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Totally Sam’s World is an informative and thoughtful travel and lifestyle blog written by Samantha Smith. Sam is originally from
Australia Travel Inspo
Northern Territory
All you need to know about the Northern Territory
Uluru is as iconic as Australia gets, so you have to get that pic before you leave Australia.
But that’s not all the Northern Territory has on offer: explore the Red Centre, Litchfield and Kakadu National Parks then sleep in swags under the stars ready to watch sunrise at Uluru. The Northern Territory is magical, expansive and beautiful, and full of Aboriginal culture. Backpacking here is an experience you’ll never forget. And one you’ll be telling everyone about for years to come.
Plan Your Adventure
Not sure how to go about exploring this amazing state? Join us on our annual Welcome to The Northern Territory or Welcome to Uluru & The Outback Community Tours or chat to our community team to plan your own epic personalised adventure.
Northern Territory Destinations
Darwin
Kakadu National Park
Litchfield National Park
Uluru
West MacDonnell Ranges
"The magical scenery and stunning sunsets coupled with the desert landscapes and incredible rivers made The Northern Territory incredible"
Lottie
Darwin
Key Characteristics
So you might not first think of Darwin when you think of the Northern Territory, but this tropical capital has plenty to tempt you with. Hot weather all year round? Tick! National Parks nearby? Plenty! History? Yep! And a great food scene too.
Darwin is also the best place to start your Northern Territory adventure, from here you can travel east to Kakadu National Park, south west to Litchfield National Park and then head south to Uluru.
Type Of Traveller It Suits
Come for the crocs 🐊 and National Parks, then stay for the food and culture. The first thing you need to know about Darwin is when to come, which is during the dry season ☀️ from May to October, expect hot days and warm nights aka the reason you came to Australia in the first place. We’re warning you now the wet season ☔️ is very very wet so it’s best avoided.
Backpacker Tips
Then what should you do when you get here? Start with a stroll to Mindil Beach (top tip, it has amazing sunsets), take a dip in Waterfront Lagoon next door and in summer enjoy the sunset markets that pop up twice a week here too. With a big south-asian influence you can expect to find lots of great food here as well, thankfully at quite a few street food stalls which are always a bit more backpacker budget friendly.
If you want to escape the humid heat 🥵, there’s a lot of museums to explore too, from aboriginal art to cyclones – there’s really something here for everyone.
For trips in and around Darwin, you can either choose day trips or overnight trips to the National Parks, spot crocs on a croc cruise or visit the Tiwi Islands. There’s plenty to see in the NT, so make sure you schedule at least a week here.
Visit The Northern Territory on These Tours
Welcome to Travel holds two annual Community Tours to the Northern Territory. Don’t miss booking on to our next ones which will be held in June 2024!
7 Days / 6 Nights
Welcome to The Northern Territory
Explore the Northern Territory on this annual Community Tour.
10 Days / 9 Nights
Welcome to Uluru & The Outback
Explore the Northern Territory and South Australia on this annual Community Tour.
Kakadu National Park
Key Characteristics
When you think of the Northern Territory National Parks you think of a red rugged landscape. But Kakadu is surprisingly green 🌿. Here you’ll find waterfalls, wetlands, rainforests, exotic wildlife and ancient rock artwork. There’s heaps of nature and a little bit of culture too. Get ready for an adventure because this is also one of Australia’s biggest National Parks so to you and me, it’s absolutely gigantic.
Type Of Traveller It Suits
Get ready to be hit by nature. Inside Kakadu you’ll find wetlands and over 2,000 species of plants, you’ll also be able to spy Saltwater Crocodiles or salties as the locals call them. Plus heaps of birds. Then hidden away is a tonne of culture too, in the form of ancient Aboriginal rock art. So whether you’re wanting to hike and find waterfalls or be transported back thousands of years of Aboriginal history, this National Park is the one for you.
Backpacker Tips
Start your trip on the border of the National Park and Arnhem land to spot salties and birds on the East Alligator River. This area is also significant to local Aboriginal mobs, and forms their dreaming or creation stories, so definitely take in the huge amounts of culture here. That’s not all on offer, take a gander at the 5,000 different sites of ancient art rock created by the Bininj/Mungguy people who have called Kakadu home for over 65,000 years.
Wondering how on earth you can fit in all this wildlife and culture? That’s what we’re here for. Get in touch with your NT bucket list and we’ll match you up to a tour or help you find the best combination to see this stunning state.
Litchfield National Park
Key Characteristics
Okay, so you’ve done Kakadu and you’re wondering if you should see another National Park? 🤔 Of course our answer is going to be YES! Litchfield National Park has thick pockets of stunning tropical rainforests, incredible waterfalls and those intriguing termite mounds totally unique to this part of Australia.
That’s not all, cool off in one of the many plunge pools, chase waterfalls and learn about the importance of the rainforest. This is a green tropical paradise.
