探索区域指南

一流旅游线路推荐

内陆水上飞机之旅

这是一条紧凑的半日游路线，将向你展示与世隔绝的澳洲北端地区最好的一面！在这趟“终极之旅”的开始，会有一架水上飞机降落在斯威斯泻湖（Sweets Lagoon）壮观的水面上，让游客乘坐飞机观光，开始这一生难遇的旅程。途中的体验会让人肾上腺素攀升，所以一定要带上相机，记录下所有刺激与美好的时刻！

半日游活动项目清单：

• 斯威斯泻湖水上飞机观光
• 乘水上汽艇穿越雨林水道
• 水潭乘船休闲游，包括烧烤早餐或午餐
• 水上汽艇高速绕圈
• 在防鳄网笼中游泳
• 观赏北领地独特的野生动物
• 乘直升机飞越泛滥平原（可选项目）

库鲁伯里水潭湿地乘船游

达尔文有许多针对冒险者的旅游项目。但对于只想欣赏这个区域最美丽的风光的人们，达尔文也有诸如库鲁伯里水潭湿地乘船游等项目，让他们如愿以偿。

库鲁伯里水潭距离达尔文仅90分钟车程，是玛丽河湿地（Mary River Wetlands）的一个组成部分。库鲁伯里水潭是世界上咸水鳄鱼最密集的地方，而且这里处处是水鸟！你不妨乘船游览这片原生态的湿地，并向经验丰富的导游了解当地野生动物的趣事。

乘船穿越达尔文

达尔文有波光闪烁的蓝色海港，你可以在夕阳下乘船游览，体验这里的宁静和美丽。达尔文拥有澳洲最大的自然海港，许多当地旅游公司提供各种一日游和落日游船之旅。在乘船穿过海港时，请举目观看水路两旁的红树林，这是达尔文独有的生态系统，树林里包含了丰富多彩的生物种类。而在游船上，你可能还会看到鳄鱼、儒艮、海豚和海龟等本土野生动物。有些游船还会为客人提供一杯冰镇饮料，让人在船上美美地啜饮，此外还附赠美味的点心和一顿自助餐。

利奇菲尔德国家公园

利奇菲尔德国家公园拥有迷人的瀑布。这些瀑布飞泻而下，注入水晶般清澈的水潭中。这里还有巨大的白蚁堆、丛林漫步路径和季风树林。

布里石洞包含了若干个天然矿泉池和漩涡池，游客可以在其中冲凉。佛罗伦斯瀑布（Florence Falls）有两道瀑流，从高处飞泻而下，在瀑布下可以戏水。而在利奇菲尔德国家公园，万吉瀑布（Wangi Falls）也值得一游，这是公园中最大的瀑布，通行也最方便。

如果你想见识这里的野生动物，一定要去看看著名的巨型白蚁堆。它高达两米，可谓是大自然的鬼斧神工。或者，你也可以睁大眼睛、支起耳朵，去搜寻大小不同、形态各异的本土野生动物。从果蝠和澳洲野狗，到皱颈蜥蜴和定居此处的大袋鼠，应有尽有。利奇菲尔德国家公园距离达尔文仅90分钟车程，自驾前往十分方便。或者，你也可以把驾驶的工作留给专业驾驶员。只要报名参加一个全日游，就可以从达尔文出发，舒舒服服吹着空调上路了。

阿德莱德河中跳起的鳄鱼

阿德莱德河（Adelaide River）距离达尔文一小时车程。在这个鳄鱼自然栖息地，神出鬼没、力大无穷的鳄鱼会跳出水面抢夺饵料。在一小时的乘船观光游中，友好的船员会向你介绍鳄鱼的生存技巧。这种游船每天有四趟班次。

卡卡杜国家公园

卡卡杜国家公园被联合国教科文组织列为世界遗产，也是澳洲最大的国家公园。它占地面积约为2万平方公里，比北京还要大！这座公园因其自然美景而闻名遐迩，还拥有形形色色的本土动物，例如短耳岩间沙袋鼠和黑袋鼠等。

