Darwin’s breathtaking natural beauty and varied landscapes create a haven for outdoor lovers in search of memorable camping and glamping adventures. From the rugged outback to the pristine national parks, this area is filled with opportunities to connect with nature and observe incredible wildlife up close. The Northern Territory’s distinctive mix of wilderness and comfort has established it as a top choice for those wanting to experience the great outdoors without giving up on luxury.
Adventurers can select from a range of outstanding camping and glamping options that suit various tastes and budgets. Whether you prefer staying in safari tents beneath the stars, exploring eco-friendly resorts tucked away in the wilderness, or enjoying picturesque views from glamping tents, Darwin has something for everyone. This article will guide you through some of the best camping and glamping spots in the region, showcasing the unique features and outdoor activities each location offers to help you plan your ideal outback escape.
Matt Wright’s Top End Safari Camp
Situated in the heart of the Northern Territory’s rugged outback, Matt Wright’s Top End Safari Camp provides an unmatched glamping experience that merges luxury with the untamed beauty of the Australian wilderness. This premier destination allows visitors to fully immerse themselves in nature while enjoying top-notch accommodations and exciting activities.
Top End Safari Camp Location
The Top End Safari Camp is ideally located in the Peninsular Way area, just northwest of Litchfield National Park. It takes about 1.5 hours to drive from Darwin via Cox Peninsular and Fogg Bay Roads. For added convenience, the camp provides return coach transfers from Darwin City as part of their tour packages. Adventurous visitors can also choose to drive themselves, which offers more flexibility. The last part of the journey includes a 7km unsealed road, enhancing the feeling of seclusion and adventure. Once guests arrive, they can relax knowing their vehicles will be securely parked in the onsite parking area.
Top End Safari Camp Accommodation
Accommodation at the Top End Safari Camp is truly remarkable. Guests can enjoy the comfort of 15 Deluxe Lotus Belle Tents, each providing a warm and welcoming retreat after a day spent exploring the outback. These glamping tents come with double beds, open-air showers, and private decks, ensuring a luxurious experience in the wilderness. The camp is thoughtfully designed, with each tent conveniently located near essential amenities like the sky deck, fire pit, pool, and restrooms.
In addition to the private tents, the camp features excellent communal facilities. A shared deck area is perfect for lounging and unwinding, while the pool offers a refreshing escape from the heat of the Top End. As the day comes to a close, guests can gather around the firepit or in the dining area to savour delicious meals and cold drinks while enjoying the stunning Top End sunset.
Top End Safari Camp Activities
The Top End Safari Camp truly excels in offering a variety of thrilling activities. Guests can take part in unforgettable outback adventures that highlight the best of the region. The camp’s tour packages include unique Top End experiences, providing great value for money.
Experience the excitement of airboat adventures that glide over the water, giving you a thrilling view of the local ecosystem. You can also take peaceful lagoon river cruises, perfect for spotting wildlife and enjoying the beautiful landscapes. For those looking for an adrenaline kick, crocodile encounters provide a unique opportunity to get close to these ancient creatures with expert supervision.
Cooinda Lodge Kakadu
Cooinda Lodge Kakadu is your gateway to the stunning Kakadu National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site located in the Northern Territory of Australia. This village-style resort, owned by the local indigenous community, combines comfort with nature, making it a perfect base for discovering the wonders of Kakadu.
Cooinda Lodge Location
Located 171 km southeast of Darwin, Cooinda Lodge is ideally situated within Kakadu National Park. Its prime location allows easy access to many attractions, such as Jim Jim Falls, Twin Falls, Maguk Gorge, Motor Car Falls, and the Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) Rock Art Site. The lodge is set among trees next to Yellow Water Billabong, which is famous for its Yellow Water Cruises.
Cooinda Lodge Accommodation
Cooinda Lodge provides a variety of accommodation options to cater to different preferences and budgets. The recently renovated lodge rooms offer comfortable and spacious retreats for up to four guests. Each room includes a queen bed, a single bed, and an additional single trundle bed for flexible sleeping arrangements. Guests will appreciate the convenience of an ensuite bathroom, tea and coffee making facilities, a mini-fridge, TV, air conditioning, and an outdoor terrace.
