If you want to see the real Outback, head to the Northern Territory, one of nature’s untouched places with red desert sands, rocky escarpments and eccentric outback towns; as well as a rich indigenous culture providing you with the opportunity to have a genuine Aboriginal experience.
The Northern Territory can proudly boast to having Australia’s most well known natural icons, the rock monoliths of Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kata Tjuta (the Olgas), both rising spectacularly from the desert floor. Other gems include the wetlands of Kakadu, the picturesque waterfalls of Litchfield National Park and the spectacular gorges of Katherine Gorge.
And you’ll certainly meet some characters, and we’re not just talking about Rock Wallaby’s and Goanna’s. We’re talking about the locals, who’ll love to bend your ear and spin you a yarn as you wash the dust from your throat with an ice cold beer in an outback pub.
Northern Territory Highlights
- Uluru and Kata Tjuta: Also known as Ayers Rock and the Olga’s, these up to 500 million year old rock monoliths have great cultural significance for the traditional Aboriginal land owners, rising dramatically from the surrounding landscape.
- Kakadu National Park: A massive national park with one of the highest concentrations of Aboriginal rock art in the world with ‘art galleries’ over 25,000 years old. Discover birds and crocodiles in the wetlands, giant waterfalls, and rocky escarpments that glow red at sunset.
- Kings Canyon: A huge canyon with a depth of 270 metres. The rock holes and gorges provide the perfect environment for over 600 species of plants and native animals to survive in the desert.
- Devils Marbles: This cluster of rocks, appearing like giant marbles, were formed by millions of years of erosion, and are said to be the eggs of the Rainbow Serpent according to Aboriginal legend.
- Litchfield National Park: Crystal clear spring fed waterfalls and relaxing swimming holes all provide a welcome relief to the tropical climate of the top end!