Backpacker Tips
The Northern Territory is all about getting out into nature and Litchfield National Park is no exception. Roadtrip, camp or even glamp here so you have a base then spend the day hiking and swimming. There are a few things we reckon you have to see. Number one: the Magnetic Termite Mounds, this is way cooler than it sounds as these massive mounds have been created by such small creatures. Number two: waterfalls specifically Wangi Falls, Florence Falls and Tolmer Falls. Here the water cascades over the rugged rocks and you could spend an hour marvelling at nature’s beauty. And number three: jump into a plunge pool! Our favourite? Bluey Rickhole.
If you’re short on time, you can do a day tour to Litchfield from Darwin. If you have a little longer we recommend spending at least one night in the National Park. If you’re planning on exploring Litchfield yourself make sure you have some outback driving experience and ideally have a 4×4 to see the most stunning parts of the park. Another thing to remember is you need a Parks Pass to visit the National Park. And finally, make sure you travel in dry season! Wet season in the tropics is well, wet… but can also mean roads and hiking trails are closed ❌
Uluru
Key Characteristics
Does Uluru need an introduction? Previously known as Ayers Rock, this giant red and sacred rock is about as ✨ iconic ✨ a destination as you can get. Spend a few days sleeping in swags under the stars, rising early for sunset walks and taking in this magical part of the red centre.
Type Of Traveller It Suits
You’ve done the big cities, you’ve explored the East Coast, you might even have visited the West Coast or Tassie. But one thing you have to see if you’re coming to the NT is Uluru.
Get ready to camp because staying in swags is the best way to experience Uluru. And honestly the night’s sky 💫 is spectacular in the desert. As well as Uluru you’ll also be visiting Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon for equally stunning scenery and incredible red rock landscapes.
Backpacker Tips
As Uluru is right slap bang in the middle of Australia you may be wondering how on earth do you get there? And what’s the best way to visit? For that the answer is easy, an organised tour is by far the best way to visit this part of the NT. And there are plenty of options depending on your budget and timeframe starting at three day trips to longer week-long adventures that start from Adelaide. If you’re tight on time we recommend flying into Ayers Rock Airport (check Jetstar for sale flights from Melbourne or Sydney) and joining a three or four day swag tour from there. Get in touch about your NT plans and our Community Team will recommend the best tour for you so all you have to do is be ready for a totally new experience.
West MacDonnell Ranges
Key Characteristics
You may be flying in and out of Alice for Uluru. But that’s not all you should be seeing around these parts. Just west of Alice Springs lies the West MacDonnell Ranges which are full of chasms and gorges and adventure! This is the red centre as you’d expect it to be. Rock formations at every turn and vast landscapes ready to be explored. Come with a 4×4 and you’ll never want to leave.
Type Of Traveller It Suits
You’ll feel like you have the West MacDonnell Ranges all to yourself, even if that’s not strictly true. Just like everywhere in the NT, this area is all about getting out and about in nature, hike the hundreds of kms of walking trails 🥾, jump into the swimming holes and spot the rare bird species.
If you’re a more experienced bush walker you can take in an overnight hike here, just please please make sure you are experienced and know what you’re doing, getting lost in the outback is not fun. But it comes with great rewards and secret landscapes the average backpacker won’t come across.
Backpacker Tips
If you’re travelling to Uluru from Alice Springs, one of our favourite swag tours takes in the West MacDonnell ranges as you go! So you’ll at the very least drive through this stunning landscape. If you’re tempted to see a little more while you’re in Alice, enjoy a full day trip to the West MacDonnell ranges so you can jump into those water holes, take in a small bush walk around the chasms and well… just marvel at the general beauty.
Visit The Northern Territory on These Tours
Welcome to Travel holds two annual Community Tours to the Northern Territory. Don’t miss booking on to our next ones which will be held in June 2024!
7 Days / 6 Nights
Welcome to The Northern Territory
Explore the Northern Territory on this annual Community Tour.
10 Days / 9 Nights
Welcome to Uluru & The Outback
Explore the Northern Territory and South Australia on this annual Community Tour.
Travel is all about meeting people
Before Your Tour
Connect with future travellers
Our official Facebook group to help future travellers connect with one another, ask questions and get expert advice.
When Booked On a Tour
Connect with your group on WhatsApp
A week before your tour, you’ll be added to a WhatsApp group chat that includes all of your future new friends and Guide that will be joining you on tour. Get to know each other beforehand, plan meetups, share tour bants and pics, and keep in touch here well after the tour ends.
After Your Tour
Connect with the WTT Community
Our official Facebook group for everyone who has travelled with Welcome to Travel. Your tour may be over but we want to make sure we stay in touch, know all about your travels and be a community that helps one another.
Want To Know More About The Northern Territory?
We love to hear from you and help you with your travel plans. If you have any questions at all then feel free to get in touch. Not only can you message us, we also offer free travel advice calls meaning you can have a real conversation with a real person that’s been in your shoes.
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