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The Best Off Road Drives in the Northern Territory

Go on an epic off-roading adventure in the beautiful and challenging terrain of Australia’s Top End!
As one of Australia’s most trusted providers of roadside assistance and vehicle batteries, Marshall

Batteries has journeyed across some of the country’s top tourist spots and experiences. Here are our favourite off-road drives in the Northern Territory.

 

Binns Track, NT

Where: Starting in Mt Dare and taking you through Alice Springs to finish in Timber Creek, Binns Track can take up to 10 days to traverse – and sandy slopes will challenge even the most experienced off-roader – so this is one for those who’ve already cut their teeth with off-roading adventures.

Highlights: If you really want to see all that the Northern Territory has to offer, you can’t go past Binns Track. With deserts, plains, and mountainous regions, Binns Track really has everything. Named after Bill Binns, a park ranger who served NT Parks and Wildlife for over 30 years, the track is a wonderful reminder of how truly beautiful the Top End can be.

Access through Gregory National Park – through which Binns Track runs – is limited from December to May, so make sure to check ahead of time.

Holler for a Marshall at 1300 627 742 for roadside assistance in NT, and we’ll replace your SUV/4WD battery so you can hit the road quickly.

 

Gunbarrel Highway

Mount Beadell on the Gunbarrel Highway

Mount Beadell on the Gunbarrel Highway. Image credit: Wikimedia Commons.

 

Where: The Gunbarrel Highway runs from Wiluna in Western Australia’s Northern Goldfields through South Australia before finishing in Yulara in the Northern Territory.

Highlights: Gunbarrel Highway is notorious for being one of Australia’s most rugged off-road tracks. For a confident driver, Gunbarrel offers up some really unique off-roading. With heavy corrugations, stone, sand, and floodplains, you’ll never get bored on this stretch of track.

Supplies along the way can be limited, so make sure to stock up beforehand. Check if your car battery needs a replacement, and if yes, Holler for a Marshall at 1300 627 742.

For those who love to snooze beneath the stars, you’ll find plenty of awesome campsites along the way. Some areas along the Gunbarrel Highway require permits to traverse Aboriginal Lands, so make sure you’ve got all of your permits ready beforehand.

Check out our guides to off-roading in Western Australia and South Australia for more ideas.

 

Tnorala (Gosse Bluff) Conservation Reserve

Gosse Bluff crater

The spectacular Gosse Bluff crater is one of the most significant impact structures in the world. Image credit: Wikimedia Commons.

 

Where: Located about a two-hour drive and 175 km west of Alice Springs.

Highlights: Tnorala is one of the most unique spots on our list; it was formed over 140 million years ago when a comet blasted a crater over 20 km across.

While the track along the reserve may not be as long or gruelling as other off-road tracks in the Northern Territory, it sure makes for one amazing and unusual day of off-roading!

While the crater has many beautiful picnic spots and scenic areas for the whole family, the last 10 km into the bluff is only accessible by 4WD.

It’s open all year round. However, it’s best to visit Tnorala in the cooler months – from April to September. Also, be aware that the park will be closed during heavy rain, so be sure to check the weather before you head out.

As with many sites around Australia, Tnorala holds special meaning for the traditional owners. Indigenous Australians believe that Tnorala was formed in the creation time, when a group of women danced as stars in the Milky Way. While the traditional owners graciously welcome visitors, it is important to respect the cultural significance of the site.

 

Finke Gorge National Park

gigantic, prehistoric-looking palms of Finke Gorge National Park.

The gigantic, prehistoric-looking palms of Finke Gorge National Park. Image credit: Wikimedia Commons.

 

Where: The park is 138 km west or a two-hour drive from Alice Springs. To get there, take the Larapinta Drive from Alice Springs, and once you pass the Hermannsburg community, turn south.

Highlights: Fink Gorge is often referred to as Australia’s Jurassic Park or Palm Valley due to the giant, prehistoric-looking palms that grow in the region. It’s a great location for off-roading; you can access the park through rocky paths that follow the banks of the Finke River.

Due to these terrain conditions, it’s best recommended for experienced four-wheel drivers with high clearance vehicles.

Head to the Finke path to take the adventure to the next level. This challenging 4WD track goes from Finke River to Illamurta Springs Conservation Reserve and on to Watarrka National Park (Kings Canyon). You’ll see a huge array of wildlife, flora, and the stunning red cliffs along the path that make the region so picturesque.

During the wet season, heavy rains can make the 4WD paths impassable – so plan your trip in advance. And don’t forget to check if your battery needs a replacement before heading to the Fink Gorge on your 4WD.

If you’re heading to the Northern Territory for off-roading, why not go on a fishing trip while you’re there? Check out our guide to the best fishing spots near Darwin and you won’t be off-roading hungry!

And remember, if you find yourself in need of roadside assistance in NT, you can always holler for a Marshall on 1300 695 717.

 

 

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