Australia by Car

I don’t think that there is anyone in Australia that hasn’t heard of Kakadu National Park! However, for those of you that must be living under a rock and haven’t, here is just a slice of what you can expect of Australia’s most culturally significant and well-known World Heritage Area.

Kakadu is managed jointly by its Aboriginal traditional owners and the Director of National Parks. Kakadu National Park is (after Uluru) the natural highlight of the Northern Territory of Australia, located in the far northern reaches of the country. It is situated approximately 200 kilometres east of Darwin along a sealed highway, which means that you can pick up your car rental from here and head out. When travelling from Darwin, you can enter Kakadu from the north via the Arnhem Highway, which offers a stunning outback drive that you won’t quickly forget.

The park spans 200 kilometres from the north to the south, and 100 kilometres from east to west. From rugged sandstone escarpments, to extensive woodlands and vast wetlands, this cultural landscape will simply take your breath away. The park gained world heritage status for its outstanding cultural and natural values, and this could not be any more apparent!

Highlights of Kakadu include a collection of some of the finest and most extensive rock art, in the world, the Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre, which contains displays and information on many aspects of the Aboriginal culture of the region, and Gunlon, a stunning waterfall that can either be viewed from the plunge pool at the base or from the top, where you can explore the amazing stone country. The park is also home to some world-renowned walking tracks and a remarkable variety and concentration of native Australian wildlife. All these natural highlights will make your Kakadu experience one to remember for many years to come.

The best way to get to and around Kakadu National Park is with a car rental. This will give you the freedom to explore every inch, nook and cranny of this one-of-a-kind Australian masterpiece.

When taking a driving holiday in the Northern Territory you simply can’t go past the cultural centre of Katherine. The town of Katherine is one of the larger towns that you will come across on the route from Darwin to Alice Springs and it is the perfect place to stay a night or two.

The commercial centre of Katherine is home to several shopping complexes, including a few fantastic art and craft stores. Around the main street you will find the Katherine Museum, the Old Train Station, the Springvale Homestead and the School of Air. This modern, thriving regional centre is rich in culture and heritage and offers something for everyone in the main street alone.

As you begin to venture out of the town itself you will find therapeutic thermal pools scattered by the roads, which you can easily stop at for a quick dip and therapy session. The Katherine Low Level Nature Park and the Cutta Cutta Caves Nature Park are also must-sees in the area. These natural highlights encompass stunning landscape settings and are perfect for those keen photographers out there.

The main attraction of Katherine is undoubtedly the Katherine Gorge National Park. This natural wonderland is located just 30 kilometres out of town, which you can be made easy through car hire! The National Park is home to 13 gorges, each divided by rapids. Take a boat tour, canoe the Katherine River and take a hiking adventure while you take in the looming sandstone cliffs of this magnificent area.

Whether you are seeking to get back in touch with nature or want to experience the commercial side of the outback, you can’t go wrong with a visit to Katherine!

Arnhem Land is one of the five major regions of the Northern Territory, located in the north-eastern corner. The area extends from Port Roper on the Gulf of Carpentaria, along the coast to the East Alligator River. This region is also home to Kakadu National Park, making it the ideal place to base yourself for the exploration of this famous Australian attraction.

Situated 500 kilometres from the Territory’s capital, Darwin, Arnhem Land is appropriately most famous for its remoteness. It is also one of the largest Aboriginal Reserves in Australia. The area is rich in Aboriginal culture with the locals displaying strong continuing traditions with the land. The local art centres are thriving with Indigenous art and there is also an abundance of Aboriginal rock-art within the region.

The major centres of Arnhem Land include Jabiru, Maningrida and Nhulunbuy. These areas are rich in indigenous culture and the art and craft here remains a potent force. What makes these areas so unique is the absence of high-rise buildings and crowds, allowing Arnhem Land to be one of the last wilderness areas left in the world. The coastline boasts long white sandy beaches, with tranquil blue waters and an abundance of native green vegetation. Visitors can immerse themselves in the pure environment while relaxing and enjoying the peace and quiet of these untouched areas.

The surrounding Wessel Islands, Bromby Islets and English Companys Islands are easily accessible by boat and the bays are perfect for snorkelling and scuba diving. The well-preserved fishing spots are ideal for fishing lovers and the calm, clear waters are simply spectacular!

Driving in the Arnhem area is made easy with your hire car from car rental. To get there, simply drive 52 kilometres south of Katherine along the Stuart Highway and you will find Central Arnhem Road, which will take you to all of the exciting areas of this region. Be warned though that you will need a permit to travel in this area, but these can easily be obtained through the local council. Once you have this be prepared to discover this unique wilderness and the wonder and beauty that are eminent throughout.

The heart of the Northern Territory is home to Australia’s most inland town, Alice Springs. The ‘Alice’ is the third largest town in the Territory, and sits 30 kilometres south of the Tropic of Capricorn, 608 metres above sea level. The easiest way to access our country’s heartland is via the Stuart Highway, which is an ideal route for your campervan or car to travel along.

