Northern Territory,

The Northern Territory occupies about one sixth of Australia’s total land mass, with a population of about 200,000 and is home to some of the natural world’s most unique and exciting destinations. Equivalent in size to France, Italy and Spain combined, it is blessed with an abundance of natural environments. The Northern Territory story unfolds through six main destinations. From the red sandy desert of Alice Springs and Uluru / Ayers Rock and the golden plains of Tennant Creek, to the savannah woodlands surrounding Katherine and the lush green tropics of Darwin and Kakadu, it's not surprising the Northern Territory is a popular destination for travellers keen to experience Australia’s outback. It is known around the world for its iconic natural treasures, including the World Heritage-listed national parks of Kakadu and Uluru-Kata Tjuta. The flora and fauna is as diverse as desert blooms are to lotus lilies and the fearsome saltwater crocodile is to the Brolga, the elegant dancing bird that is our emblem. The Northern Territory has a rich Indigenous culture and the Aboriginal people hold a spiritual connection to the land that dates back tens of thousands of years. Their culture can be shared today - through a walk in the de

Northern Territory,

Situated on the doorstep of Gregory National Park in the Katherine region, the township of Timber Creek is a traveller’s oasis. Timber Creek, 285 kilometres west of Katherine, is the region's main centre and is home to about 70 people. This friendly Northern Territory town features several attractions that preserve its rich pastoral and exploration heritage. Timber Creek is the traditional land of the Ngaliwurra Aboriginal people, who provided early European settlers with valuable bush knowledge and acted as guides for the local police. A police station was first established in Timber Creek in 1898. Initially just a hut and a goat yard, the dwellings were upgraded to iron and steel in 1908 and this structure has been reopened as the Timber Creek Police Station Museum. Fishing is one of Timber Creek's biggest drawcards. The beautiful Victoria River, running through deep valleys and gorges, is one of the Northern Territory's most scenic places to catch barramundi. Gregory National Park is Timber Creek’s backyard. Covering an area of approximately 13,000 square kilometres, the Park is home to red-rimmed escarpment ranges, plunging gorges and ancient boab trees.

Northern Territory,

The Northern Territory is one of the most sparsely settled environments on the planet, spanning more than 1.4 million square kilometres from the centre to the northerly coast of Australia. Ancient woodlands meet sandy beaches and escarpments tower above lush billabongs in this land of diversity. The tropical north is home to rich wetlands, wild rainforests and thundering waterfalls. The climate is so varied that the local Aboriginal people recognise six seasons in World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park. The ocean off the coast of the top of the Northern Territory offers anglers a buzz of excitement while chasing schools of mackerel that are being chased by even bigger schools of shark. Tidal rivers such as the Adelaide River, and calm billabongs, like Yellow Water, are stacked with spitting archer fish and jumping barramundi. Red desert sand, rainbow coloured rock formations and golden tinted chasms give the Centre a distinct quality. The semiarid environments of the East and West MacDonnell Ranges, Finke Gorge National Park and Watarrka National Park host a variety of flora and fauna, such as Spinifex grass and the thorny devil. Aboriginal art and culture holds a spiritual connection to the land that dates back tens of t

Northern Territory,

The tropical Top End is dramatic, vibrant and friendly, and offers a range of experiences. Darwin, the Northern Territory’s cosmopolitan capital, is a great place to begin exploring. The city offers a range of accommodation and facilities, and is a popular holiday destination, thanks to its relaxed charm and proximity to the region’s iconic natural wonders. Half an hour south of Darwin is Berry Springs Nature Park, a swimming and recreational area and the popular Territory Wildlife Park is just next door. Operating on the nearby Adelaide River, regular jumping crocodile cruises provide the chance to see saltwater crocodiles propel themselves from the water. Further south along the Stuart Highway is Litchfield National Park, a great place to cool off beneath cascading waterfalls and view attractions such as unique magnetic termite mounds, monsoonal rainforests and tumbling rocky waterholes. World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park is 250 kilometres from Darwin on the Arnhem Highway. To the north of Darwin are the Tiwi Islands where visitors can share in the culture of the Tiwi people. Take an organised tour and purchase some local art and crafts, chat with some of the local Tiwi ladies over a pot of billy tea, or fish the clea

Northern Territory,

The remote Gulf area stretches east of Katherine to the Queensland border and meets the Gulf of Carpentaria, a shallow sea between Australia and Papua New Guinea. The area, home to four main indigenous language groups, includes many large Australian cattle stations. The Gulf is one of Australia’s most exciting fishing destinations. On the Northern Territory side of the Gulf, Roper Bar is the natural rock crossing separating the saltwater and freshwater sections of the Roper River. The township of Borroloola, located 600 kilometres south of Roper Bar on the McArthur River (both of which are renowned fishing hot spots), is the Gulf area’s main service centre. A range of services and a taste of Northern Territory hospitality can be found in this friendly town. King Ash Bay is a popular fishing spot 50 kilometres from Borroloola. Cape Crawford, 100 kilometres south west of Borroloola, is another major base from which to explore the Gulf area. Surrounded by golden grasslands, rock escarpments, waterfalls and waterholes, Cape Crawford is within easy reach of Limmen National Park (Proposed). The area is home to a magnificent array of native wildlife. Another must-see destination is Barranyi (North Island) National Park, located in the

