Guides Attractions Events in Northern Territory

The Adelaide River settlement is located on the banks of the river, 114 kilometres south of Darwin. The scenic village has a rich history and was the site of a major military headquarters during World War II. It is a small community with a population of just 250 and an ideal stop-off point between Darwin and Katherine.

The highlight of a visit to Adelaide River is the beautifully maintained World War II cemetery which can be easily found in a peaceful location by the banks of the river. Some 434 servicemen and 63 civilians killed in the Top End are buried here. Among the civilians are 9 Post Office workers who were killed on February 19, 1942 during the first of the Japanese air raids on Darwin.

Also of interest to visitors is the Adelaide River Pub set among shady trees and green lawns, it is an ideal lunch destination with the popular house special of barra and chips. The old railway bridge and station (now a museum), which was a major enterprise at the time of completion in 1889, is also worth a visit. The Adelaide River itself flows north from the settlement and reaches the Timor Sea approximately 50 kilometres north-east of Darwin.

The Adelaide River snakes its way south from the Van Diemen Gulf, through Djukbinj National Park, to the Adelaide River settlement on the Stuart Highway. The river is perhaps best known for its popular ‘jumping crocodile’ cruises, run by a number of different operators. The crocodile cruises are located about one hour’s drive south of Darwin along the Arnhem Highway - just follow the signs to any of the ‘jumping crocodile’ theme cruises. Watch crocodiles being encouraged to jump high in the air for their food.

The river is also home to a massive and varied bird population. Nearby, the Window on the Wetlands Visitor Centre provides a 360 degree view of the floodplains of the river. Viewing platforms and walking paths at Fogg Dam Conservation Reserve also provide visitors with an excellent opportunity to see birdlife.

Aileron is a welcome rest stop along the Stuart Highway offering meals, accommodation, fuel and is located close to Ryan Well Historical Reserve. Aileron Hotel and Roadhouse is located 132 kilometres north of Alice Springs and 370 kilometres south of Tennant Creek. A giant sculpture of an Aboriginal warrior (Anmatjere Man) guards over the roadhouse.

The roadhouse offers a convenience store, meals, free guest laundry, children’s playground and visitor information. There is a collection of original Albert Namatjira watercolour paintings in the dining room. The accommodation ranges from powered and unpowered campsites, backpacker dormitory and self-contained motel rooms.

Alice Springs is a town of 30,000 people located on the banks of the usually dry Todd River in Central Australia. This well appointed oasis in the desert is equipped with a wide range of facilities, attractions, tours and accommodation. Anzac Hill in the centre of Alice Springs provides a panoramic view of the town and surrounding mountain ranges. The Araluen Cultural Precinct and the Alice Springs Telegraph Station are worth visiting for an insight into Alice Springs’ interesting history. The Alice Springs Desert Park is an excellent introduction to the flora, fauna and landscapes of Central Australia.

Alice Springs is known for its quirky events such as the ASSA ABLOY Henley-on-Todd Regatta, the Camel Cup and the Alice Springs Beanie Festival. The MacDonnell Ranges run to the east and west of the town, and the ruggedly beautiful West MacDonnell National Park is home to many amazing natural attractions, such as Simpsons Gap, Standley Chasm, Ellery Creek Big Hole and Ormiston Gorge.

The area surrounding Alice Springs is a land of deep chasms and gorges carved though rust coloured ranges. The desert landscape is punctuated by unexpected oases and waterholes and ancient meteorite craters. It is home to an ancient people whose culture is alive and well.

Alice Springs sits at the junction of the East and West MacDonnell Ranges. The spectacular West MacDonnell National Park is home to many amazing natural attractions, such as Simpsons Gap, Standley Chasm, Ellery Creek Big Hole and Ormiston Gorge and Pound. The renowned Larapinta Trail runs 223 kilometres through the West MacDonnells and is one of the world’s great walks. To pioneering Aboriginal artist Albert Namatjira, the West MacDonnells were his inspiration with their dramatic landscapes and ever changing hues.

Highlights of the East MacDonnell Ranges are Emily and Jessie Gaps, Trephina Gorge, Ndahla Gorge, Ruby Gap and Arltunga Historic Reserve. Arltunga was an important gold and gem prospecting area and for a while was the most important settlement in Central Australia. Now only a few restored stone buildings remain.

