Home to the most evocative and instantly recognisable of Australia’s landmarks, the Northern Territory has more to offer than majestic Uluru (Ayers Rock) alone. From the immense rocks and vast open expanse of the Red Centre to the wildlife, natural wonders and billabongs of the Top End, this is where you will find the quintessential Australian experience.
One of the best ways to explore this vast territory is by rail – journey on The Ghan from Alice Springs to Darwin or vice versa and admire the many sights of the Outback in style and comfort. You could pair this with a self drive around Australia’s Top End exploring Darwin, Katherine Gorge and Kakadu National Park.
Choose to focus on the Red Centre and take to the skies and soar high over the MacDonnell Ranges and World Heritage Listed Kata Tjuta National Park or admire Australia’s iconic monolith Uluru from the ground with the southern night sky shining bright above you.
It’s not just about where you go, but how you experience it. I’m here to turn that trip into an adventure you’ll cherish.
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Highlights
Alice Springs
The gateway to the Red Centre, ‘The Alice’ as it’s known locally is set to a vivid red backdrop where deep gorges and seemingly endless desert abound. It’s a bustling town shaped by a vibrant and tenacious Aboriginal culture and frontier mentality. Visitors to the region can explore the nearby MacDonnell Ranges which stretch over 400kms across the arid landscape and are home to an extensive array of gorges, rock art and bush-walking tracks.
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Highlights
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
Australia’s most instantly-recognisable natural landmark, the monolith Uluru and domed rocks of Kata Tjuta are the main draw to this compelling region. A World Heritage site, an indigenous cultural experience is a must and there are an array of adventurous activities from scenic flights to hot air ballooning. There’s even an award-winning light installation – The Field of Light. Nearby, relatively speaking, Kings Canyon’s spectacular sandstone walls are another icon of the region. Take the Rim Walk for stunning views and and to soak up the beauty of the outback.
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Highlights
Darwin
Australia’s only tropical capital city is a diverse hub where tradition blend with modernism. You can discover the contemporary esplanade and lively harbour with its many waterside restaurants or learn about Aboriginal culture at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory. To experience the multicultural vibe of Darwin head to Mindil Beach Sunset Market where people from all nations descend every week (May-Oct) to sell their wares and socialise on the beach.
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Highlights
Litchfield National Park
At 15,000 sq-km, Litchfield is home to some of the world’s largest termite mounds and is also known for its large cross-section of bushwalks and cascading waterfalls that plummet into natural plunge pools below.
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Highlights
Kakadu
Best known for its thriving billabongs and ancient Aboriginal rock art, Kakadu is a sprawling area home to a staggering array of flora and fauna. Navigate the thriving billabongs on a guided wildlife cruise watching out for saltwater crocodiles, buffalo and staggering birdlife. Visit Ubirr and Nourlangie, where the rock art is believed to be over 20,000 years old!
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Highlights
Nitmiluk National Park
South of Darwin, the Katherine region is the traditional home of the Jawoyn and Dagoman people with its big draw being Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge – a series of 13 deep sandstone gorges that visitors can cruise or kayak down. Scenic walks along the gorge rim offer simply spectacular views of the dramatic escarpment below.
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Highlights
Arnhem Land
A vast, mysterious corner of the Northern Territory, Arnhem Land is an untouched wilderness managed by the traditional landowners, the Yolngu people. Spreading over 91,000 sq-km its spectacularly diverse with rugged coastlines, dramatic gorges, and savannah woodlands teaming with wildlife. Travel into Arnhem Land is strictly limited by a permit system but you can join a small group Aboriginal-led tour.
Trip ideas
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New
Best of Australia
Australia EscortedExperience the highlights of Australia on this 12-day guided adventure from Sydney up the East Coast and into the Red Centre.
From £4527 Excluding Flights
11 Nights
Year Round
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Best of Uluru and Kings Canyon
Australia EscortedTake an incredible adventure through the heart of Australia exploring breathtaking Kings Canyon, iconic Uluru and striking Kata Tjuta - a true taste of life in the Outback.
From £1412 Excluding Flights
3 Nights
Year Round
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Best Seller
Highlights of the Red Centre Self Drive
Australia Self DriveExplore Central Australia's outback on this self-drive through the Red Centre
From £1084 Excluding Flights
4 Nights
Year Round
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The Ghan Expedition
Australia Escorted RailExperience the very heart of Australia aboard the legendary Ghan railway from Darwin to Adelaide.
From £2587 Excluding Flights
3 Nights
May-Oct
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Top End Explorer
Australia Self DriveExplore the tropical city of Darwin, before heading south, deep into the national parks of the Top End of Australia’s Northern Territory.
From £1409 Excluding Flights
6 Nights
Apr-Nov
Trip experiences
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Uluru, Kata Tjuta and Lake Amadeus Scenic Flight, Uluru
AustraliaSee the beauty of the desert as you take in the vast splendour of Lake Amadeus, whilst looking for camels roaming where the salt lake meets the sand. Then fly to the majestic Uluru and Kata Tjuta, realising their powerful presence amongst the ancient sand dunes covering our red centre.
From £298
1.5 hours
Year Round
Accommodation ideas
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