About Northern Territory
About as big as France, Spain and Italy combined, the Northern Territory is nature in the raw – an ancient, weathered landscape with amazing rock formations like Uluru (Ayers Rock), the Olgas and the Kakadu gorges.
It’s so vast most locals divide it into two – Central Australia around Alice Springs and the Top End around Darwin.
Central Australia is a vest desert and semi-desert region where ill-prepared Europeans can perish in a couple of days yet the indigenous population developed a unique culture in tune with the harsh environment.
Sharing the indigenous culture is a popular part of visiting the Territory. Dot painting workshops, language lessons, bush tucker tours to find and eat the astonishing variety of food the desert offers, and rock art and interpretive tours are a few of the many options.
The World Heritage Uluru National Park is 460km south west of Alice Springs with adventure camping or luxury coach tour options.
Up in the Top End the tropical climate provides distinct wet and dry seasons. Thriving Darwin is the jump off point for the Kakadu World Heritage area and its endless waterfalls, gorges, rivers and hungry residents like the Saltwater Crocodiles that make swimming not such a good idea – they are found in fresh water swimming holes as well as tidal areas.