卡卡杜国家公园距离达尔文约三小时车程。如果你要自驾游，我们推荐“自然之路”。沿这条路行驶，可以用几天时间来游览卡卡杜。这条车道是柏油公路，但如果开四驱车，就可以前往双子瀑布和吉姆吉姆瀑布等更加偏远的景点。如果不想自驾，还有许多从达尔文出发的旅游线路可供选择。根据这些行程安排，你可以去卡卡杜进行一日游或过夜游。在“自然之路”车道沿线，则分布着许多不可错过的景点：在乌比尔（Ubirr），有神奇的落日美景；在诺尔朗吉（Nourlangie）古岩画遗址，可以了解土著文化；在加伦瀑布潭（Gunlom Plunge Pool），可以在无边无际的天然水池游泳；在黄水潭（Yellow Water Billabong），则可以乘船观光，并搜寻自然状态下的鳄鱼和鸟类。卡卡杜还有不同种类的住宿处，不管你预算如何，都能找到适合自己的地方。

凯瑟琳

在你驾车畅游自然之路时，别忘了去游览尼特米鲁克国家公园的沙岩之乡，并观赏尼特米鲁克峡（即凯瑟琳峡）中13道迷人的峡谷。这个举世闻名的峡谷中，你可以步行、乘皮筏艇或划船游览，也可以乘直升机呢！

不妨租一艘皮划艇沿着峡谷划行，去欣赏清亮的瀑布、偏远的土著岩画遗址和野生动物。在乘船游览时，你会看到未经雕琢的美景。如果要观看峡谷纵横交错的全貌和广阔的阿纳姆地高原，不妨去游客中心附近，登上直升飞机升空观景。

如果你有时间，可以去体验纪特步拉路径（Jatbula Trail）。这是一条令人难忘的路径，长58公里，耗时五天，从尼特米鲁克峡谷通往利连因瀑布（即艾地斯瀑布）。路径沿线有瀑布、季风雨林、岩石村和土著岩画。在这条路径远足的最佳时间是6月到9月间，这些月份气候比较凉爽。因此，提前预订行程是很重要的。

利连因瀑布（即艾地斯瀑布）坐落在公园的西侧边缘，水流冲刷出一个水潭，潭边簇拥着露兜树。此地在凯瑟琳镇区北面，距离60公里车程。在美丽的丛林环境中，你可以泡澡和露营，也可以在附近的短途步行道上漫步。从每年11月到次年4月间，有时利连因瀑布（即艾地斯瀑布）是禁止游泳的。

埃尔西国家公园

马塔兰卡地热池

马塔兰卡镇（Mataranka）在凯瑟琳南面，因其沙底地泉池而闻名遐迩。在这里，人们游泳时能感受到一片宁静的氛围。这里的温泉是天然产生的，安全而洁净，在5月到10月的旱季期间可以使用。在这里的奈文奈文博物馆（Never Never Museum），你可以了解土著领主、以及曼加热伊（Mangarayi）和扬曼（Yangman）部落的相关知识。

苦泉

苦泉（Bitter Springs）距离马塔兰卡仅两公里。苦泉是泉水汇聚而成的地热池，周围是茂密的热带棕榈树和埃尔西国家公园的林地。因此，当你长途驾驶后、或游览国家公园时，这都是一个休闲放松的理想之地。这也是一个著名的观鸟点，可以考虑沿短途环道漫游，欣赏周边风景。苦泉是免费的，来这里的最佳时间是5月到10月间的旱季。

当然，如果你不喜欢自驾，这里也提供许多从达尔文出发前往凯瑟琳地区的旅游路线，均有导游陪同。

一些关于“北端地区”的真相

最佳游览时间：要游览达尔文及其周边地区，请根据“旱季”和“湿季”来安排行程，而非根据通常日历上的四季。如果你喜欢青翠欲滴的植被景观、从海上呼啸而来的飓风和轰隆雷鸣的瀑布（更不必说实惠的住宿和旅游项目），不妨在十一月到次年四月的湿季前来旅游。如果你中意明净的蓝天、温馨的热带夜晚和温暖的白天，那么请考虑在五月到十月的旱季前来。

