Our Northern Territory Travel Guide will give you a taste of what the indigenous epicentre of Australia has to offer. From the marine life filled waters surrounding Darwin to the red centre of Australia.
The NT offers visitors experiences like nowhere else. Dive into aboriginal culture and art, explore the outback, visit desert towns, and the World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park.
Also home to incredible natural formations of Uluru and Kata Tjuta.
Destinations
Darwin
Darwin is the tropical capital city of the Northern Territory. Where locals are as vibrant and colourful as the stunning sunsets over Mindil Beach.
A foodies paradise with the city's rich Asian influence and locally caught seafood. Shop til you drop at the many local markets, including the popular Rapid Creek and seasonal Mindil Beach night markets.
Explore the many WWII historical sites around town. If feeling more adventurous go for a swim with crocodiles in the heart of Darwin.
Alice Springs
This dusty country town, for many, is their starting point for visits to Uluru and Kings Canyon. Scratch beneath its sleepy surface and you will find an interesting bunch of locals and have a taste of unique Australian outback life.
Alice is known for its surrounding beauty, the Larapinta Trail, and the MacDonnell Ranges. But you can't ignore its quirkiness. Dusty camel races, beanie festivals, and a boat race on a dry river.
Arnhem Land
Arnhem Land is the top of the Top End. This rugged and beautiful part of Australia is also one of its last wilderness areas. Most Australians will never visit here.
A stunning destination that is rich indigenous culture. A visit to Arnhem Land offers a truly unforgettable life experience like nowhere else.
Please note that permits are needed to visit many parts of Arnhem Land.
Kakadu
It is easy to see why Kakadu is a World Heritage-listed National Park. It offers endless adventures for visitors. Plus a birdwatcher's utopia with one third of Australia's bird species residing within the park.
Meet one of the area's 10,000 crocodiles (from a safe distance). Explore the rich and plentiful Aboriginal art and culture. Hike and discover stunning waterfalls, expansive panoramas, and spectacular rocky gorges.
All visitors to Kadau require a park pass.
Katherine
The township of Katherine is the main hub of the vast Katherine region that extends from the Gulf of Carpentaria to the east, and the Kimberley in the west.
Surrounded by exciting natural wonders. There are stunning gorges, limestone caverns, thermal pools, hot springs, and cascading falls to discover.
Tennant Creek & Barkly Region
Tennant Creek is the main country township for the vast cattle stations that reside on the Barkly Tablelands. Some of these stations are the size of small European countries.
It is also Warramungu country and a great place in the outback to learn more about Aboriginal life, history and land.
The Barkly region is remote and rugged with a rich gold mining heritage. Visit for a genuine Aussie outback experience.
Uluru
There is more to the Uluru Region than the famous red rock. Though you can't explore the region without paying a visit to Uluru, Ayres Rock, the largest single rock in the world.
The region is packed with natural wonders, Aboriginal art and culture, bushwalking, and activities. You will be surprised to learn the variety of flora and fauna that make the Red Centre home.
Tiwi Islands
The Tiwi Islands are also known as the ‘Islands of Smiles’. There are 11 islands all up, the two biggest and main ones for visitors are Bathurst and Melville.
The locals are known for their art, textiles, and love of Aussie Rules football. Take a day tour from Darwin, or visit for a few days.
The Tiwi Islands are privately owned and a permit is required to visit.
Territory Highlights
Our top five picks for the Northern Territory Travel Guide. They don't even make a dent on the many amazing things to see and do.
Uluru
The red heart of the Red Centre. Visiting and staying in the Uluru (Ayres Rock) area not only allows you to visit and explore The Rock, it's a great base to visit Kata Tjuta (the Olgas), Kings Canyon, and Walpa Gorge. Stay at the luxurious Longitute 131˚.
Aboriginal Rock Art
The Northern Territory is packed with Aboriginal rock art sites open to visitors. Often with signage explaining what the art represents.
