Each of the 52 Northern Territory national parks and nature conservation reserves protect a variety of unique natural environments and native animals. View rare species of flora, native wildlife and go birdwatching around the many established walking trails, swimming holes and camping areas. The varied habitats, rare plants and animals, and spectacular landscapes of the Northern Territory are unmatched for an Australian nature holiday.
Darwin is the perfect place to begin or end your trip through the Territory. With its relaxed lifestyle and warm weather all year round this vibrant cosmopolitan city has all your creature comforts on offer with all the adventure you can handle on it's doorstep! Experience part of Darwin's colourful history at Fannie Bay Gaol that operated as Darwinâs major prison for almost 100 years from 1883. The buildingâs grim and oppressive history can be felt as you walk through. The Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory is a must see, it's collections place the region's art, history and culture, and natural history in an Australian and international context. These collections encompass Aboriginal art and material culture, visual arts, craft, Southeast Asian and Oceanic art and material culture, maritime archaeology, Northern Territory history and natural sciences. Saltwater crocs, the most famous of the Territoryâs creatures, can be seen in most rivers and billabongs in the Top End or at the wildlife parks around Darwin.Crocodylus Park, located in Berrimah a short distance from Darwin, where you come face to face with the largest reptiles on the planet.
While the deserts of Central Australia may at first seem stark, closer inspection reveals a complex ecosystem, supporting some of the most unique flora and fauna on the planet. The Northern Territory has some world-famous natural and cultural attractions that canât be missed, including [Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park|Ulura/Ayers Rock]], Australia's most recognisable natural icon. Premium four-wheel drive eco-certified touring programs offer a range of intimate travel experiences to locations like World Heritageâlisted Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Kings Canyon in Watarrka National Park, and Alice Springs and its surrounds. Located in the middle of the largest land area without lights on earth, Alice Springs is has an unmatched view of the Milky Way unless you're on a dark boat in the middle of the ocean. Perfect stargazing! Just outside of Alice Springs is the Desert Wildlife Park, truly memorable in its examples of local flora and fauna.
The largest national park in Australia, Kakadu National Park contains the highest concentration of Aboriginal rock art in the world and amazing nature and wildlife. Ubirr is one of the two most famous Aboriginal rock art galleries in the Kakadu National Park. The galleries can be viewed by following an easy one kilometre circular walking track. During the dry season Park Rangers give free scheduled talks about the ancient rock art. The walls of the Nourlangie Rock Art Site in Kakadu National Park have served as a shelter and canvas for thousands of years providing windows to a rich spiritual tradition. Paintings such as Namarrgon, lightening man, explore the relationship of the people to their country and beliefs. Located in the centre of Nhulunbuy, the Gayngaru Wetlands Interpretive Walk surrounds a lagoon that is visited by over 200 species of birds. Along the path are two separate viewing platforms and a bird hide, which enable visitors to enjoy the birdlife. There are also interpretive signs near plants of significance showing bush food and bush medicine used by local Aboriginal people.
Katherine Gorge (http://www.nt.gov.au/nret...) - located in Nitmiluk National Park about 30 minutes northeast of the town. There are many ways to experience the spectacular Nitmiluk National Park Katherine Gorge and its world-renowned gorge system - you can walk, swim, canoe, boat or fly. Take a refreshing dip in Katherine Hot Springs. These natural thermal springs are situated on the banks of the Katherine River, within the Katherine township, and comprise of a series of clear pools framed by native vegetation.
The Devils Marbles, situated in the Devils Marbles Conservation Reserve, are clusters of mysterious rock spheres located in the scenic Australian desert near Tennant Creek. The boulders are precariously balanced on top of one another, they were formed by millions of years of erosion. The local Aboriginal people the Warumungu believe that the boulders are the eggs of the Rainbow Serpent. The ancient Aboriginal mythology surrounding this fascinating geological marvel can be explored through a short self-guided walking trail.
itineraries
Load the car and hit the road, a driving holiday in the Northern Territory has all the elements of a great Australian road trip.
There are five recognised themed drives in the Northern Territory, each with their own unique story: Explorerâs Way, Natureâs Way, Red Centre Way, Overlanders Way and Savannah Way.
There are also countless four wheel drive tracks that snake through various scenic landscapes. The Binns track is the latest four wheel drive challenge, a seven-day adventure from Mount Dare in South Australia to Timber Creek. Not for the faint hearted, the track traverses 8-metre high sand ridges, rocky escarpment country and boggy marshes.
A driving holiday in the Northern Territory will link you to many of Australiaâs best-known icons and give you the opportunity to explore lesser-known natural and cultural wonders of Australia's outback. Whether you want to go off road or on an outback Australia holiday, grab a map to explore your options in the NT. A driving holiday in the Northern Territory gives you the freedom and flexibility to explore at your own pace.
Binns Track
Take an epic journey on the Northern Territoryâs newest four-wheel drive route, the Binns Track. Running from Mount Dare on the South Australian border to Timber Creek near Kununurra, the track covers 2191km and winds through many of the NTâs lesser-known nature reserves and National Parks. It passes through outback towns Alice Springs and Tennant Creek and traverses some of the NTâs most interesting landscapes in the western Simpson Desert, East MacDonnell Ranges, Davenport Ranges National Park and Gregory National Park.
The Red Centre Way
An adventure into the heart of this ancient land, the Red Centre Way drive navigates through Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Kings Canyon, the West MacDonnell Ranges and Alice Springs.See the sights at your own pace or learn about the traditional aboriginal land owners, the Arrente peopleâs, connection with this area on a guided tour.The Red Centre Way is the gateway to an abundance of natural and aboriginal attractions through the ancient heart of the Australian outback. Allow a minimum of 5 to 7 days for this journey through red desert sands, spinifex and mulga forest.
The Nature's Way
Eye candy for every driving holiday traveller, the Natureâs Way meanders through World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park, Litchfield National Park and Nitmuluk National Park. Itâs a drive through the Territoryâs stunning and lush northern tropics, steeped in nature, aboriginal culture and outback pioneering history.
For the adventure traveller - canoe down the Katherine River, swim in waterfalls at Litchfield and discover the worldâs largest collection of Aboriginal rock art at Kakadu National Park. Explore in your own time, but 5-7 days is best for this journey.
The Explorer's Way
Follow the same route of famous Australian explorer John McDouall Stuart and travel through red desert country via the real Australian outback en route to the Territoryâs lush northern tropics.This road links the Territory from top to bottom, encompassing some of its best-known natural icons; the Devils Marbles, Litchfield National Park, Nitmuluk National Park, Cutta Cutta Caves and Bitter Springs.In the south, the road is straddled by the East and West MacDonnell Ranges.You can get a snapshot of the Territory in 7 days, but with so much to explore, itâs easy to stay much longer.
The Savannah Way
Stretching coast to coast, from Broome in West Australia to Cairns in Queensland, the Savannah Way is an epic 3500km adventure through the heart of Australiaâs northern tropics.It snakes through some of the Territoryâs best-known natural wonders and links to barramundi and saratoga fishing hotspots.A four-wheel drive is recommended on this drive, as it traverses rugged and challenging country. The Savannah Way is a great Australian adventure drive, linking national parks, historic drives and outback Australian towns. Allow at least 14 days for the Northern Territory section or 30 days for the entire journey.