如何前往达尔文：从达尔文国际机场到新加坡、巴厘岛、深圳等国际都市之间，有频繁的航班往来。而达尔文和澳洲大部分州首府之间，每天都有航班往来。从达尔文国际机场到中央商业区，有24小时不间断的班车和出租车服务。澳大利亚各地的大巴公司也都经营前往北领地的长途大巴。“甘”号列车是澳大利亚的传奇列车，它从达尔文出发，途经凯瑟琳和爱丽斯泉，通往南澳的阿德莱德。这里还有“探险家之路”等一流的自驾车道，让你尽情驰骋于北领地的中心地带！

达尔文交通指南：这座城市小巧而安全，足以让你步行游览。且这里地形平坦，这意味着骑车也是很受欢迎的游览方式——但别忘了戴上头盔！这里有随停随走的敞篷观光车，称为“达尔文探险家”，你可以搭乘这种观光车在这座热带首府游览观光。如果骑赛格威自平衡车，可以自由滑行，去探索达尔文的各种秘密和各个终极隐蔽地点了。在达尔文及其周边地区，也不妨搭乘Hi Oscar拼车四处活动。达尔文到处都可以叫到本地出租车，如需预订，请拨打+61 131 008。

通行证和许可证：北端地区的大部分国家公园都是免费的。但是，卡卡杜是需要买门票的。票价随季节浮动，而门票收入将被100%回投到该公园中。卡卡杜的门票价格是每位成人25澳元。如果要露营，基本上每座公园都要收费。如果你想穿过某个土著领地，就需要许可证——可以联系北方土地委员会（Northern Land Council）或提维土地委员会（Tiwi Land Council）进行办理。

行前准备：达尔文的气候大致上是很温暖的，因此推荐携带夏季衣物和夏季防晒用品。如果你准备离开市区、游览周边地区，请带上防晒用品、防苍蝇/昆虫用品、大量的水和舒适的步行鞋。如果跟随导游旅行，请参阅该旅行路线的“携带物品”推荐清单，从而为自己营造一个舒适的旅程。

安全提示：要始终留意顶端地区水域中的鳄鱼。游泳的时候，不要离开红色标志划定的水域。要始终警惕鳄鱼（在北领地，遵守针对鳄鱼的安全措施是十分重要的）。

下一步行程推荐：如果没去过红土中心，北领地的旅程就是不完整的——该地拥有爱丽斯泉，国王峡谷和乌鲁鲁--卡塔丘塔国家公园等景点。达尔文和爱丽斯泉机场之间，每天有班机往返。作为备选方案，你也可以沿“探险家之路”自驾前往，或乘坐“甘”号列车前往，享受休闲的观景之旅。

Top tours

Outback Floatplane Adventures

How do you land a floatplane in Australia’s secluded north without a runway? Outback Floatplane Adventures will answer that one for you, although you can probably guess.

See how this important aspect of local transport has been interwoven with Darwin’s history. Strap yourself in as your skilled and experienced pilot lands on a lagoon!

Where else could you experience a helicopter ride, a floatplane flight, a trip on an airboat and a cruise all in the one day?

Ethical Adventures NT

Darwin is situated on the doorstep of a precious and untouched wilderness. Ethical Adventures NT emphasise that guests are not simply tourists, but partners in “fun, adventure and discovery”. Learn about the natural environment on a flexible tour schedule to Litchfield National Park, spot wildlife at Fogg Dam or enjoy a swim at Berry Springs. Better yet, tours include homemade food and drinks. Ethical Adventures NT is ranked second for Outdoor Activities on TripAdvisor.

