Uluru (Ayers Rock) Northern Territory, Australia

Must-Do Experiences in Australia’s Northern Territory

Experiencing the sheer magic of Uluru (Ayers Rock), Kings Canyon, and Alice Springs, on your Australia vacation, alone is worth the journey Down Under. From the tropical climate of the Top End to the red deserts of the Red Centre, the expansive Northern Territory is diverse and exciting. Exploring its fascinating Aboriginal sites and ancient spiritual culture, vibrant multicultural cities, and breathtaking outdoor attractions will leave you spellbound. The region is at its best during the North American summer, and perfect to explore by land or cruise. It’s wild out there in frontier country – go and enjoy these must-do experiences in Australia’s Northern Territory!

Camping Safaris

Sleep under the clear southern stars on a special four-wheel-drive camping safari. Spend three days in the Outback and stay in private bush camps for the experience of a lifetime. Start by immersing yourself in the rich and mystical traditions of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Feast your eyes on the sacred Uluru, rising up from the red desert, and marvel at how the lights and colours change each day as the sunsets. Take a full base walk or join the Aboriginal-guided Mala Walk.

Suggested itinerary:
4-Day Goanna Dreaming 4WD Camping Safari

Mutitjulu Waterhole on the Kuniya Walk at Uluru, Northern Territory, Australia
Mutitjulu Waterhole on the Kuniya Walk at Uluru

Australia Self Drives and Escorted Tours

See the Outback your way on an epic self-drive journey from Alice Springs to Ayers Rock. It’s the ultimate Outback trip that will open your eyes to the incredible diversity of Outback’s landscapes. You’ll see kangaroos, camels, and cattle from the road. Stop at Kings Canyon, home to a variety of fantastic walks and breathtaking 100m cliffs. Visit the 36 iconic domes at Kata Tjuta, previously known as the Olgas, which is said to be the sacred home of the great snake king, Wanambi. Visit Uluru’s ancient landscape where creation stories are whispered. The spectacular red rocks and domes are millions upon millions of years old.

If escorted tours are more your style, enjoy a 15-day Outback journey from culture-loving Adelaide to historic Darwin. During this in-depth tour of South Australia and the Northern Territory, you’ll visit northern wineries, Uluru, magical Kakadu National Park, Kings Canyon, and Alice Springs.

Suggested Itineraries:
4-Day Red Centre Self Drive
15-Day Best of the Outback: Adelaide to Darwin

Large Saltwater Crocodile, Yellow Water Billabong, Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory, Australia
Large saltwater crocodile at Yellow Water Billabong in Kakadu National Park
Kings Canyon, Northern Territory, Australia
Kings Canyon

Stay in a Luxury Bush Camp

Explore Northern Territory’s remote and beautiful wilderness in style at Bamurru Plains luxury bush camp. Located adjacent to the remarkable Kakadu National Park, this exclusive nine-bungalow camp is the perfect base to explore the rugged natural beauty of the Top End. Bamurru offers guests a touch of “wild bush luxury” on the Mary River floodplain. Experience personalized guided activities, including air-boat safaris, crocodile-spotting, and bird-watching tours, fishing trips, four-wheel drive safaris, helicopter flights, and guided tours to the fascinating rock art galleries of Arnhem Land.

Suggested Itinerary:
3-Day Bamurru Plains

Air-Boat Safari in Bamarru Plains, Northern Territory, Australia
Air-boat safari in Bamarru Plains

Visit Arnhem Land

Travel by 4WD vehicle into Arnhem Land and the Mikinj Valley. Explore the stunning landscapes, towering red escarpments, pristine waterfalls, billabongs, and rocky outcrops of this spectacular region. Learn about traditional land ownership, bush skills, and “bush tucker”. View Aboriginal rock art in its natural state. Most tours are accompanied by an Aboriginal Guide.

Suggested Itinerary:
3-Day Kakadu & Arnhemland Explorer

Dried Water Hole in Red Soil of the Australian Outback in Arnhem Land at Sunset, Northern Territory, Australia
Dried water hole in Arnhem Land at sunset

Cruise Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge

Take a cruise along the spectacular Nitmiluk Gorge, a series of sandstone gorges carved over millions of years. Katherine and its surrounding area is the place to go for true Outback adventure and indigenous experiences. Along the Katherine River you can camp by a billabong and fish for barramundi in the clear waterways. Cruise through Nitmiluk Gorge to reach Edith Falls, a gorgeous (and crocodile-free) swimming spot to enjoy before returning to Darwin.

Suggested Itinerary:
3-Day Kakadu & Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge

Cruising on Katherine Gorge, Northern Territory, Australia
Cruising on Katherine Gorge

Aboriginal Highlights

Get closer to the world’s oldest, continuous culture on a tour designed to showcase the most awe-inspiring Aboriginal cultural sites. Australia’s best Aboriginal tourism experiences are located in the Northern Territory, where you can immerse yourself in Aboriginal experiences, places, and journeys. This rich, living culture stretches back at least 50,000 years. In Australia’s Red Centre you can walk around the base of Uluṟu with an Anangu guide. Browse Aboriginal art in Alice Springs, where the Arrernte people have lived for 20,000 years. Learn about Dreamtime stories in the intricate rock art galleries of World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park. Enjoy a three-course bush tucker meal under stars around the open wood fire, learn about bush foods and medicines, and go spotlighting for animals after dark. You’ll even enjoy a freshly cooked lunch of wild-caught barramundi, crocodile, and kangaroo, in nature’s rainforest dining room.

Suggested Itinerary:
10-Day Northern Territory Indigenous Highlights

Aboriginal Rock Art at Nourlangie, Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory, Australia
Aboriginal rock art at Nourlangie

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Meg Boyd
Meg Boyd

Downunder Product and Marketing Manager - Melbourne-born Meg arrived in Canada in January with no winter coat, one suitcase, a one week booking at a youth hostel, and a sight-unseen job offer at Goway Travel. She thought she’d stay for a year – that was 12 years ago! Never one to shy away from adventure, Meg has been in the industry for 23 years and has journeyed extensively through Europe, Asia and North America. Meg’s heart however belongs to the South Pacific, including New Zealand, Fiji, and her native Australia.

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