Litchfield National Park<\/h2>\n
If you fancy waterfalls, emerald-green swimming holes and a tropical and tranquil setting, Litchfield National Park<\/a> is only a 1.5-hour drive from Darwin. Travel down the Stuart Highway and enter the park via the tiny township of Batchelor, stopping at the magnetic termite mounds before exploring the plunging waterfalls at Florence Falls, or floating inside a network of peaceful waterholes at Buley Rockhole. A walking path links the two popular spots, so take your time ambling along this route, pausing for regular dips in the adjacent waters.<\/p>\n Stop at the magnetic termite mounds before making your way to Florence Falls.<\/p><\/div>\n Other stunning sites within Litchfield include Tolmer Falls and Wangi Falls, the best-known attraction in the national park. Within the park, you’ll find a kiosk and barbecue facilities at Wangi Falls, walking trails and a picnic spot that\u2019s ideal for a lazy tropical lunch. Access to the park is free and the best time to visit is during the early morning or late afternoon.<\/p>\n Total travel time, Darwin return<\/strong>: about four hours<\/p>\n What to pack<\/strong>: Sunscreen, lunch, water, beach towel and goggles if you want to explore under water<\/p>\n Float inside a network of peaceful waterholes at Buley Rockhole.<\/p><\/div>\n If spotting wildlife in its natural habitat is high on the agenda, and you\u2019re partial to a rainforest walk, travel 70 kilometres to the Mary River wetlands east of Darwin along the Arnhem Highway (leading to Kakadu National Park). Make Fogg Dam Conservation Area your first stop, where you can choose between the wetlands or a walk. Up to 200 species of birdlife gather among the lilies and reeds in the wetlands, including rainbow pitta birds and crimson finches. You might spy the odd croc, too.<\/p>\n Make Fogg Dam Conservation Area your first stop in the Mary River region.<\/p><\/div>\n Walking trails will take you through the rainforest, past ancient fig and banyan trees, to a number of lookouts overlooking the wetlands. Take your adrenalin levels up a notch a little further along the highway with a jumping crocodile cruise<\/a>. Over one (spine-tingling) hour, you\u2019ll coast along the Adelaide River, where crocs lurk just beneath the water\u2019s surface and jump up to snap at buffalo meat hanging from rods just off the boat\u2019s deck.<\/p>\n\n Total travel distance, Darwin return<\/strong>: two hours<\/p>\n\n What to pack:<\/strong> a broad-rimmed hat, sunscreen, water, lunch and binoculars<\/p>\n Take an airboat tour of the wetlands or a croc-jumping cruise.<\/p><\/div>\n Just over an hour\u2019s drive from Darwin, Crab Claw Island Resort<\/a> is a picturesque coastal retreat perched on the water\u2019s edge \u2013 providing the perfect balance of family-friendly fun, fishing and relaxation. There are two pools and boats for hire, or simply relax on the deck. If you\u2019re a keen angler, don\u2019t forget to register to catch the Million Dollar Fish<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n If you want to leave the car at home, jump on a ferry and head over to Crab Claw for a seafood lunch<\/a> overlooking the beach. The ferry departs from Cullen Bay in Darwin mid-morning and returns late afternoon. Check departure and arrival times directly with SeaLink<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n Total travel distance, Darwin return:<\/strong> two hours driving or a full day tour with SeaLink.<\/p>\n\n What to pack:<\/strong> a broad-rimmed hat, sunscreen, bathers, beach towel and water<\/p>\n If a short-ish day trip from Darwin sounds ideal, you can\u2019t go past a visit to Berry Springs Nature Park<\/a> \u2013 it\u2019s a real-deal tropical paradise. Travel south from the city and turn off at Cox Peninsula Road to get to the park, located just 50 minutes’ drive from Darwin. Pull in at Territory Wildlife Park<\/a> on the way to explore its vast 404 hectares, home to almost every variety of native bird, reptile and macropod.<\/p>\n You can\u2019t go past a visit to Berry Springs Nature Park.<\/p><\/div>\n A shuttle bus takes visitors to the Nocturnal House, which hums with ghost bats, sugar gliders, quolls and other night-time critters, as well as the walk-in aviary, aquarium, stingray lagoon and dingo enclosure. Refresh over a mango chutney-laced lunch and a tropical fruit ice cream at Crazy Acres Mango Farm<\/a>, then dive into Berry Springs: three sparkling, azure-hued waterholes fringed by pandanas.<\/p>\n\n Total travel distance, Darwin return<\/strong>: 1.5 hours<\/p>\n\n What to pack<\/strong>: mask and snorkel, water, towel and sunscreen.<\/p>\n Visit the Nocturnal House, which hums with ghost bats, sugar gliders, quolls and other night-time critters.<\/p><\/div>\n\n A holiday to Darwin isn\u2019t complete without venturing to the natural and cultural wonders that lie beyond its city lights. Here, four of the best day trips from Darwin. Darwin is a colourful city thanks to its vibrant markets, outdoor movies and other urban delights. But the city’s surrounds are equally (if not more) enchanting. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":186,"featured_media":211299,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"article-deals.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_expiration-date-status":"","_expiration-date":0,"_expiration-date-type":"","_expiration-date-categories":[],"_expiration-date-options":[]},"categories":[880],"tags":[5805,6470,4576,5713,5139,4394,5187,4628,5910],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n![\"Northern](\"https:\/\/s1.at.atcdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/AE_NorthernTerritory_Nov-1.jpg\")
![\"Buley](\"https:\/\/s1.at.atcdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/AE_NorthernTerritory_Nov-2.jpg\")
Mary River Region<\/h2>\n
![\"Day](\"https:\/\/s1.at.atcdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/AE_NorthernTerritory_Nov-3.jpg\")
![\"Mary](\"https:\/\/s1.at.atcdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/AE_NorthernTerritory_Nov-4.jpg\")
Crab Claw Island<\/h2>\n
Berry Springs<\/h2>\n
![\"Berry](\"https:\/\/s1.at.atcdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/AE_NorthernTerritory_Nov-7.jpg\")
![\"Berry](\"https:\/\/s1.at.atcdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/AE_NorthernTerritory_Nov-8.jpg\")
Before you set off on any day trips from Darwin read our survival guide<\/a><\/strong> on travelling in the outback and other helpful facts about driving in the NT<\/a><\/strong>.<\/h5>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"