last edited Dec 11, 2019
What to See in the Northern Territory
Contributionsversion #1created Dec 11, 2019Report this pageLatest contributions in this guideContributors to this guide
Location Map of Northern Territory
Northern Territory
Open the interactive map
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
The Northern Territory has two sites listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites:
Kakadu National Park (1981)
This is Australia's largest national park. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site, particularly known for its countless Aboriginal rock art sites (including Nourlangie Rock and Ubirr). You can also hike through stunning landscapes and discover its unique flora and fauna, starting with the many crocodiles and birds that live here.
This is Australia's largest national park. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site, particularly known for its countless Aboriginal rock art sites (including Nourlangie Rock and Ubirr). You can also hike through stunning landscapes and discover its unique flora and fauna, starting with the many crocodiles and birds that live here.
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park (1987)
The site is known for hosting the famous Ayers Rock (another name for Uluru), one of the world's largest monoliths, and the Olga Mountains, 25 km away, which are a group of 36 rock domes towering over the plain. The park is part of the UNESCO World Heritage list.
The site is known for hosting the famous Ayers Rock (another name for Uluru), one of the world's largest monoliths, and the Olga Mountains, 25 km away, which are a group of 36 rock domes towering over the plain. The park is part of the UNESCO World Heritage list.
Cities and Cultural Heritage
Alice Springs
In the heart of Australia, it's the best-known city in the outback. Despite this, it's primarily a stopover on the way to Ayers Rock or the Olgas, or simply a base for all kinds of outdoor and adventure activities, particularly in the MacDonnell Ranges.
In the heart of Australia, it's the best-known city in the outback. Despite this, it's primarily a stopover on the way to Ayers Rock or the Olgas, or simply a base for all kinds of outdoor and adventure activities, particularly in the MacDonnell Ranges.
Darwin
With its tropical vibe, Darwin is the capital of the Northern Territory. It features several historic buildings and remnants from its World War II past. There are a few beaches (crocodile-free) and several parks near the city, including Fogg Dam Reserve (birds, reptiles, crocodiles, etc.). Kakadu National Park is also nearby.
With its tropical vibe, Darwin is the capital of the Northern Territory. It features several historic buildings and remnants from its World War II past. There are a few beaches (crocodile-free) and several parks near the city, including Fogg Dam Reserve (birds, reptiles, crocodiles, etc.). Kakadu National Park is also nearby.
Tiwi Islands
Two islands (Melville and Bathurst) north of Darwin inhabited by Aboriginal communities. Access (regulated) allows visitors to discover their culture and traditions, particularly their art.
Two islands (Melville and Bathurst) north of Darwin inhabited by Aboriginal communities. Access (regulated) allows visitors to discover their culture and traditions, particularly their art.
Katherine
300 km south of Darwin, the small town marks the transition between the Outback and the tropical zone. It's a stopover on the way to Darwin (including by train) or a base for exploring the surrounding area and enjoying numerous outdoor activities (fishing, trekking, canoeing, birdwatching, etc.), particularly in Nitmiluk National Park.
300 km south of Darwin, the small town marks the transition between the Outback and the tropical zone. It's a stopover on the way to Darwin (including by train) or a base for exploring the surrounding area and enjoying numerous outdoor activities (fishing, trekking, canoeing, birdwatching, etc.), particularly in Nitmiluk National Park.
Tennant Creek
This largely Aboriginal town in the heart of the Northern Territory is a landmark in Australia's gold-mining history. In the surrounding desert, you can visit the Devils Marbles and their massive rock spheres, as well as several abandoned mining sites.
This largely Aboriginal town in the heart of the Northern Territory is a landmark in Australia's gold-mining history. In the surrounding desert, you can visit the Devils Marbles and their massive rock spheres, as well as several abandoned mining sites.
Natural Heritage
Simpson Desert
At the heart of Australia, spanning three states, this vast arid expanse is a prime destination for adventure tourism by motorbike and 4x4. Camel treks are also possible here.
At the heart of Australia, spanning three states, this vast arid expanse is a prime destination for adventure tourism by motorbike and 4x4. Camel treks are also possible here.
MacDonnell Ranges
This mountain range near Alice Springs offers excellent opportunities for outdoor activities and adventure in a stunning, rugged, and rather desolate landscape.
This mountain range near Alice Springs offers excellent opportunities for outdoor activities and adventure in a stunning, rugged, and rather desolate landscape.
Gregory National Park
The second-largest park in the state. It offers beautiful rocky landscapes and eucalyptus groves, with gorges and terrain perfect for hiking or 4x4 adventures. The area is also rich in Aboriginal rock art, much like the smaller Keep River National Park about a hundred kilometres away.
The second-largest park in the state. It offers beautiful rocky landscapes and eucalyptus groves, with gorges and terrain perfect for hiking or 4x4 adventures. The area is also rich in Aboriginal rock art, much like the smaller Keep River National Park about a hundred kilometres away.
