I’m lucky my partner loves driving more than I do, because staring out the window in the Kimberley for hours was something I’ll never regret. The road trip guide from Darwin, Northern Territory (NT) to Broome, Western Australia (WA) is filled with some of my favourite views of Australia. A lot of this is because I had no idea what to expect.

When I first heard about ‘the Kimberley’ I didn’t understand what or where it was. Some northern WA hills? Since going through it, I understand. And, the Kimberley is just one of the few incredible reasons why this road trip is so special and cannot be missed!

This road trip guide goes from Darwin, NT to Broome, WA two huge states in Australia’s top end. What I focus on in this guide is what there is to do along the way, where to stop, 2 wheel-drive accessibility, driving during the wet season and campsites. All with an emphasis on seeing the best of Australia’s natural beauty, while staying budget and comfortable.

I did this road trip during the wet season, in a 2WD amid state border restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite all the odds aimed at having a rough trip, my partner and I made the best out of it. And, I can’t say there’s much I would do differently.

Check out my guide on travelling to Northern Australia during the wet season to learn more about doing this trip during Australia’s wet season!

Road Trip Guide: Darwin, NT to Broome, WA

Total kilometres and hours driving: 23 hrs (2,189 km)

Recommended days: 7 Days

About this Road Trip Guide:

Travelling through Australia’s outback is one of the most unique road trips I’ve ever done. Before going into this road trip guide from Darwin, NT to Broome, WA I’m going to go into some specifics about the trip.

When travelling in remote areas, it’s not possible to do this road trip without being prepared. However, despite the large amount of variables that could deter people from this journey, it’s well worth it. Check out my guide on driving through Northern Australia during the wet season for specifics during this time of year.

What’s most important to remember about this road trip, and going through Australia’s outback is that it’s vast and isolated. There’s also extreme weather conditions with limited resources. Stock up at grocery stores and always have extra food and water, do not rely on restaurants or servos along the way for this as they can be closed without notice.

There’s also limited cellphone reception throughout the outback, and small towns (including stores, restaurants and accommodation) close early. If you’re planning on accommodation, make sure to book in advance. Showing up the day of might mean everything it’s fully booked—or it’s closed.

Year-round, temperatures can be hot and it’s often hard to retain energy to enjoy certain activities. Don’t overbook yourself or plan for too many physical activities as you could get run down quickly due to the weather. As for 2WD, there’s not as much to see in the Kimberley as there would be with a 4WD. But, it’s still possible to see amazing landscapes and have a great experience.

I included both drive times (according to Google Maps) and kilometres from each destination to the next, these are approximate. In many areas of this road trip the highway speed limit is 130 km. Personally, I didn’t drive that fast so these drive times were much faster than what I actually took.

Enjoy this road trip and Australia’s vast outback. This is an incredible road trip from one regional city to the next—with almost only nature in between. The recommended days is the bare minimum to do this trip in a relaxing way. It’s best to allow time to spend a few extra days at different stops such as Kakadu, and Lake Argyle.

Drive safely—preferably not in the dark—and don’t take your vehicle somewhere unsafe and remote if you’re ill prepared. Always play it safe in the outback. And finally, respect the property and country of where you’re travelling.

Leave no trace and be kind to the locals!

Day 1: Darwin to Jabiru, Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory

Drive time: Two hours and 40 minutes (254 km)

Day one of this 2WD road trip guide from Darwin, NT to Broome, WA and it’s time to leave Darwin. Head south-east towards Australia’s largest (and arguably most wild) national park: Kakadu National Park. For those that haven’t checked it out, in my road trip guide from Cairns, Queensland to Darwin, NT I recommend visiting Litchfield National Park on the way up. Whereas I focus on Kakadu National Park for this road trip guide from Darwin, NT to Broome, WA.

This helps break up all of the driving between the national parks, and to stock up on groceries as they’re both in remote areas.

While Kakadu National Park has long been known as the famous backdrop for Australia’s iconic Crocodile Dundee, it has a lot more to offer than a famous filming location.

The amount of wildlife specifically is jaw dropping and heartwarming. I saw crocodiles, emus, wallabies, lizards, kangaroos and birds of all sorts—and most I just saw while driving. The culture I experienced in Kakadu was welcoming, easy going and beautiful. Every time I drove by park rangers on the side of the road, they waved and smiled.

