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Northern Territory
Northern Territory

Groote Eylandt means ‘big island’ in Dutch, and is indeed the largest island in the Gulf of Carpentaria. The Dutch were the first Europeans to record the existence of the island, located 630 kilometres by air from Darwin off the east coast of Arnhem Land. Ownership today has been returned to the Anindilyakwa people. To visit it is mandatory to obtain a permit by contacting the Anindilyakwa Land Council. The Groote Eylandt landscape is typical of the Top End, light woodland savannah country fringed by mangroves on the coast. Alyangula is the main town with a population of 670 and most residents are non-Aboriginal miners, with manganese being mined since 1966. Groote Eylandt is a fantastic spot for fishing, while facilities for visitors are limited, safaris can be organised for anglers and accommodation is available at the Dugong Beach Resort.

Northern Territory
Northern Territory

Kings Canyon, Watarrka National Park, is located 450 kilometres south west of Alice Springs in the Uluru-Kata Tjuta region of the Northern Territory. The Park encompasses the western end of the George Gill Range and is home to a variety of unique native flora and fauna, including over 600 different plant species. Commercial accommodation can be found within the Park at the Kings Canyon Resort and Kings Creek Station. The area has also been home to Luritja Aboriginal people for the last 20,000 years. The word Watarrka refers to the umbrella bush that proliferates in this amazing landscape. Combined with an eerie collection of weathered rock formations known as the Lost City and a permanent waterhole veiled by palms and ferns known as the Garden of Eden, a visit to the incredible Kings Canyon is full of surprises. Kings Canyon has several accommodation options from campsites to luxury hotel units as well as a restaurant, cafe, bar, souvenir shop and fuel. The ‘Canyon Rim Walk’ requires a reasonable level of fitness as the initial ascent to the top can be demanding. The walk is approximately six kilometres so allow at least three hours, wear sturdy footwear, appropriate clothing and carry at least one litre of water per person. The canyon can also be viewed via scenic helicopter flight out of the resort or Kings Creek Station.

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

Noonamah is a small town just 46 kilometres from Darwin. Noonamah was first settled during World War II when the army set up a series of airstrips and depots in the area. Despite being bombed by the Japanese, the airstrips still remain to this day. Travellers can read about the significance of the airstrips at a memorial site located near Noonamah. The Noonamah Tourist Park and Tavern offers motel rooms, powered caravan sites and camping sites.

Northern Territory
Northern Territory

Watarrka National Park and its most famous landmark, Kings Canyon, is located 330 kilometres south west of Alice Springs in the Uluru / Kata Tjuta region of the Northern Territory. The park encompasses the western end of the George Gill Range and is home to a variety of unique native flora and fauna, including over 600 different plant species. Commercial accommodation can be found within the park at the Kings Canyon Resort and Kings Creek Station. The area has also been home to Luritja Aboriginal people for the last 20,000 years. The word Watarrka refers to the umbrella bush that proliferates in this area. Watarrka can be reached via the gravel Mereenie Loop Road (Red Centre Way) or via the sealed Luritja Road running off the Lasseter Highway.

Northern Territory
Northern Territory

Dundee Beach is a relaxed coastal town and popular fishing spot 120 kilometres south-west of Darwin. Situated on the shores of Fog Bay, this tiny settlement is a popular weekend destination for Darwin locals, where many own a ‘beach shack’. Fishing is popular at the nearby Perron Islands, Point Blaze, Finniss River and Bynoe Harbour. Hang out at the popular Dundee Beach Trailer Boat Club that holds monthly barbecues and theme nights. Cooking facilities are available, as are campsites and showers for club members.

