From the red centre to the northern tip, follow this guide for all the best spots to stop off on a road trip from Alice Springs to Darwin. With two convenient Hertz branches to pick your rental car off from in Alice Springs and two to drop it back off at in Darwin, we’ve made it easy for you to sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride.
Tennant Creek
The first stop on your ultimate Northern Territory road trip after you’ve left Alice Springs is Tennant Creek. Five hours north of the red centre of Alice, Tennant Creek is genuine outback Australia like you’ve never seen before. With scorched red earth and soaring blue skies, you’ll not want to forget your camera for this stop. Sprinkled with remote pubs, iconic rock formations and outback characters, there is also a plethora of significant Aboriginal cultural history, native creatures and million-acre cattle stations. Stop off at the Nyinkka Nyunyu Art and Culture Centre to learn about bush tucker and traditional medicines from a knowledgeable guide. For adventures in nature, make sure to head to the Karlu Karlu (Devils Marbles) rock formations and wander around the network of walking tracks that take you past exquisite native flora and fauna that is home to the area. To top off your visit to Tennant Creek, explore some of the swimming spots in the area and cool off under a setting sun at Longreach Waterhole as you take in the beauty that surrounds. 
Mataranka
For your next stop on your way to the top of the Northern Territory is Mataranka. A small town situated less than an hour and half south from Katherine, Mataranka is the perfect place to stop off and cool down. One of the unmissable natural attractions that the town boats is the Mataranka thermal pools and hot springs. Found in the Elsey National Park, the Mataranka Thermal Pool, Rainbow Spring and Bitter Spring are just some of the unbelievable water holes that boast crystal clear water and warm temperatures. Not only that, but the springs and thermal pools are surrounded by spectacular lush green rainforest, providing cool shade for you to lay back and relax in.
Katherine
Where the outback meets the tropics, Katherine makes for the perfect stop on your road trip as you get closer to Darwin. Situated next to the township is the Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge, a waterway that twists and turns throughout the Nitmiluk National Park and provides a wide range of activities to explore around the water. Canoe up the gorge to discover hidden waterfalls, swim between cliff faces and lay back on sandy beaches or take a guided scenic cruise to learn more about the area from an expert local. If you’re interested in learning more about the rich Aboriginal cultural history of Katherine and the surrounding area, take a two-hour cultural experience with a local First Nations guide. To end your stay in Katherine, make sure to check out the Katherine Hot Springs. These thermal pools are an offshoot from Katherine River and are filled with clear water that is framed by untouched vegetation on the banks of the pools. 
Litchfield National Park
For your final stop before you reach Darwin, embrace the lush landscape of Litchfield National Park. Only 90 minutes south of Darwin, Litchfield makes for the ideal last stop for you to stretch your legs and wander through the rainforest and waterfalls that remain the Northern Territory’s best kept secret. Whether you’re camping in the park or stopping by for a day, the swimming spot that should be at the top of your list is Wangi Falls. Featuring a cascading waterfall that drops into a large plunge pool at the bottom, surrounded by native vegetation and lush bush, this is a landscape that could be straight out of a postcard. With barbeque facilities and picnic tables locatednot far from the carpark, Wangi Falls is both easy to access and unbelievable to witness. For another waterhole adventure, follow the trail along Shady Creek that leads to Florence Falls, a popular swimming hole that boasts a magnificent waterfall. On your way out of Litchfield National Park, make sure to keep an eye out for the marvellous termite mounds. These fascinating sculptural mounds are magnetic to look at and fascinating in their history, with some of them being up to 100 years old. 
From Alice Springs to Darwin, this guide will lead you through several of the stunning locations that are on offer in the Northern Territory. Boasting cascading waterfalls, crystal clear swimming holes, stretches of red outback and rich cultural history, the Northern Territory is brimming to the seams with exciting adventures that await you.
