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 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.
highlights of The NT
Getting around the Territory
Driving distances by average time
- Darwin to Katherine – 3hrs 10 minutes
- Darwin to Kakadu – 3 hours
- Darwin to Tennant Creek – 10 hours
- Alice Springs to Darwin – 15 hours
- Darwin to Yulara – 19 hours
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