Kakadu National Park
This is Australia's largest national park. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site, particularly known for its countless Aboriginal rock art sites (including Nourlangie Rock and Ubirr). You can also hike through stunning landscapes and discover its unique flora and fauna, starting with the many crocodiles and birds that live here.
This is Australia's largest national park. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site, particularly known for its countless Aboriginal rock art sites (including Nourlangie Rock and Ubirr). You can also hike through stunning landscapes and discover its unique flora and fauna, starting with the many crocodiles and birds that live here.
Litchfield National Park
It’s one of the parks located near Darwin. Visitors come to hike, enjoy the scenery, or swim at the foot of the many waterfalls.
It’s one of the parks located near Darwin. Visitors come to hike, enjoy the scenery, or swim at the foot of the many waterfalls.
Nitmiluk National Park
This site, featuring Katherine Gorge and Edith Falls, is near the town of Katherine. It offers many outdoor activities like fishing, trekking, canoeing, birdwatching... or crocodile spotting.
This site, featuring Katherine Gorge and Edith Falls, is near the town of Katherine. It offers many outdoor activities like fishing, trekking, canoeing, birdwatching... or crocodile spotting.
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
The site is known for hosting the famous Ayers Rock (another name for Uluru), one of the world's largest monoliths, and the Olga Mountains, 25 km away, which are a group of 36 rock domes towering over the plain. The park is part of the UNESCO World Heritage list.
The site is known for hosting the famous Ayers Rock (another name for Uluru), one of the world's largest monoliths, and the Olga Mountains, 25 km away, which are a group of 36 rock domes towering over the plain. The park is part of the UNESCO World Heritage list.
Watarrka National Park
This park in the south of the territory is home to the spectacular Kings Canyon gorges, one of the main attractions of the "Red Centre". Hiking is possible here.
This park in the south of the territory is home to the spectacular Kings Canyon gorges, one of the main attractions of the "Red Centre". Hiking is possible here.
Rainbow Valley
A small reserve with some quite pretty landscapes and rock formations, often offered as an excursion from Alice Springs.
A small reserve with some quite pretty landscapes and rock formations, often offered as an excursion from Alice Springs.
Arnhem Land
An isolated Aboriginal territory with regulated access, adjacent to Kakadu National Park. This vast region offers adventure tourism and, above all, the chance to discover Aboriginal culture and traditions.
An isolated Aboriginal territory with regulated access, adjacent to Kakadu National Park. This vast region offers adventure tourism and, above all, the chance to discover Aboriginal culture and traditions.
Must-see & highly recommended
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
★★★★ The site is known for hosting the famous Ayers Rock (another name for Uluru), one of the world's largest monoliths, and the Olga Mountains…
Recommended
Watarrka National Park
★★★ This park in the south of the territory is home to the spectacular Kings Canyon gorges, one of the main attractions of the "Red Centre"…
Kakadu National Park
★★★ This is Australia's largest national park. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site, particularly known for its countless Aboriginal rock art…
Arnhem Land
★★★ An isolated Aboriginal territory with regulated access, adjacent to Kakadu National Park. This vast region offers adventure tourism and…
Worth a look / Other
Darwin
★★ With its tropical vibe, Darwin is the capital of the Northern Territory. It features several historic buildings and remnants from its World…
Simpson Desert
★★ At the heart of Australia, spanning three states, this vast arid expanse is a prime destination for adventure tourism by motorbike and 4x4…
Devils Marbles
★★ Enormous photogenic rock spheres near Tennant Creek.
Tiwi Islands
★★ Two islands (Melville and Bathurst) north of Darwin inhabited by Aboriginal communities. Access (regulated) allows visitors to discover…
MacDonnell Ranges
★★ This mountain range near Alice Springs offers excellent opportunities for outdoor activities and adventure in a stunning, rugged, and…
Litchfield National Park
★★ It’s one of the parks located near Darwin. Visitors come to hike, enjoy the scenery, or swim at the foot of the many waterfalls.
Nitmiluk National Park
★★ This site, featuring Katherine Gorge and Edith Falls, is near the town of Katherine. It offers many outdoor activities like fishing…
Rainbow Valley
★★ A small reserve with some quite pretty landscapes and rock formations, often offered as an excursion from Alice Springs.
Alice Springs
★ In the heart of Australia, it's the best-known city in the outback. Despite this, it's primarily a stopover on the way to Ayers Rock or the…
Katherine
★ 300 km south of Darwin, the small town marks the transition between the Outback and the tropical zone. It's a stopover on the way to Darwin…
Gregory National Park
★ The second-largest park in the state. It offers beautiful rocky landscapes and eucalyptus groves, with gorges and terrain perfect for…
Tennant Creek
★ This largely Aboriginal town in the heart of the Northern Territory is a landmark in Australia's gold-mining history. In the surrounding…
Yulara
★ A village of a few hundred residents at the gateway to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.