RV ESCAPES
Hardies Billabong is a favourite fishing spot.
By the time I rolled back onto the bitumen, the vehicle wore a coating of red dust, the mirrors were splattered with mud, and the grin across my face said everything. Hardies Track may not be the most famous 4WD route in the Northern Territory, but it is certainly one of the most rewarding close to Darwin.
JUST DOWN THE TRACK
The beauty of these experiences lies not in their remoteness. It is that they are close enough to reach in a day, yet far enough to feel like you have discovered a different Territory altogether.
Whether you are watching a crocodile launch from the Adelaide River, floating beneath the paperbarks at Berry Springs, spotting wildlife from a helicopter above Crab Claw Island or kicking up dust on Hardies Track, the reward lies in leaving the city behind.
Darwin may be the gateway to the Top End, but some of its greatest adventures begin just down the track.
HOW FAR FROM DARWIN?
Spectacular Jumping Crocodile Cruise: Approximately 65km or one hour.
Berry Springs Nature Reserve: Approximately 50km or 45 minutes.
Territory Wildlife Park: Approximately 50km or 45 minutes.
Crab Claw Island Resort: Approximately 110km or 95 minutes, including the final 14km on an unsealed road.
Hardies Track, Mary River National Park: Approximately 110km or 90 minutes.
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