Northern Territory, Australia's Heatland

Travelling in Australia’s Northern Territory gives you a wonderfully rich and diverse slice of life in the quintessential Outback.

With its wetlands, waterfalls and billabongs amid tropical rainforest contrasting sharply with the red-caked desert surrounds of that world famous icon, Uluru, you really feel you are in Australia’s heartland. Here, the spirit of Aboriginal culture is all around and you’re sure to meet some colourful characters wherever you find yourself.

One of the most refreshing ways to experience it has to be on board The Ghan, a unique train service running from Darwin to Alice Springs

Darwin & Surrounds

This tropical capital city is the natural gateway to Australia from the UK as it has the shortest flight time. It offers a wonderful year-round climate and relaxed outdoor lifestyle and its colourful history has contributed to a stunning cultural diversity - more than 50 nationalities make up its population, including the area's traditional landowners, the Larrakia Aboriginal people.

Darwin is an excellent base to explore the World Heritage listed Kakadu National Park, as well as Litchfield and Nitmiluk National Parks, the Tiwi Islands and Arnhem Land.

Litchfield National Park, with its lush surroundings which encloses much of the spectacular Tabletop Mountain Range, a wide sandstone plateau from which four major waterfalls thunder down to tropical rock pools (especially during October to May). To experience and be part of one of the worlds oldest living cultures, a trip to the TiwiIslands is a must. The Tiwi people will share with you their special places, stories and colourful art.

Or 250 kilometres from Darwin on the Arnhem Highway are the lush wetlands, plunging gorges and cascading waterfalls of the World Heritage Site, Kakadu National Park. Here also is one of the highest concentrated areas of Aboriginal rock art in the world. A short way east lies Arnhem Land, home to many Aboriginal people who continue to practice their traditional way of life.

Katherine

Sweeping from the Gulf of Carpentaria to the West Australian border, the vast Katherine region is full of hidden wonders. The Katherine River flows through the township of Katherine and is split by towering sandstone walls at nearby Katherine Gorge in Nitmiluk National Park.

If you’re travelling on the Ghan, several off-train tours are available during the stopover (purchased on the train). Enjoy a boat cruise, canoeing or even a helicopter flight showcasing the spectacular 25 million year old canyons of Katherine Gorge.

Alice Springs & Surrounds

In the heart of Central Australia, between the East and West MacDonnell Ranges, sits Australia's most famous outback town. Alice Springs is a thriving, spirited outback centre - as famous for the personality of its locals as the natural wonders that surround it. In the late 1800's and early 1900s only the most intrepid pioneers braved its rugged environment.

The West and East MacDonnell Ranges straddle the town and their spectacular gorges and chasms set the scene for a range of adventure activities. Beyond the Ranges stretch the Simpson and Tanami deserts, where Aboriginal people have lived for thousands of years.

Uluru & Kata Tjuta

Slap bang in the middle of Australia is its most recognised, natural icon, and for the Aboriginal people a spiritual monument, Uluru. Rising from the broad desert plain this enormous sandstone monolith stands 348 metres high and, like an iceberg, it is thought that two thirds of the bulk is below the surface. It is located 440 kilometres south-west of Alice Springs. 40 kilometres west of Uluru is Kata Tjuta/The Olgas. It is believed that Kata Tjuta dates back 600 million years.

Take walking tours around both these areas with the Anangu Aboriginal people, the traditional landowners, and hear directly from them all about the local flora and fauna, and bush foods not to mention some enchanting local Aboriginal Dreamtime stories.

Watarrka National Park, encompassing Kings Canyon lies 300 kilometres to the north-east of Uluru and 310 kilometres west of Alice Springs. Kings Canyon has 270-metre-high sandstone walls, walking trails, palm-filled crevices and simply awesome views across the desert.