Six times the size of the UK, Australia’s Northern Territory is home to a genuine outback experience. Friendly and laid-back, the Northern Territory is known worldwide for its iconic wild treasures, ancient Aboriginal culture, birds and wildlife, spectacular scenery, and adventure opportunities.
Things to see & do in the Northern Territory
The Northern Territory is a unique place on earth. It’s not a location you come to look around; it’s a place where you engage yourself and become free.
In the Territory, you can smell the fresh air as the sun rises over the West MacDonnell Ranges, taste the first piece of freshness as you eat the crab you caught that day, hear the more than 65,000 years old stories, see breathtaking sights from the top of the Kakadu cliffs or touch history as you view Aboriginal rock art.
The area gives you the freedom to explore and flee. If you’re heading to Darwin, tease your taste buds and satisfy your sense of fun and adventure in the Territory’s tropical capital. Darwin is world-famous for its fabulous cuisine, colourful open-air markets and activities.
In Alice Springs, you can explore a thriving and vibrant provincial centre renowned for its people’s personality, contemporary and traditional arts, and natural wonders, including the Larapinta Track and the East and West MacDonnell Ranges surrounding the city.
You can also visit one of the world’s greatest natural wonders, the Uluru/Ayers Rock. It is an impressive natural formation and a spiritual place. You can feel a strong presence when you first see it. You can take a walk with a traditional host, join a camel tour, drive or dine under the stars – there is plenty to see and do, and there is something for everyone.
Fish for the famous silver barramundi
Beginners and experienced anglers alike can enjoy one of the best experiences in NT: fishing for barramundi, a fish prized for its exciting fight and giant leaps from the water. Join one of Darwin’s many visitor tours or head inland to Arnhem, where the NGF is among the best in the world. Try helicopter fishing to experience a true barramundi fishing adventure. Join NT’s Million Dollar Fish competition to win a million dollars!
Meet Aboriginal artists & watch them work
Northern Territory Aboriginal art is sold all over the world. Meeting artists on their land and watching them work is an experience not to be missed in the NT. Art centres are scattered throughout NT. Visit the three world-renowned galleries in the Tiwi Islands, north of Darwin, or interact with artists in Maruku, near Uluru. You can participate in numerous Aboriginal art festivals, such as the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, Walking with Spirits in Beswick near Katherine, or the Desert Mob in Alice Springs.
Cruise Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge at dawn
Wake up early for one of NT’s most unusual experiences: a tranquil sunrise cruise through the Nitmiluk Gorge in Nitmiluk National Park. As you cruise past Aboriginal rock art, admire the changing colours of the dawn light, the mist rising from the water and the wildlife stirring on the shore. Discover the ancient Aboriginal culture of the region. Don’t forget to bring your camera!
See ancient Aboriginal rock art in Kakadu National Park
Notice why Kakadu’s rock art is world-class and one of the causes for its dual World Heritage status. Visit the Kakadu Rock Art Galleries in Ubirr, Nourlangie a and Nanguluwura, where you will discover the mesmerising story of Aboriginal life over thousands of years. You’ll see pictures of animals, dreamtime statuettes, traditional X-ray art and paintings from early European contact. Some of them are 20,000 years old. Take part in free guided walks during the dry season.
Join Kakadu Day Trips From Darwin with a guide for an unforgettable adventure!
Watch the changing colours of Uluru at sunset
One of the best times to see Uluru – Australia’s most famous landmark – is at dusk, when the sun hits it, changing the colour of the rock from fiery red to burnt orange and then to a deep purple as the light disappears. This incredible wonder attracts travellers from all over the world. Watch the Uluru sunset from one of the viewing platforms, enjoy a gourmet dinner, or watch the sunset from the back of a camel or on a Harley Davidson motorbike. You can even go skydiving at sunset.
Discover the natural wonders of the 3-day Uluru Tour. Join us for an exceptional journey through this iconic Australian destination.
Walk through the domes of Kata Tjuta
Take a walk to discover the Kata Tjuta (known as “Olgas”), 36 rock domes just 20 minutes away from Uluru. Kata Tjuta means “many heads” in the local Aboriginal language. There are three hiking routes, including the famous Valley of the Winds, a 4-hour route that passes two spectacular viewpoints and leads into the heart of Kata Tjuta. The best time to go is in the morning.
Join us on the Alice Springs To Uluru Tour and see the stunning scenery of the Red Centre. Book your 4-day tour today!
Explore the escarpments & swimming holes of the West Macs
Join one of the multiple guided tours, or go on your own to explore the Tjoritja/West MacDonnell Ranges near Alice Springs. Take a dip in the beautiful ranges’ pools at Glen Helen Gorge, Ellery Creek Big Hole, Ormiston Gorge or Redbank Gorge. Explore the desert area and its cliffs, including Standley Chasm, where the walls glow red at noon, and Simpsons Gap, home to a colony of stone wallabies. Take a day trip here or pack up your tent and stay at one of the many campsites.
Taste the Mindil Beach Sunset Markets
During the Top End dry season (May-October), on Thursdays and Sundays, two of Darwin’s most prominent attractions are the Mindil Beach Sunset Markets. Stroll through 60 stalls offering dishes from around the world – Thai and Indian, Brazilian and Portuguese cuisine. Try the mussel-flavoured paella, Japanese omelette with sticky sauce, authentic laksa or fresh mango smoothie. Eat on the beautiful spot at the beach as the sun sinks into the ocean in front of your eyes.
Swim under waterfalls at Litchfield
Pack a lunch and spend the day swimming under the waterfalls of Litchfield National Park, a favourite destination for locals just 1.5 hours from Darwin. Glide beneath the stunning twin cascades of Wangi and Florence Falls, which tumble into stunning natural pools, or dive into the tiered rock pools of Buley Rockhole. These three swimming spots are far from each other on paved routes. You can also hop in a 4×4 to discover the less-known Tjaynera Falls (Sandy Creek).
Looking for a memorable outdoor adventure? Join our Litchfield National Park tour and discover this iconic park’s breathtaking landscapes and natural attractions.
Catch a sunset at Karlu Karlu (the Devil Marbles)
Plan a stop during sunset at Karlu Karlu (Devil’s Logs), an hour southern of Tennant Creek. At this time of day, hundreds of granite boulders spread across the shallow valley turn fiery red – an unforgettable scenery. Take a guided walking tour to discover the importance of this site to the Warramungu people. Camping is available.
