The best big rig friendly camping near Darwin

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At the very northern tip of the Top End, Darwin is perfectly positioned for exploring some of the most magnetic landscapes in Australia’s otherworldly Northern Territory. Make the most of the region’s natural beauty by pitching a tent or pulling up to one of its many campgrounds and RV parks perched by teeming waterfalls, swimming holes, billabongs, and forests. Keep your eyes peeled for the diverse fauna that lives here including saltwater crocs, wallabies, and hundreds of species of birds, then kick back around a campfire as stars fill the enormous sky.About an hour east of Darwin, the lush Mary River wetlands is a great place to stop on your way to Kakadu National Park or an easy side trip from the city. You can spot some of the 250 species of birds that flock to the Fogg Dam Conservation Reserve in the dry season; see saltwater crocodiles on a cruise on one of the wetlands’ billabongs, and learn about native birds and animals at the Window on the Wetlands Visitor Centre. Within Mary River National Park, Shady Camp and the more basic Couzen’s Lookout are popular camping areas for their proximity to the river, billabongs, and forest. Farther along the route to Kakadu, Mary River Wilderness Retreat offers accessible wilderness lodgings in powered and unpowered sites, as well as a safari tent glamping experience—the camping area is pet friendly (advise ahead of arrival) and all guests have access to the restaurant (with free wifi), two swimming pools, kitchen, and laundry facilities.Around an hour’s drive north of Darwin, Leaders Creek Fishing Base is perfectly positioned for exploring the Vernon Islands, Melville Island, and Cape Hotham and for fishing on the Adelaide River. Travelers can choose between a powered and unpowered site or glamp in one of the site’s large “eco tents,” all with shared amenities including camp kitchen and showers. Pets are welcome with advance notice and you can even hire a boat on site. An hour and a half southwest of Darwin, Dundee Park Holiday Camp offers pet-friendly powered and unpowered sites, as well as bungalow and cabin accommodation, with access to facilities including a swimming pool, laundry, and gas bbq.An hour and a half southeast of Darwin, Litchfield National Park offers the chance to camp in a dramatic landscape dotted with teeming waterfalls, natural plunge pools, monsoon forest, and even a field full of giant termite mounds. Campsites including Wangi Falls, Florence Falls, and Walker Creek feature waterfalls and swimming holes that are perfect for cooling down on a hot day, and all are ideally situated for walkers who want to tackle the 24-mile (39-kilometer) Tabletop Track. All sites have toilets, fire pits, and water and Wangi Falls also has hot showers. Weary travelers can find something a little more comfortable at the powered and unpowered sites of Litchfield Safari Camp and Litchfield Tourist Park, both located just outside the park.
99% (305) 13 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Darwin

The Urban Retreat

1. The Urban Retreat

100%
(242)
11km from Darwin · 11 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
Darwin is the gateway to the amazing Kakadu National Park. There are many popular waterfront areas with several beaches and green areas like Bicentennial Park. While sightseeing, make sure you visit the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, displaying Southeast Asian and Pacific art. For outdoor enthusiasts, there are some good fishing and mountain biking spots. We are located on a 5-acre block on the edge of town. The top 2 acres are laid out in a tropical garden setting, with the other 3 acres set out with native Darwin plants visited by lots of native animals and birds. You'll feel like you're a whole world away yet you will only be 2 minutes from the supermarket, 5 minutes from a large shopping centre, and 15 minutes from Darwin's CBD. We are a small boutique site and only have currently 3 sites on the 5 acres. Your site is private and you will be able to enjoy your stay without interference from others. IMPORTANT: Each site can accommodate 2 adults MAX. If you have 3 or 4 adults, you will need to book both sites. Please note Pool site is open all year round and has permanent cover. Other sites are dependant on weather and access.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
from 
AU$49
 / night
Darwin River Fern Farm