For those looking for a more immersive experience, the Outback Retreat glamping tents present a distinctive camping adventure. These canvas accommodations are constructed on raised platforms to ensure they can be used year-round while minimising their environmental footprint. The tents come equipped with high-quality bedding, air conditioning, and private verandas. Although they share a dedicated amenities block, the tents strike a perfect balance between comfort and a connection to nature.
The lodge also features two inviting shaded swimming pools, providing a refreshing escape from the heat of the Top End. Guests can enjoy bistro-style dining options, bars, and a shop that sells locally-made crafts and essential supplies for their travels.
Cooinda Lodge Experiences
Cooinda Lodge Kakadu serves as an excellent base for exploring the natural wonders and cultural richness of the area. The Yellow Water Cruises, departing from reception up to five times daily, offer unmatched opportunities to see crocodiles, birds, and a variety of wildlife on the floodplain. The Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre, just a short walk away, offers insights into the region’s rich indigenous heritage.
For those interested in aerial adventures, scenic flights leave from the nearby Cooinda Airstrip, providing stunning views of the park’s expansive landscapes. The lodge’s close proximity to various attractions allows guests to easily discover the park’s diverse ecosystems, ranging from lush wetlands to rugged escarpments.
Cooinda Lodge Kakadu blends comfort, convenience, and immersive experiences, ensuring an unforgettable stay in one of Australia’s most remarkable natural and cultural landscapes.
Bamurru Plains
Bamurru Plains offers an extraordinary wilderness experience in the heart of Australia’s Top End. This luxury safari camp, inspired by African lodges, gives guests a unique chance to fully immerse themselves in one of the country’s most significant ecosystems.
Bamurru Plains Location
Nestled on the coastal floodplains of the Mary River, Bamurru Plains is ideally located at the edge of Kakadu National Park. This expansive 300-square-kilometre private property acts as a gateway to the region’s rich wildlife and stunning landscapes. Its close proximity to Kakadu and Arnhem Land makes it convenient for day trips to discover ancient rock art and immerse in indigenous culture.
Bamurru Plains Accommodation
The accommodation at Bamurru Plains has been carefully crafted to harmonise with the natural surroundings. Ten safari bungalows are elevated on stilts, providing views over the floodplain. These distinctive structures feature mesh screen walls from ceiling to floor on three sides, allowing guests to hear, see, and almost feel the wilderness enveloping them.
Each bungalow comes with cozy beds dressed in organic cotton linen, spacious ensuite bathrooms with high-pressure showers, and private decks. The décor pays homage to the region’s indigenous and pastoral heritage, incorporating elements like buffalo horns, explorer’s maps, and Aboriginal artwork.
For those desiring a touch of luxury, the Kingfisher Suite offers sweeping views of the floodplain and the option for a romantic in-room candlelit dinner. The Jabiru Retreat provides a unique ‘camp within a camp’ experience, featuring two interconnected safari bungalows and a private plunge pool.
Bamurru Plains Wildlife
The standout feature of Bamurru Plains is its remarkable wildlife. The property hosts an astonishing variety of animals and birds, with over 236 bird species recorded in the area. Guests can watch flocks of birds take flight from around the infinity-edge pool, see buffalo roaming freely, and catch glimpses of Agile wallabies hopping by their bungalows.
The Mary River catchment, which encompasses Bamurru Plains, is known for having one of the highest crocodile densities in the world. During the dry season, these ancient reptiles can often be spotted sunbathing on the banks of Sampan Creek, which marks the western boundary of the station.
Bamurru Plains provides a variety of guided experiences that allow guests to truly appreciate the local wildlife. These experiences include airboat rides through the wetlands, river cruises to spot sunbathing crocodiles, birdwatching excursions, and overland safari drives in open-sided vehicles. The knowledgeable guides on the property offer insightful interpretations of the local flora and fauna, ensuring that guests leave with a deep understanding of this unique Top End Australian landscape.
Kings Creek Station
Kings Creek Station Location
Kings Creek Station is a remarkable 2,000 square kilometre expanse of the Australian desert, located at the base of the stunning George Gill Range. Just 36 kilometres from the breathtaking Kings Canyon (Watarrka), this cattle station provides visitors with an authentic outback experience. Travellers can access Kings Creek from Alice Springs via the Luritja Road and Lasseter Highway, covering a distance of 450 kilometres on sealed roads. For those coming from Uluru or Erldunda, the turn-off is at the Luritja Road junction, with Uluru being 300 kilometres away.
