Northern Territory is the most quintessentially Australian of all the Australian States. There is something for every visitor considering a holiday to this amazing and diverse land. Wild and untamed, wide open and unpeopled, the Northern Territory is a place with landscapes as diverse as possible, from Uluru - the spiritual heart of the Australian continent in the dry Red Centre - to the teeming with wildlife tropical wetlands of the Kakadu and Nitmiluk National Parks in the Top End.
The Northern Territory in Australia is rich in culture, history and fun. It is the perfect vacation for hikers, backpackers, campers, fishermen and families with affordable accommodation for all. You will find trails for hiking, cliffs for climbing, water holes for fishing and even take a dip in a pool at the bottom of a waterfall. The possibilities are endless. The Northern Territory embodies all that ever has been and is the real Australia, both in terms of the rich aboriginal heritage and the iconic tourist attractions such as Uluru, otherwise known as Ayers Rock. Journey through the stunning and rugged Australian Outback with centuries old Aboriginal rock art found in Arnhem Land. Ride a camel or see the Inma Ceremony performed at sunset by Anangu women in sight of Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock. Dive into gorges or cuddle a baby crocodile. Magical adventures await you as you holiday in the Northern Territory and the red heart of Australia, exploring its rugged, diverse and timeless beauty. Whatever your accommodation needs, you every need will be met. Stay in cheap hostels, budget motels, family friendly holiday parks and self contained apartments, while the luxury traveller will enjoy the 5 star resorts and hotels on offer.
Located on the Timor Sea on a bluff overlooking the harbour, Darwin is the Northern Territory's multi-cultural capital. Delight in the world-renowned outdoor markets, eateries, aboriginal arts and crafts, south sea pearls, and festivals where a melting pot of cultures and foods come together. Take a long walk on the beautiful beaches or enjoy a cruise on Darwin's harbour. Enjoy the museums and galleries showcasing the area’s rich and turbulent history as well as world famous indigenous art. Walk, take a stroll through the lush and thick monsoon forest. Visit Litchfield National Park and Lake Bennett, where you can take a quick dip in crystal clear waterholes surrounded by tall uniquely formed termite mounds or take a jaunt to the Tiwi Islands where you can enjoy a local football game, basket weaving and cultural painting.
Darwin is also the perfect base from which to explore the natural treasures of World Heritage Listed Kakadu National Park, the jewel in the crown of the the gem of all NT Top End. Renowned internationally for its natural and cultural wonders, including Aboriginal rock art sites. View the spectacular Jim Jim Falls, browse through a gallery of ancient Aboriginal rock art at Ubirr or Nourlangie Rock, or explore the scenic Yellow Water, a billabong teeming with wildlife. Just 3 hours drive from Darwin is Katherine, features the Katherine River and the famous Nitmiluk - Katherine Gorge. Here you can walk, canoe, cruise and swim between sheer cliffs to the sandy freshwater beaches of the main gorges, and view ancient Aboriginal rock paintings high on the rock faces, waterfalls and rock pools.
Northern Territory’s famous Red Centre gets its name from the vast plains of red soil that characterise its landscape. This is the ‘real mackoy’ outback, an iconic tourist attraction but also an area of profound spiritual significance for the indigenous Aboriginals. It is home to Australia’s most well-known icons Uluru/Ayers Rock, The Olgas, Kings Canyon, Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, East and West MacDonnell Ranges and the Simpson Desert. There is so much to explore and discover in the Red Centre, from hiking the picturesque Larapinta Trail to camping under the stars, a hot air balloon ride over the arid landscapes or experiencing one of the world’s most ancient cultures with a bush tucker or art tour.
A hidden jewel of the NT Red Centre is Kings Canyon, located in Watarrka National Park. The rim of the canyon is strangely beautiful, with red rock formations creating a mysterious landscape. Tennant Creek is situated approximately in the middle of the Northern Territory, boasting a rich and colorful musical community, home to the Winanjjikari Music Centre and the award winning Nyunyu Cultural Centre. Alice Springs will take you back in time to the true "Outback" town, well-known for its pioneer history and rich Aboriginal art. Called simply "Alice" by the locals, and equidistant between Adelaide and Darwin, Alice is renowned as the Aboriginal Art Capital of Central Australia. Kata Tjuta, better known as the Olgas, consist of 36 steep sided monoliths, which are most impressive at sunrise and sunset Uluru is truly a magnificent sight. While the Aboriginal people regard it as a sacred place, tourists are amazed by it's magnificence and changing colors at different seasons and at different hours of the day. Uluru or Ayers Rock is most wonderful at sunset, adapting a glowing red color as the sun descends. When rain falls, which rarely happens, a silver gray color can be seen with waterfalls forming on the surface.