2. Darwin River Fern Farm

97%
(102)
39km from Darwin · 10 sites · Tents, RVs
Relaxing, spacious campgrounds in our tropical gardens with powered campsites and clean potable water hookups for caravans, camper vans, and motorhomes. Dump point on site. Off-grid campsites also available for self-contained campers and have Plenty of room for ‘Big Rigs.’ Lots of shade and amazing sunsets from our hillside sunset viewing area. Great place for wildlife enthusiasts. Easy access from the road. We are open year-round. Booking is essential. Kids stay for free Nearby attractions: Berry springs nature reserve, Wildlife park, Barramundi adventures, Litchfield National park, Kakadu National Park Dundee beach, Crab claw island, lots of local fishing spots, Darwin river Tavern, Berry spring Tavern, IGA
Pets
Toilets
Full hookups
from 
AU$31
 / night
Leaning Tree Manor

3. Leaning Tree Manor

100%
(2)
72km from Darwin · 10 sites · Tents, RVs
Located in Marrakai, an hour from Darwin, Chris and Nina of Leaning Tree Manor provide a welcoming environment for travellers to enjoy a beautiful bush setting in the Northern Territory. Caravan and camping sites are powered or unpowered. The sites are spaced through the bush for shade, privacy and relaxation. All that is left for you to do is park and relax! There is a communal kitchen with gas stoves, barbeques, fridge, microwave, washing machine, and unisex bathrooms. There is a fire pit to sit around and a wood fire BBQ area. Please, no pets at this time. Leaning Tree Manor is just off the Arnhem Hwy, Marrakai, on the way to Kakadu from Darwin. Whether you're interested in bush walking, hunting, fishing, jumping crocodile tours or need a peaceful place to stop in between your travels, this could be your recharge spot! The area has boat ramps, rivers, billabongs and national parks.
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Campfires
from 
AU$25
 / night
At the very northern tip of the Top End, Darwin is perfectly positioned for exploring some of the most magnetic landscapes in Australia’s otherworldly Northern Territory. Make the most of the region’s natural beauty by pitching a tent or pulling up to one of its many campgrounds and RV parks perched by teeming waterfalls, swimming holes, billabongs, and forests. Keep your eyes peeled for the diverse fauna that lives here including saltwater crocs, wallabies, and hundreds of species of birds, then kick back around a campfire as stars fill the enormous sky.About an hour east of Darwin, the lush Mary River wetlands is a great place to stop on your way to Kakadu National Park or an easy side trip from the city. You can spot some of the 250 species of birds that flock to the Fogg Dam Conservation Reserve in the dry season; see saltwater crocodiles on a cruise on one of the wetlands’ billabongs, and learn about native birds and animals at the Window on the Wetlands Visitor Centre. Within Mary River National Park, Shady Camp and the more basic Couzen’s Lookout are popular camping areas for their proximity to the river, billabongs, and forest. Farther along the route to Kakadu, Mary River Wilderness Retreat offers accessible wilderness lodgings in powered and unpowered sites, as well as a safari tent glamping experience—the camping area is pet friendly (advise ahead of arrival) and all guests have access to the restaurant (with free wifi), two swimming pools, kitchen, and laundry facilities.Around an hour’s drive north of Darwin, Leaders Creek Fishing Base is perfectly positioned for exploring the Vernon Islands, Melville Island, and Cape Hotham and for fishing on the Adelaide River. Travelers can choose between a powered and unpowered site or glamp in one of the site’s large “eco tents,” all with shared amenities including camp kitchen and showers. Pets are welcome with advance notice and you can even hire a boat on site. An hour and a half southwest of Darwin, Dundee Park Holiday Camp offers pet-friendly powered and unpowered sites, as well as bungalow and cabin accommodation, with access to facilities including a swimming pool, laundry, and gas bbq.An hour and a half southeast of Darwin, Litchfield National Park offers the chance to camp in a dramatic landscape dotted with teeming waterfalls, natural plunge pools, monsoon forest, and even a field full of giant termite mounds. Campsites including Wangi Falls, Florence Falls, and Walker Creek feature waterfalls and swimming holes that are perfect for cooling down on a hot day, and all are ideally situated for walkers who want to tackle the 24-mile (39-kilometer) Tabletop Track. All sites have toilets, fire pits, and water and Wangi Falls also has hot showers. Weary travelers can find something a little more comfortable at the powered and unpowered sites of Litchfield Safari Camp and Litchfield Tourist Park, both located just outside the park.
99% (305) 13 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Darwin

