Help Need help?
Call 1300 935 532
Group Have a group?
Contact our groups department for a special deal 1300 935 532
Help Need help?
Call 1300 935 532
Group Have a group?
Contact our groups department for a special deal 1300 935 532
What to do in Northern Territory NT

What to do in NT (Northern Territory), Australia

What to do in Northern Territory NTAs home to the one and only Ayer's Rock (known as "Uluru" in the original Australian Aboriginal tongue), the Northern Territory automatically possess a tourist magnet for people drawn to this incredible mass of stone located almost near the centre of Australia - if there was anything that could be definitively labeled as "Australia's Heart", Ayer's Rock would be it. The world's largest stone monolith, Ayer's Rock is a World Heritage Site that is made almost entirely of sandstone and appears a rich, red-brown colour from many angles that has come to be a symbol of the Australian outback.

The Northern Territory takes up much of the centre of mainland Australia, and is thus home to the central desert area of the country (which includes Ayer's Rock and nearby Alice Springs) and contains many amazing natural rock formations, including the Olgas. It's not all desert and dryness however; the NT is also home to one of the most famous national parks in all of Australia - Kakadu. With a combination of unique ecosystems contained within alongside sandstone escarpments, monsoon forests, beautiful billabongs and lagoons, Kakadu is huge - even bigger than some entire countries! Darwin is the capital city of the NT, and is the only truly urban settlement in the entire state - despite its' huge size, the Northern Territory is the least populated of all the states and territories of Australia.

Lastly, the Northern Territory cannot be mentioned without excluding its strong ties to Aboriginal history; Aboriginal people have occupied the Kakadu area continuously for at least 40,000 years, and many of the tours and other activities contain a strong reflection of the culture and history of these native people. Key geographic locations for sightseers in the Northern Territory include:

All of the above provide "images of the outback" that you will not find in any other Australian state or territory.

What is the Northern Territory Famous for?

Things to do in the Northern TerritoryThe obvious choice here is, of course, Ayer's Rock - the number of postcards, calendars and documentaries it has been featured in are impossible to count, and rightly so - it is a unique object unlike any other on the planet, and its striking colours make it instantly identifiable even to the most xenophobic observer.

The outback environment is also a key factor in the Northern Territory being home to a huge variety of native wildlife and flora, with crocodiles being one of the most numerous in the state. These creatures, which have been around for literally millions of years, provide an insight to eras past before man walked the earth. The crocs come in two main variants - salt and fresh water - with saltwater crocodiles generally being the larger of the two. While they may be seen as dangerous, all guided tours take special precautions to ensure you are not only able to stay safe but also appreciate the genuine power and primeval beauty of the animals as they leap out of the water to be fed.

Darwin, as the Northern Territory's capital and main source of urban development, provides an ideal "base of operations" to both plan NT adventures from and enjoy in and of itself - it contains a beautiful harbour, pleasant tropical climate, and varied architecture dating back to the days of early colonisation. The most famous features of the Northern Territory include:

When is the best time to visit the Northern Territory?

The NT's climate is separated into two main sections: the tropical North (where Darwin sits) and the arid South (in the areas of Ayer's Rock and Alice Springs). The North has high humidity and two seasons - wet (Nov-Apr) and dry (May-Oct). Frost has never been recorded in the state, and the temperatures generally range from warm to hot. The Southern area is extremely dry and experiences very little rainfall throughout the year, so be sure to pack a lot of sunscreen and bottled water.

Who should visit the Northern Territory?

Anyone who wants to see the Australian Outback - and of course, be amazed by Ayer's Rock - and is not fazed by hotter climates should give the NT a look. If you dislike dealing with crowds and want to get away from the "rat race" that other, larger cities or urban areas may have, the Northern Territory is for you.