Best Camping Spots in the Northern Territory
Camping in the NT is unlike anywhere else in Australia — sleep under the Milky Way at Devils Marbles, wake up beside a waterfall at Wangi, or camp in the Red Centre's ancient gorges. Here are the best sites, from free to fabulous.
15 locations · Updated April 2026
1
Renner Springs Desert Inn
Renner Springs Desert Inn is a campground in the Katherine region, gateway to spectacular gorge country, thermal hot springs, and the transition zone between the tropical Top End and the arid Red Centre. Fall asleep under some of the clearest night skies in Australia, wake to birdsong, and spend your days exploring the surrounding bush. Facilities vary — check ahead for availability and bookings during peak dry season.
724km9h 3min
2
Coomalie Creek Caravan Park
Coomalie Creek Caravan Park is a campground in the lush tropical Top End, home to Kakadu and Litchfield National Parks, ancient wetlands, and some of Australia's most biodiverse landscapes. Fall asleep under some of the clearest night skies in Australia, wake to birdsong, and spend your days exploring the surrounding bush. Facilities vary — check ahead for availability and bookings during peak dry season.
67km50 min
3
Glen Helen Homestead Lodge Campground
Camp at Glen Helen Homestead Lodge Campground in the Red Centre region. Camping in the Territory is a genuine outback experience — campfires (where permitted), wildlife encounters, and the kind of silence you can't find in the city. 1263km from Darwin. Bring firewood (collection banned in most parks) and plenty of water.
1263km15h 47minyes
4
Mataranka Roadhouse Caravan Park
Mataranka Roadhouse Caravan Park is where the Territory reveals itself. Camping here puts you right in the lush Top End — ancient Kakadu wetlands, thundering Litchfield waterfalls, and some of the most biodiverse landscapes on the planet. Whether you're in a swag under the stars or a full setup with powered sites, the experience is uniquely NT — wide open spaces, wildlife at your doorstep, and the kind of peace you simply cannot find in the city. Accessible and well-maintained, with facilities for most camping styles.
364km4h 33min
5
Kulgera Roadhouse Caravan Park
Kulgera Roadhouse Caravan Park is a campground in Australia's Red Centre, a vast desert landscape of ancient red rock gorges, sacred Aboriginal sites, and some of the most dramatic scenery on Earth. Fall asleep under some of the clearest night skies in Australia, wake to birdsong, and spend your days exploring the surrounding bush. Facilities vary — check ahead for availability and bookings during peak dry season.
1509km18h 52min
6
Elliott Caravan Park
Elliott Caravan Park is where the Territory reveals itself. Camping here puts you right in Katherine's spectacular gorge country — where 13 sandstone gorges, thermal hot springs, and the transition from tropical to arid create landscapes that stop you in your tracks. Whether you're in a swag under the stars or a full setup with powered sites, the experience is uniquely NT — wide open spaces, wildlife at your doorstep, and the kind of peace you simply cannot find in the city. It's remote, so carry supplies and fill up on fuel whenever you can.
636km7h 57min
7
MacDonnell Range Holiday Park
MacDonnell Range Holiday Park is where the Territory reveals itself. Camping here puts you right in the Red Centre — vast desert landscapes of ancient red rock gorges, sacred Aboriginal sites, and skies so clear you can see the Milky Way with the naked eye. Whether you're in a swag under the stars or a full setup with powered sites, the experience is uniquely NT — wide open spaces, wildlife at your doorstep, and the kind of peace you simply cannot find in the city. It's remote, so carry supplies and fill up on fuel whenever you can.
1293km16h 10minyes
8
Malak Caravan Park
Camp at Malak Caravan Park in the Darwin region. Camping in the Territory is a genuine outback experience — campfires (where permitted), wildlife encounters, and the kind of silence you can't find in the city. just 10km from Darwin. Bring firewood (collection banned in most parks) and plenty of water.
10km8 min
9
Territory Manor
Territory Manor is a campground in the lush tropical Top End, home to Kakadu and Litchfield National Parks, ancient wetlands, and some of Australia's most biodiverse landscapes. Fall asleep under some of the clearest night skies in Australia, wake to birdsong, and spend your days exploring the surrounding bush. Facilities vary — check ahead for availability and bookings during peak dry season.
364km4h 33min
10
Discovery Parks Katherine
Camp at Discovery Parks Katherine in the Top End region. Camping in the Territory is a genuine outback experience — campfires (where permitted), wildlife encounters, and the kind of silence you can't find in the city. 269km from Darwin. Bring firewood (collection banned in most parks) and plenty of water.
269km3h 22minyes
11
Gagudju Lodge Cooinda Caravan Park
Gagudju Lodge Cooinda Caravan Park is a campground in the lush tropical Top End, home to Kakadu and Litchfield National Parks, ancient wetlands, and some of Australia's most biodiverse landscapes. Fall asleep under some of the clearest night skies in Australia, wake to birdsong, and spend your days exploring the surrounding bush. Facilities vary — check ahead for availability and bookings during peak dry season.
188km2h 21min
12
Kalkaringi Caravan Park
Kalkaringi Caravan Park is where the Territory reveals itself. Camping here puts you right in Katherine's spectacular gorge country — where 13 sandstone gorges, thermal hot springs, and the transition from tropical to arid create landscapes that stop you in your tracks. Whether you're in a swag under the stars or a full setup with powered sites, the experience is uniquely NT — wide open spaces, wildlife at your doorstep, and the kind of peace you simply cannot find in the city. It's remote, so carry supplies and fill up on fuel whenever you can.
554km6h 55min
13
Merl Campground (Kakadu)
Merl Campground (Kakadu) is located within Kakadu National Park — Australia's largest national park and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Kakadu covers 20,000km² of wetlands, sandstone escarpments, and ancient Aboriginal rock art dating back 20,000+ years. This specific site offers a unique perspective on the park's incredible natural and cultural heritage.
250km2h 45min
14
Knott's Crossing Resort
Knott's Crossing Resort is where the Territory reveals itself. Camping here puts you right in the lush Top End — ancient Kakadu wetlands, thundering Litchfield waterfalls, and some of the most biodiverse landscapes on the planet. Whether you're in a swag under the stars or a full setup with powered sites, the experience is uniquely NT — wide open spaces, wildlife at your doorstep, and the kind of peace you simply cannot find in the city. Accessible and well-maintained, with facilities for most camping styles.
269km3h 22min
15
Desert Oaks Resort
Desert Oaks Resort is a campground in Australia's Red Centre, a vast desert landscape of ancient red rock gorges, sacred Aboriginal sites, and some of the most dramatic scenery on Earth. Fall asleep under some of the clearest night skies in Australia, wake to birdsong, and spend your days exploring the surrounding bush. Facilities vary — check ahead for availability and bookings during peak dry season.
1437km17h 58min
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