Hermannsburg (an historic Aboriginal settlement, and the birthplace of artist Albert Namatjira) and Palm Valley (Finke Gorge National Park) are an easy drive from Alice Springs.

Those looking to go further off the beaten track can explore the Simpson or Tanami Deserts, fossick for gems at Gemtree or Ruby Gap, or visit remote communities like Santa Teresa and Titjikala, where tours offer a chance to experience Aboriginal culture and watch artists at work.

A visit to the iconic Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, home of the monolith Uluru / Ayers Rock, situated 461 kilometres south west of Alice Springs on the traditional lands of the Anangu Aboriginal people, is an unforgettable experience.

Alice Springs is a diverse and vibrant outback town. Situated on the banks of the Todd River (which only occasionally runs with water) ‘Alice’ is famous for its colourful characters and relaxed atmosphere. Travellers can enjoy the view from Anzac Hill, browse the Araluen Cultural Precinct, learn about the hardships of the pioneers at the Alice Springs Telegraph Station or the Royal Flying Doctor Service, meet rare and endangered wildlife at Alice Springs Desert Park or tee-off on one of the best desert golf courses in the world.

A range of quirky events also provide entertainment - cheer at the Imparja Camel Cup, see the hilarious ASSA ABLOY Henley-on-Todd (a ‘boat’ race on the dry Todd River), or road test one of 3,000 beanies at the Alice Springs Beanie Festival. Alice Springs is a great base from which to explore the surrounding region, with attractions such as the East and West MacDonnell Ranges, the Larapinta Trail, Finke Gorge National Park, Hermannsburg (birthplace of Albert Namatjira), the Simpson and Tanami Deserts and more within easy reach.

Arnhem Land is made up of 91,000 square kilometres of unspoiled wilderness bordered by Kakadu National Park, the Arafura Sea and the Gulf of Carpentaria. Travellers wishing to visit Arnhem Land must obtain a permit in advance from the Northern Land Council. Alternatively, many organised tours visit the region, and in these cases a permit is usually organised by the tour operator.

Arnhem Land is rich in culture and features a diverse landscape characterised by wild coastlines, towering escarpments, savannah woodlands and wetlands teeming with wildlife. The park protects wetlands of international importance and provides a habitat for abundant wildlife, including crocodiles, dugongs, nesting turtles and migratory birds. Townships within Arnhem Land include Maningrida and Nhulunbuy and the (ruins) of the Victoria Settlement on the Cobourg Peninsula.

Arnhem Land is made up of 91,000 square kilometres of unspoiled wilderness bordered by Kakadu National Park, the Arafura Sea and the Gulf of Carpentaria. Travellers wishing to visit Arnhem Land must obtain a permit in advance from the Northern Land Council. Alternatively, many organised tours visit the region, and in these cases a permit is usually organised by the tour operator. Arnhem Land is rich in culture and features a diverse landscape characterised by wild coastlines, towering escarpments, savannah woodlands and wetlands teeming with wildlife. The park protects wetlands of international importance and provides a habitat for abundant wildlife, including crocodiles, dugongs, nesting turtles and migratory birds.

The town of Maningrida, on the north coast of Arnhem Land, is famous for its indigenous art. Gunbalanya, one of the first stops east of Kakadu National Park, is an Aboriginal community where indigenous artists gather at the Injalak Art and Craft Centre. An open day is held in Gunbalanya usually during July, when travellers can visit freely and enjoy the cultural activities without a permit.

The town of Nhulunbuy is located on the Gove Peninsula, approximately 600 kilometres east of Darwin. It is a major service centre, providing accommodation and supplies, and offers spectacular beaches and great fishing.

There are many areas of historic significance including the ruins of an early European colony at Victoria Settlement in Garig Gunak Barlu National Park on the secluded Coburg Peninsula and the Black Point Cultural Centre which displays Aboriginal, Macassan and European histories of the area.

The Barkly Tablelands run northeast of Tennant Creek and are an enormous expanse of golden Mitchell grasslands divided into vast cattle stations. This land of big skies and far horizons gives a true sense of the outback. The Barkly is known for the epic cattle drives of yesteryear that passed through the area en route to Queensland.