While driving into Kakadu National Park, make sure to get ahold of a national park’s pass, which is valid for seven days—plenty to enjoy and explore the park. Stop at the information bay while heading towards Jabiru, which has maps, and it’s a good photo opportunity with the notable (and colourful) Kakadu sign.

After the information bay, stop in at South Alligator River to take in the views and maybe enjoy lunch. It’s a popular boat launch area, where people head out fishing or just to enjoy a day with the crocs. Don’t mind the flies.

After, take a walk through the Mamukala Wetlands—which is just a short drive away. These wetlands are the perfect bird watching spot, a sheltered viewing area with information on the wetlands. And there’s also a large binocular to get a closer look at the plants and birds. Depending on what time of year you visit, this area could be closed due to flooding, or nearly dry.

Next stop is getting into Jabiru, see below for accommodation options and follow along for day two of this road trip! If visiting during the dry season, heading to Ubirr Rock Art site for sunset is major highlight of visiting Kakadu. It’s only a short drive (30 minutes one-way) from Jabiru.

Accommodation

Depending on your set-up or vehicle travelling in, there’s many different options for accommodation in Jabiru. The most legendary is the Mercure Kakadu Crocodile, which is a literal giant crocodile-shaped hotel. If you don’t stay here, at least drive by to check it out.

I stayed in my van at one of the caravan parks, the Aurora Kakadu Lodge, as it’s the only one open during the wet season. The other is the Anbinik Kakadu Resort. Both are campgrounds mixed with lodges and have incredibly relaxing pools—which make all the difference in Kakadu’s humid and hot climate.

There’s no free campgrounds in Kakadu, though there are a few budget-friendly ones. Malabanjbanjdju camp site and Burdulba camp site are remote, bush camp site run by the national park and cost around $6 per adult per night. Just beware of the mozzies and other general bugs as they’re everywhere.

Check out my list of natural mosquito repellents for tips on surviving the bugs!

Day 2: Jabiru, to Cooinda Lodge, Kakadu National Park, NT

Drive time: 40 minutes (58 km)

There’s not a lot of driving for this day, making it a great day for exploring. The point is after driving so long to Kakadu National Park, it’s important to spend at least a full day exploring and enjoying the park. If you haven’t yet, head to Ubirr Rock Art site, then pop over before heading south to the next end of Kakadu.

Also drop in at the Bowali Visitor Centre to learn more about the area, and seasonal spots to visit in the park. Remember to fuel up before leaving Jabiru, as it’s the only reasonably priced fuel station in Kakadu National Park—although there are a few others for emergencies.

Next up there’s a few different options for seeing the best of Kakadu. Start by doing the short but stunning walk up Nawurlandja Lookout. It’s good to get this done early if it’s a hot day as there’s no shade on the rocks. Remember to follow and obey all signs in the park, as you are visiting. There are signs at this lookout to not walk further at a certain point.

After taking in the views, check out the rock art at Anbangbang Rock Shelter. This area has picnic tables, shade and toilets making it a convenient stop. There’s also Gunwarrdehwarrde Lookout, which isn’t much of a hike up. However, if you do it in 45 degree heat with humidity like I did, it will feel hard.

Taking breaks and staying incredibly hydrated does help. Just down the road is Nanguluwurr Art Site, and whilst it’s a 4WD-recommended track, I made it in a 2WD in the wet season. This is a 3.4km walk to the actual art site, so make sure to bring snacks and plenty of water along for the ride.

Once you’re back on the road, there’s another hike at Mirrai lookout, the facilities here are well-maintained but there’s more trees at this lookout than others. It’s still worth the walk on a clear day—especially if it’s not too hot. Finish driving for the day by heading to Cooinda Lodge Kakadu.

I had an incredible time doing the Yellow River Cruise, I saw crocodiles, lily pads, magical sights and many birds. I did the earliest cruise in the morning so we finished just as it was getting hot, and there was a huge buffet breakfast included!

Accommodation

Though this day ends in Cooinda Lodge, that doesn’t mean it’s the only accommodation option. I enjoyed staying there because it was the wet season and I was happy to shower and use a laundry machine. I also did the river cruise in the morning which is close by. But, there are more bush camps if that’s your jam. Specifically, there’s Jim Jim Billabong, and Mardukal campground one and two.

Out of these bush camps, Jim Jim Billabong is the most affordable at $6 per adult per night, but there’s no shower. Both Mardukal have showers available but they’re also $15 per person per night.

These types of campgrounds are good if you’re on a budget, or if you have a vehicle that’s great at keeping out bugs and mosquitos. It will likely be uncomfortable outside with the bugs and mosquitos if you’re not wearing some type of repellent.

