STATE: Northern Territory
The Northern Territory is Australia's most barren region and it covers approximately one-sixth of the continent. The Territory's rich Aboriginal past dates back some 60 000 years. Ceremonies, stories, rock art and intimate knowledge of the land and its seasons attest to the Aboriginal people's special link with the Territory. About 50% of the Territory's terrain is classified Aboriginal land, and visitors are required to obtain a special permit to enter many of these areas.
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Darwin, the Territory's capital, is perched on a picturesque harbour and lies closer to Jakarta and Singapore than to Sydney and Melbourne. First settled by Europeans in 1869, when South Australian Surveyor-General Goyder arrived to establish a city in the Top End. Palmerston, as it was then known, became the terminus for the Overland Telegraph link to England, which began in 1872.
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Central Australia: The terrain west of Alice Springs to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is the heart of the Red Centre, spanning the western section of the MacDonnell Ranges. This vast and stunning but rugged landscape encompasses an ancient and unique terrain dotted with gorges, waterholes, unusual geological formations, tranquil creeks and strange landforms, carved out over hundreds of millions of years.
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There are more than 5000 Aboriginal cultural sites in the park. The ancient rock-art galleries of Kakadu National Park are the oldest in the world and record extinct species like the thylacine (Tasmanian Tiger) as well as depicting sacred creation beings like Namarrgon the Lightning Man and Ngalyod the Rainbow Serpent. This World Heritage-listed national park is internationally famous for the breathtaking natural beauty of its wetlands, escarpments and spectacular waterfalls as well as its more than 50 000-year-old Aboriginal cultural heritage.
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The city of Darwin is the gateway to the Top End and a cultural destination in its own right. Its surrounding districts and towns have much to offer the traveller. Visitors invariably rave about the city’s bustling markets, its gorgeous harbour, memorable sunsets, spirited nightlife and welcoming locals. There are a number of attractions within easy reach of Darwin, perfect for laid back excursions not requiring too much of a drive. Half an hour south of Darwin, the Berry Springs Nature Park is a popular recreational area for locals. The bubbling springs and their network of pools provide a rejuvenating fresh-water swimming experience.
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Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, covering 1325km, is perhaps the most talked about national park in the country. The home of Uluru (Ayers Rock), as well as the magnificent Kata Tjuta (The Olgas), this national park has a distinctly spiritual heritage with Anangu Aboriginal history dating to at least 22 000 years. The rock itself, some say, is an incomparable beauty, dwarfing the surrounding desert landscape with its immensity. Around 9.4km in circumference and rising 350m above the plain, Uluru is a giant monolith amidst the flat, arid desert plains.
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Lying 310km from Darwin, Katherine is a centre for beef-cattle properties, produce farms and the Tindal RAAF Base. Katherine is also the gateway to Nitmiluk National Park. Renowned Katherine Gorge in Nitmiluk National Park, 29km SE, can be viewed by canoe, flat-bottomed tour boat, scenic flight or helicopter. Edith Falls, 62km to the north, is also in Nitmiluk National Park and worth a visit.
