visiting Litchfield National Park
You need a park pass to visit » find your park pass here
Book camp sites at least a few weeks in advance » Camping and accommodation in Litchfield National Park
Bring your own firewood, and sufficient water and food.
Day 6 : Wangi Falls
Visit Wangi Falls, the best known waterfalls in Litchfield. It’s easily accessible and therefore pretty crowded most of the time. Bring your own lunch since the on-site café is nothing special, and enjoy this beautiful waterfall.
You can combine Wangi Falls with Florence Falls if you want two waterfalls in one day. To get to Florence Falls you can take a 40-minute hike from Buley Rockhole, or park nearer to the waterfall itself. We liked the hike since it brings you through multiple types of nature, like forest, savanah, and wetland.
One tip for Florence Falls: the waterfall in the back has warm water, while the one in front is cold, so brace yourself for a chilly dip and swim to the end of the swimming hole! If you’re travelling with young kids who aren’t amazing swimmers, bring a noodle. You can buy them everywhere here, and you’ll use them later in this trip as well.
Day 7 : Tjaetaba Falls – our favourite
Our favourite spot in Litchfield National Park was Tjaetaba Falls, where a 30-minute hike leads you to a serene waterfall with pools at the top. The pool closest to the edge is deep enough to jump into, and thanks to the hike, this spot is much quieter than the more popular falls. And, it’s fun to swim at the top of the waterfall instead of underneath.
Day 8-12: Kakadu National Park
Kakadu National Park
Kakadu is a living cultural landscape. It has been home to Aboriginal people for more than 65,000 years, one of the oldest living culture on earth.
Kakadu is one of the largest national parks in Australia, covering almost 20,000 km2. That’s nearly half the size of our home country The Netherlands!
Since the late 1970s Kakadu’s traditional owners have leased their land to the Director of National Parks to be jointly managed as a national park.
Kakadu, with its rich history and breathtaking scenery, was a highlight of our trip. We spent four days here, starting with a visit to the park's visitor center. The museum is fascinating and provides valuable information about the area’s history and natural wonders. Be sure to ask for specific advice on hikes, as the park offers numerous options. Be very clear in what you’re looking for when you ask advice. We weren’t so clear and ended up with a map of Kakadu with over 35 tips marked in four different colors. Too much!
We stayed at Aurora Kakadu Lodge, Caravan & Camping park. A wonderful camping with good facilities and a swimming pool, which was very welcome during the hot days.
Good to know when visiting Kakady National Park
Kakadu is Aboriginal land. All visitors require a park pass > find your park pass here
Book camp sites at least a few weeks in advance
There are crocodiles in all the waters, so don’t swim
Bring your own firewood, and sufficient water and food.
Day 8 : Jumping Crocodiles – Kakadu National Park
On your way to Kakadu, stop for the "Jumping Crocs" tour. Normally, we’re not fans of such tours, but the kids loved seeing crocodiles up close. We chose the Spectacular Jumping Crocodile Tour, which we booked a few months in advance. The crew of this tour made it real fun and we actually experienced jumping crocs.
Day 9 : More Crocodiles and Rock Art
When in Kakadu you have to go to Cahills Crossing, the place where real saltwater crocodiles ‘hunt’ for fish. They’re actually just waiting until a fish jumps in their mouth, but that's okay.. Visit during, or just after, high tide, because then you’ll see the most crocodiles. We found it very impressive to see these gigantic ancient creatures from up close in the wild.
A trip to Cahills crossing is easy to combine with a visit to Ubirr. The place where you can find the oldest aboriginal rock art. Ubirr has a walking track of about an hour that brings you along all the rock art sites, and like everywhere else you’ll find information plates to explain most of the things. The kids had a great time watching the art and walking/climbing through the track.
The rock art made a bigger impression on us then we expected because it’s so different than any other art that we’re ‘used’ to and so much older. And, it’s not just art. Most of the depictions have practical meanings; like how a fish looks from the inside, which animals can be eaten, but also that it’s not okay to steal, or that a giant serpent will eat your whole village when the babies cry too much.
Good to learn.. 😉
What makes Ubirr even more special is the stunning location. If you extent the art-walk with a little climb you will have a panoramic view of the wetlands and forest surrounding Ubirr.
Take your time at Ubirr and wonder around. There so much to see!
Day 10 : Hiking Kakadu
There are many hikes to do in Kakadu.
Choose a hike to Jim Jim Falls or Twin Falls for example. Both are stunning.
Depending on the weather conditions you can do the walks or not. Sometimes roads and hikes are closed due to flooding. Therefore, it’s wise to visit the visitors center first. They know all about it.
We enjoyed the Nawurlandja lookout walk, which was a peaceful short hike, soaking in the vast, open landscapes of Kakadu.
Just as at Ubirr you can see incredibly far on bright days.
Day 11 : Heading south
We actually came from the South so did the following part of the itinerary before we arrived at Darwin, but when you start in Darwin you can drive south towards Katherine and Mataranka.
Because it’s quite a drive from Kakadu National Park, and we don’t like to rush things, we stayed at Lazy Lizard Campground in the middle. We heard great things about this camp site, and it was. The boys were thrilled to interact with reptiles, including petting a snake and a blue-tongued skink. The campground has a great atmosphere, making it a pleasant stop for families.
Day : 12-14 Bitter Springs, Mataranka
The last stop of the trip, Mataranka, famous for its Bitter Springs.
We stayed on the Bitter Springs camp site and spent our days floating in the warm, crystal-clear waters of the Bitter Springs. It’s only a 500-meter walk from the camp site, and when you’re early (before 9am) you’re probably the first one in, avoiding the tours and other families. We believe these springs to be one of the prettiest in Northern Territory.
On the camp site they organize outdoor movie nights, and there was a pizza truck, which was actually pretty good.
» Don’t forget to bring a pool noodle and goggles for the hot springs. You want to float as easy as possible and might see turtles. Spending a few days at the springs is an incredible way to end a holiday and will have you fully recharged.
Extra Tip: if you see posters of ‘the Whip Guy’. Go to his show, it’s amazing! Especially for kids.
Day 15 : Back to Darwin, or extending
After an unforgettable adventure, it’s time to return to Darwin.
Alternatively, you could extend your trip and continue exploring the Red Centre, including Kings Canyon, Uluru, and Kata Tjuta. It's a long drive, so flying to Uluru is also an option.
Final Thoughts
The Northern Territory is a fantastic destination for families who love the outdoors and are ready for an adventure. While 15 days might not be enough to see everything, this itinerary provides a perfect mix of natural beauty, cultural experiences, and relaxation. Whether you’re road tripping like us or flying in and renting a car, you’re guaranteed to create unforgettable memories with your kids. Happy travels!
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