Visiting the Northern Territory
Pack your bags and prepare your trip to Darwin and the Northern Territory!
Equivalent in size to France, Italy and Spain combined, it's not surprising the Northern Territory is blessed with an abundance of natural environments. This is a land that ebbs and flows with the seasons, of contrast and colour, where change is the only constant. Of awe inspiring iconic wonders - the World Heritage National Parks of Kakadu and Uluru-Kata Tjuta. Of flora and fauna as diverse as desert blooms are to lotus lilies and the fearsome saltwater crocodile is to the Brolga, the elegant dancing bird that is the Territory's emblem.
The indigenous culture, the Aboriginal people, hold a deeply spiritual connection to the land dating back tens of thousands of years, yet can still be shared in the present day - through a walk in the desert in search of bush tucker, a visit to the ancient rock art galleries, or simply sitting in on a story-telling session. This land is full of colourful characters. The type you'd meet at one of our legendary outback pubs, cattle stations or country towns. Uncomplicated, larger than life, everyone with a fascinating story to share.
Darwin is the tropical capital city of the Northern Territory. It has a relaxed outdoor lifestyle and enjoys warm weather all year round. The metropolitan hub of the city is captured in the Darwin Waterfront Precinct. Taking advantage of stunning sea side promenades, world class alfresco dining, hotels and parklands are the perfect compliment to Darwin's rich cultural history. Perched on a peninsula with sea on three sides, Darwin is an excellent base to explore the natural attractions of World Heritage listed Kakadu National Park, Litchfield and Nitmiluk National Parks, the Tiwi Islands and Arnhem Land.
For more information on what the Northern Territory has to offer, please visit www.travelnt.com/en.
All content courtesy Northern Territory Tourism Bureau.
Things to see and do in Darwin
The following is just a small sample. For more information on what the Northern Territory has to offer, please visit www.travelnt.com/en.
Sunset cruise
Embrace the tropical weather and take to the water with a day or magnificent sunset cruise. Just sit back and enjoy cruising Darwin’s expansive harbour, enjoying champagne and canapés.
Museum and art gallery
The museum is one of Darwin's most interesting places to visit. The exhibits feature aspects of the Northern Territory environment, history, ethnic diversity, maritime and natural history, and Australian art and craft.
Darwin city heritage walk
Take a stroll around Darwin City, see important heritage sites and learn about the events that have shaped Darwin's history.
Further afield
Just two hours drive from Darwin is Litchfield National Park. 146 square kilometres in size, Litchfield is home to weathered sandstone escarpments, patches of monsoon rainforest, perennial spring-fed streams, permanent crystal-clear waterholes, spectacular waterfalls and historic ruins. Litchfield’s main attractions, including permanent spring fed waterfalls - Florence, Tolmer and Wangi; cascades at Buley Rockhole and magnetic termite mounds, are not to be missed.
The jumping crocodile cruise is an experience you will no doubt remember for life.
Adelaide River is home to some 16,000 crocodiles, including the famous jumping crocodiles. You will watch fascinated as these awesome creatures slide menacingly from the mud banks and swim almost without a ripple towards the scent of food. In a flash of spray they leap from the water to take the food offered and then slip noiselessly away to enjoy the spoils.
Kakadu National Park
One of the Northern Territory’s most unique and picturesque locations is Kakadua National Park. Covering approximately 20,000 square kilometers, the park is renowned for its extraordinary wetlands, rich cultural traditions and abundance of some of the finest and most accessible rock art in the world. Along with its most famous inhabitant, the salt-water crocodile, Kakadu National Park is home to over 280 species of birds, 60 kinds of native mammals, 55 kinds of freshwater fish, thousands of species of insects and many species of reptiles.
The Katherine region: Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge)
Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) is only 32kms from the Katherine town centre and features over 180,000 hectares of amazing landscapes and natural structures. This stunning display of nature features 13 gorges, five of which are readily accessible by organized tour and boat cruises. Helicopter scenic flights are also available for those who are game! The surrounding sandstone-conglomerate plateau makes an intriguing backdrop to this sensational natural wonder.