Day 3: Cooinda Lodge to Katherine, NT

Drive time: Two and half hours (256 km)

Heading out of Kakadu National Park is a bit sad, but there’s still plenty of drive time to enjoy the views. Make sure to drive slowly and watch out for animals on the road such as emus, kangaroos and lizards. It’s not a crazy long drive to Katherine, so there’s still time to enjoy a bit more of the park.

When it’s finally time to exit the park, start heading south to the Katherine. The drive is lush and green, there’s a few different stops for fuel, but don’t wait to long to fill up. The road is a bit hilly and wavy, but as it goes more into the outback the road will straighten and the trees clear.

Katherine is a great stop for this lag of the journey, as it’s the final stop for a major grocery store before Kununurra. These are also the only two stops with major grocery store on this road trip guide aside from Darwin and Broome.

There’s also Nitmiluk National Park and Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge, these are natural beauties hidden in the bush from Katherine. The way the forests and gorges take over the scenery it’s like walking into another world. There’s actually 13 different gorges in this area, but most aren’t accessible by foot.

Due to the risk of crocodiles and flooding, many areas of Nitmiluk National Park aren’t accessible during the wet season. However, if you do happen to rock up during the humid wet season, the best thing to do is book a boat tour to see the gorges. Not all are accessible even by boat, but different tours access different sorts.

Or, if you’re really feeling energetic, do the Jatbula Trail, which is the only way to access many parts of the national park. There’s also other shorter trails around the park to see the gorges.

Accommodation

There’s so many different places to stay in Katherine, whether you have a high-end caravan in tow, or just a car. There’s also loads of campgrounds available, I stayed at the Riverview Tourist Village, they have a relaxing pool and an outdoor kitchen area. It’s also quite grassy and green. It’s just one of many campgrounds in the area though, there’s lots to choose from so book ahead during the busy season to get a good one.

In terms of a free option, King River South Rest Area just outside of Katherine is an option, but just be careful about safety.

Day 4: Katherine to Timber Creek, NT

Drive time: Three hours (289 km)

This is the day the road trip is leaving the last bit of civilization for a while. Make sure to stock up on groceries and fuel before leaving Katherine. It’s important to know how far your vehicle will go on a tank of fuel and figure out where the next servo is.

This part of the road trip from Darwin, NT to Broome, WA really starts to feel different as the route heads south west (finally!). It’s not necessarily barren, but the more dramatic landscapes picks up in this portion of the drive. I didn’t find there was a lot to see or many places to stop for the first part of this day.

The views are changing often, shifting between thin eucalyptus trees to hills and rocky escarpments. Around Gregory, the views get really spectacular. This is also where Judbarra / Gregory National Park begins, and you’ll know when.

From the dark red escarpments to the hills and the Victoria River, the landscape is warm and comforting.

Judbarra / Gregory National Park covers 13,000 km2 throughout the area. Most of the national park is 4WD tracks, but if you have a 2WD fear not, there’s also good stops.

Just two kilometres after the Victoria River roadhouse is the Nawilbinbin Walk. This hike is easy, and the incline is quick to get up there. Just don’t make the same mistake I did by wearing open shoes—there’s ants, there’s lots, they’re big, and they bite. Also look out for the giant golden orb webs along the trail, I came across multiple while on this trail. If you’re lucky, there will be a bit of a breeze as the path inclines, which makes the whole thing a lot more bearable.

Further down on the Victoria highway is the Escarpment Walk, also part of Judbarra / Gregory National Park. Aside from this, head to accommodation in Timber Creek.

Accommodation

As the area gets more remote, it’s also important to book campgrounds or accommodation ahead of time. This does make it tougher to be spontaneous, but it’s important to have a safe place to sleep at night. And it’s not just about booking ahead, also get there on time as in remote areas places close early.

There’s a few different options for campgrounds and general accommodation. In remote areas like this and thereafter, most accommodation is combined with campgrounds. Usually by small cabins or units close by the other camping area. Victoria River Roadhouse Caravan Park is an example of this, but it does close during the wet season.

There’s also Timber Creek Hotel & Caravan Park, which is a lovely spot near a creek where freshwater crocs can be seen. Or for a budget option, check out Big Horse Creek Campground which is part of Judbarra / Gregory National Park.

