first timers on the road to Darwin, have been as far as Alice before.  any tips or advice on places to see would be much appreciated.

the dales wrote:

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first timers on the road to Darwin, have been as far as Alice before.  any tips or advice on places to see would be much appreciated.

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G'day,
I am sure you will find a lot to do and see on your trip, half the fun is exploring and finding places you never realised were there.

Mataranka is good and the Daly Waters Pub is a must, Katherine and a trip through the gorges is  great. 

Litchfield National Park was a disappointment to us but that is only our opinion, what is poor for one is great for someone else, we all have different likes and dislikes.

Just poke your nose into anywhere that looks interesting and you will be surprised what you will find.

Have a wonderful trip and we will expect to see a few piccies in due course.

 

-- Edited by JRH on Sunday 4th of April 2010 04:19:30 PM

Lots of fun on the way to Darwin with Bitter Springs for a swim and the great places as mentioned by JRH.   Darwin itself is big on WW2 relics etc.  If you are into that sort of thing there are sensational museums with old aircraft etc.   If not the harbour and Doctors Gully to feed the fish will amaze.

Have fun.

There are so many things to do up there you'll never be bored, shouldn't anyway. On Litchfield , we loved it, as JRH says itdepends on what you're into. Also Kakadu was a highlight but some say Kakadon't, all depends on what makes you happy

Welcome and happy travels. Depending the time it will take you to get to the NT, check on road conditions and watch the weather. There is still a lot of water around after TC Paul dumped himself all over the country. I'm forecasting more monsoonal activity until the end of this month. It just pays to keep track of conditions wherever you go at all times. Meanwhile I have a soggy van to contend with.

As pointed out already much to see and do... If going up or returning via western Qld and NSW some "must-sees" include Mt Isa, Kynuna, (Blue Heeler Pub), Winton, Longreach (allow some time here), "Barky", (aka Barcaldine), Tambo, ("Tambo Teddies" that's not sexy lingerie but sheep skin teddy bears for the grand kids etc), Charleville (Bilby breeding centre) etc etc. OK folks, add to the list, plenty there that I haven't mentioned!

Hi .. Wish I was setting off up that way again for the first time.  Fantastic adventure.

Agree with all of the previous comments. 

At Katherine you have the choice of a guided tour up the gorge in a succession of tinnies, or a canoe/kayak trip or even a walk along the ridges .. all of them great.

We liked both Litchfield, where you don't have to do too much to see many of the attractions, but there is a lot more to see on the other side at Kakado.  We liked the Yellow Water early morning boat ride & a flight over the area from Jabiru.  Would have loved to look at Jim Jim Falls but couldn't get in.

At Darwin, don't miss the markets especially the one at Mindal beach at sunset.  Take your chairs & drinks & eat from the great range of food stalls.
I thought that the Aircraft museum on the right on the way into Darwin up a bit from Hidden Valley was fantastic especially the escorted tour. 
An evening meal on the old wharf just below the CBD is not to be missed.
The cliffs at Nightcliffe are worth a look.
If you have bikes there is a first rate network of largely off road easy riding bikeways around Darwin.

Edith falls is a must. We loved lichfield, Bittersprings is good and the war cemetry at Adelaide river. The Adelaide river pub with a caravan park behind it is a good stop. As others have said so much to do up there.

We will be there in June/July and want to do the swim with the crocs this time round. Should be fun.

Cullen Bay has amazing places to eat on the water and The Trailer Boat Club was also a brilliant eating spot.

We stay at Lee Point van park and down the end of Lee Point Road is Buffalo Creek and the ocean on the other side. Lovely spot to watch the sunset on the beach or do a fish in the creek.

I love Darwin, one of my favourite spots in Oz.

Just watch for those snappy handbags in the creeks and back waters. And you want to go swimming with crocs? What the hell is wrong with you woman? Freshies I hope. Keep smiling.

You'll love Darwin - and the journey there - if you are staying at Katherine on the way, go out to Springvale Homestead - pretty nice, couple of friends there - Kev and Rob (they are travelling with a staffy and a little chook) - they've been there a little while, say hello to them from me -
jules

This one CG, it looks like a blast. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGk0ZJIfm8I

You can have that on your own FF. Swimming with the Tuna in Port Lincoln was enough for me!!!!!!!!!

I may chicken out yet mate, it looks ok on film but...............

Suggest deviating slightly from the highway, to go out to Gemtree - about 60km nth of Alice, then 60 km east along the Plenty Hway - all bitumen. Interesting caravan park there and you can go on gem fossicking tours for zircons and garnets. That Hartz Range country is spectacular. If you stay overnight at the Devils Marbles, you can get great sunset and sunrise pics. But the stopping area fills up quickly - pays to get there early in the afternoon, to get a decent spot (i.e. not downwind of the composting toilets). Edith Falls great - suggest you stay there. Litchfield has several great waterfalls and associated short walks - all very different. There are commercial caravan parks at Batchelor and also at the western end, just outside the National Park.