Adelaide River is a colourful township on the Stuart Highway, 110 kilometres south of Darwin. Not to be confused with the Adelaide River Crossing on the Arnham Highway, this small settlement exists by providing services for the surrounding cattle properties and gold mines, as well as the steady flow of travellers attempting "The Track". The centre of much military activity during the second world war, a number of war relics remain dotted around Adelaide River including several airstrips and the deteriorating Snake Creek Arsenal. In town, the well kept Adelaide River World War II Cemetery commemorates the servicemen and civilians who lost their lives in the waves of Japanese bombing raids on Darwin between 1942 and 1943.

Branching to the right just south of Adelaide River, the sealed Old Darwin to Katherine Road makes a pleasant change from the straight and often busy Stuart Highway. Rejoining the main drag fifty kilometres down the road, this scenic detour provides access to the popular picnicking area of Robin Falls, the Douglas Hot Springs and the turn-off to the historic town of Daly River.

At the crossing of the river with the same name, Daly River lies approximately 110 kilometres west of the Stuart Highway it is now accessible all year round due to the fully sealed road running through to Darwin. Consisting of a pub, police station, post office and a small supermarket, activities in and around this sparse but pretty settlement are based mainly around boating and trying to land a barramundi. The best bet is to get in touch with one of the several tourist outfits along the river, which offer everything from accommodation to guided fishing safaris.

The main body of commercial and cultural functions around Daly River take place at the Naniyu Nambiyu Aboriginal Community, a few kilometres downstream. The community showcases it's talent at the excellent Merrepen Arts Centre, hosting an impressive array of locally made art and crafts. The centre is also the venue for the Merrepen Arts Festival held every year in the first week of June - visitors are welcome without a permit.

Back on the main road further south, Pine Creek is a small but thriving town at the junction of the Stuart and Kakadu Highways. Once a frantic goldrush town, it is now popular base-camp for travellers looking for the Kakadu experience, rather than their fortunes. The southern gateway to Kakadu oozes with pioneering atmosphere, with many of the classic old Territory buildings and relics of old mine workings still found in the streets. Museums and working displays outlying Pine Creek's fascinating history include the Pine Creek Museum and the excellent Gun Alley Gold Mining.