Your gateway to adventure
in nature in the
Northern
Territory
Start in Darwin
They do things differently in Darwin. Sitting on the tropical northern coast – and therefore closer to Bali than Bondi – the dynamic little capital of the Northern Territory is a fascinating city, with a character and climate of its own. Palm trees line the beaches, Asian food sizzles at market stalls and the warm waters of the Arafura Sea lap offshore. This is a place of festivals, food trucks and fiery sunsets: the nightlife’s lively, the wildlife’s exotic and the history’s dramatic (Darwin witnessed WWII air raids and was pummelled by a 1974 cyclone), all of which makes it a remarkable travel destination – and the perfect place to start your adventures in the NT.
The airport handles fewer passengers than Australia’s larger state capitals, which translates into a quick and smooth arrival, and once in the city proper you can unwind and enjoy the buzzing food and drink scene before spending a few days exploring. Take a walking tour to learn about the area’s remarkable past; visit sights such as the grand Parliament House and the brilliant Museum & Art Gallery of the NT; or just soak up the famous twice-weekly Mindil Beach Sunset Markets. Then turn your attention elsewhere. The great outdoors is calling…
Nature on your doorstep
Kakadu National Park
It’s not often that somewhere gets UNESCO-listed for both its natural and cultural riches, but then it’s not often that you come across a swathe of wilderness as dizzyingly diverse as Kakadu National Park. It has more than 50,000 years of Aboriginal heritage – a stirring thought to hold in mind as you gaze across its birdlife-rich, 20,000 square kilometres spread of floodplains, forests and rugged escarpments. Admire as much age-old rock art as you can, take a river cruise to get up close to saltwater crocs, then relish the walking trails, waterfalls and seasonal beauty of this utterly remarkable national park.
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
There is simply no more iconic sight in Australia than the red sandstone colossus of Uluru. Looming from the plains of the Outback like some giant otherworldly gift, ‘The Rock’ never fails to quicken the pulse. This is partly to do with its sheer size – it’s 348 metres high (which is taller than the Shard in London) and takes between three and four hours to circumnavigate on foot – and partly to do with its deep spiritual significance. A trip here is a potent experience: deepen your understanding at the Cultural Centre, join an outdoor candlelit dinner, and don’t miss the equally mighty Kata Tjuta rock formation, some 50km away.
Litchfield National Park
A favourite with NT locals – which very much tells its own story – Litchfield might be a mere fraction of the size of Kakadu, but a location just 75 minutes from Darwin, as well as a tantalising choice of swimming holes, rainforest walks, waterfalls and 4WD tracks, make it a gem of an outdoor destination. Its ancient landscape, dotted with clear natural pools and majestic sandstone cliffs, is typical of the raw beauty of the Top End, and its links with Aboriginal culture stretch back many millennia. The town of Batchelor, on the outskirts, makes for a good jumping-off point.
Kings Canyon and Watarrka National Park
Among those in the know, the 6km sunrise Rim Walk up and around the astounding Kings Canyon – a soaring vision of sheer rock walls, deep chasms and green creek-beds – ranks as one of the best hikes in Australia. In 1872, the explorer Ernest Giles became the first outsider to clap eyes on this mountain range in the desert, raving about “the wonderfully verdant gorge between the peaks”. The area’s links with Aboriginal cultures stretch back infinitely longer, and a visit today is a chance to immerse yourself in one of the Outback’s most impressive treasures. It lies around 3.5 hours southwest of Alice Springs.
Nitmiluk National Park
Another of the NT’s little-known but magnificent natural wonders, Nitmiluk National Park centres on the extraordinary 12km Nitmiluk (sometimes known as Katherine) Gorge, a spectacular natural feature that carves through ochre cliffs. You’ll find various ways to enjoy the scenery, ranging from pleasure cruises and hiking trails to helicopter flights, but if you’re feeling fit, the most rewarding option is to rent a canoe and explore at your own pace. The gorge system is actually split into 13 sections, meaning you’ll have to carry your canoe at certain points, but the rewards – ancient cultural sites, sun-basking freshwater crocs and all – are ample.
Wildlife
Wildlife in the Top End
Wallabies
The Territory is home to some 150 species of mammal, but few of them are so widespread as the humble wallaby. Seen everywhere from Litchfield National Park to the slopes of Kata Tjuta, these lovable grass-eating marsupials are sometimes spotted in large doe-eyed mobs of up to 50.
Buffaloes
Water buffalo were first imported to the Northern Territory in the 19th century, and these days can be seen running wild. They are found near floodplains and woodland area and many can be spotted in the Arnhem Land.
Crocodiles
Seeing a fully grown crocodile in the wild is an unforgettable thrill, and the Territory is the best place in the world to make it happen. There are some 100,000 in the NT, including the larger saltwater crocs. Kakadu is brilliant for sighting them, particularly in the dry season.
Birds
Thanks to its tropical climate and a myriad of different ecosystems, the NT plays home to an incredible range of birdlife. More than 400 species can be spotted in the region, including eye-catching native birds such as the hooded parrot and the banded fruit-dove, so its reputation among birdwatchers is well established. Around Uluru, look out for everything from zebra finches to brown falcons, while up in the north, the wetlands of Kakadu are a magnet for kingfishers, jabiru, egrets – and thousands of migrating magpie geese when the waters recede in the dry season. Incredibly, the park is home to a third of all Australian bird species.