Wetland Cruises – Corroboree Billabong

While Darwin has plenty for the active, there’s also a lot on offer for those who want to rest their weary legs and take in some of the region’s most beautiful natural scenery, such as Corroboree Billabong Wetland Cruises.

That said, being part of the Mary River Wetlands, which is home to more saltwater crocs than anywhere else on the planet – and you will be close enough to touch them (seriously though, don’t!) – Corroboree Billabong is also a great tour for the adventurous, and has won the TripAdvisor certificate of excellence for the past three years in a row.

Sail Darwin

Feel like getting out on a slightly larger schooner? Then jump on Sail Darwin’s luxurious 50-foot catamaran and take to the open ocean.

Kick back with the Champagne Sunset Sail or learn about traditional Indigenous customs by visiting the Tiwi Islands Aboriginal communities. There’s no better way to experience Darwin’s waterways than from the comfort of a sailboat where you can fish right off the deck.

Do it yourself

If you’d prefer to hire a car and set out on a self-guided tour, Darwin and its surrounds have heaps of amazing trails, nature parks, camping grounds and natural wonders. Here’s a couple of our favourite options.

Litchfield National Park & Berry Springs Nature Park

Travelling should of course be about action and adventure, but it should also include a decent smattering of relaxation. The Berry Springs Nature Park is a former military base which has been refurbished, and is one of the most beautiful parks for cooling off and relaxing. Even better, it isn’t too far from Darwin.

The park is usually open from May to November, though dates are subject to variation. Pack plenty of water in the car, and take off for the one-hour trip from Darwin to Berry Springs. If you’re feeling in the picnic mood, pick yourself up some lunch from Tommo’s Pies before you leave Darwin – they offer excellent takeaway Aussie fare. If you forget your picnic basket, fear not – there’s an excellent kiosk at Berry Springs.

Berry Springs has fresh waterholes perfect for swimming and a range of bushwalking tracks, along with a picnic area suitable for the whole family. Be sure to double check signage to make sure the waterholes are open for swimming – the area has been known to attract rogue crocodiles after heavy rainfall during the wet season, although they’re swiftly removed by local rangers. However, always remember to Be Crocwise when you are near Top End waterways.

If you’re tempted to continue overnight, the Berry Springs Caravan Park is always a popular option, before getting up to continue on to Litchfield the following morning.

Litchfield National Park has some of the world’s most stunning wetlands, waterfalls, wildlife and rock formations. And with the distance from Darwin to Litchfield National Park around 120km, it’s an easy day trip if you’re short on time.

You can cool down in the Buley Rockhole natural waterhole, splash about at the base of the Florence Falls, or take a refreshing time-out at Wangi Falls. All the while you’ll be surrounded by the pristine natural beauty that is Litchfield.

If fauna-spotting is more for you, be sure to check out the famous magnetic termite mounds, which are 2m tall marvels of natural engineering. Keep your eyes and ears peeled for native wildlife of all shapes and sizes, from flying foxes and dingoes, to frill-necked lizards.

Grab a guided tour with one of the many great tour operators in the Northern Territory who offer informative and reasonably priced day tours from Darwin in air-conditioned comfort.

Kakadu & Katherine

The distance from Darwin to Katherine is around 320km. You can drive there directly from Darwin, or even better, take the Nature’s Way Drive, where you can spend a few days exploring Kakadu on your way to Katherine. The drive is a sealed loop suitable for a two-wheeler, although we recommend a four-wheeler for the more adventurous traveller. That way you can take the dirt roads to famous hot spots like Twin Falls and Jim Jim Falls.

Follow the Stuart Highway – one of the longest roads in the world, extending all the way to Adelaide – before turning left onto the Arnhem Highway, which will take you across the scenic Marrakai Plains.

If you have time along the way, you can get your blood pumping by joining a Spectacular Jumping Crocodile Cruise along the Adelaide River. Watch as these giant crocodiles jump out of the water to catch their lunch. The hour long tours are offered daily.

