Check out the Hottest 100 things to do in the Northern Territory! Get ready to embark on an adrenaline-fueled journey through the awe-inspiring landscapes of the Northern Territory. From heart-pounding adventures that will leave you breathless to serene experiences that will soothe your soul, we present to you the hottest 100 things to do in the NT’s Top End and Red Centre. So, unleash your wanderlust, and prepare for an epic countdown that will ignite your passion for exploration like never before.
NT's Hottest 100! - Check out #36 to #100 below - to view #1 to #35 click here.
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Image Credit: Jake Appleby
#36. Darwin’s War History
Explore the heart of Darwin's history on the top heritage tour in the Northern Territory. Unveil the city's past in a unique way – aboard a genuine World War 2 army truck. See Darwin as soldiers did during WWII, understand its explorers, and imagine its rebirth after cyclone Tracy. The Darwin History and Wartime Experience offers an unparalleled introduction to the city, revealing its rich history and unique character as no other tour does. Plus, you can relive the Bombing of Darwin Harbour at the Royal Flying Doctor Service Tourist Facility. Meet the Rear Admiral Etheridge Grant, the Commanding Officer of the USS William B Preston, in a life-size hologram and enjoy interactive story telling. You can even experience the Bombing of Darwin Harbour during a virtual reality movie. This cutting-edge production showcases a full-size replica of a Japanese Zero aircraft suspended from the ceiling. Step into 1942 through an aerial view that vividly depicts the Bombing of Darwin Harbour, capturing the intensity of the first raid with realistic aircraft fire and bombings.
Image Credit: Tourism NT & Tourism Australia
#37. Cutta Cutta Caves Nature Park
Cutta Cutta Caves Nature Park is 30km south of Katherine and spans over 1,499 hectares of unique karst limestone landscape - a rarity in Australia. These caves, forming over millions of years and still growing, lie about 15m beneath the surface. The caves house diverse native wildlife, including the orange horseshoe bat and the brown tree snake. While the park is open year-round, the caves might occasionally close due to seasonal conditions. For a taste of the natural surroundings, take the 10 to 20-minute Tropical Woodland walk starting near the car park.
Image Credit: Shaana McNaught
#38. Darwin Aviation Museum
Explore the Northern Territory's rich heritage at the Darwin Aviation Museum. Discover the region's aviation history, especially its significance during World War II. The museum houses an array of aircraft, including a B52 Bomber, Mirage jets, helicopters, and more. Engaging displays, photographs, and a video presentation showcase Darwin's wartime and aviation evolution. Plan for at least an hour and a half to immerse yourself fully in this historical journey.
Image Credit: Shaana McNaught
#39. East Point Reserve
East Point Reserve in Darwin is a spacious park loved by locals and visitors alike. With year-round swimming at Lake Alexander, WWII history, and scenic views of Darwin and Fannie Bay, it offers a diverse experience. There are walking paths, picnic areas with free barbecues, and play areas. The Darwin Military Museum showcases WWII history, and the reserve is rich in wildlife. It features popular beaches and safe swimming at Lake Alexander.
Image Credit: Tourism NT
#40. Desert Song Festival
The Desert Song Festival (DSF) is a vibrant gathering in Alice Springs held over 10 days each September that unites artists from across the world, including Australia, India, Africa, the Pacific & Europe. This intercultural musical extravaganza showcases collaborations between diverse artists, such as the Central Australian Aboriginal Women’s Choir and the Shubhendra and Saskia Rao Duet from Delhi, India. Rooted in cultural diversity, artistic innovation, and community engagement, DSF celebrates the multicultural essence of Alice Springs and Australia. Set against the stunning backdrop of Central Australia's landscapes, this festival fosters pride and unity, connecting with the rich traditions of the Arrernte people and their land. With iconic heritage venues as stages, DSF offers visitors a compelling reason to explore the iconic Red Centre.
#41. Travel the NT in a Motorhome
The Northern Territory is full of adventure and waiting for you to explore. All you need to plan is when and where to go! Pick up your home on wheels in Alice Springs or Darwin and take to the easy breezy sealed roads travelling to see the icons of the Red Centre or around the tropics of the Top End – this is nothing like your normal road trip. Take your time and journey to a part of the country where blue skies and breathtaking landscapes make driving a dream. From the red desert sands of Uluru to the tropical terrain of Kakadu National Park and the sparkling waters around Darwin.
Image Credit: Sam Earp
#42. Curtin Springs - Paper Making Tour
Step into the world of Curtin Springs Paper, a charming family business that crafts exquisite paper from native grasses in the heart of Central Australia. Immerse yourself in the art of papermaking with a tour of the Old Abattoir building, where you can witness the magical paper making unfold. Don't forget to stop by the gift shop for a stunning collection of artisan jewellery and handcrafted pieces, all handmade with love. And if you're an art lover, you'll be delighted to know that the gallery showcases stunning works of art that feature Curtin Springs Paper. Conveniently situated on the main road to Uluru from Alice Springs, this hidden gem is a must-visit whilst in the Red Centre.
Image Credit: Global Headquarters & Tourism Australia
#43. Red Centre NATS
Get ready for the ultimate festival of wheels! Alice Springs is once again hosting the Red Centre NATS from September 1 to 3, and you won't want to miss it. This year, the program includes a new addition - the Motorvation Super cruise, where every participant can show off their skills by power skidding down the Alice Springs Inland Dragway. But that's not all - the festival will also feature fan-favourite activities like burnouts, drag racing, Shannon’s show 'n' shine, 4WDing, Lasseter’s Motorkhana & the famous Yeperenye Shopping Centre Street parade. With all these heart-thumping events taking place over three days, you're guaranteed non-stop excitement.
#44. Devil’s Marbles Karlu Karlu
Discover ancient granite boulders that seem to have dropped from the wide blue skies of the Barkly Tablelands, 95km south of Tennant Creek. Wander around Karlu Karlu / Devils Marbles where you’ll find boulders that are precariously balanced and defying gravity, scattered across a wide, shallow valley. The Devils Marbles are a sacred site known as Karlu Karlu in the language of the traditional owners the Warumungu people. Formed over millions of years, they continue to crack and erode making for a unique view. Follow the walkways and learn via the information boards how the granite formations have withstood the eroding forces of wind and rain, unlike the surrounding sandstone. The fascinating geological marvel can be explored through a short self-guided walking trail with informative signage.
Image Credit: Kate Flowers (left) & Sean Scott (right)
#45. Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair
The Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF) is an annual event that showcases the contemporary fine art of more than 70 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Centres, providing a unique opportunity for arts industry buyers, and art and design lovers, to admire or purchase art directly from Indigenous owned and incorporated Art Centres. Each day at the Fair, you can immerse yourself in the vibrant public program of traditional dance performances, material demonstrations, workshops, children’s activities, artists talks and more.
Image Credit: Tourism NT
#46. Rainbow Valley
An easy day trip from Alice Springs, Rainbow Valley’s coloured rocks light up in the early morning and late afternoon, offering spectacular viewing. Rainbow Valley is renowned for its sandstone bluffs and cliffs with bands of different coloured rock. An easy day trip from Alice Springs, it’s at its most spectacular in the early morning light or late afternoon sun when it changes from ochre red to orange and purple, or after heavy rainfall, when the whole scene is reflected in the claypans.