Northern territory Travel Guide

We design our Northern Territory Travel Guide as a starting point for planning your visit to the Australian outback. We cover the basics you need to plan a trip to Darwin, Uluru, and all the other major towns of this magical part of the world.

There are many reasons to visit, among them:

The awe-inspiring UNESCO sites at Uluru, Kuta Tjuta and Kakadu
A culture dating back more than 40,000 years
24 National Parks and over 70 conservation areas
Offbeat cultural/sporting events like the Beer Can Regatta in Darwin and the Camel Cup in Alice Springs
Cruise or kayak Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge

At 1600km from top to bottom, if the Northern Territory were its own country, it would be the 20th largest in the world!

So what are you waiting for? Let’s start planning!

Regions in Northern Territory

Unless you have a month or more to explore, you will probably only visit one or two of these regions on any trip. The state has so much to offer that it’s a good idea to get a lay of the land and see where the visitor hotspots are.

The NT is divided into seven regions; we have listed the key sites in each place if you are not exactly sure where everything is.

Darwin and the Top End
Kakadu
Arnhem Land
Katherine
Tennant Creek and Barkly Region
Alice Springs
Uluru and Kings Canyon

If you are not sure where to head, start with our guide to the regions of the Northern Territory.

Northern Territory Inspiration

Northern Territory Travel Planning

Learn about the world’s oldest culture while visiting Australia’s ancient red centre. Experience the waterfalls of Kakadu and Litchfield and uncover some of the classic desert bush walks in Katherine and the McDonnell Ranges. Be sure to add a short stay in Darwin to learn about the Territory’s history and meet the local crocodiles!

How to get to the NT

There are a few ways to travel between the Top End and the Red Centre, but a flight will be your best choice if you are short of time.

Airports

The Northern Territory has three airports, but international flights only land in Darwin.

International Airports

Darwin- Direct flights from Bali (2.5hrs), Singapore (5hrs) and Manila (5hrs), Dili (80mins)

Key Domestic airports

Ayers Rock (Yulara) – direct flights from Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide, Darwin and Cairns
Alice Springs – direct flights from Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, Perth and Ayers Rock
Darwin – all Australian capitals and Broome, Cairns and Townsville

Interstate Trains

There are trains from Adelaide and Alice Springs; these are luxury services chosen more for the experiences they offer than a way to get from A to B.

Interstate Buses

You can take a long-distance bus from Broome to Darwin or between Adelaide and Alice Springs, as well as from Alice Springs and Darwin. These trips are tests of endurance and only suited to the hardiest travellers.