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Camping in the Top End sounds pretty good.
Warm evenings outside. Palms overhead. Days spent chasing waterfalls, finding swimming spots and seeing where the road takes you.
Sleeping on the ground? Perhaps less so.
At BIG4 Howard Springs Holiday Park, glamping gives you the best bits of camping with a few extra comforts. You’re still close to nature, with plenty of fresh air and tropical gardens around you, but at the end of the day there’s a proper bed waiting.
No tent poles. No air mattress. No midnight walk to the amenities.
Just an easy place to settle in and start exploring the Top End.
Camping doesn't have to mean roughing it
There are travellers who love everything about camping. And there are travellers who like the outdoors but would rather leave the sleeping bag at home.
If you’re somewhere in the middle, glamping makes a lot of sense.
The glamping tents at Howard Springs give you the feeling of being close to the outdoors, with the comforts that make a few nights away easy. There’s air conditioning, an ensuite, a kitchenette and a proper bed, plus your own outdoor space surrounded by tropical gardens.
It’s still relaxed. Still outdoorsy. Just a little more comfortable.
That makes Howard Springs an easy option if you’re searching for glamping near Darwin but don’t necessarily want to stay right in the city.
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Close to Darwin, without staying in the city
One of the best things about staying at Howard Springs is having Darwin within easy reach without having to sleep among the middle-of-the-city bustle. Head into Darwin for the day, wander the Waterfront Precinct, visit a museum, find somewhere good for lunch or time your visit for a sunset at Mindil Beach.
Then, when you’ve had enough of the city, head back towards Howard Springs. The buildings give way to open green space. The pace changes. And back at the park, tall palms and tropical gardens make it easy to settle in for the evening.
You’re close enough to explore Darwin, with a quieter place to come back to.
Go exploring. Or don't.
Not every day needs an itinerary. Howard Springs is well placed for exploring the Top End, but there’s also plenty to be said for occasionally doing nothing at all.
Take a book down to the adults-only pool and find a quiet spot for a swim. Wander through the tropical gardens. Sit outside your tent with a cold drink. Join an aqua aerobics session. Have another coffee and decide what you’re doing later.
Or don’t decide.
For couples taking a relaxed weekend away, those slower hours can be every bit as good as the places you came to see. And when you’re ready to explore again, there’s plenty nearby.
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Berry Springs makes an easy day out
When you are ready to venture further, you don’t have to travel far.
Berry Springs Nature Park is around 20 to 25 minutes from Howard Springs and is one of those places worth keeping some room for in the itinerary. When conditions allow, pack your swimmers and spend some time around the spring-fed pools surrounded by monsoon forest. There are grassy areas and walking trails too, making it an easy place to spend a few hours outdoors.
Then head back to Howard Springs, grab something cold and settle into the afternoon.
Sometimes a good day really can be that simple.
Make Howard Springs your base for Litchfield
Then there are the days when you want to go further.
Litchfield National Park is within day-trip reach of Howard Springs, putting waterfalls, walking trails and some spectacular Top End country on the agenda. Rather than packing up and moving accommodation again, you can head out for the day knowing there’s somewhere comfortable waiting when you get back.
Have an early breakfast, fill the car and set off. Spend the day exploring, then return to Howard Springs for a shower, dinner and a proper bed. For anyone travelling through the Northern Territory, having one comfortable base for several nights can make exploring feel a lot less rushed.
Darwin one day. Berry Springs another. Litchfield when you’re ready.
And perhaps a pool day somewhere in between.
Stay a few nights, or a little longer...
BIG4 Howard Springs Holiday Park works just as well for a couple looking for an easy weekend near Darwin as it does for travellers making their way around the Territory.
Come for a couple of nights and spend your days between Darwin, Berry Springs and the pool. Or settle in for longer and use Howard Springs as your jumping-off point for the Top End.
There’s no need to fill every day, either.
Leave a morning open. Take the long way back. Stay another hour at the pool. Sit outside your glamping tent as the day cools down and work out tomorrow when tomorrow arrives.
Camping doesn’t have to mean roughing it - give glamping a try.
At Howard Springs, you can wake up close to nature, spend your days exploring Darwin and the Top End, then come back to a proper bed, a cool room and your own space to unwind.
Stay a couple of nights or make it your base for a little longer.
Go explore.
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Glamping near Darwin FAQs
What’s included in a glamping tent at Howard Springs?
The glamping tents at Howard Springs sleep two and include a queen bed with linen, private ensuite, air conditioning, kitchenette with a microwave and bar fridge, plus a private deck with outdoor seating and dining space. It’s everything you need for a comfortable stay, while still getting that close-to-nature feeling of camping in the Top End.
How far is Howard Springs Holiday Park from Darwin?
Howard Springs Holiday Park is around 23 kilometres from Darwin CBD, or roughly a 20 to 25-minute drive. Darwin Waterfront and Mindil Beach Sunset Market are also around 25 minutes away, making Howard Springs a handy base for exploring Darwin while staying among the tropical surrounds outside the city.
Is Howard Springs a good base for exploring the Top End?
Yes. Howard Springs is well placed for exploring Darwin and some of the Top End’s best-known natural attractions. Berry Springs Nature Park is around 20 minutes away, Howard Springs Nature Park is just five minutes away, and Litchfield National Park is within day-trip distance. Having your own vehicle is recommended, as public transport options around Howard Springs are limited.
Can you visit Litchfield National Park from Howard Springs?
Yes. Litchfield National Park is roughly a 55 to 70-minute drive from Howard Springs, depending on where you’re heading within the park and road conditions. That makes it possible to spend the day exploring waterfalls, walking trails and swimming spots before returning to the comfort of your glamping tent.
Does Howard Springs Holiday Park have a swimming pool?
Yes. Howard Springs Holiday Park has three saltwater pools set among the tropical surrounds, including an adults-only pool where you can enjoy a quieter swim. There’s also a resort-style pool with a spa, a kids’ pool and a splash park, so cooling off after a day exploring the Top End is easy.
Can I bring my dog when glamping at Howard Springs?
No. Pets aren’t permitted in the glamping tents at Howard Springs. Pet-friendly options are available elsewhere in the park, with small pets permitted on caravan and camping sites subject to the park’s conditions and management approval. Contact the park directly before booking if you’re travelling with a pet.
Is there somewhere to eat or buy groceries near Howard Springs Holiday Park?
Yes. Howard Springs Tavern and the local supermarket are around a 10-minute walk from the park. It’s handy for picking up groceries for your stay or heading out for an easy meal when cooking can wait until another night.
Is glamping at Howard Springs suitable for couples?
Yes. The glamping tents at Howard Springs are designed for two, with a queen bed, private ensuite, air conditioning and a private deck with outdoor seating and dining space. Add tropical gardens and an adults-only pool, and it’s a relaxed option for couples looking for a glamping getaway near Darwin or a comfortable base for exploring the Top End.