Today the stock route is the Overlander’s Way (Barkly Highway) and is plied by mighty road trains and visitors alike. Standing alone in this ocean of Mitchell grass is the wayside inn of Barkly Homestead on the junction of the Barkly and Tablelands Highway. It provides a welcome respite on the long drive to or from Queensland.

Barrow Creek is situated 283 kilometres north of Alice Springs on the Stuart Highway. Set against the backdrop of the Forster Ranges, Barrow Creek’s proximity to a freshwater spring made it one of the outback’s more pleasant stops for pioneers. Many travellers stop at Barrow Creek to visit the Telegraph Station completed here in 1872.

The Barrow Creek Hotel has real outback character and contains an interesting collection of memorabilia gathered over the years. The hotel also provides basic accommodation, fuel, meals and refreshments.

Located 90 kilometres south-east of Katherine, Barunga is well known for its annual indigenous cultural and sporting festival which is usually held over the Queen's Birthday long weekend in June. Aboriginal people from all parts of the Northern Territory gather in Barunga for four days of cultural activities, dancing, arts and crafts and sporting events. Travellers can camp in the community during the festival and participate in the celebration of Aboriginal life, interacting with residents who will share their stories and culture.

Batchelor is best known as the gateway to Litchfield National Park. Located 98 kilometres south of Darwin, just off the Stuart Highway (Explorer’s Way) and with a population of 358, Batchelor is an excellent base from which to explore Litchfield. Tourism became Batchelor’s key industry when Litchfield was declared a National Park in 1986.

The town is also home to a residential tertiary college, catering specifically to Aboriginal students. While in Batchelor, drop into the Coomalie Cultural Centre. The centre conducts artist’s residencies, exhibitions and cultural projects and operates a retail outlet of art and craft. A bush tucker garden and a mural surround the centre.

The town was named after the South Australian Labour politician Egerton Lee Batchelor (1865-1911) who became Minister for the Northern Territory in 1911. Batchelor grew slowly, with brief spurts of mining and agricultural activity until World War II when it was turned into an Allied Air Force base. An extension to the 1930s airstrip occurred in 1941 to accommodate the large US B-17 flying fortress aircraft, which operated here following the bombing of Pearl Harbour.

In the 1950s a prospector named Jack White discovered uranium deposits at nearby Rum Jungle. The town grew as mining began in 1951, the mine was closed in 1963 with the treatment plant closing down in 1971. Legend has it that Rum Jungle earned its name after a rather raucous incident in 1871 when a bullock-wagon loaded with rum became bogged near jungle in the East Finniss River area causing the bullockies to settle in for one of the most notorious binges in Northern Territory history.

Bathurst and Melville Islands located approximately 80 kilometres north of Darwin in the Arafura Sea, make up the Tiwi Islands. Collectively the Aboriginal population call themselves the Tiwi people. Nguiu is the largest of several Aboriginal communities on Bathurst Island. While there is basic infrastructure and food stores in the community, traditional customs such as hunting from the land and the sea for traditional foods is still an important part of Tiwi life.

Visitors need a permit to visit the Tiwi Islands and must go on an organised tour or fishing charter. The only exception is during March when the annual football grand final (which is accompanied by an art sale), is held in Nguiu. Visitors from all over the country flock to Bathurst Island for this sporting event.

Bathurst Island was first sighted by Europeans in 1644, when Abel Tasman passed on his way from Batavia. In 1911 a church minister, Father Gsell, persuaded the South Australian government to give him 10,000 acres of land on Bathurst Island to build a mission for the Tiwi people. Today Tiwi customs have intermixed with the catholic doctrines, producing an amalgam of Aboriginal and catholic signs, symbols and text. Not to be missed is the beautifully preserved wooden church built in the 1930s. No visit to Bathurst Island would be complete without a tour of its arts and craft galleries. The Tiwi people’s distinctive style is popular with collectors’ world-wide, who snap up bark paintings, textiles, pottery and wood carvings.

Visitors to Berry Springs will find a general store, petrol station and camping and caravan facilities. The small settlement is mostly visited by people wanting to explore the Territory Wildlife Park and Berry Springs Nature Reserve. Located an hours drive south of Darwin, the reserve protects a large part of the Berry Creek catchment. Berry Creek begins as a series of springs, forming a small creek which flows into Darwin Harbour through a mangrove lined estuary.

