Northern Territory

Australia

Overview

Tropical and lush in some places; red and rocky in others – the Northern Territory is like nowhere else in Australia.

From Uluru to Arnhem Land the Northern Territory’s attractions are as diverse as its landscapes. Here you will find ancient Aboriginal rock art galleries, abundant and unique wildlife, rare South Sea pearls and world-famous natural attractions.

Things to do

    • Standing 350 metres (1150 feet) high, ringed by ghost gum trees and waterholes, Uluru is a giant sandstone rock and a spiritual meeting place for the local Aboriginal Anangu people. Uluru is at its most captivating at sunset when the rock’s surface shifts through a gamut of colours. Spend an afternoon walking the 10.6 kilometre (6.6 mile) base trail before relaxing at one of the two designated sunset viewing areas.
    • Drive 110 kilometres (68 miles) beyond Alice Springs to the dramatic West MacDonnell Ranges (West Macs), a landscape characterised by ochre soil, cliffs and royal blue skies. Swimmable inland waterholes and semi-arid desert walks abound. Ormiston Gorge is a jewel in the West Macs crown. Its four hour Pound Walk leads visitors into an ancient valley, across a dry creek bed and past a shimmering waterhole flanked by ghost gums.
    • Further north, 420 kilometres (260 miles) shy of Darwin, luxurious 34° Celsius (93° Fahrenheit) waters that glow turquoise due to their mineral content lie inside Elsey National Park. The sandy-bottomed Mataranka Thermal Pool is alive with fish and freshwater turtles. Explore it with a snorkel in hand. The site’s sister lagoon, Bitter Springs, is a 10 minute drive away.
    • With a network of 13 gorges that cradle the Katherine River, Nitmiluk National Park is ideal to explore by canoe, thanks to its placid waters, scenic surrounds and low-lying rock shelves. Hire a canoe from Nitmiluk Tours and paddle your way through the ancient gorge system stopping for a picnic and swim. Or escape the busier gorges and take a guided canoeing tour.
    • Dual World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park is famous for its dramatic waterfalls, and hosts all six of the Top End’s ecosystems: stone country, wetlands, savanna woodlands, tidal flats, hills and basins and floodplains. See it from above on a scenic flight.
    • The lively Mindil Beach Sunset Market runs on Thursday and Sunday nights from April to October and features street performers, kids’ rides, musicians, craft stalls and an eclectic culinary range of local and international food stalls. Try local favourites such as a Thai papaya salad, or visit Go On Be Game, a stall serving kangaroo, crocodile and buffalo fillet burgers.
    • About 115 kilometres (70 miles) from Darwin, Litchfield National Park’s Buley Rockhole is a series of descending, connected swimming pools with clear waters. Secure a small site all to yourself and lounge about as the water cascades from one pool to the next. From here, continue on to the park’s signature swimming hubs, Wangi and Florence Falls.
    • Dubbed the Islands of Smiles, the Tiwis – 70 kilometres (43 miles) north of Darwin – are accessible via charter plane and ferry. Take a three day trip with Sail Darwin and visit the islands’ key art centres. The Tiwis specialise in wooden sculptures, traditional painting and vibrant, modern fabric designs. Artists are often around to have a chat and share the stories behind their creations.

Places to go

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