Northern Territory,

Nestled near the spectacular Arnhem Land Escarpment in World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park, Jabiru was established as a mining town in the 1970s. It is the only Australian town set inside a national park, and is now the main service area for Kakadu, offering a range of accommodation and facilities. The town supports about 1,100 residents with the Mirrar people the traditional Aboriginal owners of the Jabiru area. The people of Jabiru take pride in their unique town and enjoy a relaxed lifestyle with fishing, camping, bushwalking and bird watching favourite pastimes. It has an Olympic size swimming pool, tennis courts and a challenging 9 hole golf course.

Northern Territory,

Croker Island is approximately one hour via light plane from Darwin and located at the meeting place of the Arafura Sea and the Timor Sea. The traditional owners are the Yammirr people and a permit from the Northern Land Council is required for all visitors to the island. Many Aboriginal people acknowledge Croker Island as the birthplace of the Rainbow Serpent – one of the most important spiritual beings in tales of the Dreamtime. The island landscape is flat and covered with tropical rainforest, fringed by sandy beaches and coral reef. Birds including the brolga and jabiru are abundant and fishing is a popular drawcard with anglers bringing in a range of fish such as trevally, queenfish, Spanish mackerel and mangrove jack. There is one general store on Croker Island. Supplies are flown in once a week from Darwin.

Northern Territory,

Established in the late 1800s after a gold rush in the area, Pine Creek is located 90 kilometres north of Katherine. The town is a treasure trove of heritage bush buildings and mining sites. Echoes of the gold rush days are still evident in the historic Pine Creek Settlement. Gold was discovered at Pine Creek in 1871 by construction workers on the Overland Telegraph Line. There is a small and informative museum and preserved railway station within the township. The township is small but offers a range of accommodation options, including caravan parks and cabins. Many of the original buildings still stand, allowing travellers to soak up some of the old pioneering spirit. Step back in time by driving the Northern Goldfields Loop Heritage trail that takes you from Pine Creek to Adelaide River and on to the fascinating Grove Hill Heritage Hotel, an insight into life during the era. Pine Creek is full of colourful characters and friendly locals. Next door to the Pine Creek Pub is the famous Maysie’s Cafe. With decor inspired by 1950s American diners, walls adorned with pictures of classic Hollywood glamour, and the shirt Leonardo De Caprio wore in Romeo and Juliet, this charming little pit-stop serves delicious mango smoothies.

Northern Territory,

While its star attraction is undoubtedly the famous Nitmiluk National Park (Katherine Gorge), Katherine and its surrounds include great fishing, hidden natural wonders and a rich indigenous and pioneering history. The region stretches from the Gulf of Carpentaria to the West Australian border. Around 300 kilometres south of Darwin, Katherine is set on the banks of the Katherine River. This unique outback town of around 8,000 people is the region’s major service centre. Katherine offers a wide range of accommodation, facilities and attractions, including museums, art galleries, character-filled pubs and historic sites. Other attractions within easy reach of the town include the Cutta Cutta Caves Nature Park, the Katherine Hot Springs and Leliyn / Edith Falls. Ninety kilometres north of Katherine is the gold rush town of Pine Creek, a treasure trove of heritage bush buildings and mining sites. Nitmiluk National Park (Katherine Gorge) covers an awesome 3,000 kilometres of magnificent escarpment country. Nitmiluk means ‘cicada place’ to the local Aboriginal people. The Katherine River flows through 13 separate gorges that carve their way through the Arnhem Plateau. You can canoe, cruise and swim between sheer cliffs to the sandy fr

Northern Territory,

Known as Victoria River, Victoria River Crossing and the Victoria River Inn, this tiny settlement is located on the Victoria Highway 194 kilometres west of Katherine. The settlement itself is little more than a roadhouse and campground, but the scenery along the highway as it winds past immense escarpments split by the mighty Victoria River ranks as some of the most stunning in the Territory. Gregory National Park protects the area's colourful scenery featuring grassy plains, boab trees and majestic gorges carved out of sandstone escarpments.

Northern Territory,

Wycliffe Well, located 130 kilometres south of Tennant Creek and 380 kilometres north of Alice Springs, has built a reputation around extraterrestrial sightings in the area. Wycliffe Well began as a market garden to supply the troops going to and from Darwin during World War Two. As the highway developed further after the war it became a roadhouse supplying fuel and provisions to travellers and eventually as tourism increased has transformed into a substantial and well equipped holiday park. Located nearby is the Devils Marbles Conservation Reserve and the gateway to the Davenport Range (proposed) National Park

Northern Territory,

The East MacDonnell Ranges are a hidden treasure. Stretching 100 kilometres east of Alice Springs, the East MacDonnell Ranges provide beautiful scenery for bush walking, camping and four wheel driving. To the local Eastern Arrernte people, this area is the Dreamtime birthplace of the mountain range. Places like Emily and Jessie Gap, Corroboree Rock and N’Dhala Gorge are of great cultural significance to the Arrernte people. The beauty of these sites, and others such as Trephina Gorge, makes a trip to the East MacDonnells unforgettable. You can base your exploration from Ross River Resort on the eastern end of the ranges. Both cabin and camping facilities are available along with bar and restaurant services. Late last century the Ranges were the site of Australia’s most remote, but short lived gold rush at what is now Arltunga Historical Reserve. Here there is a ghost town to explore, complete with the remains of mining camps and old mines. Camping is available at Arltunga Bush Pub. The first mining rush actually took place at what is now Ruby Gap Nature Park. As the once hopeful prospectors quickly discovered, there are only garnets, but the scenery is priceless. Try your luck fossicking for your own gems with a tour from the oas

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,

‘Threeways’ is a roadhouse located at the junction of the Stuart and Barkly Highways, 25 kilometres north of Tennant Creek and is the ideal place to take a break during a long drive. A local point of interest is the Flynn Memorial. Reverend John Flynn pioneered the Royal Australian Flying Doctors Service. The memorial originally sat at the exact meeting spot of the Barkly and Stuart Highways, but the point has now been moved 250 metres south. The Threeways roadhouse offers fuel, meals, provisions, bar facilities, swimming pool and motel accommodation and camping.

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.