Darwin, the tropical capital of Australia, is a beautiful part of the Northern Territory to start a campervan or motorhome adventure Down Under. The city has an average maximum temperature of around 35 degrees all year. It has distinctive dry and rainy seasons, making it easy to plan a trip based on your weather preferences. There is so much to see and do when you rent a campervan in Darwin, from the dense and beautiful national parks to the paradisaic coast or the chance to learn more about the Aboriginal heritage of the area and country in general.
When you rent a campervan in Darwin, you can explore the awe-inspiring Kakadu National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and stop off at beaches along the coast, like Mindil Beach. This is known for its incredible night market and colourful sunsets, which you won’t want to miss.
Then there are the rivers like the Mary River in the wetlands and the double waterfall Wangi Falls. If you are interested in saving money when you hire a campervan in Darwin, look no further than CamperDays and our exclusive price comparison tool. Our team works hard with local Darwin campervan rental companies to secure the best prices for your holiday.
Would you like to enquire about a motorhome or do you need further information before making a booking? You can contact us without obligation either from Mon - Fri 9:00 - 17:00 GMT by phone or at any time via our online contact form.
Valuable tips for your trip to Darwin
If comfort and pleasant weather are what you are looking for when you rent a motorhome in Darwin, then you should travel there during the dry season. Darwin’s dry season runs between May and October, and during this time, many of the most popular events occur.
HikingYou should travel during the dry season and head out early in the morning or afternoon for the best lighting and to avoid more excessive temperatures.
Beach holidaysIf you intend to spend much time visiting Darwin in a campervan along the coast, consider going during the dry season unless you love the warmer weather.
FishingThe best time to go is from October to December when the breeding season for the species starts. March and April, the run-off season, is excellent for fishing at the river and creek mouths for barra.
Best campervan routes around Darwin
There are various great driving routes to try when you book a motorhome rental in Darwin. You will find some of the best and most popular below.
Darwin to Katherine, Stuart Highway
Katherine is the 4th biggest town in the Northern Territory and is worth visiting, even if you want to stay out of the more metropolitan parts. The journey from Darwin to the town takes around three hours and is a straight route along the Stuart Highway. Make sure you take your time and find many spots to stop along the way. There are the Katherine Hot Springs and Low-Level Nature Park to look forward to when you reach the town, as well as hiking opportunities at Katherine Gorge. Stuart Highway is a well-maintained and relatively safe road to drive along, so you don’t need a 4WD vehicle.
Darwin to Kakadu National Park, Arnhem Highway
While the route to Kakadu National Park is relatively short, at around 151 km, it is still worth adding to your itinerary when you rent a campervan for hire in Darwin. It’s a great excuse to drive and stop along the Arnhem Highway and take in the breathtaking sights and sounds of the outback along the way. Although it is not essential to have a four-wheel-drive vehicle, once you reach the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kakadu National Park, you may find it helpful to have one to explore the key attractions there.
Darwin to Queensland, Stuart Highway
Queensland is an extremely popular destination, with good reason. If you want to explore Queensland and the surrounding areas, you can take a road trip there when you book a camper van for hire in Darwin. This route could easily be covered in a day – but where is the fun in that? For a true adventure, try to split it up over several days. Consider driving from Darwin to Elliot on the first day. Stay as long as you want before taking the next leg of the journey from Elliot to Mount Isa via Warumungu and Tablelands before finishing with Mount Isa to Queensland.
Best excursions and sites of interest around Darwin
Kakadu National Park
Kakadu National Park covers around 20,000 square kilometres. It is home to over 10,000 crocodiles, which is approximately a 10th of Northern Territory’s croc population. It is also home to more than 280 species of birds and approximately 2,000 types of plants.
Uluru
Uluru, better known as Ayer’s Rock, is one of Australia’s most popular natural landmarks. Its circumference is 9.4 km. It is taller than New York’s impressive Chrysler Building
Litchfield National Park
Litchfield National Park covers around 1500 square kilometres and is named after Frederick Henry Litchfield, a famous pioneer of the Northern Territory. You can cand all sorts of animals within the park, including little red and black flying foxes, dingoes, fawn antechinus, northern brushtail possums, sugar gliders, agile wallabies, and antilopine kangaroos. There are also hundreds of bird species native to the area, including black kites, dollar birds, rainbow bee-eaters, pacific koel, figbird, yellow oriole, and spangled drongo.
Campsites in Darwin and the surrounding area
Your stay for the first night
- Northern Territory/Charles Darwin National ParkHidden Valley Holiday Park
- Northern Territory/Charles Darwin National ParkMarlow Lagoon
- Northern Territory/Charles Darwin National ParkCoolalinga Caravan Park
- Northern Territory/Litchfield Kakadu ArnhemPandanus on Litchfield
- Northern Territory/Litchfield Kakadu ArnhemMt Bundy Station
- Northern Territory/Charles Darwin National ParkDiscovery Parks - Darwin
You can sleep anywhere in a campervan in the Northern Territory unless some rules and regulations state otherwise.
In Australia, there are many places where you can park for free in a campervan or motorhome.
Although the price of a motorhome rental in Darwin will vary, the daily rate will generally fall between $60 and $420. The cost will depend on the campervan's size, make, and model, how long you are renting, and the season you are travelling.
Compare the prices for different campervans, locations, and dates in our price comparison tool and find the most affordable option for your trip.
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