Welcome to the ultimate guide to experiencing the wonders of the Northern Territory (NT), Australia's outback gem. From ancient rock art sites to adrenaline-pumping adventures, the NT offers a myriad of experiences that will leave you spellbound. Whether you're seeking cultural immersion, natural beauty, or thrilling encounters with wildlife, the NT has something for every traveller. Join us as we explore the top attractions and hidden gems that make the Northern Territory a must-visit destination.
Dine with a view of Uluru
The Red Centre provides many opportunities to dine under a starry night sky with Uluru providing a stunning backdrop. When night falls, the desert is transformed into an altogether different place. Experience the Red Centre under the cover of darkness with one of the desert dinners organised by Ayers Rock Resort. With the Outback night sky as its canopy, the Sounds of Silence dinner starts with sunset drinks on a viewing platform overlooking Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park followed by a buffet dinner.
For those wanting a more intimate experience, Tali Wiru (meaning “beautiful dune” in the local Anangu dialect) offers a four-course dinner for up to 20 guests at a time. Don’t forget to cast the occasional glance upwards, where a dazzling blanket of stars ups the wow factor. There are also plenty of other dining options that include the famous red rock. A traditional outback BBQ provides a more casual dining experience which normally follows a drink while watching the sun set over Uluru creating a brilliant natural light show.
Image: With a view of Uluru, dinner will be magical (credit Sounds of Silence)
Swim with the crocs
The Cage of Death at Crocosaurus Cove is submerged underwater in a crocodile enclosure, allowing you to get up close and personal with your new scaly pal in a safe environment. For those after an adrenaline-pumping experience, the Cage of Death is the way to go as you’re lowered into the same enclosure as some of the largest Saltwater crocodiles on the planet for a unique 15 minute, face to face encounter!
Crocosaurus Cove, situated right in the heart of Darwin, does things a little differently to your average zoo. This is no regular crocodile park. You can go fishing for crocodiles, swim with the "salties", hold a baby croc or watch the big fellas at feeding time. Here you’ll enjoy 360 degree viewing of some of the largest Saltwater crocodiles in captivity and don’t forget to check out our most famous crocodile, Burt, the star of the iconic Australian movie, Crocodile Dundee! There are also plenty of smaller creatures to captivate you including reptiles and fish as well as a variety of animal-based shows throughout the day to keep you entertained.
Image: Brave the Cage of Death at Crocosaurus Cove (credit Shaana McNaught & Tourism NT)
Visit some of Australia's oldest art sites
See for yourself why Kakadu's rock art is world class and one of the reasons for its dual World Heritage status. Visit Kakadu’s rock art galleries at Ubirr, Nourlangie and Nanguluwur and see their fascinating record of Aboriginal life over thousands of years. You’ll see images of animals, Dreamtime figures, traditional x-ray art and paintings of early contact with European people. Some paintings are 20,000 years old. Join some of the free activities throughout Kakadu, including daily art site talks, walks, cultural activities and night-time slide shows. They also offer cultural and wildlife tours for those who want to learn more about the area.
Image: Discovering Ubirr's historic art sites in Kakadu National Park (credit Peter Eve & Tourism NT)
Immerse yourself in Aboriginal culture
There are boundless opportunities in the Northern Territory with which to truly experience and learn about Aboriginal culture. Bawaka, located in North East Arnhem Land, provides the backdrop to many cultural Experiences, an area providing spectacular beaches and natural sites that will take your breath away. Here there are plenty of tours that will see you guided by a traditional land owner around the remote area as you learn about the people and their land's colourful history and traditions. Try your hand at traditional spear fishing and crab hunting, go bird watching and visit expansive art galleries that are brimming with the local's specialised painting on bark and intricate pandanus weavings.
In Kakadu National Park and Arnhem Land areas Djabulukgu Association Kakadu Cultural Tours (KCT), offer unique and exclusive experiences including the Guluyambi Cultural Cruise, Guluyambi Wet Season Cultural Cruise, Magela Creek System and One-Day Arnhemlander Cultural and Heritage Tour. You'll spend your time guided around the NT's natural landscape by Aboriginal guides who provide interesting insights into their culture, the river’s abundant food chain, traditional uses for many plants and animals as well as bush survival skills.
