With an expanse of 1.421 million km² and a population of just under 250,000, the Northern Territory is the perfect place to get of the beaten track and escape for a while. Hire a 4WD campervan to truly experience the wonders of Australia’s famous red centre.
From looming geological masses to the wilderness of Kakadu National Park and the arid plains of the Simpson Desert, there is something for everyone in the Northern Territory. With the terrain offering unique driving challenges, it’s best to ensure that you’re prepared for anything by checking your motorhome rental offers 4WD options.
Almost impossible to see all the NT has to offer in one trip, it’s in your best interest to research and plan your road trip while keeping in mind campervan hire options from the nearest city - which in most cases will be Darwin, however Alice Springs also has many campervan hire options.
Binns Track, Simpson Desert
This 2330 km track is the perfect way to acquaint yourself with the remarkable scenery of the NT. The track is a haven for people wanting to explore the isolation, vibrant floral colours and interesting rock formations of the Simpson Desert.
Give yourself ten days to tour Binns Track and expect to travel between 90kms and 400kms per day. With many sections of the track challenging, it’s best to ensure that your 4WD campervan hire is suited to the task and in some cases you might have to notify the campervan hire company that you are doing this one. But the effort will be worth it.
The Binns Track starts at the South Australian border and will take you through old gold mining towns, the Karlu Karlu domes and Alice Springs.
Kakadu National Park
At nearly 20 000 square kilometres, you’ll need to equip yourself with a sturdy 4WD campervan to make sure your Kakadu travels are experienced to the max – campervan hire from Darwin is the best place to start your trip through this wild National Park. A number of sites in the park are of Aboriginal significance and are only accessible by 4WD, namely West Alligator Head, Twin Falls and Jarrangbarnmi campground, which gives you access to the breathtaking Koolpin Gorge.
It’s important to note that while many areas of the park are accessible with just a 2WD, a majority of the roads in Kakadu are unsealed. With rental companies often not allowing 2WD rental vehicles and campervans on unsealed roads, cover all your bases by investing in a 4WD motorhome rental.
Greater Litchfield Loop
The NT truly puts on a show at Litchfield National Park and it’s not to be missed. Start researching 4WD campervan hire from Darwin because you’ll be wanting to head out to Litchfield on your next road trip.
A manageable hour and a half drive from the state’s capital, Litchfield offers a vast range of scenery and activities for everyone to enjoy. Set aside four days to loop from Darwin through Litchfield and Batchelor before heading back to the city. Spend time chilling under spring-fed waterfalls and swimming in crystal clear waterholes – just be sure to keep an eye out for crocs! With the Reynolds River track offering a thrilling 4WD experience, you’ll be patting yourself on the back for hiring a 4WD motorhome.
Savannah Way
Follow this route from Cairns all the way across the Top End to Broome in WA, or just jump on for a portion exploring the wonders of the NT – either way, you’ll be needing to hire a 4WD campervan to make the most of this epic road trip.
Head out from Katherine for some interesting driving on unsealed roads. The Roper Bar route is a challenging isolated drive, as is the Borroloola to Burketown section of the Savannah Way. Take full advantage of stunning riverside camping spots with a 4WD rental motorhome.
Madigan Line, Simpson Desert
For those ready to truly challenge themselves and their vehicles, the Madigan Line is the ultimate 4WD test of endurance. Following the expedition of Cecil Madigan in 1939, the Madigan Line takes you through some of Australia’s most remote desert country. The Madigan Line is one of Australia’s least traversed routes due to its level of difficulty.
Madigan’s campsites can be found the entire length of the track, which encompasses the Oodnadatta Track, Big Red, and Mt Dare. The Madigan Line usually takes at least two weeks to complete, but time spent in the Simpson Desert is always time well spent.
Red Centre Way
Uncover the red heart of Australia on this 1135km loop of unsealed and sealed roads. 4WD campervan hire is the best way to get started on this journey of a lifetime which will take you from Alice Springs to the jaw-dropping Uluru.
Along the way, you’ll experience the rugged beauty of King’s Canyon, dry red deserts and Kata Tjuta. Travel through Finke Gorge National Park to witness the plethora of rare and unique plant species thriving in Palm Valley. The ochre pits of the Tjoritja are also well worth a visit. Allow up to six days in your 4WD campervan rental to complete the Red Centre Way.
Arnhem Way
Arnhem Land is a paradise of unspoiled savannah and pristine beaches, and it offers kilometres of challenging 4WD tracks. The Central Arnhem road starts just 50km south of Katherine and winds its way north-east to the Gove Peninsula. Arnhem land is the place to be for epic fishing experiences, bushwalking, Aboriginal art and 4WD adventures. This route can easily be completed in six days, but you’ll likely want to stick around for longer.
4WD campervan hire is the ultimate way to get started on this road trip. It’s important to remember when planning this trip that you’ll need to acquire permits from the Northern Land Council to travel through Arnhem Land.
The best way to explore all the Northern Territory has to offer is through 4WD campervan hire. You won’t have to miss out on must-see locations due to their isolation when you’ve planned ahead. From wide open desert plains to cascading waterfalls, and crisscrossed with thousands of kilometres of 4WD tracks, the NT is the ultimate destination for 4WD campervan adventurers.