Visitors to Berry Springs can enjoy a refreshing swim in the springs and lunch in the nearby picnic ground. If you swim with goggles you can see many native fish and other aquatic life that live in the clear pools. Nearby, the world acclaimed Territory Wildlife Park, located on 800 hectares of natural bushland, showcases the wildlife of northern Australia which visitors can experience up close and in their natural habitat.

Borroloola is a remote fishing community on the McArthur River in the Gulf of Carpentaria. This historic town is considered the gateway to the Gulf region and is famed for its excellent fishing. Borroloola can be accessed via the Carpentaria Highway from Daly Waters in the Northern Territory or on the road through Garawa Aboriginal Land Trust from Queensland.

Once a frontier town, Borroloola is now the capital of the Gulf region. Today, the town is still a bit wild and unruly at times, but the people are friendly and easy going. Fishing and camping remain a way of life for locals and travellers chasing barramundi. King Ash Bay, a great fishing spot 50 kilometres from Borroloola, also attracts thousands of visitors each year. The Sir Edward Pellew Group of Islands provides good reef fishing where red emperor, coral trout and parrot fish can be caught.

The settlement has two main fishing event every year, the King Ash Bay Fishing Festival which is held the first week of May each year and the Borroloola Barra Classic, held on the Easter Sunday, both events are held in King Ash Bay.

Cape Crawford is a remote stop, home of the famous Heartbreak Hotel, at the junction of the Carpentaria and Tablelands Highway. Despite the first part of its name, Cape Crawford is situated approximately 120 kilometres from the ocean and is so named because it is situated at the northern extremity or ‘cape’ of the Abner Ranges, which were first ‘discovered’ by drover Lindsay Crawford in 1880.

The Abner Ranges are home to an impressive formation known as the Lost City. The Lost City covers an area of about eight square kilometres and is dotted with towering sandstone formations. These natural pillars remind many observers of skyscrapers, and are well worth a visit. Helicopter flights which land in the Lost City give access to four wheel drive tours through the sandstone formations.

The Cobourg Peninsula is home to some of the best reef and tropical sports fishing locations in the world. Situated on the western tip of Arnhem Land, Garig Gunak Barlu National Park encompasses most of this remote peninsula, which features sandy beaches, coastal grasslands, mangroves, rainforest patches, swamps, lagoons, coral reefs and seas grass meadows. To reach the Cobourg Peninsula by sea it takes approximately two sailing days (150 nautical miles) from Darwin. If travelling by road allow two or three days in a four-wheel drive (road access is only possible from May to October and is via Kakadu National Park). A permit from the Northern Land Council is essential for all travellers. Tours can be organised where the operator organises a permit and transport.

There are many areas of historic significance including the ruins of an early European colony at Victoria Settlement in Garig Gunak Barlu National Park on the secluded Coburg Peninsula. However many who come to Cobourg Peninsula have just one thing on their minds – fishing. The quality of fishing is world-class, and Cobourg Peninsula has plenty of mangrove-lined creeks and billabongs jumping with barramundi, mangrove jack and other sportfish. The ocean teems with barracuda, queen fish, trevally, coral trout and jewfish. Protected sea life including turtles, crocodiles, dugongs and dolphins can also be seen in the area.

The township of Cooinda is located in the World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park, on the banks of the Yellow Water Billabong, recognised as one of the most spectacular wetlands in the world. Cooinda is home to the Warradjan Cultural Centre where visitors can gain an insight into the culture of the local Aboriginal people.

Cooinda is the main access point for the Yellow Water Cruise which travels along Jim Jim Creek and the South Alligator River. Sunrise and sunset are the best times for bird and wildlife spotting. The Yellow Water Cruise is a favourite among bird watchers with sightings of kingfishers, honeyeaters, darters, jacanas, sea eagles, jabirus and many other interesting species. Gagudju Lodge Cooinda offers lodge accommodation, campsites, a grocery outlet, fuel, a souvenir shop, restaurant and large swimming pool.

