The Northern Territory is best known for its dramatic outdoor
attractions: the globally recognisable Uluru (formerly known as
Ayers Rock); the Olgas, a remarkable collection of massive domed
rocks; Watarrka National Park and the magnificent King's Canyon
therein; Kakadu National Park, with its incredible rock art; the
Tiwi Islands, home to the Tiwi Aboriginal people; the beautiful,
rugged landscapes of Katherine Gorge; and Litchfield National Park,
loved for its natural rock pools and waterfalls.
The Northern Territory is also home to some charming towns and
cities, and popular travel bases include Darwin, a much-loved
tropical, seaside city; Alice Springs, the gateway to the delights
of the Australian Outback; Yulara, an isolated resort town situated
close to Uluru; Jabiru, a town located within Kakadu National Park;
and Katherine, named for the nearby gorge. It is a large but
sparsely populated territory and a thorough exploration of the main
tourist attractions requires covering quite big distances.
Bushwalking, ballooning and fishing are all very popular activities
in the region.
Kakadu National Park
This stunning park, covering almost 12,500 square miles (32,375
sq km) was added to UNESCO's list of World Heritage areas in 1984
and is regarded as one of the natural marvels of Australia. The
land itself is believed to be more than two billion years old, and
is a jigsaw of wetlands, gorges, waterfalls, floodplains,
rainforest pockets and escarpments. It offers the visitor an
impressive variety of superb landscapes teeming with wildlife, and
features some of Australia's most magnificent examples of
Aboriginal rock art. About 5,000 Aboriginal sites have been
identified in the park area, making it arguably the best
destination in Australia for those wanting to experience the oldest
living culture on earth. The park can be visited on a day-trip from
Darwin and contains more than 1,600 species of plants and 500
different kinds of birds and animals.
Kakadu National Park, Northern
Territory
Ron Knight
Tennant Creek
Now a popular holiday resort, the old mining town of Tennant
Creek, about 300 miles (500km) north of Alice Springs, was
allegedly born when a beer wagon en route to an Overland Telegraph
Station broke down in 1934 and the driver, Joe Kilgariff, decided
to set up a store and pub at the breakdown site. Such legends
abound in the Tennant Creek area, which was the site of Australia's
last gold rush.
At the Battery Hill Mining Centre visitors on holiday can take a
mine tour and hear the miners' stories, before enjoying a nature
walk and a picnic. The small holiday town is situated at the
junction of the Stuart Highway, which runs between Darwin and Alice
Springs, and the Barclay Highway that travels east to Mt Isa.
Tennant Creek is an excellent point from which to make an
excursion to the fascinating signature landforms of the area, the
granite boulders known as the Devil's Marbles. Thousands of huge,
red boulders, some nestling together and others poised on top of
each other, are a compelling spectacle in this shallow valley 60
miles (100km) south of Tennant Creek. The local Aboriginal people
regard the Devil's Marbles site as a sacred place, believing that
the boulders are the eggs of the Rainbow Serpent.
Devil's Marbles, near Tennant Creek
David Taus
Uluru - Kata Tjuta National Park
Formerly known as Ayres Rock, Uluru rises from the surrounding
plains, protected within the Uluru - Kata Tjuta National Park, and
belongs to the Anangu Aboriginal people, for whom it holds a
special spiritual significance. In an isolated spot 280 miles
(450km) from Alice Springs, the power of the rock draws hundreds of
visitors taken on tours by Aboriginal guides who explain the
monolith's importance in Aboriginal culture. A visit to this
monolithic rock, the world's greatest, is an awesome experience. It
is composed of a type of sandstone that has been exposed through
folding, faulting, the erosion of rock and infill. At the base are
caves, inlets and overhangs formed by chemical degradation and
erosion.
Some opt for the 1,142ft (348m) climb to the top, which takes
about 45 minutes and is not for the faint-hearted; however, it
should be noted that for spiritual reasons the Anangu people
request that visitors not climb the rock. Visitors should try to
view Uluru at different times of the day - part of the magic of the
rock is its constant colour changes in different lights,
particularly at sunrise and sunset. Visitors can take a camel tour
of the Outback at Uluru, or enjoy an unforgettable flight in a
light aircraft or helicopter for a bird's eye view of the
monolith.
About 19 miles (30km) from Uluru is another fascinating
geological formation on the desert landscape. Known as Kata Tjuta
(formerly known as the Olgas), these comprise 36 domes of red-brown
earth, the tallest of which, Mount Olga, is 656ft (200m) taller
than Uluru. There is a range of accommodation at Uluru, from luxury
resorts to campsites. There is also an Aboriginal cultural centre
and an arts and craft centre, along with restaurants, swimming
pools, galleries, a supermarket, a medical centre and a post
office.
