No matter what you're after, here are the holiday experiences you should be considering when planning your trip to the Top End.
Whether it's culture, nature, food and drink, adventure or luxury you're looking for, the Northern Territory has something to offer all travellers.
Culture
Head on an art trail in Alice Springs, known to have the highest concentration of indigenous art galleries in the world.
Learn about Aboriginal culture with local guide Manuel at Top Didj Cultural Experience, where he’ll discuss language, hunting, gathering techniques, Rarrk painting and more.
On the Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Experience Tour, gain an authentic insight into traditional Aboriginal bush tucker, bush medicines, traditional dot painting and weapon making.
Nature
Take a one-hour day trip from Darwin to Litchfield National Park, known for its pristine waterfalls and swimming holes, 4WD tracks and magnetic termite mounds.
Discover the geological marvel of Karlu Karlu/Devil’s Marbles, a set of ancient granite boulders that seem to have dropped from the sky and seemingly withstood eroding forces of wind and rain.
Cruise along the majestic gorges of Nitmiluk National Park at dawn and take in the dramatic escarpment country, while meeting local wildlife and learning about the local Jawoyn people.
Explore the rugged beauty of the West MacDonnell Ranges/Tjorijta, appreciating sacred sites like Standley Chasm and taking a dip in the park’s permanent waterholes such as Ormiston Gorge.
At Kakadu’s Ubirr, marvel at some of the world’s most famous Aboriginal rock art before catching a remarkable sunset overlooking the Nadab floodplains.
Food and drink
Dine under the sparkling outback sky and on a private dune overlooking Uluru with once-in-a-lifetime Indigenous dining experiences Sounds of Silence and Tali Wiru.
Book Darwin Gourmet Tours and explore a selection of Darwin’s top eats, stopping by iconic restaurants including Jimmy Shu’s Hanuman.
In the Top End, where laksa is a local institution and is celebrated annually at the Darwin International Laksa Festival, sample the Golden Bowl winner Chow! and People’s Choice Laksa Chok’s Place.
Enjoy Darwin’s vibrant nightlife at stylish gin distilleries and cocktail bars Charlie’s of Darwin and Willing Distillery.
Adventure
Embark on an exciting heli-MTB tour, where avid cyclists are transported to world-class mountain bike sites around Alice Springs and treated to stunning aerial views before finally hitting the trails.
Walk in the footsteps of generations of Jawoyn people on the Jatbula Trail, a 62km walk traversing through the wilderness of Nitmiluk National Park.
Embark on the iconic Kings Canyon Rim Walk and enjoy sweeping desert views of Watarrka National Park. Stay the night camping, glamping or in lodge-style at the newly renovated Kings Canyon Resort.
Designed by NT’s famous wrangler Matt Wright, The Top End Safari Camp offers a bespoke, outback adventure which includes glamping, crocodile encounters, airboat ride and scenic helicopter flight.
Channel James Bond with 00Seven Off-Road Adventures and see Darwin’s beautiful off-road terrain in a buggy through Charles Darwin National Park.
Luxury
Be immersed in “wild bush luxury” at Bamurru Plains, a safari lodge offering exclusive access to 300 square kms of pristine floodplains, forests, wetlands and woodlands in Kakadu’s Mary River.
Splurge on a romantic getaway to Longitude 131, a luxury camp offering unparalleled views of Uluru and Kata Tjuta. Enjoy a refreshing dip in the Dune Pavilion’s private plunge pool and relax at Spa Kinara.
Book the Lagoon Room at Mindil Beach Casino Resort, a five-star tropical retreat located in the heart of Darwin, and catch a beautiful sunset at the hotel’s infinity-edged or expansive lagoon pool.
Situated on 200,000 hectares, Bullo River Station is a working cattle station and homestead, promising outback luxury, pure remoteness and stunning landscapes.
Story supplied by RACQ. Image credit: Tourism NT.