Croker Island is approximately one hour via light plane from Darwin and located at the meeting place of the Arafura Sea and the Timor Sea. The traditional owners are the Yammirr people and a permit from the Northern Land Council is required for all visitors to the island. Many Aboriginal people acknowledge Croker Island as the birthplace of the Rainbow Serpent – one of the most important spiritual beings in tales of the Dreamtime.

The island landscape is flat and covered with tropical rainforest, fringed by sandy beaches and coral reef. Birds including the brolga and jabiru are abundant and fishing is a popular drawcard with anglers bringing in a range of fish such as trevally, queenfish, Spanish mackerel and mangrove jack. There is one general store on Croker Island and supplies are flown in once a week from Darwin.

Easily accessed from Darwin, this area is a popular destination for fisherman and easy weekend trips. The Daly River settlement, or the ‘Daly’ as locals fondly refer to it, has a population of around 560 and is located 110 kilometres west off the Stuart Highway. The Daly River crossing was traditionally a meeting place for the local Aboriginal people to trade and hold ceremonies. By the end of the 1800s, European farmers, missionaries, miners and pastoralists had arrived. The Merrepen Art Centre holds an Aboriginal arts and cultural festival every May or June. The festival includes art sales and an auction, traditional music and dance, bush tucker displays, and a sporting carnival.

The Daly River itself is a picturesque tidal river, home to both freshwater and saltwater crocodiles, and a plentiful source of barramundi. The Daly holds two major fishing competitions annually, the 'Barra Classic' and the 'Barra Nationals'.

Bamboo Creek and Horseshoe Billabong are gorgeous spots to picnic and enjoy the company of rare birds and wallabies. Accommodation catering to all budgets is available at the Daly River Pub, the Banyan Farm Tourist Park, Daly River Highway Inn and the historical Daly River Mango Farm. A three kilometre walk around the farm takes in various billabongs and the ruins of a Jesuit mission built in the 1800s.

Daly Waters is located 274 kilometres south of Katherine near the junction of the Stuart and Carpentaria Highways. Despite the tiny population of the settlement, the Daly Waters’ Pub is one of the Territory’s most famous watering holes. One of the oldest buildings in the Northern Territory, the pub is a quirky place clad in corrugated iron and crammed with decades of memorabilia. The annual Daly Waters rodeo is an institution not to be missed.

Daly Waters also has a rich and interesting aviation history, being the centre for the London to Sydney air race of 1926, a World War II air force base and a refuelling stop for Qantas. The Daly Waters hangar exhibits interesting facts, photographs and equipment from the area’s former aviation glory days.

The Jingili people, the traditional Aboriginal owners of the area, believe the Dreaming tracks of the Emu and the Sun travelled through here on their way to the southern parts of the Northern Territory. In 1862, after two unsuccessful attempts to cross the continent, early explorer John McDougall Stuart finally discovered water in this region. He blazed an ‘S’ in a nearby tree to signify his important find.

Darwin, the Northern Territory’s vibrant capital, is a city with influences that are as much Asian as they are western. A city with dozens of nationalities sharing an easy-going lifestyle, Darwin is located on a peninsular with the sea on three sides. It is a place unvisited by winter where the weather can usually be described as either balmy or sultry. Darwin is well appointed, possessing most of the amenities expected of a much larger city. Watching sunsets and storms are something of a local pastime, and after a cleansing rain shower you can almost hear things growing.

Try a delicious jackfruit curry, sip a fresh mango smoothie or sample some crocodile jerky at one of Darwin’s weekend markets. Regular markets are located throughout the city, but the Mindil Beach Sunset Markets are perhaps the best known. Operating every Thursday and Sunday evening between May and October, there are music and dance performances, art and craft stalls, and an eclectic mix of international dishes. Local restaurants also offer delicious cuisine – sit back and enjoy local favourites, like succulent mud crabs or barramundi. A great way to experience Darwin Harbour is to board a sunset cruise and drift by the scenic foreshore.

There are many attractions within easy reach. Browse the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory. Hand-feed huge milkfish and even barramundi at Aquascene in Doctors Gully, see hundreds of crocodiles at Crocodylus Park, or stroll along the historic city walk to see many of Darwin’s historically significant sites. Darwin is a great base from which to explore the surrounding region and the World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park, which is located 250 kilometres from Darwin.

