Top 10 Places to Visit in Northern Territory, Australia

Severely underrated and often overlooked, Australia’s Northern Territory is a nature lover’s dream. Along with being the address of many national parks, the region is also the centre of Aboriginal culture. If you are planning a visit to this wondrous destination, here are the top 10 places you definitely must include in your itinerary.

Darwin

The multicultural capital city of the Northern Territory, Darwin has a laidback seaside vibe with everything from sightseeing to shopping. With the Darwin Harbour being the hub of all activity, dine at waterfront restaurants and relax on the sandy shore of the beachfront. See city sights like George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens, Crocosaurus Cove, Fannie Bay Gaol and Bicentennial Park. Don’t forget to spend a fun evening at the buzzing Mindil Sunset Market with a variety of stalls and entertainment options.

When to Go: June to September

Kakadu National Park

Almost the size of Israel, the vast Kakadu National Park spans a diverse terrain across two million hectares. A World Heritage listed park, the landscape here is dominated by wetlands, waterfalls, cliffs and crags where you can find native species of flora and fauna in abundance. The park is also home to Ubirr, an Aboriginal rock art gallery along with other famous landmarks like Twin Falls, Gunlom Plunge Pool and Nourlangie Rock.

When to Go: May to September

Litchfield National Park

Housing ruins that are integral to Aboriginal history and culture, Litchfield National Park is equally popular for its cascading waterfalls and natural pools. A unique feature to be found in the park are clusters of termite mounds boasting of an intricate network of arches and tunnels. Along with the walking tracks that allow for beautiful vistas of the landscape, other worthy sights are Wangi and Florence Falls, Blyth Homestead and the Lost City—a collection of eroded sandstone formations that requires a 4x4 vehicle to traverse.

When to Go: May to October

Tiwi Islands

Set sail from Darwin Harbour to Tiwi Islands, a small archipelago located where the Arafura Sea joins the Timor Sea. Famous for Aboriginal heritage and culture, the island is home to many indigenous art centres featuring handmade crafts manufactured by the local residents. Do check out the nesting sites of the Oliver Ridley turtles here! 

When to Go: May to October

Read More: The Awesome Nightlife in Australia You Don't Want to Miss

Yulara

The town of Yulara is the gateway to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, and most visitors choose to stay here. Along with resorts and campgrounds, there are four ‘lookout’ points for magnificent views of Ayer’s Rock. The town also has a few convenience stores and is the launchpad for park-related activities including helicopter rides, camel rides and guided astronomy walks.

When to Go: May to September

King’s Canyon

Located within the desert-like Watarrka National Park, King’s Canyon is a rugged, red sandstone gorge that reaches a height of over 100 metres. Depending on how much time and effort you are willing to invest, explore the unique topography of the gorge on one of the marked trails. The six-kilometre Rim Walk is the most popular one, and offers splendid views of the waterhole aptly named the Garden of Eden.

When to Go: May to October

Alice Springs

Characterised by its desert landscape, Alice Springs is deep rooted in indigenous Aboriginal history and is the hub of Outback adventure activities like hot-air ballooning, quad biking, camel riding and bicycling. While here, visit Adelaide House, the first stone house in Alice Springs, The Residency, a government house dating back to 1927 and National Pioneer Women’s Hall of Fame, honouring the spirit of women pioneers. A must-do in Alice Springs is an astronomy tour because the Milky Way looks spectacular from here!
When to Go: March to November

Nitmiluk National Park

Picturesque gorges and the Katherine River draw visitors to Nitmiluk National Park. The scenery at this park is breathtaking and along with lush vegetation, the park boasts of diverse wildlife, including freshwater crocodiles and more than 160 avian species. Embark on a boat cruise or take off on a marked walking trail. If you have the time, the trek to Edith Falls is a five-day one but well worth it when you see the cascading waterfalls and clear pools framed by sandstone crags.

When to Go: April to August

West MacDonnell National Park

Spread across over 2,500 square kilometres, West MacDonnell National Park has many highlights like Simpson’s Gap, Serpentine Gorge, Ellery Creek Big Hole and Ormiston Gorge. The park also has several sacred Aboriginal sites and Mt. Zeil, the Northern Territory’s highest mountain located at the western end.  

When to Go: May to October

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park

A UNESCO World Heritage site, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is one of the most significant arid land ecosystems in the world. The native wildlife here is vast and varied and includes species like wallabies, brushtail possums and red kangaroos along with birdlife like crimson chats and black breasted buzzards. The endemic flora spans abundant types of trees, flowers, shrubs and grasses. However, the main attraction at the park is Uluru or Ayer’s Rock, a natural sandstone monolith at 348 metres that changes colours through the day.  

When to Go: May to September

Book Your Flight to Northern Territory