Alice Springs: this small, central Australian town is more a base for exploring the surrounding area. Formerly a telegraph station, nowadays the place crawls with tourists who come here to experience outback Australia. Visit the largest reptile display in the Northern Territory at the Alice Springs Reptile Centre. There is also a military museum and a desert art gallery, one of the country's largest Aboriginal art galleries.
Royal Flying Doctor Base: learn how these airborne healers have saved the lives of those living in remote areas of Australia.
School of the air & telegraph station: gain an insight onto the innovative techniques which makes it possible for children living in remote central Australia to participate in school classes without having vast distances everyday.
Anzac Hill Lockout
Simpson's Gap
Alice Springs Desert Park
MacDonnell Ranges
Todd Street Mall
Uluru: one of the most famous monoliths in the world, Uluru (or Ayers Rock) is an Australian icon. At just over 3.5km long, the red rock stands at 867m above the sea. Around two thirds of it is underground. Uluru changes colour depending on what time of the day you visit. In the heat of the sun it is ochre-coloured. As the sun sets, the hues change from orange to red and after a thunderstorm, it has been known to turn to purple. You can walk around the circumference of the rock (10km, 3/4 hours) but there are certain sacred places that are off limits. It is a big no-no to climb the rock even though there is a chain to assist with the steep camber to the summit. One of the best ways to appreciate this feat of nature is take a helicopter or a plane ride over it. Operators run flights of varying length to numerous sites in the area.
Finke River
Lassiter Highway
Mount Connor
Cultural Centre, housing a display of information on Aboriginal culture
Uluru National Park
King's Creek station
the Lost City
Kata Tjuta: located 30km west of Uluru, it looks as though a giant has lost his marbles. Several spherical monoliths are scattered throughout the area, the tallest one (Mt Olga) being some 200m taller than Uluru. There is a 7.5km trail, the Valley of the Winds, that winds past the boulders and through the gorges.
Kings Canyon: if sheer, 100-metre walls are your thing, head to Kings Canyon. It is located in Watarrka National Park. Get your walking boots on and do the Kings Creek Walk, a 2km return which provides good views of the canyon. Immerse yourself in a world of red sandstone canyons and gorges. The walks around this park either skirt the rim of the mighty canyon or else go up the centre. To fully appreciate this remarkable place, go 4WD and bush camping.
Garden of Eden: located around halfway into the Canyon Walk, a 6 km loop, is a delightful area of cool waterholes and river-line vegetation communities better known as the Garden of Eden. Covered in palms, cycads and ferns, it is the ideal place to get a bit of shade from the sun.
The Giles Track: this is a 22km overnight walk that traverses the top of the range from Kathleen Springs to Kings Canyon with an entrance/exit point at Reedy Creek/Lilla.
Tennant Creek: this is the only town of note between Alice Springs and Katherine so it is a good idea to stop here if you need supplies. The Devil's Marbles, a rock formation, lay nearby and are worth a visit.
Daly Waters: there is not much here except for the local pub, the walls of which are plastered in foreign currency and underwear.
Katherine Gorge: probably one of the most spectacular gorges in the country, Katherine Gorge winds for 12km with walls over 70m high. These ancient gorges were carved out some 23 million years ago. Nowadays you can either take a cruise, a walk or go rock climbing.
Kakadu: this world-listed heritage site is one of the most diverse in terms of habitat in Australia. The vastness of the region means you will need a few days to savour sandstone cliffs, crystalline creeks and tumbling waterfalls. The area also contains significant rock art sites. Enjoy an Aboriginal cruise along Alligator River where you will not only see the isolated parts of Kakadu but you will also learn about indigenous culture. Once you have finished visiting the many rock art sites, you can go bushwalking. There are walks to suit all fitness levels and time constraints.
Litchfield: 650 square kilometres of natural treasures, some spectacular scenery including an ancient sandstone plateau, picturesque Florence Falls, lush rainforests and sandstone plateaus are features you will find. Relax in a swimming hole or else for a walk. If it is waterfalls you like then get your camera ready to take pictures of many tumbling treasures, namely the Tolmer Falls, Florence Falls and the Wangi Falls. If you have a spare 3 or 5 days then lace up your hiking boots and get walking along the Tabletop Track.
Darwin: the capital and the most northerly city of the Northern Territory, Darwin is quickly turning into one of the most happening cities in Australia. Winter doesn't really exist up here, it is tropical all year round. The locals are laidback even if the environment can seem a little harsh. Stifling humidity, beach-dwelling jellyfish which make swimming in the sea a no-no for two-thirds of the year and roaming crocodiles are all part of what makes this a wild place in more ways than one. Backpackers hang-out around Mitchell Street which is full of bars and cafes. The premier place in Australia to watch a storm and the gateway to places like Kakadu and Litchfield, Darwin is also a place for breezy beachside walks, feeding fish at Aquascene and checking out Aboriginal art. Although slightly pretentious, Cullen Bay Marina is a yacht-loving marina that is a good place to go if you want to check out Darwin's trendy cafes and have a drink by the water. There are food stalls everywhere at Mindil Beach markets, over 200! With savoury dishes from every continent and desserts to make the toughest belts buckle. Get here on the first Thursday of every month and enjoy a movie at the outdoor cinema. There are jewellery and clothes stalls too.
To see
Northern Territory Museum
Mary River: just over an hour drive from Darwin, you will find Mary River National Park, a wetland area with an abundance of flora and fauna. This is the destination for all you fishermen and women. Barramundu and Borroloola are prized catches in these parts. Take a cruise where you can spot saltwater crocs and take in the calm atmosphere.
East MacDonnell: just outside Alice Springs, is one of NT's best kept secrets. This area has at least as much to offer as the West MacDonnells but not as many tourists. If you want great scenery, walking tracks of any length or difficulty level and swimming holes, this is a great destination.
West MacDonnell: a bushwalker's paradise, this are is home to the renowned Larapinta Trail, a mammoth trek split into 12 stages and spanning 242km. Chasms and gorges are the feature of the West MacDonnells. No public transport runs to this area but there are operators in Alice Springs who can ferry you in and out. Simpsons Gap is a place where you can get on your bike and enjoy a three-to-four hous cycle. It is also a nice place for picnic.
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