Trouver destinations

Northern Territory
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 Kakadu National Park and Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. 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 Northern Territory 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 desert in search of bush tucker, a visit to the ancient rock art galleries, or simply sitting in on a story-telling session. One of the most popular ways to explore the Northern Territory is by vehicle and the Northern Territory's well-maintained roads cover some of the most memorable scenery in Australia. Themed drives include the Nature’s Way, Red Centre Way, Explorer’s Way, Binn's Track and part of the Savannah Way which traverse a number of regions throughout the Territory. There are a number of challenging four-wheel drive detours to beautiful and secluded destinations that allow you to experience the most rugged parts of the Territory.

Northern Territory
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
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. 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 clear waters surrounding the islands. Fishing is a popular Northern Territory pastime, with Darwin and Bynoe Harbours offering excellent fishing. The Daly River, the Mary River wetlands and the Victoria River are among the fishing hot spots while Dundee Beach and Mandorah Beach boast stretches of sandy coastline.

Northern Territory
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 Sir Edward Pellew Group of Islands. A haven for wildlife, the park provides a home to nesting turtles and migratory birds. Access to the islands is limited, and you must contact Parks and Wildlife NT before making the journey. The Savannah Way, an adventure tourism drive along the Carpentaria Highway, is a great option for exploring this unique region.

Northern Territory
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, with 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
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 attractions within easy reach. Browse the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory. Hand-feed huge milkfish and even barramundi at Aquascene in Doctors Gully, see hundreds of crocodiles at Crocodylus Park, or stroll along the historic city walk to see many of Darwin’s historically significant sites. Darwin is a great base from which to explore the surrounding region and the World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park, which is located 250 kilometres from Darwin.

Northern Territory
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. 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 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 clear waters surrounding the islands.

Northern Territory
Northern Territory

Batchelor is best known as the gateway to Litchfield National Park. Located 98 kilometres south of Darwin, just off the Stuart Highway (Explorer’s Way) and with a population of 358, Batchelor is an excellent base from which to explore Litchfield. Tourism became Batchelor’s key industry when Litchfield was declared a National Park in 1986. The town is also home to a residential tertiary college, catering specifically to Aboriginal students. While in Batchelor, drop into the Coomalie Cultural Centre. The centre conducts artist’s residencies, exhibitions and cultural projects and operates a retail outlet of art and craft. A bush tucker garden and a mural surround the centre. The town was named after the South Australian Labour politician Egerton Lee Batchelor (1865-1911) who became Minister for the Northern Territory in 1911. Batchelor grew slowly, with brief spurts of mining and agricultural activity until World War II when it was turned into an Allied Air Force base. An extension to the 1930s airstrip occurred in 1941 to accommodate the large US B-17 flying fortress aircraft, which operated here following the bombing of Pearl Harbour. In the 1950s a prospector named Jack White discovered uranium deposits at nearby Rum Jungle. The town grew as mining began in 1951, the mine was closed in 1963 with the treatment plant closing down in 1971. Legend has it that Rum Jungle earned its name after a rather raucous incident in 1871 when a bullock-wagon loaded with rum became bogged near jungle in the East Finniss River area causing the bullockies to settle in for one of the most notorious binges in Northern Territory history.

Northern Territory
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.

Northern Territory
Northern Territory

Borroloola is a remote fishing community on the McArthur River in the Gulf of Carpentaria. This historic town is considered the gateway to the Gulf region and is famed for its excellent fishing. Borroloola can be accessed via the Carpentaria Highway from Daly Waters in the Northern Territory or on the road through Garawa Aboriginal Land Trust from Queensland. Once a frontier town, Borroloola is now the capital of the Gulf region. Today, the town is still a bit wild and unruly at times, but the people are friendly and easy going. Fishing and camping remain a way of life for locals and travellers chasing barramundi. King Ash Bay, a great fishing spot 50 kilometres from Borroloola, also attracts thousands of visitors each year. The Sir Edward Pellew Group of Islands provides good reef fishing where red emperor, coral trout and parrot fish can be caught. The settlement has two main fishing event every year, the King Ash Bay Fishing Festival which is held the first week of May each year and the Borroloola Barra Classic, held on the Easter Sunday, both events are held in King Ash Bay.