Northern Territory,

Daly Waters is located 274 kilometres south of Katherine near the junction of the Stuart and Carpentaria Highways. Despite the tiny population of the settlement, the Daly Waters’ Pub is one of the Territory’s most famous watering holes. One of the oldest buildings in the Northern Territory, the pub is a quirky place clad in corrugated iron and crammed with decades of memorabilia. The annual Daly Waters rodeo is an institution not to be missed. Daly Waters also has a rich and interesting aviation history, being the centre for the London to Sydney air race of 1926, a World War II air force base and a refuelling stop for Qantas. The Daly Waters hangar exhibits interesting facts, photographs and equipment from the area’s former aviation glory days. The Jingili people, the traditional Aboriginal owners of the area, believe the Dreaming tracks of the Emu and the Sun travelled through here on their way to the southern parts of the Northern Territory. In 1862, after two unsuccessful attempts to cross the continent, early explorer John McDougall Stuart finally discovered water in this region. He blazed an ‘S’ in a nearby tree to signify his important find.

Northern Territory,

Darwin, the Northern Territory’s vibrant capital, is a city with influences that are as much Asian as they are western. A city with dozens of nationalities sharing an easy-going lifestyle, Darwin is located on a peninsular with the sea on three sides. It is a place unvisited by winter where the weather can usually be described as either balmy or sultry. Darwin is well appointed, possessing most of the amenities expected of a much larger city. Watching sunsets and storms are something of a local pastime, and after a cleansing rain shower you can almost hear things growing. Try a delicious jackfruit curry, sip a fresh mango smoothie, or sample some crocodile jerky at one of Darwin’s weekend markets. Regular markets are located throughout the city, but the Mindil Beach Sunset Markets are perhaps the best known. Operating every Thursday and Sunday evening between May and October, there are music and dance performances, art and craft stalls, and an eclectic mix of international dishes. Local restaurants also offer delicious cuisine – sit back and enjoy local favourites, like succulent mud crabs or barramundi. A great way to experience Darwin Harbour is to board a sunset cruise and drift by the scenic foreshore. There are many attract

Northern Territory,

Darwin, the Northern Territory’s vibrant capital, is a city with influences that are as much Asian as they are western. A city with dozens of nationalities sharing an easy-going lifestyle, Darwin is located on a peninsular with the sea on three sides. It is a place unvisited by winter where the weather can usually be described as either balmy or sultry. Darwin is well appointed, possessing most of the amenities expected of a much larger city. Watching sunsets and storms are something of a local pastime, and after a cleansing rain shower you can almost hear things growing. Half an hour south of Darwin is Berry Springs Nature Park, a swimming and recreational area and the popular Territory Wildlife Park is just next door. Operating on the nearby Adelaide River, regular jumping crocodile cruises provide the chance to see saltwater crocodiles propel themselves from the water. Further south along the Stuart Highway is Litchfield National Park, a great place to cool off beneath cascading waterfalls and view attractions such as unique magnetic termite mounds, monsoonal rainforests and tumbling rocky waterholes. To the north of Darwin are the Tiwi Islands where visitors can share in the culture of the Tiwi people. Take an organised tou

Northern Territory,

The Mary River area encompasses the Mary River National Park and Djukbinj National Park on the Arnhem Highway between Darwin and Kakadu National Park. Explorer John McDouall Stuart explored this area in the early 1860s and signed his name on a tree at the mouth of Mary River. Today, a memorial marks the site of the tree. Both the Adelaide and Mary Rivers are best known for their large populations of saltwater crocodiles, the undisputed stars of popular boat cruises that operate in the area. The area is also a popular fishing destination, and offers some of the best barramundi fishing in the Northern Territory. The Mary River wetlands are part of a network of northern coastal wetlands that link eight major rivers in the Top End. This network is rare, fragile and ecologically important, and some areas have been listed as of international importance. The Limilngan Wulna ‘freshwater’ Aboriginal people have made the Mary River region their home for thousands of years, and continue to live, hunt and practise their traditional culture here today. The rich wetland environment is home to a variety of flora and fauna, including a multitude of migratory birds. The annual Bird Week event attracts bird watchers from all over the world. Exa

Northern Territory,

Katherine is the third-largest town in the Northern Territory, with a population of around 8,000, and is located 300 kilometres south of Darwin. The town was named by the explorer John McDouall Stuart, after Catherine, the daughter of his benefactor. The region is home to the Jawoyn Aboriginal people. Katherine is often described as a place where ‘the outback meets the tropics’ and is well equipped with a range of accommodation and facilities. Travellers visiting Katherine may like to browse the Katherine Railway Museum, view the fine collection of Aboriginal art at Katherine Art Gallery, relax in the Katherine Hot Springs or gain an insight into the workings of a cattle station with a visit to the historic Springvale Homestead, built in 1878.