Take an overnight cruise deep into the most magical spots in the Top End, like Kakadu National Park, Litchfield National Park, and the historic outback towns and gorges of Katherine and Batchelor. The route includes a night’s stay in Katherine. 

Riding conditions encompass easy riding on sealed highways, with a couple of off-road trails available in Kakadu National Park and Nitmiluk National Park for riders who are keen to take the Multistrada V4 to explore the outback beyond the tarmac.

For your night in Katherine, a stay at the fantastic Cicada Lodge includes a dining experience that puts the spotlight on native cuisine and great wine. Alternatively, to savour a night deep in the rural outback, ride from Katherine to Beswick , and stay at Djakanimba Pavilions.

Discover more highlights of your adventure below.

Morning: Darwin to Jabiru via Mount Bundey

Hit the road early for an epic ride from the NT’s capital and into the iconic Kakadu National Park, but not before visiting some of Darwin’s artistic and historic highlights. Head to Crocosaurus Cove to see the giant saltwater crocodiles, or learn about Darwin’s storied history at the Aviation Museum or 1934 Qantas Hangar. Near the waterfront, art and culture await at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory.

 

Kick start your ride by following the Arnhem Highway to Mount Bundey for morning tea. Afterwards, cruise into Kakadu National Park towards Jabiru, passing through eucalypt forests and the scenic Mamukala Wetlands along the way. 

In Kakadu, break for a laid-back lunch at one of Jabiru’s country pubs or cafes, and explore the Bowali Visitor Centre. You might also venture off the beaten track towards Ubirr, around 30 minutes away, to see the amazing rock art.

Afternoon: Jabiru to Katherine via Pine Creek

After lunch, follow the Kakadu Highway towards Pine Creek. Stunning scenic lookouts can be found along the way at Barramundi Gorge, Mirrai Lookout, and Yellow Water (Ngurrungurrudjba). These locations show off iconic Australian outback landscapes, and are the perfect way to break up your afternoon ride. 

At Pine Creek, take an afternoon pitstop to recharge your batteries, and learn about the pioneering history of the area at the local museum. From here, it’s around an hour’s ride to Katherine, your tropical base for the night. We suggest staying at the legendary Cicada Lodge to enjoy an award-winning dining experience based on native ingredients and expertly matched wines, or alternatively, you can ride further to Djakanimba Pavilions, located in Beswick.

Morning: Katherine to Batchelor via Pine Creek

Kick off day two in Katherine by exploring some of the town and beautiful surrounds. In town you can immerse yourself in history at the Godinymayin Yijard Rivers Arts & Culture Centre or Katherine Museum, or you can hit the dirt trail into Nitmiluk National Park, where Butterfly Gorge, Baruwei Lookout and the Southern Rockhole offer amazing outlooks over the Katherine River. 

Back on the Stuart Highway, ride to Batchelor for lunch, pausing for your morning break at Pine Creek along the way. Batchelor offers a range of relaxed bistros, cafes and restaurants for a great lunch in the historic settlement.

Afternoon: Batchelor to Darwin via Rakula

After lunch, check out some of the natural wonders of Litchfield Park, like the towering Magnetic Termite Mounds, or the tranquil waters at Buley Rockhole or Florence Falls Waterhole. The area is also home to several beautiful cascades, including the dual waterfalls at Wangi Falls, and the Upper Cascades in Rakula, where we suggest taking your afternoon break.

To finish your epic Northern Territory adventure, stop off at Blackmore River Conservation Reserve for a quick bush walk and a photo, then it’s just a short ride home to Darwin.

Journey from Alice Springs into West MacDonnell National Park for a fantastic day ride that highlights this gorgeous region’s parklands, red rock canyons, and peaceful waterholes. The route includes a lunch at Petermann, and scheduled breaks for short walks that let you see some of outback Australia’s iconic ochre landscapes. 

This route is mostly easy riding on sealed highways, but also includes a long dirt road section between Petermann and Ghan that will accentuate the impressive capabilities of the Multistrada V4. In the event of bad weather, the route can be completed entirely on the highways.

Breaks for refreshments in the morning and afternoon make for a comfortable day of riding, while a laid-back lunch in Petermann is the perfect way to punctuate your outback journey.

Discover more highlights of your adventure below.

Morning: Alice Springs to Petermann via Mount Zeil

Before hitting the road for your adventure, you can check out the amazing wildlife displays at Alice Springs Desert Park. After making tracks from Alice Springs, stop at the legendary Simpsons Gap and get a photo of the gorgeous, tranquil waters and rocky cliffs. A little further along the road is Standley Chasm, a great spot for nature walks and picturesque lookouts. 

Afterwards, ride to Mount Zeil, where you can explore some magnificent gorge formations and grab a coffee. Ellery Creek Big Hole, Serpentine Gorge, and the Ochre Pits are all worth pulling over for along the way, and nearby to Mount Zeil, you can walk to the amazing lookouts at Mount Sonder, Glen Helen Gorge, or the Glen Helen Organ Pipes. Amazing red rock formations, native bush and untouched wildlife can be found at any of these scenic spots, while the swimming hole at Ormiston Gorge is accessible via a dirt road ride and a bush walk. 

After exploring the gorges, head to Petermann to grab lunch at a local bistro in the heart of the Watarrka National Park.

Afternoon: Petermann to Alice Springs via Stuarts Well

After lunch at Petermann, ride past Kings Canyon and stretch your legs with a short walk down the easy track to Kathleen Springs. If you wish to extend your trip and take an incredible hike, you might choose to stay overnight at Kings Canyon Resort and walk to the canyon rim the following morning.

Back in the saddle, it’s time for the exciting final stretch, where you can take on the awesome Ernest-Giles Road dirt trail (turn off from Luritja Rd). This epic 100km section is best ridden in the dry months, as wet season can bring floods. As you get closer to Alice Springs, check out the Henbury Meteorites Conservation Reserve, near Ghan, then follow the Stuart Highway across the Finke River and back to town.