Darwin to Katherine by 4WD, NORTHERN TERRITORY
Airing Date: Jun 9th, 2003
The Top End is a great place for a driving holiday. You know, travelling on your route from A to Z and stopping at interesting places like H and P in between.
Every year more than a million people drive this part of Australia and it's no wonder why; the roads are good, easy... and there's no speed limit. As long as you drive within your own limits, this region is a driver's dream.
This driving adventure starts in Darwin. From here you can head along the Stuart Highway towards Katherine, which is 310 kilometres to the south.
About an hour long the way you'll come Noonamah and here you can visit Mick's Whip Art Gallery. Mick creates whips in the time-honoured fashion of traditional whip makers and uses only the highest quality kangaroo hide.
Then it's off to the Litchfield National Park to visit one of the wonders of the Top End. Just about everyone has heard of Kakadu National Park but not so many have heard about Litchfield. This region is definitely off the beaten track, and you'll need a 4WD to tackle the rough terrain.
Right in the heart of Litchfield is the mysterious and impressive area known as the Lost City. As you can imagine, with such an alluring name, the landscape here is spectacular. The Lost City has been thousands of years in the making and is comprised of impressive sandstone blocks and pillar formations not unlike the ruins of a long forgotten civilization. Hours can be spent here soaking up the eerie history of the area.
Further down the road is a great lunch stop - the Grove Hill pub.
Then pull up for a night at the Douglas Daly Tourist Park, located river on the Douglas River. You may not think there's much to see here - being in the middle of nowhere and all - but prepared to be surprised. Douglas Daly's have their own secret waterhole and this little desert oasis can refresh even the most weary driver after a long day on the road.
The facts
The Paraway Hotel in Katherine has a special offer for viewers of The Great Outdoors: just $99 per night per couple, including dinner and breakfast - the regular price is $190.
Paraway Hotel
Tel: 08 8972 2644
At the Douglas Daly Tourist Park unpowered sites are $16.60 per couple per night and powered sites are $23.80 per couple per night.
Douglas Daly Tourist Park
Tel: 08 8978 2479
Mt Bundy Station Homestead Accommodation
Tel: 08 8976 7009
Crown Plaza Darwin
Tel: 08 8982 0000
Grove Hill Heritage Hotel and Museum
Tel: 08 8978 2489
You can purchase a baby whip at Mick's Whip Art Gallery for just $15 while a Whip Art painting will cost you around $350.
Mick's Whips
Tel: 08 8988 6400
Northern Territory Tourist Commission
Tel: 08 8999 3843
Katherine Region Tourist Association
Tel: 1800 653 142