Kakadu National Park is UNESCO World Heritage listed, and is also the second largest national park in Australia. At almost 20,000 square kilometres, it’s almost half the size of Switzerland! The park is known all over the world for its natural beauty and array of native animals, including the short-eared rock wallaby and the black wallaroo.

While in the park itself, the world is your oyster. There are loads of must-see locations dotted along the Nature’s Way Drive. Experience an unforgettable sunset at Ubirr. Learn about Aboriginal culture through ancient rock art at Nourlangie. Soar above the escarpment to witness the thundering waterfalls of Twin and Jim Jim Falls. Then relax in style after a day of exploring at the iconic Mercure Crocodile Hotel or Cooinda Lodge.

When you’re ready to move on – and if that takes days, it takes days! – continue south from Kakadu to Katherine. The Nitmiluk National Park, home of the stunning Nitmiluk Gorge, is a must-see.

Take in a boat cruise and marvel at the majestic walls of the gorge, and be sure to keep your eyes peeled for ancient Aboriginal art.

If you’ve got the time, the Jatbula Trail is an unforgettable five or six-day trek, which will take you from Nitmiluk Gorge to Leliyn/Edith Falls, showing off the full beauty of the area. The best time is during the cooler months of June to September, and bookings are essential.

Of course, if you don’t feel like driving, there are plenty of guided tours from Darwin, and some operators also do Darwin to Katherine day tours – although be prepared for a long day!

Need to know

Best time to visit: When talking about seasons, Darwin locals won’t mention summer and winter – instead it’s 'wet’ and 'dry’. If you prefer to travel in the tourist low season and love the thought of watching magnificent storms roll across the ocean every afternoon, then a visit during the wet season from November to April is for you. If you are one for clear blue skies, balmy nights and warm days, then visit during the dry season between May and October. The dry season also brings heaps of great NT events to experience!

How to get here: Darwin International Airport (DRW) has frequent connections to Australian domestic locations and international cities such as Denpasar, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. There’s a 24-hour shuttle service from the airport to the city and back, along with taxi options. If you are in no rush, the Ghan railway connects Darwin in the north with Adelaide in South Australia. There are also some great self-drive routes, which are perfect for a road trip and will give you the opportunity to take in the iconic NT landscapes!

Getting around: No matter what you’ve got in store while you’re in town, getting around Darwin is simple. The city is small enough to walk to most places, while the flat geography means cycling is also popular – but don’t forget to wear a helmet! Many hostels and hotels offer bike rentals. If you want to check out Darwin without getting tired legs, then the Hop On Hop Off Darwin Explorer is perfect for hunting out the city’s numerous attractions.

Passes and permits: If you’re heading out of Darwin on an adventure, you’ll be glad to know that most national parks in the Top End are free. But you’ll need to pay an entry fee for Kakadu – the pricing structure is seasonal and 100% of revenue is invested back into the park. Camping fees generally apply in all the parks. If you’re travelling through Aboriginal land, get yourself an entry permit – talk with the Northern Land Council or the Tiwi Land Council.

Plan ahead: Darwin itself is generally warm to hot, so summer gear and sun protection are a must. You might need a light jumper in the evenings. If you’re heading out of town to explore, always plan ahead. Bring sun protection, fly/insect protection and plenty of water; stock up on fuel; consult a map; check for adverse conditions like fires and floods with Secure NT; rent a satellite phone or UHF radio; talk with locals about your itinerary; make sure someone knows where you’re going and when you’re expected to return; and invest in some comfy walking shoes.
Safety: You should always be aware of crocodiles in Top End waterways. Please only swim in designated areas and always Be Crocwise.

Where to go next: So you’ve seen everything Darwin has to offer? Make sure you explore the surrounding areas like Litchfield National Park, Katherine and Kakadu. And any journey to the Northern Territory isn’t complete without a trip to Alice Springs, where you can explore Uluru and Kings Canyon. There are daily flights from Darwin to Alice Springs Airport, or you can take the scenic route with the famous Ghan railway experience.