The tropical Top End is dramatic, vibrant and friendly, and offers a range of experiences. Darwin, the Northern Territory’s cosmopolitan capital, is a great place to begin exploring. The city offers a range of accommodation and facilities, and is a popular holiday destination, thanks to its relaxed charm and proximity to the region’s iconic natural wonders.

An hour south of Darwin is Berry Springs Nature Park, a swimming and recreational area and the popular Territory Wildlife Park is just next door. Operating on the nearby Adelaide River, regular jumping crocodile cruises provide the chance to see saltwater crocodiles propel themselves from the water. Further south along the Stuart Highway is Litchfield National Park, a great place to cool off beneath cascading waterfalls and view attractions such as unique magnetic termite mounds, monsoonal rainforests and tumbling rocky waterholes. World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park is 250 kilometres from Darwin on the Arnhem Highway.

To the north of Darwin are the Tiwi Islands where visitors can share in the culture of the Tiwi people. Take an organised tour and purchase some local art and crafts, chat with some of the local Tiwi ladies over a pot of billy tea, or fish the clear waters surrounding the islands.

Fishing is a popular Northern Territory pastime, with Darwin and Bynoe Harbours offering excellent fishing. The Daly River, the Mary River wetlands and the Victoria River are among the fishing hot spots while Dundee Beach and Mandorah Beach boast stretches of sandy coastline.

Darwin, the Northern Territory’s vibrant capital, is a city with influences that are as much Asian as they are western. A city with dozens of nationalities sharing an easy-going lifestyle, Darwin is located on a peninsular with the sea on three sides. It is a place unvisited by winter where the weather can usually be described as either balmy or sultry. Darwin is well appointed, possessing most of the amenities expected of a much larger city. Watching sunsets and storms are something of a local pastime, and after a cleansing rain shower you can almost hear things growing.

An hour south of Darwin is Berry Springs Nature Park, a swimming and recreational area and the popular Territory Wildlife Park is just next door. Operating on the nearby Adelaide River, regular jumping crocodile cruises provide the chance to see saltwater crocodiles propel themselves from the water. Further south along the Stuart Highway is Litchfield National Park, a great place to cool off beneath cascading waterfalls and view attractions such as unique magnetic termite mounds, monsoonal rainforests and tumbling rocky waterholes.

To the north of Darwin are the Tiwi Islands where visitors can share in the culture of the Tiwi people. Take an organised tour and purchase some local art and crafts, chat with some of the local Tiwi ladies over a pot of billy tea, or fish the clear waters surrounding the islands.

Dundee Beach is a relaxed coastal town and popular fishing spot 120 kilometres south-west of Darwin. Situated on the shores of Fog Bay, this tiny settlement is a popular weekend destination for Darwin locals, where many own a ‘beach shack’.

Fishing is popular at the nearby Perron Islands, Point Blaze, Finniss River and Bynoe Harbour. Hang out at the popular Dundee Beach Trailer Boat Club that holds monthly barbecues and theme nights. Cooking facilities are available, as are campsites and showers for club members.

Located 300 kilometres south of Katherine, Dunmarra is a small settlement on the historical Overland Telegraph Line. Today, the town is little more than a roadhouse providing fuel, motel accommodation, a caravan park and other services to travellers. An interesting story is associated with the area’s name, Overland Telegraph linesman, Dan O’Mara, disappeared in the region in the early 1900s.

Drover Noel Healy established a cattle station here in the 1930s and discovered O’Mara’s skeleton in the bush. The name Dunmarra was arrived at as a result of the local Aboriginal people’s inability to pronounce O’Mara’s name. A monument to the Overland Telegraph Line stands beside the Stuart Highway south of Dunmarra, dedicated to Sir Charles Todd, Postmaster, General of the Province of South Australia, 1872.

The East MacDonnell Ranges are a hidden treasure. Stretching 100 kilometres east of Alice Springs, the East MacDonnell Ranges provide beautiful scenery for bush walking, camping and four-wheel driving. To the local Eastern Arrernte people, this area is the Dreamtime birthplace of the mountain range. Places like Emily and Jessie Gap, Corroboree Rock and N’Dhala Gorge are of great cultural significance to the Arrernte people. The beauty of these sites, and others such as Trephina Gorge, makes a trip to the East MacDonnells unforgettable. You can base your exploration from Ross River Resort on the eastern end of the ranges. Both cabin and camping facilities are available along with bar and restaurant services.

