Campervan guide - Northern Territory
Northern Territory by campervan
Red desert, ancient gorges, Uluru, and Kakadu - the essential Australian outback road trip.
The Northern Territory is where Australia's outback mythology becomes real. The landscapes are vast, the distances serious, and the experiences unlike anywhere else on the continent. A campervan trip here - whether through Kakadu from Darwin or between Alice Springs and Uluru - requires more preparation than trips elsewhere, but the rewards are proportionate.
Routes & suggested stages
7-10 days. Start with Litchfield National Park (waterfalls, easy access), then head east to Kakadu for rock art, wetland wildlife, and the Yellow Water cruise. Cooinda Lodge campground within Kakadu.
5-7 days. Drive south from Alice on the Stuart Highway, turning onto the Lasseter Highway for Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Kings Canyon requires a 30km unsealed section from Watarrka. Return via the Ernest Giles Road (4WD recommended).
14-21 days. The classic north-to-south crossing. Mataranka hot springs, Devil's Marbles, Tennant Creek, and the West MacDonnell Ranges before Alice Springs.
3-4 days from Darwin. Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) National Park has an excellent campground. The gorge itself requires a gorge boat tour or canoe hire.
Camping & free camps
Ayers Rock Resort campground near Uluru, Cooinda in Kakadu, Nitmiluk in Katherine, and Glen Helen in the West MacDonnells are all well-run. Free camping in rest areas along the Stuart Highway is common but water sources are scarce.
Best season to go
May to September (dry season only). The wet season (October-April) brings floods that close roads to Kakadu and many outback tracks. Uluru is accessible year-round but very hot in summer.
Roads & vehicle type
The Stuart and Lasseter Highways are sealed. The Gibb River Road approach from WA is unsealed. Kings Canyon access has an unsealed section. Always carry extra water, fuel, and a satellite communicator on remote routes.
LPG, dump points & services
Alice Springs and Darwin have full campervan services. LPG available in both cities; scarce between towns. Satellite phone or PLB strongly recommended. Fuel at Erldunda and Kulgera on the Red Centre route.
Stay connected with Starlink
Mobile coverage drops fast outside cities and towns. Starlink Roam delivers reliable satellite internet anywhere in Northern Territory - ideal for remote work, navigation, and streaming from your van.
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Go broader
Northern Territory state travel guide
General travel tips, city guides, and planning information for all visitors to Northern Territory - not just campervan travellers.
Open Northern Territory guide →