In the Katherine region Top Didj Cultural Experiences and Art Gallery gives you the opportunity to take part in a more hands-on experience to gain an in-depth understanding of Aboriginal art and culture. Here you will learn how to paint using traditional techniques (and get to keep your artwork as a souvenir), learn to make fire with sticks, and test your physical abilities as you learn to throw a spear and woomera. You will also hear local Aboriginal artists tell their story and showcase their traditional activities as you learn about their local culture and way of life. Located in a peaceful bush setting just minutes from the town centre, the experience immerses you in the rich culture of the region.
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Image: Bawaka Cultural Experiences on the stunning coast of Arnhem Land (credit Shaana McNaught & Tourism NT)
Swim under incredible waterfalls
What better way to spend a sunny day in the Territory than frolicking under a waterfall? Wangi Falls is the best-known and most popular attraction in Litchfield National Park - a park renowned for its accessible and pristine natural beauty. Enjoy the cool waters of the plunge pool surrounded by lush rainforest then make your way to the falls for a refreshing drenching of water. There are also various walking tracks, including a three kilometre track that takes you up over the falls and back to the car park, as well as a kiosk and picnic facilities.
Located in Litchfield National Park, the spectacular Florence Falls cascade into a plunge pool, set in a paradise pocket of monsoon forest. Take a refreshing dip in the crystal clear waters of the pool and swim right up under the gushing falls, then enjoy a scenic walk to the viewing platform high above the falls for panoramic views of the open valley and the waterhole below. Take a walk from the car park to the lookout for a great view of the gorge and excellent views of Florence Falls. Don't forget to take in the interesting contrast between the wet monsoon forest and the dry sandstone plateau.
Image: Enjoying Florence Falls in Litchfield National Park (credit Peter Eve & Tourism NT)
Find yourself mesmerised by the Field of Light
No trip to the Red Centre is complete without a visit to this must-see light installation. As night falls, and Uluru is thrown into silhouette, it’s the Field of Light’s time to shine. The internationally famed light installation, aptly named Tili Wiru Tjuta Nyakutjaku (Looking at Lots of Beautiful Lights), is overwhelming in size and spans more than seven football fields.
Immersing you in a fantasy garden, the installation is made up of 50,000 spindles of light whose stems sway through a desert-influenced spectrum of colour. Now a global phenomenon by internationally acclaimed artist Bruce Munro, the Field of Light has come ‘home’ to the place that inspired it - Uluru.
Image: The mesmerising installation of Field of Light (credit Mark Pickthall & Field of Light)
Fly over some of Australia's most impressive waterfalls
Nothing compares to a chopper ride or scenic flight over Kakadu National Park to see the gushing Jim Jim and Twin Falls and experience their beauty from a new perspective. An aerial view provides one of the best ways to witness the immense power of these falls, especially in the Tropical Summer when Litchfield National Parks raging waterfalls are their most impressive. There is so much water cascading down the falls, and these Tropical Summer sights make for enviable Facebook and Instagram snaps! A bonus is that on these flights you'll get to experience the overwhelming beauty of the NT's vast landscape while also trying to spot the active local wildlife that are out and about.
Image: The spectacular Twin Falls and surrounds (credit Sam Earp & Tourism NT)
Attend some of the most unique festivals and events in Australia
Established in 1974, the Darwin Lions Beer Can Regatta at Darwin's Mindil Beach is probably one of the most authentically Aussie events in the country. Set on Mindil Beach, just in front of the iconic Mindil beach Market, the regatta sees groups of competitors building, racing and battling each other in boats which are, of course, made out of beer cans, with sometimes disastrously humorous results. Alongside the day's main event are sandcastle competitions, running races, thong throwing competitions, kayaking races, team events, a bar for the adults and a beer can boat race on the sand.
The Alice Springs Beanie Festival has been delighting both tourists and locals alike since 1997 and began as a simple beanie party. From here it grew (thanks to its dedicated volunteers, otherwise known as beanie-ologists) to become a mainstay event on the Northern Territory calendar, drawing crowds from all around Australia. The festival began as a way to sell beanies crocheted by Aboriginal women in remote communities and is now a unique event where both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal artists can showcase their work while developing Aboriginal women’s textiles, promoting women's culture and the beanie as a regional art form, as well as promoting handmade textile arts.
