This drive makes an easy day trip, and the itinerary takes in several fun attractions outside Darwin, plus a superb national park.

From Darwin's centre, follow the signs to the Stuart Highway and Winnellie.

In the outer suburb of Winnellie, the Australian Aviation Heritage Centre has a good collection of aircraft, including a massive B-52 bomber.

Continue south on the Highway.

Darwin Crocodile Farm, 40km south of Darwin, has over 8,000 saltwater and freshwater crocodiles. This farm and research centre is the ideal place to inspect the most fearsome of reptiles.

Continue south, then take the Berry Springs turn-off.

Berry Springs has two major attractions - the large Territory Wildlife Park, with its excellent collection of native fauna, and the nearby Berry Springs Nature Park, a great spot for a swim or a barbecue.

Return to the Stuart Highway and drive south. Take the Batchelor turn-off.

The small settlement of Batchelor, once a dormitory town for workers at the nearby Rum Jungle uranium field, is best known as the gateway to Litchfield National Park.

Continue for another 21km into the park.

Litchfield National Park, a rugged yet delightful reserve, was little known before the mid-1980s, as it was on private land. Nowadays, the many visitors come to enjoy the four spectacular waterfalls, refreshing swimming holes, hiking trails and superb views of the surrounding region. Other highlights are a small 1930s pioneers' homestead; tall `magnetic' termite mounds, so called because they always face north-south; and the Lost City, an area of curious sandstone pillars.

Return to Darwin via Batchelor and the Stuart Highway.