Day 5: Timber Creek, NT to Lake Argyle, WA

Drive time: Two hours and a half (225 km)

Looking back at all of these drive times I know for sure I took longer. In most highways along this road trip the speed limit is 130 km/hr. My van goes 110 km max, but I tend to sit more comfortably at 100 km. That means a lot of these drive times can be much longer depending on your vehicle—which is why I include the kilometres as well!

Leaving Timber Creek, there’s a few different options for stops before hitting the WA border. First off, Gregory’s Tree, is a small but cute stop with a short walk. It’s also an opportunity to imagine how life was over a hundred years ago in this exact spot.

After leaving the area and Judbarra / Gregory National Park behind, the next national park, which is a must-see before the border is Keep River National Park. Unfortunately, this park is mostly closed during the wet season. However, it is open to 2WD during the dry season, via corrugated roads. Roads flood during the wet, which is why it’s closed.

There’s only one entrance road to this park and there’s a billboard by the road (as with many other NT national parks) where the ranger often will write what’s open or closed in the park. This makes it really easy to see what’s open or not, without committing to driving all the way up towards the national park. If it’s the dry season, take a few days to spend in the park, otherwise Cockatoo Lagoon and Ginger’s Hill walk should be open year-round.

Next, cross the border and head straight into the Kimberley. Almost immediately after crossing the border things start to change. Or maybe that was just my relief from waiting months to finally get in? No really though, ridges grow from nowhere, trees cascade in all different directions and then comes the road to Lake Argyle. The hills are a deep red, and they seem to move with you on the drive to the lake.

Since crossing the border to WA is when I understood the beauty of the Kimberley. It’s somehow desolate, dramatic and so comfortable at the same time. This blended in with the occasional thunder and rainstorms the wet season brought, was perfect.

Crossing the NT to WA Border

If you’re travelling with our modern-day COVID regulations, it is mandatory to apply for a G2G PASS to enter the state. Don’t get caught without this or the border police will just turn you away. What’s also important is that this is a quarantine area for plants and produce. There’s signs along the way to remind you of this.

What that means is no fruit, vegetables, honey, soil, plants and more—click the link for the full government website on this. If you missed the many rubbish bins along the highway before the border, you can declare these items at the border. Security will check your vehicle, so don’t lie or hide anything. This quarantine area is to keep out damaging fungi and pests that would be detrimental to WA’s northern farms.

As for the G2G PASS, this is another government document where it’s illegal to lie. There should be no need for that either. WA’s border has been notoriously hard to enter throughout the pandemic, but it’s for good reasons. Just be honest about where you’ve been and it should be okay. If the conditions change once you arrive in WA you may be asked to self-isolate even after entering the border. So, you’re not in the clear until 14 days after arriving to WA.

Accommodation

There is an array of accommodation options in and around Kununurra. Despite the area being isolated, I felt it was a relatively bustling town considering where I had just driven through. However, this road trip guide focuses on staying at Lake Argyle—and you won’t be disappointed.

During the wet season (although don’t quote me on this, because it could change anytime), Lake Argyle Caravan Park has a wicked BOGO discount. Meaning you pay for one night and get two nights, and that’s an amazing time to take advantage of this location. The facilities are superb and have individual bathrooms with shower facilities that are newly renovated.

There’s also an outdoor kitchen area with covered seating, so for an unpowered vehicle like mine, it was splendid. Even throughout the wet season, there’s optional boat tours or kayak rentals which are great ways to explore the area. There’s also multiple lookouts for watching the sunset! And no, there aren’t any salties in the lake, so it’s safe to swim in.

Day 6: Lake Argyle to Warmun, WA

Drive time: Three hours (266 km)

After finally leaving Lake Argyle, (it’s hard to leave all that natural beauty behind) take some time to check out Kununurra. It’s less than an hour drive from the lake to Kununurra so it’s easy to get there early. Visit Mirima (Hidden Valley) National Park, which is just a stone’s throw from Kununurra’s town centre.

Park fees are mandatory at this park and many other great WA parks, so if you’re visiting many it might be worth while to purchase a park’s pass. This national park is accessible year round, and is 2WD-accessible. It has just one entrance road and a few walks throughout the park. Though it’s small, there’s lots of views to see and many educational spots throughout the trails.

I was able to do all of the short walks in the park in a few hours while really taking my time and stopping for lunch. It’s good to do in the morning on a hot day as there isn’t a lot of tree coverage on the trails. Make sure to be sun safe as WA’s northern sun is brutal.