Northern Territory
Northern Territory

Tennant Creek is known for its gold mining history. The surrounding region, the Barkly Tablelands, is characterised by wide plains and vast skies, and with a population of 3,000, Tennant Creek is the main service centre for the area. Located 507 kilometres north of Alice Springs and around 1,000 kilometres south of Darwin, the town has a diverse history, shaped by Aboriginal culture, pastoralism and gold mining. The site of Australia’s last major gold rush in the 1930s, Tennant Creek’s rich mining history can be explored in the Battery Hill Mining Centre. The Nyinkka Nyunyu Art and Culture Centre is an award winning museum and gallery showcasing the culture of the traditional Aboriginal owners of the area, the Warumungu people. Travellers can stop at a character filled outback pub or roadhouse for an insight into a unique lifestyle shaped by isolation. Enjoy a swim in Tingkkarli / Lake Mary Ann, explore the historic Overland Telegraph Line, built in 1872, and spend a couple of star filled nights in Tennant Creek area for a truly unique Territory experience. The mysterious rock spheres of the nearby Karlu Karlu / Devils Marbles Conservation Reserve, located 100 kilometres south of Tennant Creek, are one of the Outback’s iconic attractions.

Northern Territory
Northern Territory

The historic township of Larrimah, 250 kilometres south of Katherine, is a pleasant stop along the Stuart Highway. Its traditional owners are the Yangman Aboriginal people, whose descendants live today in the nearby community of Wubuluwan and in other communities around the region. The Yangman people believe Dreaming tracks of the Storm Bird (a channel bill cuckoo) helped create the surrounding landscape. John McDouall Stuart explored this area in the early 1860s but the township of Larrimah didn’t spring up until 1940, when Gorrie Airfield was constructed to service the war effort. Larrimah means ‘meeting place’ in the Yangman language and the town enjoyed a brief post war boom as a railhead and service provider to surrounding cattle stations. Visitors to Larrimah should stop in at the local hotel that was built using materials from the dismantled Birdum Hotel. It houses the highest bar in the Northern Territory, and is immediately recognisable thanks to the Pink Panther sitting outside. Budget hotel rooms, caravan sites and camping sites, meals and beverages are available. For traditional country fare, drop in to Fran’s Devonshire Teahouse after exploring the Old Police Station Museum.

Northern Territory
Northern Territory

The vast Barkly Tablelands stretch east of Tennant Creek into Queensland and, at more than 280,000 square kilometres, cover about 20 per cent of the Territory's land mass. The Barkly is known for its golden grasslands and wide blue skies that give it that distinctive sense of the space and freedom of the outback. Vast cattle stations are located on the Tablelands, some as large as European countries, and this region is well known for the epic cattle drives of yesteryear that passed through en route to Queensland. One of the biggest events on this region's calendar is the Brunette Downs Races, a bush race meet held in June on a station 350 kilometres north east of Tennant Creek. Visitors fly in from all over Australia for the four-day bush race meet that has a distinct outback flavour. The Barkly Homestead at the junction of the Barkly and Tablelands highways is the only service centre in the tablelands and provides a welcome respite on the long drive to or from Queensland.

Northern Territory
Northern Territory

The Mataranka township, 100 kilometres south of Katherine on the Stuart Highway, was the setting of the famous Australian novel, We of the Never Never, by Jeannie Gunn. Jeannie Gunn, ‘The Little Missus’, lived at nearby Elsey Station and her affection for the area has been immortalised in her book. Within Elsey National Park, you will find the grave of her husband and a memorial to the author at the Elsey Cemetery and Reserve. Elsey Station is now administered by the local Aboriginal people. The ancient dreamtime stories of the Mangarayi and Yungman tribes describe a wind sweeping in from the east that created the area. The famous Mataranka Thermal Pool is a great place to unwind. The warm, crystalline waters of the natural pools have the power to soothe aches and pains after a long day on the road. The water is spring fed, bubbling up at a fairly constant temperature of 34 degrees Celsius. The surrounding paperbark and palm forest filters the sun and leaves soft, dappled light playing on the water's surface. The area around the pools is a natural breeding ground for the little red flying fox, whose breeding season is usually from November to May, but often extends into the drier months. During the breeding season, there are ranger guided talks available. Bitter Springs, a short drive north-east of Mataranka, is a relaxing alternative to the main thermal pools. Take your goggles, because small turtles and fish can often be spotted below the surface.