Why Australia’s Northern Territory Belongs on Your Bucket List

This article originally appeared on Outside

If cultural heritage, outdoor adventure, and picturesque natural beauty inspire your travels, one place checks all those boxes (and more). Australia's Northern Territory is teeming with national parks, Aboriginal culture and tradition, and diverse landscapes that you have to experience for yourself. We talked to two destination experts, Jack Tanner from Cyaround Australia Tours and Carla Williams from Autopia Tours, to give you a lay of the land and the inside scoop on can't-miss experiences and sites.

Outside: What makes Australia's Northern Territory a unique destination?

Jack Tanner: With its diverse wildlife, incredible landscapes, and ancient culture etched into the land, there's no place quite like the Northern Territory of Australia. The terrain here changes so dramatically through the two distinct seasons--each offering a different kind of beauty. There are stunning national parks to explore: Litchfield National Park, with its many waterfalls; Kakadu National Park, with its very own world heritage ancient rock art left by the traditional landowners; and Nitmiluk National Park, on the Katherine River, which runs through a deep gorge that displays ancient art on its sandstone walls. It's a land deeply saturated in culture and beauty and an opportunity to immerse yourself in the wild, untamed landscape that's home to the oldest living culture on earth.

Carla Williams: Many things make Australia's Northern Territory unique: its rugged and wild landscapes, Indigenous culture, and abundance of wildlife found only here. Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park showcases the world-famous Uluru (Ayers Rock)--one of the world’s most recognizable landmarks. The area is listed as both a natural and cultural UNESCO World Heritage site, and visitors can immerse themselves in the unique living relationship between the spectacular natural environment and the Anangu, one of the oldest societies on earth. Exploring Watarrka National Park, famous for its stunning red sandstone cliffs and gorges, is like walking through a prehistoric plant museum. Travel through the park's West MacDonnell Ranges to enjoy dramatic landscapes and unexpected reprieves from the outback heat, with gorges, chasms, and waterholes to cool down in. Far from coastal cities, the vibrant red tones of Central Australia epitomize the isolation, starkness, and beauty of Australia's desert environment.

What outdoor adventures can visitors experience in Australia's Northern Territory?

JT: The best way to maximize your experience is by booking a guided tour. This way, you can utilize local knowledge on the area, culture, and best sites. The national parks up here have so much to offer travelers, from hiking to the top of waterfalls or through monsoon rainforests to swimming in crystal-clear hot springs or waterfall plunge pools. The ancient rock art here is incredibly detailed, offering a look at how our First Nations peoples lived.

A great way to experience the wildlife and natural beauty of the area is by jumping on a boat cruise. You might have a chance to spot the Australian saltwater crocodile in its natural habitat. Depending on the body of water you cruise along, you may also see freshwater crocodiles, buffalo, and an abundance of birdlife, to list a few. Take a fishing charter to try your luck catching a meter-long barramundi, or embark on a helicopter flight over one of the national parks. The territory is teeming with opportunities for adventure.

CW: Central Australia is a land of contrasts, with vast deserts, rugged mountains, and lush gorges. It is home to some of Australia’s most iconic landmarks, including Uluru and Kata Tjuta (the Olgas). There are also a number of national parks and conservation areas, which protect the region’s unique flora and fauna.

There are several hiking trails ranging from easy walks to challenging multiday treks through the region, including Valley of the Winds at Kata Tjuta, the Kings Canyon Rim Walk, and the Larapinta Trail. Central Australia also has plenty of cycling trails, both on- and off-road. Plus, you'll have plenty of amazing camping spots to choose from.

Scenic flights and hot-air balloon rides are also extremely popular and a breathtaking way to see the outback.

What must-see places should visitors add to their list?

JT: My personal favorite when visiting the Top End is Jim Jim Falls. This 200-meter-high waterfall is a must-visit destination any time of year. The difficult hike to the top of the falls rewards you with a breathtaking view of Kakadu National Park. If you're not up for the hike, the large plunge pool at the base of the falls is incredibly unique with its white sandy beach. Another spot you have to visit is Ubirr. This ancient rock art gallery offers so much rich history and culture. At the top of the rocky outlier is one of the best 360-degree views of the floodplains and savannah woodlands in Kakadu National Park. I also need to shout-out Litchfield National Park, with its multiple swimming spots and waterfalls, as a fantastic day out from Darwin City.

CW: Alice Springs is a must-see for all visitors to the region. Surrounded by the MacDonnell Ranges, Alice Springs is the literal center of Australia. The local culture blends Indigenous and European history and traditions. I highly recommend visiting Alice Springs Desert Park to learn about the plants and animals of the desert. Telegraph Station Historical Reserve marks the first European settlement here and takes you back in time to the development of the Overland Telegraph Line. Then, visit the School of the Air and the Royal Flying Doctors Tourist Facilities to learn how our people have overcome remote living conditions to stay connected over the years. Lastly, always make sure to head to Anzac Hill for a 360-degree view of Alice Springs.

How can visitors experience Aboriginal culture in Australia's Northern Territory?

JT: The Aboriginal culture here is rich and abundant. Visit Kakadu National Park and take a walk through the many different ancient rock art galleries, and stop at the park information center. These are both great ways to learn about the history and culture of our First Nations people. Taking a guided tour through Arnhem Land, home to the traditional landowners, the Yolngu people, is probably one of the best opportunities to experience the culture here. It is quite raw and untouched, with an entry permit required. There is also an abundance of cultural experiences operated by Aboriginal-owned businesses, from art to boat cruises.

CW: You can learn about the ancient customs and culture of the Arrernte People in and around Alice Springs. When exploring Kings Canyon, you should attend the Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Experience, an introduction to dreamtime stories, bush medicine, and tucker (traditional food) from the region. When visiting Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park, plan to join a free guided ranger walk, a dot painting workshop, and a bush tucker walk.

Finally, the simplest and most fulfilling way to experience Aboriginal culture in Central Australia is by being out on country and exploring. Visit these locations and pause to take it all in. Listen to the sounds coming from the environment around you, and allow yourself to feel 60,000 years of living culture around you.

What kind of tours are available to visitors?

JT: Almost anything! Rock art tours, cultural experiences, fishing charters, wildlife tours, photography tours, helicopter tours, scenic flights, and even pub tours. There are also jumping crocodile cruise tours, World War II tours, and city walking tours. Cyaround Australia Tours specializes in private-group bespoke touring. We find that no one tour is ever the same and that we are able to build our itineraries around our individual guests.

CW: From half- or one-day Indigenous, nature and wildlife, and stargazing tours in and around Alice Springs to multiday tours across the region, many types of tours are available for those wishing to experience Central Australia. You can choose to have an authentic outback experience, camping or sleep under the stars in a tent or swag, or take advantage of tours offering luxury accommodations. Autopia Tours offers both public and private tours throughout the Northern Territory. You can join our public three- or four-day tour to all the most iconic locations while meeting people from all across the world, who are all here, like you, to explore the wonder that is the Red Centre. Alternatively, we can help you design an experience tailored to your interests and group size. Either way, one of our amazing guides will take you on a journey through the beating heart of Australia's Red Centre.

Tourism Northern Territory highlights the incredible natural beauty of Australia's diverse regions, from the tropical Top End to the rich outback of the Red Centre, and the amazing adventures you can have here. Find out why the Northern Territory is truly unlike any other place in the world.

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