Address:
Ayers Rock, Uluru
Uluru, formerly called Ayres Rock
ptwo
Crocodylus Park and Zoo
Housing over three decades of research on Australian crocodiles
and a comprehensive crocodile museum, not to mention more than a
thousand resident crocodiles, the Crocodylus Park and Zoo is
designed to educate people about this lesser known predator. While
the focus at the park is on crocodiles, there are plenty of other
animals to keep visitors interested. At this, the largest
attraction in Darwin, visitors can learn about these reptiles as
well as view a collection of other animals such as big cats,
monkeys, birds, snakes and turtles, to name a few. Regular daily
tours, including crocodile feeding sessions, will captivate
visitors. There are well-trained guides who are willing to answer
any questions about the dinosaur-like creatures, both the species
in general and the particular crocodiles housed at the park.
Visitors are allowed to get as close as is safe to get the best
pictures possible.
Address:
815 McMillans Road, Knuckey Lagoon
Saltwater Crocodile
Tourism NT
Deckchair Cinema
Operated by the Darwin Film Society and completely independent,
the Deckchair Cinema is unique in more than one way. Screening
mainly films that would otherwise be unavailable to local
audiences, the Deckchair Cinema is set outdoors on the edge of
Darwin Harbour and is the perfect location for a sunset picnic
followed by a movie. The cinema usually operates seven nights a
week during the dry season (April to November) and screens a range
of movies from family friendlies to foreign films. With 250
deckchairs and about 100 straight-backed seats, the cloudless skies
above the Deckchair Cinema and harbour lights make a breath-taking
backdrop for the screen. An evening at the Deckchair Cinema makes
for a unique way to experience Darwin and its beautiful
outdoors.
Address:
Jervois Road, off Kitchener Drive, Darwin
Waterfront
Deckchairs
Ellen Munro
Outback Ballooning
Surely the most iconic image of Australia is the blood-red dust
of its sere and sparse Outback - and what better way to experience
it than from a hot air balloon, in the dawn hours, with the sky
full of a million colours? Alice Springs' Outback Ballooning
company has been offering this once-in-a-lifetime experience to
eager visitors since 1986, and has built a solid reputation for
itself as a high-quality, and dependable tour operator (with an
impeccable safety record). You'll be accompanied on your hot air
balloon ride - which also includes refreshments and a light
breakfast - by an informative guide, to ensure you appreciate the
full impact of the unique landscape spread out beneath you.
Visitors of all ages, sizes, shapes and fitness levels are welcome,
and are all bound to leave with a memory they'll cherish for the
rest of their lives. Don't forget to pack your camera.
Address:
35 Kennett Court, Alice Springs
Deflating an Outback Balloon
Arturo Pardavila III
The Northern Territory covers two distinct climate zones. The
north, including Darwin, is tropical with high humidity and a wet
and dry season. Rainfall during the rainy season (November to
April) can be very heavy. The central region is the desert centre
of the country, which includes Alice Springs and Uluru (Ayers
Rock), and is semi-arid, hot and dry. What little rain does fall,
usually arrives during the hottest months between October and
March.
The best time to visit the tropical north is during the dry
season (May to October) as travel is very difficult during the
heavy rains, and for the arid central region the most popular time
to visit is in the cooler months between April and September.
Darwin International Airport
Location: The airport is situated eight miles (13km) northeast of
Darwin's city centre.
Time: GMT +9.5.
Getting to the city:
An airport shuttle bus meets all flights, and taxis are
available. Public transport to and from the airport is limited, but
a public bus operates to bus stops near the airport.
Car Rental:
Avis, Budget, Hertz, Europcar and Thrifty are represented at the
airport.
Airport Taxis:
Taxis are available from the taxi rank directly in front of the
terminal. Taxis are metered and an approximate fare for a trip to
the CBD is A$25 to A$30.
Facilities:
The airport terminal has ATMs and foreign exchange, several food
and drink options, duty-free shopping, internet kiosks, wifi,
shower facilities, and a variety of general shops. Facilities for
the disabled are good. The airport is a smoke-free zone, but
smoking areas are provided.
Parking
Short-term parking is available adjacent to the airport. Parking
is free for the first 15 minutes, A$8 for the first hour, and an
additional sum of about A$3 per hour thereafter, up to a daily
maximum of A$40. Long-term parking is available at A$35 for one
day, A$60 for two days, and about A$20 extra per day
thereafter.