TOP 15 THINGS TO DO IN THE NORTHERN TERRITORY, AUSTRALIA
If you are planning to visit the Northern Territory, we are here to convince you to book that flight! This part of Australia is one of our favourites and one where you are spoilt with choice with amazing things to do, see & experience.
We recently spent 6 weeks road-tripping all over the state and can not wait to share with you our top 15 things that need to be added to your itinerary when heading to the NT!
1. Sunset Helicopter Ride over Uluru
Firstly, Australia’s Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) rock formations are one of a kind. They are impressive enough from the ground. But, seeing them from above is second to none.
If you are looking for a unique way to experience these iconic spots we highly recommend jumping on a sunset helicopter tour taking you over the centre of Australia as you watch the rocks change from oranges to reds to blues.
2. Yellow Water Billabong Cruise
If you are heading to Kakadu National Park you can not miss heading out on an early morning Yellow Water Billabong Cruise. It takes visitors through the heart of Kakadu, providing a breathtaking tour of the region’s wetlands.
We woke up at the crack of dawn and watched as the water birds caught their first fish of the day and crocodiles gliding through the misty billabong waters. It felt like we were on safari straight out of Africa!
If you are a keen bird watcher, Kakadu is home to one-third of Australia’s bird species, with 60 of them found in the wetlands! Some of the birds you may encounter here are Whistling Ducks and Magpie Geese, and Eagles can be seen looking for prey.
3. Take a Sunrise Cruise Along Katherine Gorge
Another national park that needs to be on your list is Nitmiluk National Park. It is a must-see for anybody visiting the Northern Territory. The stunning Katherine Gorge serves as the main point of this region full of raw beauty, history, and culture.
Furthermore, it is full of cruising, canoeing, walking, flying, swimming, and embracing native culture. We spent the morning on their Sunrise Cruise and it was so breathtaking seeing Katherine Gorge up close in person.
4. Spend a Night Or Two On The Remote Tiwi Island
If you are looking for something totally unique you need to look up Tiwi Island Retreat. This place is for the adventurous traveller wishing to escape off the beaten path and enjoy a beautiful, secluded island vacation.
So, take in the picture-perfect seaside location; go on a once-in-a-lifetime fishing trip, take a helicopter to your own private waterhole, or enjoy the incredible local arts and cultural tours.
Read more:Tiwi Island Retreat | Secluded Getaway in Australia’s Top End
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5. Go on a Jumping Crocodile Tour
You can’t visit the NT without seeing at least one croc up close. We recommend heading on a famous Northern Territory Jumping Crocodile Tour. Nothing compares to this spectacular one-hour event when it comes to seeing Australia’s deadliest reptiles.
It is located on the Adelaide River, an hour’s drive from Darwin, on the Arnhem Highway on the route to Kakadu.
6. Check Out the Street Art in Darwin
With international, national, and local artists contributing to the large-scale art gallery, the Darwin Street Art Festival has brought life and colour to the city’s walls.
Austin Lane is the home of Darwin’s Street Art, displaying some of the collection’s amazing murals.
7. Hike the Base of Uluru
If you plan to visit Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park in Australia’s Outback, we would suggest getting up close to the rock and doing the base walk. It’s a great way to connect with Uluru and learn about its history.
It takes around 3 hours to walk Uluru’s 10km base, or you can jump on a bike or segway tour for a more unique experience.
8. Soak in the Warm Waters of Bitter Springs
The Bitter Springs is in the Katherine Region, roughly two kilometers away from Mataranka. These spring-fed hot baths are located among palms and tropical woodlands in Elsey National Area. Here you can swim in the clearest waters we have ever experienced!
9. Explore Karlu Karlu/Devils Marbles
These gigantic boulders have become an internationally recognised symbol of Australia's outback and are a must-see at both sunrise and sunset as the light of the sun highlights their deep red colour.
If you are travelling in a campervan or motorhome we highly recommend staying the night here and hiking through this unique area during both afternoon and morning.
10. Take a Helicopter to a Remote Swimming Hole
This 3-hour heli tour takes you on an exciting voyage that includes a bird’s eye view of the Tiwi Island scenery as well as your very own private stunning natural swimming hole.
This was a highlight for us during our time spent on Tiwi Island and one of those bucket list moments here in Australia.
11. Watch both the sunrise & sunset at Uluru
Experiencing the sunset and sunrise is always a treat. However, seeing it from Uluru is a once-in-a-lifetime event.
Waking up before the sun, we recommend grabbing a coffee and parking up at Talinguru Nyakunytjaku for the perfect place to watch the sunrise over Uluru.
The sunsets over Uluru have been ranked some of the best in the world. The colours of the rocks are fascinating to watch as they change from red to orange and finally to purple.
Read more:Uluru 3 Day Itinerary
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12. Spend the night on a Houseboat along Corroboree Billabong
Come see the marshes and the wilderness of this beautiful river valley for yourself. Whether it be exploring, fishing or sightseeing, you can enjoy all of them from the comfort of your very own houseboat. You don’t even need a skippers license for this one!
Read more:Living in a Houseboat on the Corroboree Billabong
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13. Have dinner at the Mindil Beach Sunset Markets
The Mindil Beach Sunset Market is a must-do if you are heading to Darwin. Held every Thursday & Sunday night at Mindil Beach you can come down to watch the incredible sunset before wandering the food vendors to choose your dinner of choice. Bring a picnic rug and enjoy a beautiful warm evening near the city.
14. Watch the Sunset from Nawurlandja Lookout
One of our favourite sunset spots in all of the Nothern Territory was Nawurlandja Lookout in Kakadu National Park. See the Anbangbang Billabong, The Arnhem Land and Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) all from this stunning rocky viewpoint.
Brace yourselves as you scramble up this short, steep rock slope to jaw-dropping views of the Aussie Outback!
15. Spending an evening at the Field of Lights
Last but not least, the internationally renowned artist Bruce Munro’s critically praised Field of Light Uluru is a must-do if you are heading to Uluru. Here you can witness more than 50,000 slender stems of colour once the sun goes down, illuminating the area and creating a scene you have to see for yourself!
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