Top Five Northern Territory Favourites

From red cliffs to waterfall gullies, the NT tends to slow you down, whether you mean to or not.
We’ve driven plenty of kilometres through its heat and silence, and still, a few spots keep circling back in our memories. These are the ones that made us pull up early, stay an extra night, or manage to stop Neil talking for five minutes.
Here are our top five Northern Territory favourites: a mix of big names and quiet corners, each worth the drive.
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Our Faves!
Kings Canyon
We’d heard the walk was good. “Good” doesn’t really cover it. The Rim Walk feels enormous! We started early and stopped too often, but it was 100% worth the early rise!
Uluru & Kata Tjuta
It’s impossible not to feel something here. We thought we knew what to expect, but standing at the base of Uluru, everything is still. The light changes minute to minute, and the rock seems to breathe with it. Over at Kata Tjuta, the domes rise out of the desert like a mirage. We walked through the Valley of the Winds and completely lost track of time.
Robin Falls
A short walk through tropical green after days of red dust feels almost unreal. The falls tumble down through a narrow gorge, and the water’s cold enough to make you gasp, with plenty of shade, water, and room to explore. We stayed longer than we planned, as usual.
Snake Creek
Part bush camp, part history lesson. Old bridge remnants, ghost trains in the distance, and the quiet hum of a place long forgotten. It’s a reminder that even the smallest dots on the map have stories buried under the dust.
Daly Waters
A pub, a plane, and a thousand stories stapled to the walls. It’s half outback history, half good-natured chaos. We parked up and met a few new friends we’ll probably never see again. Sometimes that’s all a place needs to make the list.
From red cliffs to waterfall gullies, these are our top five Northern Territory favourites! A mixed of big names and quiet corners that made us stop, stay longer, and fall a little bit in love with the NT.
Don’t rush Uluru — take a few days to soak in the stories, landscapes and stillness. We explored by foot, watched the rock glow at sunset, and came away with full hearts and red-tinged boots.
Massive, mysterious and far less crowded than Uluru, Kata Tjuṯa blew us away. We wandered among towering domes, soaked in the silence, and left feeling tiny, dusty, and full of quiet awe.
A breathtaking rim walk, dramatic sandstone cliffs, and a peaceful Garden of Eden — Kings Canyon delivered some of the most stunning outback views we've seen. A true Northern Territory highlight.
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We spent three days in Cloncurry, exploring its history, murals, aviation heritage, and dam. From the first Qantas hangar to the birthplace of the RFDS, this outback town surprised us with stories and charm.
Croydon, Normanton, and Karumba gave us history, character, and Gulf Coast charm. From welcoming the Gulflander to cold drinks at the Purple Pub and sunsets in Karumba, this stretch of the Savannah Way was unforgettable.
We explored Cobbold Gorge after a rugged drive from Forsayth. Floating along the calm waters and hiking to the glass bridge, we were captivated by the towering cliffs, wildlife, and serene beauty of this Queensland outback gem.
Exploring the Undara Lava Tubes was like stepping into another world…towering underground tunnels carved by ancient lava flows, part history, part geology, and all awe. A side quest well worth the detour.
Soaked in Mareeba, charmed by Herberton’s historic village, waterfall-hopped around Ravenshoe, and finished with cheesecake and live guitar—our journey through the Tablelands mixed history, nature, and indulgence in perfect balance (with Zoe happily in tow).
Cooktown charmed us with laid-back days, sunset cruises, museums, and even a cheeky paddle for Zoe. We wrapped it all up at the iconic Lions Den Hotel—live music, hearty meals, and full hearts.
Camping at Newell Beach set the scene for exploring Mossman. We browsed markets, braved Mossman Gorge, detoured back to Cairns on a stunning coastal drive (with a giggle at Yorky’s Knob), before heading inland towards Cooktown.
From swimming holes to rainforest tracks, our time between Babinda and Kuranda was a mix of sightseeing, family catch-ups, and a long-overdue crocodile feast.