Alice Springs is the ideal base for a holiday in the centre, as it is the communication and services hub of central Australia. This regional settlement boasts year round blue skies, with stunning surrounding landscapes. The vivacious, diverse community give the ‘Alice’ its unique identity and the rich cultural heritage is eminent in the local traditions and historical buildings.

Alice Springs has a strong Aboriginal history with the local, original inhabitants displaying an evident traditional link to the land. Originally going by the name of Stuart, after its white discoverer, John McDouall Stuart, the town was renamed ‘Alice Springs’ in 1933. Achieving a population boom after the discovery of gold, the mining and pastoralism of the town remain the backbone of Australian economy.

Alice Spring acts as the base to the Larapinta Trail, one of Australia’s greatest walks. Stretching along 220 kilometres of central Australian wilderness, the trail is the perfect way to experience the wonder and beauty of our country’s outback. The track also has regular road access points, which make it easy for you to drive to your desired places of exploration.

If you are visiting in late August, be sure to check out the Assa Ably Henley-On-Todd Regatta, which is nestled on the Todd River bed. This is the world’s only waterless regatta, making it an original yet hilarious iconic event. This day out exhibits the true Aussie nature of hilarity and amusement.

Capture the heart and essence of our great country and visit the ‘Alice’. Driving through the heart of our nation is easy with a car rental. This driving experience is a once in a life time experience that will make you want to come back for more!

Darwin has an unexpected vibe to it. For such a far flung and isolated city it has a very contemporary and cosmopolitan feel - everyone is happy and relaxed, and when the sun goes down the parties really begin. With a strong mix of cultures evident, the Asian influence is especially clear here, and there is a lot of culinary diversity for you to enjoy.

Darwin is mostly used as a base from which explorations of Kakadu and Litchfield National Parks are made. The varied landscapes of Kakadu are only a couple of hours drive away, although you will need at least a couple of days if you want to appreciate the Aboriginal heritage, hordes of wildlife and stunning scenery.

Litchfield, to the south, is even closer, and some say even nicer to visit than Kakadu. It is famous for having numerous waterfalls and high gorges, in which there are plenty of rock pools that have no crocodile inhabitants and are safe to swim in. This article tells you more about Litchfield.

In Darwin itself you can get up close and personal with crocodiles and other animals in a safe environment at Crocodylus Park. You should also not miss Aquascene, a spot right in the heart of the city where thousands of fish come to shore to be hand fed by people on the bank and in the water. If youre in town on a Thursday or Sunday dont miss the Mindil Markets, which are a lively, fun and creative arena for displaying talents and selling goods!

Although the heat can sometimes be stifling, there is relief in the form of frequent thunderstorms which also provide a bit of excitement and drama. There really is never a dull moment in Darwin, and to appreciate it to the maximum potential make use of the car rental booking service and secure yourself a reliable hire car!

Speed, loud engines and lots of dust, all tearing up the heart of the Australian outback. What is it? Its Australia’s most gruelling offroad challenge, the Finke Desert Race, which takes place on the Queens Birthday Weekend every June, this year running from Friday 6th June until Monday 9th. If you’re in the area you’d be crazy to miss this truly unique outback event!

The track runs for 450 kilometres across all sorts of desert terrain, beginning just south of Alice Springs and continuing south to the small community of Finke (Aputula). En route it crosses the Finke River, reputedly the oldest river in the world. As you would expect of the outback, it is a rugged route that only the hardiest vehicles survive. While there are many bike, car and buggy entrants from all over the globe, only relatively few make it to the end.

The Finke is quite a spectator affair, with over 1200 people camping along the length of the track to catch a glimpse of the speeding vehicles, or to assist with refuelling and the like. Its a great time to experience the outback and an unique Australian event simultaneously. You are sure to have a whole heap of adventures of your own to go along with the excitement on the track.

The best means of getting to the Finke is to fly into Alice Springs and head down to the track from there. If you need a hire car, check out car rental and if you want more information on Alice Springs and things to see and do there, read this article.

Established in the 1930’s as a Gold Rush town, Tennant Creek is often referred to as the ‘Golden Heart’ of the Northern Territory, a name that also reflects the open friendliness of the locals there. 1000 kilometers south of Darwin, and 500 kilometres north of Alice Springs, Tennant Creek may seem far from anywhere but there is plenty to do and see on your driving holiday here.

The Davenport Range National Park is not far away, and neither are the Barkley Tablelands. Both contain prime examples of the typical outback landscapes- stark, vast and beautiful. Have a read of this article for an indepth look at some of the attractions of the region.

The highlight of the year in Tennant Creek are the St Patricks Day Races, held in March every year now for 24 years. These races are all about the family, there are loads of activities for the kids in the form of games, competitions and the like, and of course everyone watches the horses thunder past on the dusty track.

Tennant Creek is roughly the same size as New Zealand, so theres a lot of exploring to be done! This is cattle country, and some of the worlds largest cattle stations can be found here. The area also has a rich Aboriginal history, which you can find out more about at the Nyinkka Nyunyu Art and Cultural Centre. The comfort and style of car rental will help you cover those long distances!