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 #1 to #35 below - to view #36 to #100 click here.
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Image Credit: Mark Fitz & Tourism NT
#1. Uluru & Kata-Tjuta National Park
Arguably one of the best places located in the heart of Australia, Uluru & Kata-Tjuta National Park is home to famous Uluru & the 32 weathered rock domes known as Kata-Tjuta or the Olgas. Anangu welcome you to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, a living cultural landscape where earth and memories exist as one. More than just a photo opportunity, the iconic rock formations hide ancient wisdom and diverse plant and animal life. Look closer to discover an awe-inspiring environment where Tjukurpa whispers the creation stories. From self-guided walking trails, sunset & sunrise tours, ranger guided activities, rock art, bird watching & segway or cycling tours, exploring the ancient surrounds and natural wonders of Uluru & Kata-Tjuta National Park will leave you in awe of this beautiful place we call home.
#2. Scenic flight over Kakadu National Park
Take to the air and witness the magic of Kakadu National Park. The complexity of this diverse landscape becomes a simple delight of colour and life as you fly over world-famous wetlands, mighty floodplains, and on to the ancient sandstone plateaus of Arnhem Land. Helicopter and fixed-wing flights operate in both wet and dry seasons, departing from both Darwin and within Kakadu (Cooinda and Jabiru).
Image Credit: Jewels Lynch & Tourism NT
#3. Kings Canyon Rim Walk
The iconic hike to the top of Kings Canyon is known as the spellbinding Rim Walk. The Rim Walk will take you on a 6-kilometre circuit transcending down into the Garden of Eden and back to the top to wonder at the 360 views. Depending on what pace you take to absorb the humbling scenery, the walk can take around 3-4 hours. The start of the walk is the most difficult, with around 500 steep steps to climb – once you are up there it will be one of the most magical experiences of your life. After you take in the views from the top of the stairs, continue your journey through Priscilla’s Crack made famous by the classic Australian movie Priscilla Queen of the Desert and to the first lookout across the canyon.
Image Credit: Shaana McNaught & Tourism NT
#4. Darwin Harbour Sunset Dinner Cruise
With beautiful views of the Top End city, there is no better way to experience Darwin’s renowned sunsets than aboard a magical sunset dinner cruise. Enjoy a Territory-style dinner with fresh seafood and local produce. Take in the foreshore sights and listen to informative commentary on the harbour's interesting history, including an insight into Cyclone Tracy, WWII and Darwin's natural history.
Image Credit: Darwin Harbour Cruises
#5. Litchfield National Park’s Waterfalls
Indulge in a day of swimming, picnicking, exploring & diving into the best waterfalls & rockpools within Litchfield National Park. Arguably one of the best-known swimming spots in the Top End, Wangi Falls is renowned for its pristine beauty and size. Two waterfalls cascade over the rocks down to the pool below, surrounded by a lush monsoon rainforest and various walking that let you experience the stunning panoramic views at various lookout points from the top. Another firm favourite for locals and tourists alike, Florence Falls offers a tranquil, picturesque setting nestled amongst a tropical rainforest. A smaller and more intimate swim than Wangi Falls, you can relax on the ample rock seating in the shallow area to the sound of the cascading waterfalls. Florence Falls is open all year round! And don’t miss Buley Rockhole as well for a picturesque swim spot!
Image Credit: Dan Moore
#6. Ubirr, Kakadu National Park
Kakadu’s rock art is world class and a major reason why the area is World Heritage listed. Ubirr (pronounced oo-bir, with a short ‘oo’) is home to some of the most famous rock art in Kakadu and is an area steeped in Aboriginal culture and tradition. What makes Ubirr particularly awe inspiring is the view from the look out which will take your breath away. Ubirr is located approximately 40 kms from the township of Jabiru and will no doubt leave a lasting impression etched in your memory for years to come.
Image Credit: Johan Lolo and Tourism NT
#7. Ellery Creek
Ellery Creek is one of the most popular waterholes to visit in the Red Centre for not only its unique setting between two towering red cliffs, carved by thousands of years of floods, but also for a fantastic outback camping, hiking, and swimming experience. Thousands of years of massive floods have carved out this waterhole, which is recognised as an internationally significant geological site. Perhaps take the 3-kilometre Dolomite Circuit to see the surrounding formations.