We broke up the drive north with stops at coastal Cardwell, rainy Tully with its Golden Gumboot, and the atmospheric Paronella Park. Each stop offered its own charm before we pushed on towards Cairns.
Exploring North Queensland took us from the busy streets of Townsville to the calm waters of Big Crystal Creek and the sheer power of Wallaman Falls. City views, creek swims, and unforgettable waterfalls in one stretch.
From a tense river crossing and a surprise snake encounter to a crowded Airlie Beach and a quiet roadside camp in Home Hill — our journey north was full of unexpected turns and memorable stops.
A quick coastal stop turned into seven relaxing days camped beneath palms in Seaforth. Beach swims for Zoe, fresh scones, friendly neighbours, and a kangaroo tourism reality check made this one of our favourite unexpected stays.
We spent a week in Mackay with family, exploring art galleries, sugar tours, vibrant laneway murals, and orchid-filled gardens. While the city didn’t charm us completely, the time together made it memorable.
A roadside rescue, a closed pub, and a peaceful night in St Lawrence. Our trip from Rockhampton to Mackay was a reminder to slow down, lend a hand, and savour the road’s unexpected moments.
Back in Rockhampton after two years, we camped at peaceful Kershaw Gardens, revisited favourite spots by the river, soaked up local art, stocked up on fresh produce, and enjoyed a slice of city life before heading north.
Carnarvon Gorge had been on our bucket list for years, and it didn’t disappoint. Panoramic views, ancient rock art, dramatic cliffs, and lush pockets of green made this one of the most rewarding stops so far.
Our Carnarvon adventure kicked off with black bull “bears,” startled tourists and a stunning warm-up walk into Mickey Creek Gorge. A perfect taster before the main hike into the heart of the gorge.
From railway tragedy in Bogantungan to the supermarket aisles of Emerald, this leg of our trip marked the shift from outback stillness to something closer to civilisation — with Carnarvon Gorge waiting just around the bend.
Barcaldine blends rich history with small-town charm. We stayed at a peaceful local park, visited the famous Tree of Knowledge, admired the mighty Comet windmill, and soaked up the stories that shaped this resilient outback town.
A peaceful few days along the Lake Dunn Sculpture Trail gave us quiet skies, curious art, and a dose of outback magic - including a visit to the healing circle that worked wonders for Zoe.
We reached Muttaburra just behind the rain, camped close to town, and met the towering Muttaburrasaurus. From fossils to the Centre of Queensland sign, this quiet little town gave us plenty to smile about.
A night of chicken races, rain, and school holiday chaos had us making a quick dash through Tambo, Blackall and Barcaldine — chasing dry ground and peaceful camps before heading into Queensland’s quieter heart.
Charleville gave us two slow weeks of outback charm, filled with friendly faces, hearty meals, and quiet mornings. From historic pubs to bilbies and bombers, there’s more here than first meets the eye.
Peaceful riverside camping, outback sunsets, and a surprise burger stop. Not every stop has to dazzle. Sometimes, a full belly and a calm creek are just right.
St George keeps pulling us back — and it’s easy to see why. Big skies, flowing rivers, great food and country charm make this town the perfect launchpad for exploring Queensland’s quiet, beautiful southwest.
Every now and then, you meet people on the road who feel like old friends. Mel and Susie’s bush poetry, humour, and warm-heartedness made us instant fans — and lifelong mates.
We rolled into Lightning Ridge for the third time — this visit a little muddier than usual. After dodging puddles and slick backroads, both the moho and Jimny looked rally-ready and well-travelled.
We’re chasing warmth in Northern NSW and Queensland’s hidden thermal pools — from the soothing hot springs at Burren Junction to the steamy delights of the north, each dip is a refreshing escape into nature.
Narrabri was a familiar dot on our map — we’d passed through before, but this time we decided to linger and take a closer look.
We rolled into Baradine with no big expectations and left a few days later completely charmed.
From drive-in towns to riverside camps, these are our hidden gems of Outback Queensland — small places with big character, strung along quiet highways where the stories are easy and the days stretch long.