The Urban Retreat

1. The Urban Retreat

100%
(242)
11km from Darwin · 11 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
Darwin is the gateway to the amazing Kakadu National Park. There are many popular waterfront areas with several beaches and green areas like Bicentennial Park. While sightseeing, make sure you visit the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, displaying Southeast Asian and Pacific art. For outdoor enthusiasts, there are some good fishing and mountain biking spots. We are located on a 5-acre block on the edge of town. The top 2 acres are laid out in a tropical garden setting, with the other 3 acres set out with native Darwin plants visited by lots of native animals and birds. You'll feel like you're a whole world away yet you will only be 2 minutes from the supermarket, 5 minutes from a large shopping centre, and 15 minutes from Darwin's CBD. We are a small boutique site and only have currently 3 sites on the 5 acres. Your site is private and you will be able to enjoy your stay without interference from others. IMPORTANT: Each site can accommodate 2 adults MAX. If you have 3 or 4 adults, you will need to book both sites. Please note Pool site is open all year round and has permanent cover. Other sites are dependant on weather and access.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
from 
AU$49
 / night
Darwin River Fern Farm

2. Darwin River Fern Farm

97%
(102)
39km from Darwin · 10 sites · Tents, RVs
Relaxing, spacious campgrounds in our tropical gardens with powered campsites and clean potable water hookups for caravans, camper vans, and motorhomes. Dump point on site. Off-grid campsites also available for self-contained campers and have Plenty of room for ‘Big Rigs.’ Lots of shade and amazing sunsets from our hillside sunset viewing area. Great place for wildlife enthusiasts. Easy access from the road. We are open year-round. Booking is essential. Kids stay for free Nearby attractions: Berry springs nature reserve, Wildlife park, Barramundi adventures, Litchfield National park, Kakadu National Park Dundee beach, Crab claw island, lots of local fishing spots, Darwin river Tavern, Berry spring Tavern, IGA
Pets
Toilets
Full hookups
from 
AU$31
 / night
Leaning Tree Manor

3. Leaning Tree Manor

100%
(2)
72km from Darwin · 10 sites · Tents, RVs
Located in Marrakai, an hour from Darwin, Chris and Nina of Leaning Tree Manor provide a welcoming environment for travellers to enjoy a beautiful bush setting in the Northern Territory. Caravan and camping sites are powered or unpowered. The sites are spaced through the bush for shade, privacy and relaxation. All that is left for you to do is park and relax! There is a communal kitchen with gas stoves, barbeques, fridge, microwave, washing machine, and unisex bathrooms. There is a fire pit to sit around and a wood fire BBQ area. Please, no pets at this time. Leaning Tree Manor is just off the Arnhem Hwy, Marrakai, on the way to Kakadu from Darwin. Whether you're interested in bush walking, hunting, fishing, jumping crocodile tours or need a peaceful place to stop in between your travels, this could be your recharge spot! The area has boat ramps, rivers, billabongs and national parks.
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Campfires
from 
AU$25
 / night

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The best big rig friendly camping near Darwin guide

When to go

For the most comfortable conditions, visit during the dry season, which runs from May to October and promises relatively cooler temperatures. This is peak season for the Top End, however, so opt for the shoulder month of April to avoid the crowds. If you visit during the wet season from November through April, you’ll see the waterfalls of Litchfield at their best but roads and entire areas may be closed due to flooding.

Know before you go

  • When traveling in the Top End pay close attention to crocodile warning signs.
  • Be sure to wear protective clothing and bring insect repellent and plenty of water.
  • Campers should take note of fire bans and be sure to use the pits provided for campfires.
  • Pets are not permitted in national parks.
  • Don’t worry if you forgot something, Darwin is home to a number of camping and outdoor supply stores.

Nearby attractions

Visiting Edith Falls takes you into a seemingly tropical landscape and offers opportunities to walk behind the large walls of water that pour off of the beautiful Blue Mountains.

Top cities near Darwin, NT