For short walks, there’s the 800m return Derdbe-gerring Banan Trail which goes up to multiple lookouts, it can be steep in places. There’s also the 400m Looking at Plants Trail which is essentially the loop trail below the Derdbe-gerring Banan Trail, it’s an easy and accessible boardwalk. Lastly, there’s the 500m return Demboong Banan Trail which goes through a gap in the sandstone range—almost like a gorge, but completely geographically different—to a view over Kununurra.

If you’re a fan of trees and the shade they give, check out Celebrity Trees Park. There aren’t celebrities there, but there are trees planted by celebrities, complete with plenty of shade. After visiting this park, stock up on groceries and fuel in Kununurra before leaving.

Accommodation

This section of the road trip from Darwin, NT to Broome, WA becomes more isolated, especially in terms of finding accommodation. Much earlier than Warnum, there’s camping and accommodation available at Doon Doon Roadhouse, but that will mean more driving the next day. In Warnum the only accommodation and camping is the Warnum Roadhouse.

Or, past Warnum there’s further options, both as bush camping or caravan parks. For 2WD accessible, there’s Bungle Bungle Caravan Park and there’s two free options/rest areas. These include: Spring Creek Rest Area and Leycesters Rest Area.

Day 7: Warnum to Mimbi Caves, WA

Drive time: Three hours and 45 minutes (346 km)

It’s almost the last day this outback touring and the thrills aren’t over yet. There’s no major grocery stores, but there is some options in Halls Creek as you pass through. I don’t know a lot about Halls Creek, but I noticed while driving by the Centrelink office it was nicer than many others I’ve seen in cities.

Other than this, the town seemed quite similar to other small outbacks towns—although definitely more green and vibrant than the surrounding landscape.

At this point you’ll realize how important it is to wash your windshield at every servo possible. Not just because of the bugs, but with the dust and dirt, the windshield often becomes a smorgasbord of substances that makes it tough to see clearly.

After Halls Creek, the highway goes through Mueller Ranges, which are some desert mountain ranges that go throughout highway. It’s surprising and impressive how quick they appear and then disappear, while driving. Use the rest areas to take breaks along the way and take it all in.

Accommodation

The Mimbi Caves is a perfect in between stop before Broome. It’s located in the stunning Gooniyandi country, and offers both tours of the caves and a campground. These are 100% owned and operated by Indigenous people, so you can feel good about supporting the local economy. Finally, there’s the Mimbi Caves Campground which has hot showers, and outdoor kitchen and more for guests.

Also in the area is Larrawa Station Nature Stay, which is a campground on a working cattle station. And for free options there’s two rest areas: Mary Pool and Ngumban Cliff.

Day 8: Mimbi Caves to Broome, WA

Drive time: Five hours (492 km)

It’s the final day of this road trip from Darwin, NT to Broome, WA! It’s a wild ride through the outback and there’s so much to see each day—and even more driving each day.

If you’re driving on a hot day, try getting up and start driving early then take a break mid-way through the day. This is a good way to avoid the hot sun, though many times of the year the sun is hot and burning throughout the entire day… air conditioning helps greatly.

The drive from Mimbi Caves area to Broome changes a lot from the rest of this road trip. It evens out quite a bit, there’s fewer hills and rocky mountains, instead trees take over the landscape. And, the closer to Broome, the more humid it will be.

There’s a lot to see around Fitzroy Crossing area in terms of national parks, but most are 4WD-only accessible. If you’re wanting to see more, try going on a tour. Although, all of this is closed during the wet season as the remote areas like national parks flood and are difficult to access.

Other than this, there isn’t too much to see on the road to Broome. Definitely stop whenever you can, there’s a few spots with giant boab trees. The picnic areas surrounding these areas are quite overgrown, but it’s still nice to get out and stretch your legs.

Cell phone reception is quite spotty along the drive to make sure to have pre-downloaded playlists for music, and to book accommodation in Broome ahead of time.

Accommodation

Plan accommodation in Broome ahead of time. During the wet season, nearly every place will have rooms or campsites available, but that’s not guaranteed. It’s also good to plan accommodation so you don’t have to think about it on the drive. In terms of pricing, it’s not cheap.

Campgrounds are all starting at around A$30 per night for unpowered, but they do have all the facilities. However, sleeping through extreme humidity is uncomfortable. .

For more road trip guides, check out Cairns, QLD to Darwin, NT or the ultimate east coast trip from Brisbane to Cairns, QLD. Or, the cross-state journey from Melbourne to Sydney along the coast, or the inland route!