NORTHERN AUSTRALIA
Get city culture with relaxed vibes in Darwin, or choose wetlands and wildlife in Kakadu. Chat with local characters in Tennant Creek, cool off in Katherine Gorge, or find Australia's spiritual heart in the outback landscapes surrounding Uluru and Alice Springs. Darwin is an adventurers' paradise. Treat your tastebuds and indulge your sense of fun and adventure in the Territory’s tropical capital city. Darwin is world famous for its fabulous food, colourful outdoor markets and a diverse bag of adventure activities.
Begin your Central Australian adventure in Alice Springs, headquarters of the outback and only a few hours’ flying time from Australian capital cities. Nestled between the East and West MacDonnell Ranges, ‘Alice’ is famous for its beautiful desert landscapes, colourful outback characters, opportunities for adventure and a strong Aboriginal culture.
Watch the sunrise from a hot-air balloon, meet Aboriginal artists in one of the town’s excellent art galleries, join a four-wheel-drive and camping tour or hike through the nearby ranges or explore the desert landscapes on a camel, quad bike or mountain bike. You can even swim in an outback waterhole.
Drop in to the Royal Flying Doctor Service, which supports an area of more than 7 million square kilometres then learn about Alice Springs’s plants, animals and landscapes at the Alice Springs Desert Park or the Reptile Centre. Head just out of town to cuddle a baby kangaroo at the Kangaroo Sanctuary.
Visit at sunrise or sunset for the spectacular sight of this 348-metre high monolith transforming from ochre to burnished orange and intense red. One of the great natural wonders of the world, Uluru/Ayers Rock towers above the surrounding landscape.Geologists say their formation began about 550 million years ago.
Uluru is not only a spectacular natural formation, but its a deeply spiritual place. You can feel a powerful presence the moment you first set eyes on it.For the local Aboriginal people, the Anangu, World Heritage-listed Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park holds a special cultural significance.Whether you choose to walk with a traditional owner, join a camel tour, self-drive or dine under a canopy of stars there is something to suit everyone.
Covering nearly 20,000 square kilometres of exceptional natural beauty and unique biodiversity, Kakadu National Park is teeming with wildlife, home to important Aboriginal rock art sites, and takes in diverse and exotic landscapes.Discover misty waterfalls and lush waterholes, hit the trail in a 4WD, or take it nice and slow and wander through Litchfield National Park on foot. Get set for real adventure and to connect with nature at Litchfield National Park.
At just over an hour from Darwin, it’s every local’s favourite day trip with its waterfalls and waterholes, bushwalks, four-wheel drive tracks, birds and wildlife.Go on a drive out to Watarrka National Park, home of Kings Canyon. Walk along the red rock cliffs and take in views of the forest of palms below.
Only 3 hours from Uluru, Kings Canyon is a majestic destination featuring 100 m-high sandstone walls, palm-filled crevices and views that stretch across the desert. More than just a day trip destination, why not explore the walking trails, four-wheel drive tracks, and camel tours and accommodation options ranging from camping to resort-style rooms.
Lace up your walking boots and explore the 6km Rim Walk – a must for those seeking magnificent views of the Canyon rim, the weathered domes of ‘The Lost City’ and the ‘Garden of Eden’. There are options to suit all fitness levels. Boasting some of the best views of the night sky you can only get in the Outback, enjoy a unique outback dining experience offered by Kings Canyon Resort – Under a Desert Moon. Enjoy a world class, four course dinner with wine, that focuses on using fresh locally sourced produce.
Discover the iconic Karlu Karlu Devils Marbles, believed by the Warmungu Aboriginal people to be the fossilised eggs of the Rainbow Serpent. The Devils Marbles are a collection of massive granite boulders strewn across a valley south of Tennant Creek. Standing at up to 6 metres high and formed over millions of years, they continue to crack and change.
From the top of Gunlom you will be rewarded with sweeping vistas of three habitats of the southern hills and ridges of the park - stone country, woodland and riparian (riverine) areas. At the top take a relaxing and well-deserved dip in the crystal clear pools. If something more sedate is more your style, take the flat easy walk to Murrill Billabong for some great birdwatching, or follow the short walking track to the main pool below the seasonal waterfall. Bring your lunch and enjoy the grassed, shady picnic area. If you're staying over at the popular camping area (not far from the pool and waterfall), you'll appreciate the facilities such as the solar-powered hot showers.
Take a trip across the water from Darwin to discover the beautiful Tiwi Islands and find out why they are nicknamed the 'Island of Smiles'. The Tiwi Islands are famous for their traditional lifestyle, art and love of AFL. Take a day tour from Darwin to the Tiwi Islands to find out why they are nicknamed the ‘Island of Smiles’. The Tiwi Islands comprise two islands – Bathurst and Melville, which are 80 kilometres north of Darwin.
The Simpson Desert is a vast expanse of rolling dunes, seemingly endless horizons and deep red sand. See the brilliant wildflowers, rare pine trees and unique wildlife that thrives in the harsh desert environment. This vast desert covers the southeast corner of the Northern Territory, and extends over the South Australia and Queensland borders.
Many attractions located on its fringes can be accessed on a day trip from Alice Springs. A four-wheel drive vehicle is required to navigate the sandy terrain. If you don’t have a vehicle or the confidence to head off-road there are organised tours into the Simpson Desert from Alice Springs.