Known as the 'real outback', the Northern Territory represents nature on a grand scale and contains some of the most recognizable natural icons in Australia. Darwin is the tropical capital city of the Northern Territory, a small yet cosmopolitan city with more than 50 nationalities making up its 110,000 population.
The Northern Territory is blessed with diverse and contrasting environments, where change is the only constant. Intriguing and spectacular wildlife vary dramatically from the deserts of Central Australia to the tropics of the Top End. The NT is also renowned for the Aboriginal cultural experiences it offers. As home to Australia’s largest population of Aboriginal people, the NT offers a rich array of Aboriginal culture with its 40,000 year old traditions. The Territory also contains the world’s biggest collection of Aboriginal art. |
Attractions, Activities and Events in Northern Territory
Alice Springs
Situated in the arid heart of Australia (the Red Centre) and surrounded by the beauty of the MacDonald Ranges and Mt Gillen, Alice Springs has a unique environment that is a popular tourist destination. You can use the Alice as your base to explore the rugged chasms, gorges and waterways of Simpson's Gap, Stanley Chasm, Trephina, Ormiston and Glen Helen Gorges, Palm Valley and Finke Gorge National Park. Alice Springs has become a meeting place for the Aboriginal and western cultures.
Alice has many trails for hiking and holes for swimming like the gorges of Ormiston, Glen Helen and Red Bank. Tourists commonly visit the Simpson Desert, a great wilderness where the longest parallel dunes of sand can be found.
The temperature in Alice Springs varies from 7.5 degrees Celsius during winter and may reach up to more than 30 degrees Celsius during summer.
Source: NTsearch.com.au
Situated in the arid heart of Australia (the Red Centre) and surrounded by the beauty of the MacDonald Ranges and Mt Gillen, Alice Springs has a unique environment that is a popular tourist destination. You can use the Alice as your base to explore the rugged chasms, gorges and waterways of Simpson's Gap, Stanley Chasm, Trephina, Ormiston and Glen Helen Gorges, Palm Valley and Finke Gorge National Park. Alice Springs has become a meeting place for the Aboriginal and western cultures.
Alice has many trails for hiking and holes for swimming like the gorges of Ormiston, Glen Helen and Red Bank. Tourists commonly visit the Simpson Desert, a great wilderness where the longest parallel dunes of sand can be found.
The temperature in Alice Springs varies from 7.5 degrees Celsius during winter and may reach up to more than 30 degrees Celsius during summer.
Source: NTsearch.com.au
Darwin City
Darwin's tropical climate makes it one of the country's tourist hotspots during summer. A bike ride along the city will allow travelers to enjoy the beautiful sights and sounds such as the sparkling blue waters of the Mindil beach, vibrant night markets that sell Asian and Australian crafts and spellbinding street shows of talented musicians and other artists.
Because of this city's warm climate, most festivals and activities take place in open areas such as beachfronts, markets and parks. For a glimpse of the country's diverse culture and history, a trip to the Museum and Art Gallery of NT is a must. Because of Darwin's variety of attraction sites, travelers can enjoy outdoor activities in many of the city's parks such as fishing, biking, walking, hiking, jogging, swimming and trekking.
The city has many kilometres of unpolluted beaches, including the Casuarina Beach and well renowned Mindil Beach, home of the Mindil Beach markets.
Source: Australia.com
Darwin's tropical climate makes it one of the country's tourist hotspots during summer. A bike ride along the city will allow travelers to enjoy the beautiful sights and sounds such as the sparkling blue waters of the Mindil beach, vibrant night markets that sell Asian and Australian crafts and spellbinding street shows of talented musicians and other artists.
Because of this city's warm climate, most festivals and activities take place in open areas such as beachfronts, markets and parks. For a glimpse of the country's diverse culture and history, a trip to the Museum and Art Gallery of NT is a must. Because of Darwin's variety of attraction sites, travelers can enjoy outdoor activities in many of the city's parks such as fishing, biking, walking, hiking, jogging, swimming and trekking.
The city has many kilometres of unpolluted beaches, including the Casuarina Beach and well renowned Mindil Beach, home of the Mindil Beach markets.
Source: Australia.com
Uluru - Ayers Rock
The world's largest monolith and an Aboriginal sacred site is Australia's most famous natural landmark. Uluru features stunning Aboriginal rock art sites that can be viewed on guided walks and tours around the base. The spectacular changing colours of Uluru at sunrise and sunset are visions not to be missed. Uluru also teems with life. It is inhabited by species of flora and fauna that are native to the place. The majority of the rare plant species in Central Australia can only be found in Uluru.
Located in Kata Tjuta National Park: 280 miles (450km) southwest of Alice Springs. Visitors may wish to take a walking tour around the rock with an aboriginal guide , learning about its fascinating history with the Uluru people and its importance in dreamtime legend.
Before taking a trip to the scenic Uluru, tourists should visit Uluru's Cultural Centre to acquaint themselves with the Anangu culture and the local laws they must abide.
Source: NTsearch.com.au
The world's largest monolith and an Aboriginal sacred site is Australia's most famous natural landmark. Uluru features stunning Aboriginal rock art sites that can be viewed on guided walks and tours around the base. The spectacular changing colours of Uluru at sunrise and sunset are visions not to be missed. Uluru also teems with life. It is inhabited by species of flora and fauna that are native to the place. The majority of the rare plant species in Central Australia can only be found in Uluru.
Located in Kata Tjuta National Park: 280 miles (450km) southwest of Alice Springs. Visitors may wish to take a walking tour around the rock with an aboriginal guide , learning about its fascinating history with the Uluru people and its importance in dreamtime legend.
