It doesn’t matter whether you’re young or old, keen for adventure or looking to relax, on a budget or ready to splurge – a holiday in the Northern Territory is an experience like no other.
The Northern Territory offers some of the world’s unique travel experiences. From road tripping the Red Centre to getting up close and personal with Aussie wildlife, a trip to the NT will leave you with one-of-a-kind memories you’ll treasure forever.
Here are 10 things you can only do in the NT – the most diverse and magical part of Australia.
1. Swim with crocs in the Cage of Death, Darwin
If we didn’t get you at ‘swimming with crocs’, we surely got your attention with ‘cage of death’!
The Cage of Death at Crocosaurus Cove is submerged underwater in a crocodile enclosure, allowing you to get within centimetres of a mammoth saltwater croc. You know how they say 'never smile at a crocodile?' This is the exception as you'll be eyeball to eyeball with an Apex predator. Don't worry, it's a completely safe environment. But it’s still guaranteed to get your heart racing! Not to mention the bragging rights photos you'll take home.
Crocosaurus Cove, situated in the heart of Darwin, does things a little differently to your average animal or crocodile park. You can go fishing for crocodiles, swim with the salties, hold a baby croc or watch the impressive fearsome crocs (aka the big fellas) at feeding time.
2. Immerse yourself in Aboriginal culture on the Tiwi Islands
Just 80km north of Darwin, the Tiwi Islands – including Bathurst and Melville Islands – are a must-see destination if you're keen to experience Aboriginal culture. The Tiwi Islands are easily reached by air or by boat. From Darwin it's a 30-minute flight or a couple of hours by ferry.
Learn about traditional Australian art and burial rituals, enjoy totem dances and a smoking ceremony, take in a game of Australian rules football, or get in a spot of fishing at some of the most secluded retreats in the world. The Tiwi Islands offer the perfect blend of nature and culture, and they truly are like nowhere else in the world.
If you want an organised tour, check out Tiwi Islands Adventures, Tiwi by Design, AAT Kings and SeaLink. If you’re visiting independently, make sure you contact the Tiwi Land Council to ensure you have the appropriate permits.
There’s a reason the Tiwi's are nicknamed the ‘Island of Smiles’. Head to the Tiwi Islands and find out why.
3. Hook yourself some cash in the Top End's Million Dollar Fish
Fishing in the Northern Territory is world famous, and, even better, it’s the only place in the world where your fishing line offers the chance to bag some bucks along with a barra. The Million Dollar Fish is one of the most popular events on the NT calendar. The competition runs from 1 October to 31 March and is open to anyone 18 years or older.
Each year, barramundi are prize-tagged and released at fishing hotspots around Top End waterways, including Darwin, Tiwi Islands, Kakadu, Arnhem Land and the Katherine region. Register on the competition site before you cast your line, then all you have to do is catch one of these tagged fish to claim your prize. Additionally, by entering you are automatically entered into the monthly prize draw.
4. Walk through Bruce Munro’s illuminated art installation at the Field of Light Uluru
The Northern Territory is known for spectacular scenery and an array of stunning natural colours – but there’s nothing quite like the Field of Light located in the foreground of Uluru.
Created by acclaimed artist Bruce Munro, the spectacular Uluru light show is made up of more than 50,000 solar lights and contrasts perfectly with the setting sun and the brilliant night sky. View the Field of Light installation at sunrise or sunset - either time of day it is spectacular with Uluru as a backdrop.
5. Go tubing in Redbank Gorge in the West MacDonnell Ranges
The Red Centre is known for its vast plains and arid desert landscapes. Concealed within this dramatic landscape are waterholes and swimming holes, some with enough flow to even go tubing.
One of the most spectacular places to cool off is Redbank Gorge, in the West MacDonnell Ranges near Alice Springs. Glide between tall ochre cliffs in your tyre tube, watching the ancient, awe-inspiring walls while you float by without a care in the world.
6. Build a boat for the Darwin Lions Beer Can Regatta
We’ve touched on a heap of unique experiences, but it doesn’t get much more ‘Northern Territory’ than Darwin’s Beer Can Regatta, held in July each year.
Join locals and tourists alike for this must-see yearly event. How do you get involved? Easy. Simply build yourself a boat out of aluminium beer cans and launch it into the water. Fun is guaranteed, even if your boat doesn’t float! If you’re not up to building your own boat, it’s almost as much fun to be a spectator and watch from the shore or the water.
It’s a fun-filled event that supports recycling habits and gets behind many of the area’s most promising initiatives, with all the money raised on the day going to local charities.
7. Take helicopter pub crawl to remote watering holes
Grab your mates and book into the legendary Heli Pub Crawl. Visit unique and out-of-the-way ‘pubs’ including Dundee Beach, Crab Claw Island and Goat Island on Adelaide River for a refreshing ale and substantial lunch. Fly over flood plains, lagoons and rivers spotting crocodiles basking in the sun, herds of buffalo, wild horses and myriads of birds along the way.
8. Segway around Uluru
Uluru is so big and beautiful that it can be viewed from any vantage point, and one of the best ways to see many facets of the rock are from a guided segway tour.
Segways are popular as they're easy for everyone to ride. Nowhere in the world will you have such a spectacular view of Uluru than by taking a tour with Uluru Segway Tours. A segway tour offers the chance for a close-up view of Uluru. You'll get a feel for the grandeur and scale of this monolith which is of important cultural significance to Anangu people. If segway's not your thing, there are plenty of other Uluru tour options, from scenic helicopter tours to self-guided or guided walking tours.
9. Light up your own fireworks on Territory Day
In most places across Australia fireworks are illegal, but on Territory Day, it's open slather.The first day of July commemorates Northern Territory’s self governance, and the Territory Day fireworks have become an annual institution.
Fireworks can only be launched between certain hours on 1 July, and it’s illegal to possess them thereafter. Across Darwin the entire city comes alive to the sound of crackers with pop-up fireworks parties city-wide. But make sure you follow the safety precautions.
If you’d prefer to be a spectator, get a comfortable seat, sit back and watch the sparkle over Darwin’s Mindil Beach or at one of the public fireworks displays in all major towns across theTerritory.
10. Eat a witchetty grub at Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Experience
A trip to the Northern Territory wouldn’t be complete without some bush tucker. Experience traditional Aboriginal cuisine first hand, including the witchetty grub, which has been a staple in Aboriginal diets for centuries.
The witchetty grub might look a little off-putting at first, but the buttery taste is well worth it. Think a cross between roast chicken and popcorn. There’s plenty more to do on the Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Tour, including necklace making and traditional painting. You’ll also learn about bush medicine and the many plants and birds of the Red Centre.
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