ANZAC Day 2012 in Darwin
Darwin has a rich military history; serving as a deployment base during WW1 that is still actively utilised today, housing American soldiers during WWII and is currently a major defence base for international aid services.
Darwin is a particularly significant place to commemorate ANZAC Day. Australians first felt the impact of war on 19 February 1942 (WWII) when Japanese forces bombed the city of Darwin. It is often referred to as 'Australia's Pearl Harbour'. Official figures reflect that there were 292 casualties, however recent figures suggest there were more than double this, and over 400 suffering injuries. This was the first act of war seen on Australian soil mounted by foreign forces, with the bombing raids continuing into 1943. This had a major impact on how Australians' viewed war, opening our eyes to the devastating impact it has on our soldiers and civilians and deepening our desire to staunchly defend our unique way of life.
On 25 April each year, Australians and New Zealanders commemorate the landing of troops at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915. It is the opportunity to remember fallen soldiers of WWI and the sacrifices of all men and women of the armed services who continue to ensure our countries have the freedoms we enjoy today.
The two major dawn services that the Darwin region host are held at: (please be advised that times and programs of these services will become available closer to ANZAC Day 2012):
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Bicentennial Park War Memorial, The Esplanade, Darwin CBD
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Adelaide River, which is 1 hour and 15 minutes south of Darwin
If you wish to pay your respects later in the day, the ANZAC Day parade is held mid-morning through the main streets of Darwin.
To learn more about ANZAC Day visit the Australian Government website
Fast facts
Airports
Getting to the Northern Territory is easy. There are domestic airports in all major centres in the Territory - Darwin, Katherine, Nhulunbuy, Tennant Creek, Alice Springs and Uluru/Ayers Rock, and international arrivals and departures from Darwin.
Airport Transfers
Taxi
A taxi rank/zone is located at the front of the terminal.
City Radio Taxis: +61 8 8981 3777
Darwin Radio Taxis: 131 008
Tropical Taxis: +61 8 8947 3333
Minibus operators
A Minibus rank/zone is located at the front of the terminal.
Arafura Shuttle: +61 8 8981 3300
Kangaroo: +61 8 8931 3222
Metro: +61 8 8932 5577
Mini Bus Shuttle: +61 8 438 278 773
Car Hire
AVIS Car Rental: www.avis.com.au
Budget: www.budget.com.au
Europcar: www.deltaeuropcar.com.au
Thrifty Car Rental: www.thrifty.com.au
Hertz Car Rental: www.hertz.com.au
International flights
Qantas flies from Singapore to Darwin three times a week (as does Australian Airlines) and from Bali twice a week, with connections to the UK and Europe.
Garuda Indonesia flies between Darwin and Bali twice a week.
Domestic flights
Qantas has daily flights to Darwin and Alice Springs from most Australian capital cities. Qantas also flies to Ayers Rock Resort from Perth, Cairns, Sydney and Melbourne.
Jetstar offers direct flights from Darwin to Melbourne, Brisbane, Cairns, Sydney and Adelaide.
Virgin Australia flies to Darwin direct from Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane, and connects via most other Australian cities. Skywest flies from Perth to Darwin via Broome three times a week.
There are regular connecting flights between Darwin, Alice Springs and Ayers Rock Airport.
Rail
The Northern Territory can be accessed by rail in two ways - from South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales via The Ghan from Adelaide, Melbourne or Sydney, and from Queensland via The Inlander.
Climate
The Northern Territory is so big that it covers two very distinct climate zones. The Territory’s tropical north (where Darwin is located) experiences warm and sunny weather for most of the year while Central Australia (Uluru/Ayers Rock area) is a semi-arid environment. In April the temperature in Darwin is expected to be between 24C (75F) and 33C (91F).
Darwin, Kakadu National Park, Litchfield National Park and Arnhem Land (The Top End) traditionally has only two seasons, known to the locals as the 'Wet' and the 'Dry'. April welcomes easing of rain with the The 'Dry' falling between the months of May to October each year and is virtually guaranteed to be rain free.