Pine Creek
NT 847 • Northern Territory
About Pine Creek
Pine Creek is a small historic town in the Katherine region of the Northern Territory, located on the Stuart Highway approximately 90 kilometres north of Katherine and 226 kilometres south of Darwin. With a population of 318 at the 2021 census, it is the fourth largest settlement between Darwin and Alice Springs. One of the oldest towns in the Northern Territory, Pine Creek was established as a gold mining settlement in the 1870s and the town was gazetted in 1889. The traditional custodians of this land are the Wagiman, Jawoyn Bolmo, Matjba and Wurrkbarbar peoples, who have held exclusive native title rights over the area since 2019.
Pine Creek retains a strong sense of its gold-rush history, with several heritage buildings still standing and a regional museum documenting the area's multicultural mining past. The town serves as a service stop along the Stuart Highway corridor and a gateway to Kakadu National Park and Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge). Community facilities include a school, hotel and basic services, with Katherine serving as the nearest major regional centre for comprehensive shopping and healthcare. The surrounding landscape of tropical savanna, wetlands and ancient sandstone escarpments makes the area popular with travellers and birdwatchers exploring the Top End's remarkable natural environment.
Pine Creek falls under postcode 847 and is governed by the local council Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Daly electorate.
Location
Transport & Commute
Bus Services
- Greyhound Australia — Darwin / Katherine (Stuart Hwy) ~2.5 hrs to Darwin / ~1 hr to Katherine
Commute to Katherine
🛣️ No rail services. The Ghan railway passes through the broader region but does not stop at Pine Creek. Car and long-distance coach are the main transport options. Darwin is ~2.5 hrs north along the Stuart Highway.
A small, compact township where the village centre is walkable, but a car is essential for any journey beyond Pine Creek. The Stuart Highway is the primary connection to Katherine and Darwin.
Supermarkets Nearby
No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.
Schools
No schools listed for this postcode.