Late last century the Ranges were the site of Australia’s most remote, but short lived gold rush at what is now Arltunga Historical Reserve. Here there is a ghost town to explore, complete with the remains of mining camps and old mines. Camping is available at Arltunga Bush Pub. The first mining rush actually took place at what is now Ruby Gap Nature Park. As the once hopeful prospectors quickly discovered, they were only garnets, but the scenery is priceless. Try your luck fossicking for your own gems with a tour from the oasis in semi desert mulga country, Gemtree. Equipment is included and experienced guides show you how and where to find the gems, cabin accommodation is available at Gemtree Caravan Park.

Elliott, the halfway point between Darwin and Alice Springs, 250 kilometres north of Tennant Creek, is predominantly a service provider to surrounding pastoralists. The town has a population of 700 and was named after Army Lieutenant Snow Elliott who established an army staging camp in the area for northbound troops during World War II. Prior to this, Elliott was just ‘Number 8 Bore’ on the massive Newcastle Waters Station. Kulumindini is the traditional Aboriginal name for Elliott and the town lies on important Dreaming tracks. Fuel and supplies as well as basic accommodation are available here.

Finke Gorge National Park, 140 kilometres west of Alice Springs, covers an area of 46,000 hectares, and includes the striking desert oasis Palm Valley, home to a diverse range of plant species, many of which are rare and unique to the area. The Red Cabbage Palm is found only in Palm Valley. The Finke River is claimed to be one of the oldest in the world, with areas dating back 350 million years. The park and nearby areas hold cultural significance to the western Arrernte Aboriginal people and there is also evidence of early European settlement.

A popular four-wheel-drive route down the Finke River to Illamurta Springs and Watarrka National Park begins at Finke Gorge. Bush walking is another popular activity. Kalaranga lookout is an easy 20 minute climb, with spectacular views of the rock amphitheatre encircled by rugged cliffs. The Mpaara Walk introduces the mythology of the Western Arrernte Aboriginal culture. In Palm Valley, the Arankaia Walk and the longer Mpulungkinya Walk meander among lush, slender palms, returning across a scenic plateau.

The North and South Goulburn Islands are located in Auray Bay off the northern Arnhem Land coast. The islands are Aboriginal-owned and permits from the Northern Land Council are essential for all visitors. The Goulburn Islands are not set up for tourism, but intrepid sailors and fishermen may occasionally find themselves on their shores.

The Warruwi people are the traditional owners of the Goulburn Islands and the main language, Mawng, is spoken by about 750 people. Warruwi community is located on the southern tip of the south island and is a dry community (no alcohol). Fishing is the main pastime of local people, who are allowed to hunt the turtles and dugong prevalent in the area. The lifestyle is slow and relaxing and the climate is slightly cooler than Darwin.

Groote Eylandt means ‘big island’ in Dutch, and is indeed the largest island in the Gulf of Carpentaria. The Dutch were the first Europeans to record the existence of the island, located 630 kilometres by air from Darwin off the east coast of Arnhem Land. Ownership today has been returned to the Anindilyakwa people. To visit it is mandatory to obtain a permit by contacting the Anindilyakwa Land Council.

The Groote Eylandt landscape is typical of the Top End, light woodland savannah country fringed by mangroves on the coast. Alyangula is the main town with a population of 670 and most residents are non-Aboriginal miners, with manganese being mined since 1966. Groote Eylandt is a fantastic spot for fishing, while facilities for visitors are limited, safaris can be organised for anglers and accommodation is available at the Dugong Beach Resort.

The remote Gulf area stretches east of Katherine to the Queensland border and meets the Gulf of Carpentaria, a shallow sea between Australia and Papua New Guinea. The area, home to four main indigenous language groups, includes many large Australian cattle stations. The Gulf is one of Australia’s most exciting fishing destinations.

