The Northern Territory, in the heart of Australia, has often been depicted in books (“A Town Like Alice”, Nevil Shute 1950) and movies (the 1986 blockbuster “Crocodile Dundee” and more recently Baz Luhrmann’s “Australia”).

Australia’s wide ranging landscape incorporates vast areas of red desert Outback, as well as wetlands in the tropical north; and indigenous Australians have lived in the area for an estimated 40,000 years. There are three main gateways to the Northern Territory – Darwin in the Top End and Alice Springs and Ayers Rock in the Red Centre, each offering different yet complementary experiences.

In the Red Centre, Australia’s most recognisable natural icon is the monolith that is Uluru (Ayers Rock), with nearby accommodation at Ayers Rock Resort, offering everything from camping and budget lodging to luxury African safari-style tented accommodation with direct unobscured views of the rock. Most visitors spend 1 night at the resort, but a 2-day stay provides the opportunity to fully appreciate the culture and landscape of the region.

Circling the base are multiple examples of Aboriginal rock art, and small group touring provides an insight into the ancient stories of the region. Visitors can learn bush survival skills from the traditional owners of these lands – starting a fire without matches, carving wooden implements with sharpened stones and making bush glue from native plants. (Note: Whilst it is still possible to climb the rock, it is discouraged by the traditional owners, as it is a sacred site. The base tours will provide a better insight into Aboriginal culture, art and history). Nearby is Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) – a massive range of domes rocks that are equally as impressive; especially at sunset from the viewing point where you watch Uluru literally change colours with the setting of the sun).

The nearby (6 hour drive via Kings Canyon or 30 minute flight) town of Alice Springs is the Territory’s second largest town, and provides an insight into European Settlement. The main attractions are unique to Australia, most recently the Alice Springs Desert Park was created to educate visitors about the desert environment. The history of the Royal Flying Doctor Service can be learned at the visitor centre at the Alice Springs Base; the service provides 24-hour emergency retrievals and inter-hospital transfers and services an area of 1.25 million square kilometers. Also worthy of a visit is the “School of the Air” officially started in the 1950’s to provide education to children in remote areas by two-way radio; nowadays the school uses modern conferencing technology.

Linking Alice Springs with Darwin is The Ghan train (see article page 10), or alternatively there are daily non-stop flights. As the capital of the Northern Territory, Darwin’s history includes being devastated by Japanese air raids during World

War II, and again in 1974 by Cyclone Tracy. Due to much recent rebuilding, the city is a cosmopolitan centre and gateway to numerous National Parks, including the most well-known, Kakadu.

At World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park and Arnhem Land, visitors see wildlife, waterfalls and one of the world’s largest areas of accessible rock art. Enjoy bushwalks, spot rare and spectacular wildlife and freshen up with a plunge into sparkling waterholes. Arnhem Land is located north of Kakadu and is wholly Aboriginal-owned, where you can fish off the spectacular beaches of the Gove Peninsula and in the creeks, reefs and ocean off the Cobourg Peninsula.

Visitors can combine Kakadu with a visit to Katherine Gorge in Nitmiluk National Park, offering rugged and ancient landscapes. The impressive gorge walls and white sandy beaches can be explored on foot, by canoe or on a cruise and are stunning from the air on a scenic helicopter flight. It is a haven for nature lovers, with its rugged landscapes, dramatic waterfalls and lush gorges providing an abundance of flora and fauna.

NORTHERN TERRITORY TRAVEL IDEAS
We strongly encourage you to include the Northern Territory in any travel plans for Australia. At Goway we offer more ways for you to explore this unique part of Australia than any other travel company. Because you will probably need to fly there, make sure you find out if we can include flights in your international ticker or we can recommend a specific Air Pass.

USEFUL LINKS:
For all the information you need to know about Australia`s Northern Territory AND a host of great travel ideas to the Red Centre or the Top End, please click here.