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FactsNorthern Territory: Outback Australia
Tourist infoTourism Top End
Central Australia Tourism Visitors Information Centre
More on Northern TerritoryThe Northern Territory is Australia's most barren region and it covers approximately one-sixth of the continent. The Territory's rich Aboriginal past dates back some 60 000 years. Ceremonies, stories, rock art and intimate knowledge of the land and its seasons attest to the Aboriginal people's special link with the Territory. About 50% of the Territory's terrain is classified Aboriginal land, and visitors are required to obtain a special permit to enter many of these areas. The vibrant ochre and red sands of the Centre characterise the stunning MacDonnell Ranges and Simpson Desert; in contrast are the verdant greens of the rainforests and savanna woodlands of the northern lands that merge into the monsoonal Timor and Arafura seas. The remoteness and diversity of the Northern Territory make it an ideal location for exploring beyond the beaten track. It is excellent for 4WD touring, and camel treks can be organised from Alice Springs -one option is a 2-week journey to Rainbow Valley. Bushwalkers will find much to discover. Many areas in the Territory offer a variety of walking tracks of varying degrees of difficulty. Scenic flights are a more leisurely sightseeing option, while the Centre's dry heat creates ideal conditions for hot-air ballooning. Near the geographical centre of the continent, are the iconic Uluru and Kata Tjuta. These Aboriginal sacred sites are also World Heritage-listed and are synonymous withthe red heart of Australia. Nearby, Mount Connor, a giant tabletop mountain, is also impressive in scale. The spectacular sights, ancient landscapes and vast, formidable terrain of the Northern Territory (often subject to droughts, bushfires, flash flooding and cyclones) epitomise the description 'Outback Australia'. Adventure and discovery are constant companions in this frontier land. Most popular photoslatest storiesThe Bombing of Darwin, TributeJB | 2008-04-22 | A tribute evnt by the City of Darwin, to honour and remember those who helped defend Darwin. | read more Daly River, Northern TerritoryJB | 2008-01-31 | Don’t let the ads and fishing shows fool you. There is more to fishing for Barra in the NT than you think! | read more top storiesDaly River, Northern TerritoryJB | 2008-01-31 | Don’t let the ads and fishing shows fool you. There is more to fishing for Barra in the NT than you think! | read more The Bombing of Darwin, TributeJB | 2008-04-22 | A tribute evnt by the City of Darwin, to honour and remember those who helped defend Darwin. | read more Popular Towns
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Darwin CBD and Suburbs
Darwin, the Northern Territory’s vibrant capital, is a city with influences that are as much Asian as they are western. A city with dozens of nationalities sharing an easy-going lifestyle, Darwin is located on a peninsular with the sea on three sid ... more
2
Kakadu National Park
This World Heritage-listed national park is internationally famous for the breathtaking
natural beauty of its wetlands, escarpments and spectacular waterfalls as well as its more
than 50 000-year-old Aboriginal cultural heritage. Aboriginal people ow ... more
3
Katherine
Lying 310km from Darwin, Katherine is a centre for beef-cattle properties, produce farms and
the Tindal RAAF Base. Katherine is also the gateway to Nitmiluk NP. ... more
4
Yulara
Yulara was established to cater for the information and touring needs of the thousands of
visitors who come to see Uluru (Ayers Rock), Australia's most enduring and internationally
recognised landmark, within Uluru-Kata Tjuta NP. ... more
5
Nhulunbuy
Nhulunbuy on the Gove Peninsula is the main point of access for people flying into east Arnhem
Land. The town is situated 650 kilometres east of Darwin where the Gulf of Carpentaria meets
the Arafura Sea on the Gove Peninsula. The 4,000 strong po ... more
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Daly River
Daly River Easily accessed from Darwin, this area is a popular destination for fisherman and
easy weekend trips. The Daly River settlement has a population of around 560 and is located 110
kilometres west off the Explorer’s Way (Stuart Highway). ... more
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Oenpelli (Gunbalanya)
Oenpelli (Gunbalanya) is an Aboriginal community located at the base of the Arnhem Land
escarpment. Being part of Arnhem Land, visitors to Oenpelli require a permit from the
Northern Land Council but an open day is held annually in August or Septem ... more
8
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
Uluru-Kata Tjuta NP, covering 1325km, is perhaps the most talked about national park in the
country. The home of Uluru (Ayers Rock), as well as the magnificent Kata Tjuta (The Olgas),
this national park has a distinctly spiritual heritage with Anangu ... more
9
Borroloola
Borroloola is an Aboriginal town on the Carpentaria Hwy, 383km east of the Stuart Hwy, which is
popular with 4-Wheel drive and fishing enthusiasts. Tourists do not need a permit to visit the
town. ... more
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Daly Waters
Daly Waters is located approximately 274 kilometres south of Katherine near the junction of
the Explorer’s Way (Stuart Highway) and Carpentaria Highway (Savannah Way). Despite a
tiny population, Daly Waters' pub is one of the Territory’s most ... more
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editors picksDaly River, Northern TerritoryJB | 2008-01-31 | Don’t let the ads and fishing shows fool you. There is more to fishing for Barra in the NT than you think! | read more The Bombing of Darwin, TributeJB | 2008-04-22 | A tribute evnt by the City of Darwin, to honour and remember those who helped defend Darwin. | read more |
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