Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - Outback Trip: Darwin to Alice Springs in March

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Outback Trip: Darwin to Alice Springs in March

Planning a road trip from Darwin to Alice Springs in March 2002 and would appreciate ideas on places to see, things to do, where to stay, what clothes to bring, etc.. Arriving and departing Australia via SYD, flying domestically to Darwin and back from Alice Springs.

Take a trip over to Kakadu firstly but try and arrive at Fog Dam before dawn ( its not far out of Darwin) and wait for the sun and the millions of birds to rise - it really is a sight. I have not been to Kakadu for a few years and I am not up on the accommodation there but the NT tourist bureau can give you all that information and also tell you where to go when there are what to see. It really depends on how much rain they have had as to the access of some of the areas. A must do though is a trip on the East Aligator River where you also have a b-b-que lunch of Barramundi, a trip over yellow waters, again either very early or the latest trip. The tourist bureau will give you all the information about the Darwin area too and there is quite a lot to do. Further down the "track" you will get to Kathrine Gorge - take a boat on the Gorge. Also make sure you see Mattaranka Hot Springs (sp?) I could go on and on but again the Bureau will be much better for information than myself. Clothes - the least possible but make sure you have some good joggers for walking o/w thongs. The people of the NT are the least formal of all Australians I would say so anything, or whatever is comfortable goes.

G'day KC. As Liz has already mentioned, what will be accessable at that time depends largely on the WET. March 2000 for example I left Darwin on march 6th and many roads were flooded. It was impossible to enter Kakadu via the Arnhem Hwy. and we he had to drive about 200km further south and then drive into Kakadu via the Kakadu Hwy.. Even in a 4WD many places in Kakadu were also inaccessible. At the Katherine Gorge the waterlevel was so high that it completely submerged the Boat Kiosk and of course there where no cruises. Mataranka Hot Springs also were inaccessible. Having said all this, it's not such a big ( or late ) WET every year and you may have no problems at all. In any case I would leave a visit there for as late as possible. Depending on the WET and the time you have available here are a few more suggestions: Litchfield Nat. Park, simply beautiful and not as touristy as Kakadu. Pine Creek, an old Gold Mining Town and a fantastic place for birdwatching. You can also try your hand at panning for gold ( equipment is available ). Edith Springs, about 50 km north of Katherine is absolutely beautiful for swimming unless the water level is too high. It's 30 km from Katherine Town to the Katherine Gorge. About half way along there is a Restaurant on your left, set back about 100m from the road. There you get one of the best feeds of Barramundi in the Territory. If you are interested in geology and gold mining you can go on a Mine Tour in Tennant Creek. The Devils Marbles are well worth an hours stop and it's one of my favourite camping places in that area. Depending on the time at your disposal and type of vehicle you could turn off the Hwy. about 50 km north of Alice Springs to Arltunga and then come into Alice Springs via the East MacDonnell Ranges. Hope this is of help to you, Mike

Many thanks! I've been busy planning and reading up on all your ideas. Great insight from you folks on known areas as well as others that I hadn't considered until highlighted them. Will try to stay flexible for the WET and have invested in some really good packable rain gear.

KC take a snorkle and flippers too :0) As Mike said Litchfield park is lovely especially after the wet when all the waterfalls are in action. I went there with friends and we had such fun playing kids games like stopping the waterfall till someone got under it and then getting it to fall on them. After the wet is a lovely time in the territory as everything is sparkling and clean. Also check when you are there to see if the Mindel Beach Markets are back on - they are held usually on a Wed or Thursday evening at the beach there and you take along some wine/Champagne, search all the selection of Asian food stalls for dinner then sit and watch the sun set over the Arafura Sea - everyone goes and its such fun. Any person in Darwin should know if they are on. The museum there too is very small but also interesting with a lot of emphasis on the cultures of the Northern Territory and you will get a much better idea of the concepts of "the aboriginal dreamings" . If you get a chance take a trip over to Bathurst Island where the Tiwi Aboriginals are as its a great experience. Most of all enjoy your Northern Territory experience as it really is the last frontier.

There are already lots of good suggestions so I'll just add one or two. Take the time to drive through both the East MacDonnell Ranges and the West MacDonnell Ranges - the gorges and scenery are absolutely beautiful. Ross River Homestead (east of Alice) is worth visiting. The Desert Wildlife Park is worth a visit, also go to the old telegraph station. Check if the Ted Egan show is on and go. Ted sings (accompanied by his empty beer carton) and tells some good stories of his life in NT. Do you have time to visit Uluru, the Olgas and Kings Canyon? All three are spectacular. There is a good walk through the Olgas (through the Valley of the Winds - it took us about three hours). The walk around the rim of Kings Canyon is really spectacular, particularly the Garden of Eden but again allow three hours. Incidentally I saw in the paper yesterday that the Katherine River is flooded and the Stuart Highway has been cut in some places, but I would think that by March, you should be OK. You should only need summer clothes - things you can layer are good. Good walking shoes, a swimsuit and either a rain jacket or umbrella. Carry some water, and use sunscreen at all times. Have a great trip.

Again, many many thanks to you all for the great advice and ideas!! I'm extremely excited, with less than a week to go before I depart, and have lined up your suggestions on the itinerary. I do plan to see Uluru, Olgas, Kings Canyon and am leaving time to overnight at Uluru. Also, I hope that Liz didn't mean that the flippers and snorkel might be needed because of the WET, rather for more conventional aqua :-)

Sorry KC but its one big WET this year. However you may find that its gone when you get there - hopefully - and its heading our way to S.E. Queensland 'cause we have not had any as yet!!!