Image Credit: Tourism NT
#8. Field of Light by Bruce Munro
Running indefinitely in Uluru, Field of Light covers the overwhelming size of more than seven football fields and includes over 50,000 spindles of light set on swaying stems creating a never-before-seen fantasy garden. Known for his immersive, site-specific installations that use light to evoke an emotional response in an often-outdoor environment, Bruce Munro’s Field of Light certainly doesn’t disappoint. As the lights gently progress through a symphony of desert-inspired colours including traditional ochre, deep violet, bold blue and a gentle white, you experience the Australian outback and Uluru in, quite literally, a whole new light. This impressive light show mirrors the brilliant sky of stars that hang overhead, immersing you in a completely new world. If you want to enhance your Field of Light experience, there are plenty of options for you to pick from. Upgrade to the Field of Light Star Pass for a prelude of drinks and outback canapes at an exclusive dune top as your host gives further insight into the installations. For the early birds, there is also the option to visit the installation in the morning and witness it in combination with a stunning Uluru sunrise tour.
Image Credit: Tourism NT
#9. Valley of the Winds Walk
Get away from everything and enter another world at the Valley of the Winds. The views from this challenging walk are breathtaking and well worth the effort. The Valley of the Winds walk will enable you to immerse yourself amongst Kata Tjuta’s domes. It also features unparalleled views of the spectacular Mars-like landscape surrounding Kata Tjuta from two lookout points along the track. This walk is classed as Grade 4. It is steep, rocky, and difficult in places, so please be careful and take your time.
Image Credit: Tourism NT & Salty Aura
#10. Nabil Dreaming Sunset Dinner Cruise (Nitmiluk Gorge)
Sit back and relax on this Nabilil Dreaming Sunset Dinner Cruise as the tranquil surroundings transport you into a spiritual world of the Jawoyn culture and history. Discover the stories and ways of the Jawoyn people against the magnificent backdrop of the Nitmiluk Gorge, changing colour with the setting sun. Enjoy a three-course candlelight dinner, featuring fresh, local Australian produce cooked on board, and a complimentary glass of sparkling wine.
Image Credit: Tourism NT
#11. Sounds of Silence Dinner Experience
Entered into the Australian Tourism Hall of Fame, Sounds of Silence offers the best of the Red Centre distilled into four magical hours. Get ready to be serenaded by the mesmerising sounds of the didgeridoo as you enjoy drinks and canapes on the viewing platform with majestic Uluru and Kata Tjuta in the distance as your backdrop. Make your way through the red sand to your table under the outback evening sky as you are served a 3-course native-inspired buffet dinner. One of the highlights for many is the Star Talk, held between the main and dessert course, as you are taken on a passionate, informative & interactive journey through the stars and visible planets with a resident star talker.
Image Credit: Helen Orr & Tourism NT
#12. The Ghan
The Northern Territory’s vast and diverse landscapes are a big part of what makes it so remarkable. Whether it’s the dry, red ochre colours of the Red Centre or the lush green tropics of the Top End, the iconic Ghan journey showcases this transformation in the best way it can – traversing right through the middle. View the changing scenes through the train’s panoramic windows all while enjoying first-class service, all-inclusive dining, fine wines, private accommodations and immersive Off Train Experiences. Not to mention that comforting, unique camaraderie that comes with extended, classic train journeys.
Image Credit: Journey Beyond Rail
#13. Glen Helen Gorge
Glen Helen is yet another beautiful outback gorge in the West MacDonnell Ranges, often considered to be one of the most picturesque in the country. Glen Helen campground offers a comfortable camping experience where you can enjoy a cooling dip in the mirror-like water while surrounded by the beauty of the rugged sandstone walls, the local wildlife, and views of the West MacDonnell Ranges. Top it off with a cosy campfire under a starry night sky.
Image Credit: Salty Aura & Tourism NT
#14. Yellow Water Billabong Cruise
Weave your way through the mighty river systems of Kakadu National Park and discover an ancient landscape constantly changing with the seasons with an iconic Yellow Water Billabong cruise. Located at the end of Jim Jim Creek, Yellow Water Billabong is Kakadu’s most famous wetland. Enjoy the relaxing journey by boat to witness egrets, sea eagles, and azure kingfishers sharing the paperbark forests and freshwater mangroves with buffalo, wild horses, and the mighty saltwater crocodile. This is home to one of the most spectacular sunsets in the NT.