Wildlife in the Red Centre
Kangaroos
The sight of a kangaroo bounding across the land is a timeless Australian image, and here in the NT you’ll find plenty of these remarkable animals. There are collectively 10 different species of kangaroo and wallaby in the region – try to avoid driving at dawn and dusk, when they’re most active.
Camels
The camels grazing in front of Uluru are almost as iconic as the rock itself. The award-winning Uluru Camel Tours has over 70 working camels, so you can get to know these characters before heading out on a guided walk with them.
Ancient culture
Aboriginal experiences in Alice Springs
Alice Springs is literally a place apart, with around 1,500km of sealed road stretching between Darwin and this remote Outback town. It is, however, a fascinating place to spend time, thanks in no small part to the area’s ancient Aboriginal links, both here in Alice and in the glorious MacDonnell Ranges nearby. In the Dreamtime stories of the local Arrernte people, giant caterpillars created the landscapes: arrange a guided tour of a local Aboriginal community, delve into the local art scene, and don’t miss the Araluen Cultural Precinct on the edge of town.
Aboriginal culture on the Tiwi Islands
There’s no more intriguing corner of the NT than the beautiful Tiwi Islands, which sit 80km offshore from Darwin. Until the 19th century, the resident Tiwi people had only minimal contact with the mainland, and today the islanders – most of whom are of Aboriginal descent – hold their traditions dear (alongside a more modern passion for Aussie Rules football). There’s a vibrant artistic community on both the main Tiwi islands – respectively named Bathurst and Melville – and visitors can discover more about local artworks, and meet the artists responsible, at galleries and arts centres. Ironwood carvings and ochre paintings are both prominent.
Art galleries
Indigenous people make up more than 30% of the Northern Territory’s population – a far higher proportion than in any other part of Australia – so it should come as no surprise that the Aboriginal art found here is often peerless. Big names like Albert Namatjira, famed for his landscapes of the MacDonnell Ranges, and Emily Kame Kngwarreye, whose style remains deeply influential, are both synonymous with the region.
Travellers will find plenty of galleries in which to admire (and even purchase) high-quality local pieces, with dozens of excellent options scattered across the map. Notable examples include Maruku Arts at Uluru, which also offers workshops; Mbantua, which has galleries in both Alice Springs and Darwin; the Nyinkka Nyunyu Art & Culture Centre in Tennant Creek, which also focuses on bush tucker, history and other aspects of local culture; and the Injalak Arts and Crafts Centre in remote Arnhem Land.
Museums
Here in the NT, the line between museums and art galleries is often a hazy one – many artworks highlight traditional customs and beliefs, while Dreamtime stories also figure prominently. Beyond doubt, however, is the fact that visitors looking to learn more about Aboriginal culture and history (and indeed the area’s prehistory) have some superb options. The most obvious example is Darwin’s brilliant Museum & Art Gallery of the NT, a large-scale attraction that includes everything from wildlife exhibits and Indigenous paintings to ceremonial burial poles from the Tiwi Islands.
In Alice Springs, the Museum of Central Australia focuses on the region’s natural history, while in Kakadu the Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre combines displays of artefacts and artworks with cultural activities ranging from damper-making to billabong cruises. The Araluen Cultural Precinct in Alice Springs is another superb option – describing itself as a “keeping place of stories”, it hosts theatre, film and other events, and sits surrounded by significant cultural sites.
Guided tours
As home to the planet’s oldest continuous living culture, the Northern Territory is an extraordinary repository of wisdom, tradition, spirituality and human history. An excellent way to appreciate this is by joining a dedicated walking or food tour with an Aboriginal guide, to learn first-hand about the know-how and narratives that have been handed down through the generations.
Uluru is a phenomenal place to learn more about the age-old connection between the land and its people. There are various options, including a dedicated Cave Art tour and a full walk around the base of the Rock with an Aboriginal guide. Operator SEIT Outback even offers a seven-hour cultural tour. Elsewhere, it’s possible to join an immersive bush tucker tour in Kakadu – grubs, fruits and yams all feature – and there’s a similar option in Watarrka National Park. From Darwin, meanwhile, Northern Territory Indigenous Tours runs Aboriginal-guided day-trips to Litchfield National Park.
Make it happen
How to get there
Singapore Airlines – the world’s most awarded airline – flies into no less than eight international gateways across Australia, including Darwin. The logistics are straightforward: the airline has four daily flights from Heathrow and four weekly flights from Manchester, all travelling non-stop to Singapore’s much-lauded Changi Airport – from there, five weekly flights head direct to Darwin. On board, you’ll enjoy food inspired by Aussie celebrity chef Matt Moran and a wine list selected by Michael Hill-Smith, Australia’s first Master of wine. Arriving into Darwin’s international airport, meanwhile, is a hassle-free experience, with far fewer crowds than other state capitals and a fast journey into the centre.
How to get around
The Northern Territory is a big place, so getting around is half the adventure. If you’re self-driving, the Stuart Highway provides a long north-south artery between Darwin and Uluru. For something even more unforgettable, however, rail-lovers can opt for The Ghan – running from Darwin all the way to Adelaide, via Katherine and Alice Springs, with off-train excursions included, it gives the opportunity to experience one of the world’s great rail journeys in style. By air, meanwhile Singapore Airlines partners with Virgin Australia, offering flights to over 30 domestic destinations across the country.
Feeling inspired?
Find heaps more travel information and inspiration on the official Northern Territory website.
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