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Kate is a Darwin writer who is on a mission to see everything there is to see in the NT – and she’s still not even close.
27 Fly into paradise
Jump straight off the plane and into the newly opened Darwin Airport Resort. Enjoy your own private plunge pool when staying in the Tropical Pool Villas – or dip into one of the largest city hotel pools in Australia for a cocktail.
Time your visit with the Darwin Street Art Festival (May 18 to June 8) or look up at the epic street art in Darwin city or at the Larrakia water tank art at East Arm any time of the year.
28 Art in Alice Springs
For a short outback break, book into Ooraminna Station Homestead, a cattle stationturned-boutique accommodation south of Alice with a new resort pool. Settle in for an evening painting lesson in front of a stunning backdrop at Simpsons Gap with recent Tourism NT award-winner Art Tours of Australia.
Hire a 4WD to get to where you need to go – the roads to Ooraminna aren’t sealed.
29 A luxe wildlife adventure
Kakadu National Park is always a wonderful short break – enjoy walks, waterfalls and wildlife as you embrace the culture of the Bininj/Mungguy people. Now you can soak it all up as you soak in your outdoor bath – a perk of a luxury stay at the new Yellow Water Villas at Cooinda Lodge.
Make it about the journey too: hire a barbecue boat on Corroboree Billabong, or stop at the Bark Hut for a Territory lunch on the way to Kakadu.
Heli-experience
It’s certainly a top-shelf tourism experience – you can now go heli-foraging with Darwin Distilling Co. Take a scenic flight from Darwin to the luxurious Finniss River Lodge, forage for native botanicals via airboat or buggy, then head back to the city to blend your own Top End gin.
If you’re in the CBD, try Ella by Minoli, MasterChef Australia contestant Minoli De Silva’s Sri Lankan restaurant.