Our tip, take a tour with a local indigenous guide. You will gain far much more knowledge, plus see some rock art only accessible via an organised tour.
Bush Tucker
How did the oldest living continuous culture survive in the harsh surrrounding of the Northern Terriotory for tens of thousands of years?
There are guided bush tucker tours all over the territory. Taste, see, and smell foods you have never seen or heard of before.
Kakadu - Gunlom
Located on Waterfall Creek in Kakadu National Park. Gunlom has a magical seasonal waterfall and tranquil plunge pool.
Hike to the top of Gunlom and take a dip in the crystal clear Gunlom plunge pools. While soaking away your worries enjoy the expansive views of the southern hills and ridges of Kakadu National Park.
Litchfield National Park
A water lovers paradise. Litchfield National Park is filled with spring fed waterfalls and crystal clear waterholes.
Discover large termite mounds. Magnetic Termite mounds (up to 2 metres high) are a natural compass with their thin edges pointing north-south and broad backs facing east-west. Then there are the enormous four metre high Cathedral Termite mounds.
Festivals and Events
April
Parrtjima a Festival in Light - Alice Springs
May
Taste of Kakadu - Kakadu
Uluru Camel Cup - Yulara
June
Barunga Festival - Barunga (Katherine Region)
Beanie Fest - Alice Spings
Finke Desert Race - Starts in Alice Springs
July
Alice Springs Show - Alice Springs
Garma Festival - Gulkula (northeast Arnhem Land)
Territory Day - All over
August
Darwin Festival - Darwin
Freedom Day - Kalkaringi (Katherine Region)
Henley on Todd Regatta - Alice Springs
September
Darwin Lion's Beer Can Regatta - Darwin
Desert Festival - Alice Springs
Desert Mob - Alice Springs
Red CentreNATS - Alic Springs
October
Desert Mob - Alice Springs
November
Darwin International Laksa Festival - Darwin
Planning Your Visit
The Northern Territory covers a large part of Australia. It stretches around 1,600km from North to South. The NT's landscape is as varied its weather.
Top End (Arnhem Land, Darwin, Kadadu, Katherine)
The Top End is a tropical climate with two distinct seasons, wet and dry.
Dry season runs from May to October. Temperatures range from 21°C to 32°C (70°F to 90°F).
Top End Dry Season Pros
- Glorious purple and pink sunsets
- The rain renews the energy of the areas flora and fauna
- Witness electrifying tropical storms
- Waterfalls majestically flow and rivers swell - do a scenic flight to see this
- The best time for fishing
- Fewer tourists
- More affordable time to visit
Top End Dry Season Cons
- Top attractions are closed due to flooding
- Box jellyfish season
- Some seasonal businesses are closed
- More humid
- Weather less predictable
- Tropical cyclones, monsoonal rains, and storms
Red Centre (Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, Uluru Region)
The Red has a semi-aird climate with four seasons, Summer, Autumn (Fall), Winter, and Spring.
Any time is a good time to visit the Red Centre, but the temperatures are moderate and there is less chance of rain during Autumn (Fall) and Spring.
During winter the temperatures are 3–20°C (37–68°F), dropping below zero some nights. Summer temperatures range 20°C and 35°C (68°F and 95°F), with January being the wettest month.
Book your accommodation well in advance if visiting an area during school holidays or a festival. June through to the end of July are particularly busy both in the Top End and Red Centre.
Even in summer pack a light jumper for the evenings, especially if you are in the Outback.
Getting Here
By Air: Darwin is the main International and Domestic Airport. There are a few Regional Airports dotted around the Territory, with daily flights operating between Uluru, Alice Springs, and Darwin.
By Train: Darwin is also the start/end destination for The Ghan one of Australia's Greatest Train Journeys. The Ghan also stops at Alice Springs and Katherine.
By Sea: Pre-COVID times Darwin was the major cruising port for the Northern Territory. At present cruising is on hold.
By Bus: There are regular bus services available from the Capital Cities of each State. Buses also run throughout the Northern Territory.
