TERRITORY FOR ADVENTURE
FOR A GENUINE NORTHERN HOLIDAY, NOTHING BEATS THE TERRITORY AS THE GATEWAY TO SOME THRILLING EXPERIENCES.
You don’t get more Aussie than the Northern Territory. Think rugged terrain and wide open roads under clear blue skies that make driving a dream. It is vast and showcases such an awe-inspiring, natural side to our incredible country. So load up your gear and get ready for an adventure — to experience some heaven on earth.
PADDLE ALONG THE RIVER
Nitmiluk National Park in the Katherine region is the lesser known cousin of Kakadu, and is made up of untouched bushland with winding water systems and an ancient 13-gorge system.
Owned by the Jawoyn Aboriginal people, its main attraction is the Katherine River winding through a deep sandstone gorge.
Enjoy a scenic flight over the gorge, take a cruise, or hire a canoe and paddle along the river. Join a cultural safari and visit sacred rock art sites, or perhaps indulge the senses on a Nabilil Dreaming Sunset Dinner Tour along Nitmiluk Gorge.
For those who want to uncover epic hiking, the Jatbula Trail is a five-day, 60km hike filled with outback waterholes to swim and explore from Nitmiluk Gorge to Leliyn (Edith Falls).
SWIM WITH THE CROCODILES
Only in Darwin can you come nose to snout with a saltwater crocodile and walk away with a smile.
At Crocosaurus Cove, climb into the socalled Cage of Death, a transparent, acrylic cylinder with room for two people. It’s slowly lowered from overhead into the enclosure of an adult crocodile.
GLAMP IN THE DESERT
There’s no landscape more suited to glamping than the Territory’s Top End. With its sparse settlements and spiky grasslands, it could easily pass for the African savannah. Soak up an incredible sunset over the floodplains followed by a gourmet BBQ dinner. The Top End Safari Camp is one adventure you won’t forget.
JUMP ON AN AIRBOAT
Enjoy the local birdlife and keep an eye out in the waters below for sharks, crocs and stingrays aboard Matt Wright’s Darwin Airboat Tour. Glide across the water and experience the thrill of a V8 airboat ride. Don’t forget to bring your camera.
TAKE A SCENIC HIKE
Experience the highlights of Australia’s iconic desert trek from World Expeditions. The Larapinta Trail takes trekkers through Central Australia’s West MacDonnell Ranges, home to nearly 600 species of rare flora. Delicate purples and bright yellow curry wattles are among splashes of colour often contrasting with the red desert along the route.
VENTURE TO NEW HEIGHTS
The vast emptiness and extraordinary colours of the Outback at dawn are shown in all their glory from a hot air balloon. Hop on as Outback Ballooning Alice Springs inflates the balloon, and watch the sun light up the MacDonnell Ranges. Big red kangaroos can be seen as you float above spinifex grass, mulga scrub and vast cattle stations.
GO WATERHOLE WILD
Head to the West MacDonnell Ranges to discover outback swimming holes framed by white sands and red rocks at Ellery Creek Big Hole, Ormiston Gorge, Redbank Gorge and Glen Helen Gorge.
TAKE A LEAP OF FAITH
If you only jump once, jump with Skydive Uluru. Everyone’s seen the majestic rock side-on but now thrillseekers can skydive with epic views of Uluru and Kata Tjuta with an extra-long free fall. For those who like things at a slower pace, there’s also a longer more silent parachute ride.