Still in Alice is the magic of the Parrtjima Festival of Light, a spectacular celebration of Aboriginal art, culture, and storytelling held annually in Alice Springs around April. Marvel at the mesmerizing light installations that illuminate the desert landscape, transforming it into a vibrant canvas of colour and creativity. Immerse yourself in traditional music, dance, and storytelling as you learn about the rich cultural heritage of the local Arrernte people. With its breathtaking beauty and immersive cultural experiences, Parrtjima is a must-visit event that showcases the unique spirit and diversity of the Northern Territory.
Image: Is this beer can vessel a winner at the Darwin Lions Beer Can Regatta? (credit Tourism NT)
Cool off in world-class swimming holes
The Northern Territory has some of the most luscious and refreshing water holes you can find in Australia! Breaking up the truly Aussie desert landscape is a range of beautiful, oasis-like watering holes that are ready to give you a break from the midday heat. Buley Rockhole, located in Litchfield National Park, is one of the NT's most popular spots for both tourists and locals alike as it's only a 90 minute commute from Darwin making it perfect for a day trip or weekend spot.
The Tjoritja/West MacDonnell Ranges near Alice Springs provide a great range of swimming spots to escape the outback heat. Swim in the ranges’ pretty waterholes at Glen Helen Gorge, Ellery Creek Big Hole, Ormiston Gorge or Redbank Gorge. Explore the desert country and its escarpments, such as Standley Chasm, whose walls glow bright red at noon and Simpsons Gap, home to a colony of rock wallabies. Make it a day trip or pack a tent and camp at one of the many campsites.
Image: Wade into the refreshing waters of Ormiston Gorge in West MacDonnell National Park (credit Shaana McNaught & Tourism NT)
Tackle one of the world's best treks
Ranked as one of the planet's top 20 treks, the Larapinta Trail is a 223 kilometre path that follows the rocky spine of the West MacDonnell Ranges from Alice Springs Telegraph Station to Mount Sonder. Challenge yourself to hike the whole trail or tackle one of its 12 sections, all of which vary in difficulty and length. Each section can be reached by four-wheel drive, so you can join or leave the trail at any of the trailheads.
The Trail encompasses some of the key attractions of the ranges including Simpsons Gap, and the permanent waterholes at Ellery Creek Big Hole, Ormiston Gorge and Glen Helen. It weaves past some of the world's most ancient metamorphic and igneous rock and nearly 600 species of rare flora. The Trail also links in with other walking tracks within the West MacDonnell National Park, allowing side trips to explore more of the Park.
Image: The impressive scenery experienced while hiking the Larapinta Trail (credit Paddy Palin & Tourism NT)
Hot Air Ballooning over the Outback:
Soar above the rugged landscapes of the Red Centre with a hot air balloon ride over the West MacDonnell Ranges in Alice Springs. Experience the breathtaking beauty of the outback as the sun rises, casting a golden glow over the ancient rock formations and vast desert plains below. Outback ballooning offers a serene and unforgettable way to witness the NT's stunning scenery from a unique perspective. Drift gently with the wind as you marvel at the panoramic views stretching as far as the eye can see, making this a bucket-list-worthy experience for any adventurer.
Image: The bright glow of the burner breathing life into a hot air balloon (credit Shaana McNaught & Tourism NT)
The Ghan:
Embark on an iconic rail adventure through the heart of the Northern Territory aboard The Ghan. This legendary train journey traverses vast distances, from Adelaide to Darwin, taking you on a spectacular voyage through Australia's outback landscapes. Relax in luxurious comfort as you glide through rugged terrain, passing through red desert landscapes, ancient mountain ranges, and remote outback communities. Immerse yourself in the rich history and cultural heritage of the NT as you journey through the heart of this vast and untamed wilderness.
Image: The legendary Ghan train making its iconic journey (credit Journey beyond rail)
Jumping Crocodiles on Adelaide River:
Experience the thrill of coming face to face with one of Australia's most fearsome predators on a Jumping Crocodile Cruise along the Adelaide River. Watch in awe as saltwater crocodiles launch themselves out of the water with astonishing speed and agility to snatch food from the hands of expert guides. Learn about the behaviour and biology of these ancient creatures as you cruise along the river's murky waters, surrounded by the pristine natural beauty of the NT's wetlands. This exhilarating adventure offers a unique opportunity to witness the raw power and primal instincts of these apex predators in their natural habitat.
Image: One of the worlds most ancient predators thrusting out of the water on a jumping crocs tour (credit Shaana McNaught & Tourism NT)
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