Kings Creek Station Accommodation
The station offers a variety of accommodation options to cater to different preferences and budgets. Nestled among majestic desert oaks, visitors can choose from camping to luxurious glamping experiences. The Dreamtime Escarpment features spacious and beautifully appointed tents for up to six guests, providing a lavish camping experience with quality linens, king-size or twin beds, and private bathrooms. The Drovers Dream includes ten perfectly positioned tents that showcase the changing colours of the Watarrka landscape, each designed for comfort with a plush queen bed and ensuite shower. For a more rustic experience, the Bush Tents provide comfortable lodging with access to shared facilities, while the campground offers both powered and unpowered sites for caravans and tents.
Kings Creek Station Activities
Kings Creek Station provides a range of activities for visitors to fully immerse themselves in the outback experience. Guests can take part in buggy tours, navigating the expansive and breathtaking landscape of the station. These tours allow you to feel the breeze as you drive along private bush trails, soaking in the stunning views of the George Gill Ranges. The station also suggests nearby attractions, such as the Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Experience & Tours, which offers a glimpse into indigenous culture, bush tucker, and traditional medicines. For those looking for aerial thrills, scenic helicopter flights are available, showcasing the awe-inspiring views of the Central Ranges’ intricate crags, canyons, and rock formations. After a day filled with adventure, visitors can relax at the station’s café, savouring a famous camel burger or unwinding by the pool with a refreshing drink while watching the sunset over the majestic George Gill Ranges.
Banubanu Beach Retreat
Located on the northernmost tip of stunning Bremer Island, Banubanu Beach Retreat provides a luxurious getaway from the hustle and bustle of modern life. This tranquil haven offers guests the rare gifts of space, time, and solitude, all while allowing them to soak in the natural beauty of a tropical island paradise.
Banubanu Beach Retreat Location
Positioned in East Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Banubanu Beach Retreat is only a short 15-minute flight from Gove Airport in Nhulunbuy. The island boasts a rich history that dates back to ancient times, with the surrounding Arafura Sea playing a crucial role in historic trade among Indonesians, Indigenous Australians, and Torres Strait Islanders. The retreat’s name, “Banubanu,” translates to “women” in the language of Macassan traders, referring to the large rocky outcrops that create an unforgettable view from the beach.
Banubanu Beach Retreat Accommodation
The retreat provides a distinctive “glamping” experience with various accommodation choices. Guests can opt for deluxe beachfront bungalows or the exclusive elevated penthouse. Each fan-cooled room comes with a private ensuite and a beachfront deck, ideal for enjoying the serenity of the Arafura Sea. The accommodations have been carefully crafted to harmonise with the surrounding environment, offering breathtaking, unobstructed views of pristine beaches and natural landscapes.
Banubanu Beach Retreat Experiences
Banubanu Beach Retreat presents a plethora of activities for guests to enjoy during their visit. Nature lovers can traverse the island’s two marked walking trails, perfect for appreciating the cooler parts of the day. Birdwatchers will be thrilled by the 65 identified bird species on the island, while fishing aficionados can test their skills at beach or rock fishing.
One of the most remarkable experiences at Banubanu is the chance to witness sea turtles nesting on the beaches. Of the six species worldwide, four come to lay their eggs on the retreat’s shores, providing guests with a rare opportunity to observe this natural spectacle.
For those in search of relaxation, the retreat’s infinity pool and elevated restaurant offer the perfect ambiance to unwind while enjoying stunning ocean views. Guests can also indulge in memorable dining experiences, including picturesque picnic lunches.
Conclusion
Darwin’s camping and glamping spots present a unique combination of natural beauty and comfort, delivering unforgettable experiences for outdoor lovers. From Matt Wright’s Top End Safari Camp to Banubanu Beach Retreat, these locations highlight the diverse landscapes and wildlife of the Northern Territory. Each destination possesses its own unique charm, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the Australian wilderness while enjoying varying levels of luxury and adventure.
These incredible destinations greatly contribute to the promotion of sustainable tourism and environmental awareness in the area. By providing visitors with opportunities to engage with nature and discover local ecosystems and cultures, they encourage a greater appreciation for Australia’s distinctive environment. As the demand for these experiences rises, they become essential in supporting local communities and safeguarding the natural beauty of the Northern Territory for future generations to cherish.
