My favourite 5 overnight hikes in the NT
The NT has an incredibly remote landscape, which luckily for us is accessible with a variety of of well marked multi-day hikes, the best known being the Larapinta Trail from Alice Springs and the Jatbula Trail in Nitmiluk National Park.
These two hikes are definitely included in my top 2 if we’re talking about marked trails - I love them both.
However, I already have separate blog posts written about these two hikes and there is so much information out there on the internet that showcase just how great these walks are… so I just wanted to make sure I share something new that people may not know so much about!
If you do want to hear more about Jatbula and Larapinta, they are featured in my new Discovering Natural Northern Territory book, due for release 1 April 2024. You can (pre)order it here.
My Top 5 Multi-day hikes in the NT
The Southern Walks network, Nitmiluk National Park
Koolpin Gorge, Kakadu National Park
Baroaldba Creek, Kakadu National Park
The Tabletop Track, Litchfield National Park
Brinkley Bluff, Larapinta Trail
Camping along the Larapinta Trail
The Southern Walks Network
This is easily the NT’s most underrated multi day hike. It’s got so much to offer!
Stunning scenery, of course. Plenty of views in to the gorge.
An interlinked network of trails to enable a customisable route based on your ability and timeframe.
Great infrastructure/facilities including bush toilets and water tanks.
Swimming in the Katherine River
Sunrise from the 8th Gorge, NItmiluk NP
The Southern Walks head off from the main NItmiluk centre at the entrance to Katherine Gorge, climbing up on to the rim along a formed gravel vehicle track. There’s several side tracks that link the different walks with stunning natural attractions and camping areas.
The walking on the Southern Walks is pretty rough in terms of terrain. There’s a lot of rock, and a fair bit of scrambling if you want to get down in to the gorge.
My favourite location along this walk is probably Smitt Rock.
For more information on this fabulous hike I’ve included sample itineraries and heaps more of the highlights in my book.
Smitt Rock
Koolpin Gorge
Kakadu National Park doesn’t have any marked multi-day trails but for experienced and prepared bushwalkers, a bushwalking permit can be organised. Be aware - any overnight walks you find in Kakadu are off track.
Koolpin Gorge
Koolpin Gorge is navigationally one of the easier routes. An overnighter would bascially be a day following the gorge, exploring fantastic rock art and rock formations before camping beside the water and returning the following day.
For a little bit more complexity, a circuit walk over an extra day or two could be made incorporating the tall Freezing Gorge. For the more experienced and with a pick up at the end point, Koolpin Gorge to Twin Falls is a popular 5-6 day route.
What’s great about Koolpin?!
Incredible rock art to be discovered
Amazing gorge and rock formations
Swimming above the bottom pool. saltwater crocodile free!
A true wilderness experience, away from people and track
It’s just a magical place!
Baroaldba Creek
Another of Kakadu’s popular off-track bushwalks is high up into the stone country upstream of Kubara pools. Navigationally more difficult than Koolpin, the rewards are definitely worth it. This is one of the few areas of the Top End where the hiking is the best in the wet season. Creeks are flowing well, and plenty of rocky overhangs offer shelter from torrential downpours. It’s an incredibly rugged landscape and the wet season adventures I’ve had up here have been some of the best hikes of my life. The stunning valleys and escarpments, and the chance to be fully immersed in the landscape and elements!
Kakadu Sunset Cascades
Sunset in stone country habitat
The Tabletop Track
Litchfield’s Tabletop Track circuit is beginning to become a bit more well known in recent years. It’s got some great infrastructure along the 39km loop, with several access points from main visitor areas meaning you don’t have to complete the whole circuit but can complete shorter sections in days or overnight trips.
The highlights include beautiful swimming holes and waterfalls and the isolation along a well-marked trail. In that sense this is a walk unlike any other multi-day marked trail in Australia.
Shady Creek
Brinkley Bluff
Not everyone has the equipment/time/ability to walk the 231km Larapinta Trail from end to end. Luckily Larapinta is another of the NT’s walks with great infrastructure with several accessible jumping on/off points.
Sunset from Brinkley Bluff
If I were to pick one place to do an overnight walk on the Larapinta Trail, this is what I would pick! From/to Standley Chasm leads up the long steady ascent to the summit of Brinkley Bluff. One of the best campsites along the whole of the Larapinta trail.
Brinkley Bluff can be a windy campsite but the views at sunrise and sunset are completely worth it.
For plenty more information on the Larapinta Trail, check out my new book Discovering Natural Northern Territory
Looking back toward Standley Chasm