Just an hour from Darwin, the Peninsula Way region spans a westerly route off the Stuart Highway encompassing Berry Springs, Dundee Beach and Mandorah. A drive perfect for the family, you will find an abundance of things to see and do from a visit to a wildlife park, barramundi fishing, natural springs, authentic NT pubs and local home-made mango ice-cream.
The first stop will be the Territory Wildlife Park which is home to many for the Top End’s native species. Here you can get up close and personal with the local wildlife. Make sure you see at least one of the displays while visiting the park like their Birds of Prey display at the Flight Deck or the Wild Discovery Talk at the Oolloo Sandbar or drop into the Nocturnal House and have the chance to hold some of the rare and endangered creatures of the night. You have the option to walk around the park or you can catch the train that stops at each attraction which is always fun for both the kiddies and adults. If you happen to visit during the school holidays make sure you check if they have any events running as these are very popular among the locals.
The Wildlife Park can take a few hours to see everything and by the end you will be wanting some lunch, a nice cold drink or even a sneaky ice-cream. Just up the road from the Park you will find Crazy Acres a family run mango farm. Crazy Acres is loved among visitors and locals for their yummy homemade ice cream. If ice-cream is not really your thing they also have a full menu served with delicious homemade dishes, which feature mango grown on the property. Or you can pop into one of the local taverns and experience our famous NT hospitality. If you’re after some live music head over to the Berry Springs Tavern on a Sunday afternoon or maybe something a little more for the kids, check out Darwin River Tavern’s Animal Sanctuary.
With so much to see and do, your journey is best spent over a couple of days. However, if you just have one day, it wouldn’t be complete without a stop in at the Berry Springs Nature Reserve. Here you can swim in a crystal clear natural spring fringed by pandanus and monsoon rainforest, one end featuring a small waterfall and the other a plunge pool. After a big day this is a perfect spot to relax and have a refreshing swim or sit back and let the kids splash about.
If you’re looking to stay the night there are accommodation options in and around Berry Springs including Tumbling Waters Holiday Park which is a destination in itself, complete with a restaurant and café onsite for guests.
The next day, book in for a land-based fishing experience with Barramundi Fishing Adventures to try your hand at the thrills of catching and releasing a fish, a bit of fun for you and the little tacklers.
Jump back in the car and head to Dundee Beach on a 60-minute drive. Dundee is a great spot to 4WD around the sand dunes or book a fishing charter and try and catch the million dollar fish. Or why not just spend some time on the beach making sandcastles and enjoying the beautiful weather the Top End has to offer. Once you’re here, you’ll find it hard to say goodbye, so stay a little longer.
Upon heading back into town stop into Crab Claw Island Resort or Sandpalms Tropical Motel for a nice hot breakfast and your hit of caffeine to get you ready for the day ahead, whether it be continuing onto Litchfield National Park or other regions across the Top End.
If you planning to head out for a day or 2 remember to take lots of water, sunscreen and hat as the weather can be quite harsh in the Top End. When travelling, it’s always a good idea to check park, road and weather conditions here.
Looking for more ideas of what to do in the Top End check out our itineraries or contact the friendly staff at Tourism Top End for more information and if you need help booking.