Before taking a trip to the scenic Uluru, tourists should visit Uluru's Cultural Centre to acquaint themselves with the Anangu culture and the local laws they must abide.
Source: NTsearch.com.au
Crocodylus Park
Just 15 minutes drive from Darwin City, come face to face with the largest reptiles on the planet! Built upon 30 years of experience, Crocodylus Park plays host to over a thousand crocodiles from 30 cm long hatchlings to massive adults measuring over 4.8 m and weighing more than half a ton! The diverse array of other wildlife, including big cats, primates, birds and other reptiles, ensures the crocodiles don't steal all the limelight. Learn about these awe-inspiring creatures in our air-conditioned museum, witness our daily feeding displays, and feel the soft skin of a crocodile for yourself. Totally owned and operated by Wildlife Management International (WMI), the staff of Crocodylus Park continue to research crocodiles and other species of wildlife, and promote the sustainable use of wildlife as a conservation tool. Crocodylus Park is an integral part of WMI's research and education efforts, and serves as a public education forum on crocodiles unequalled anywhere in the world.
Adult's AUD$25, Children 4-6 AUD$12.50, children under four years of age free.
Guided Tours & Feeding 10am, 12 midday, 2pm, 3:30pm (feeding times may vary and are supplied on entrance to the park).
Source: Crocodylus Park Official Website
Just 15 minutes drive from Darwin City, come face to face with the largest reptiles on the planet! Built upon 30 years of experience, Crocodylus Park plays host to over a thousand crocodiles from 30 cm long hatchlings to massive adults measuring over 4.8 m and weighing more than half a ton! The diverse array of other wildlife, including big cats, primates, birds and other reptiles, ensures the crocodiles don't steal all the limelight. Learn about these awe-inspiring creatures in our air-conditioned museum, witness our daily feeding displays, and feel the soft skin of a crocodile for yourself. Totally owned and operated by Wildlife Management International (WMI), the staff of Crocodylus Park continue to research crocodiles and other species of wildlife, and promote the sustainable use of wildlife as a conservation tool. Crocodylus Park is an integral part of WMI's research and education efforts, and serves as a public education forum on crocodiles unequalled anywhere in the world.
Adult's AUD$25, Children 4-6 AUD$12.50, children under four years of age free.
Guided Tours & Feeding 10am, 12 midday, 2pm, 3:30pm (feeding times may vary and are supplied on entrance to the park).
Source: Crocodylus Park Official Website
Sounds of Silence Restaurant
Dine under a million stars at the award-winning Sounds of Silence Dinner. You'll travel to a secluded formal dining setting in the middle of the desert, and sip champagne as the sound of the didgeridoo fills the air and the sun sets slowly over Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) and Uluru (Ayers Rock).
Dinner is a gourmet barbecue of Australian delicacies such as kangaroo, barramundi, crocodile and emu, served with bush condiments including bush tomato chutney, lemon myrtle, native mint, wild lime and wattleseed.
After dinner, you'll sit back and take in the mystery of the desert at night as a star-talker takes you on a tour of the southern night skies. Hotel pick-up is approximately 1 hour prior to sunset each day (times are seasonal), duration approximately 4 hours, operates daily.
Adult AUD $185, Child (10 to 12 years) AUD$92.50
Source: Ayers Rock Resort Website
Dine under a million stars at the award-winning Sounds of Silence Dinner. You'll travel to a secluded formal dining setting in the middle of the desert, and sip champagne as the sound of the didgeridoo fills the air and the sun sets slowly over Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) and Uluru (Ayers Rock).
Dinner is a gourmet barbecue of Australian delicacies such as kangaroo, barramundi, crocodile and emu, served with bush condiments including bush tomato chutney, lemon myrtle, native mint, wild lime and wattleseed.
After dinner, you'll sit back and take in the mystery of the desert at night as a star-talker takes you on a tour of the southern night skies. Hotel pick-up is approximately 1 hour prior to sunset each day (times are seasonal), duration approximately 4 hours, operates daily.
Adult AUD $185, Child (10 to 12 years) AUD$92.50
Source: Ayers Rock Resort Website
BASSINTHEGRASS - 24 May 2014
BASSINTHEGRASS has grown into one of the biggest events in Darwin, providing entertainment to all age groups with the best of home-grown and interstate bands. Conducted in a safe and friendly environment and a 37-square metre giant screen makes the day and the entertainment event 'bigger'. There are shade structures, food and confectionery stalls.
11:00am–11:30pm, George Darwin Botanic Gardens Amphitheatre, Gardens Road, Darwin. Adults AUD$100.
A free bus service is provided by the Northern Territory Government at the conclusion of BASSINTHEGRASS to ensure patrons get home safely.
The event is fully licensed. Alcohol will only be sold to people with the over 18’s wristbands at alcohol booths. You are not permitted to bring alcohol into the venue. On arrival, all bags and containers will be fully checked for alcohol.
Source: BASSINTHEGRASS Official Website
BASSINTHEGRASS has grown into one of the biggest events in Darwin, providing entertainment to all age groups with the best of home-grown and interstate bands. Conducted in a safe and friendly environment and a 37-square metre giant screen makes the day and the entertainment event 'bigger'. There are shade structures, food and confectionery stalls.
11:00am–11:30pm, George Darwin Botanic Gardens Amphitheatre, Gardens Road, Darwin. Adults AUD$100.
A free bus service is provided by the Northern Territory Government at the conclusion of BASSINTHEGRASS to ensure patrons get home safely.
The event is fully licensed. Alcohol will only be sold to people with the over 18’s wristbands at alcohol booths. You are not permitted to bring alcohol into the venue. On arrival, all bags and containers will be fully checked for alcohol.
Source: BASSINTHEGRASS Official Website