On the Northern Territory side of the Gulf, Roper Bar is the natural rock crossing separating the saltwater and freshwater sections of the Roper River. The township of Borroloola, located 600 kilometres south of Roper Bar on the McArthur River (both of which are renowned fishing hot spots), is the Gulf area’s main service centre. A range of services and a taste of Northern Territory hospitality can be found in this friendly town. King Ash Bay is a popular fishing spot 50 kilometres from Borroloola. Cape Crawford, 100 kilometres south west of Borroloola, is another major base from which to explore the Gulf area. Surrounded by golden grasslands, rock escarpments, waterfalls and waterholes, Cape Crawford is within easy reach of Limmen National Park (Proposed). The area is home to a magnificent array of native wildlife. Another must-see destination is Barranyi (North Island) National Park, located in the Sir Edward Pellew Group of Islands. A haven for wildlife, the park provides a home to nesting turtles and migratory birds. Access to the islands is limited, and you must contact Parks and Wildlife NT before making the journey.

The Savannah Way, an adventure tourism drive along the Carpentaria Highway, is a great option for exploring this unique region.

Gunbalanya / Oenpelli is an Aboriginal community on the eastern border of World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park at the base of the Arnhem Land escarpment. Being part of Arnhem Land, travellers wanting to visit Gunbalanya / Oenpelli require a permit before visiting. Permits can be obtained from the Injalak Art and Craft Centre. An open day is held annually in August or September, when travellers can visit freely and enjoy cultural activities without a permit.

Gunbalanya is the Aboriginal name for the Oenpelli settlement (which was originally a mission). The area includes the flood plains of the East Alligator River that are covered by water from December to April and a rocky sandstone plateau rising up to 200 metres above the plains. Local artists work is displayed in the Injalak Art and Craft Centre. Walking tours are also available around Injalak Hill, a site rich in ancient Aboriginal rock art paintings.

Originally a German Lutheran mission in the 1880s, Hermannsburg retains some historic buildings including a stone church and schoolhouse giving it an unusual character. It is located on Larapinta Drive, 130 kilometres south west of Alice Springs near the entrance to Finke National Park and Palm Valley.

Hermannsburg is also known as the home of famous Aboriginal painter Albert Namatjira who captured the light and colour of the area so well. If continuing west towards Kings Canyon, Hermannsburg is the last fuel stop and outlet to purchase a Mereenie Loop Pass.

Howard Springs is a rural area on the outskirts of Darwin that features mango farms and picturesque rustic surrounds. Howard Springs Nature Park is a great place to enjoy natural springs, view long necked turtles and feed the huge barramundi that live there. There is a 1.8 kilometre walking track with signs explaining some of the different vegetation and animals along the way. Another short track meanders through dense rainforest to the springs which feed the main pool.

Humpty Doo, one of the oldest areas of Darwin, is located in the rural area, approximately 40 kilometres from the centre of town. Often remembered for the failed attempt to grow rice in the district in the 1950s, the settlement now acts as a service centre for the rural district with many large properties and farms in the area.

Those looking for a tee-off will enjoy Humpty Doo’s 9 hole golf course, set amid picturesque rural surrounds. Humpty Doo has a supermarket, newsagency, bakery, tavern and doctors. The post office and service station are located further up the Arnhem Highway heading towards Kakadu.

Nestled near the spectacular Arnhem Land Escarpment in World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park, Jabiru was established as a mining town in the 1970s. It is the only Australian town set inside a national park, and is now the main service area for Kakadu, offering a range of accommodation and facilities.

The town supports about 1,100 residents with the Mirrar people the traditional Aboriginal owners of the Jabiru area. The people of Jabiru take pride in their unique town and enjoy a relaxed lifestyle with fishing, camping, bush walking and bird watching favourite pastimes. It has an Olympic size swimming pool, tennis courts and a challenging 9 hole golf course.

World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park is a place of rugged escarpments, lush wetlands and cascading waterfalls covering over 19,000 square kilometres. Kakadu is Australia’s largest national park and can be entered from Darwin on the Arnhem Highway or via Pine Creek on the Kakadu Highway. Entry fees now apply to enter Kakadu National Park.

The flora and fauna in Kakadu National Park is diverse. Pockets of monsoon rainforest, paperbark forests and wetlands are a haven for Kakadu’s amazing wildlife including crocodiles, barramundi, and birdlife. Around 1,000 different plant species, a quarter of all Australian freshwater fish species and over one-third of Australian bird species can be found in the park.

Kakadu National Park is managed jointly by Parks Australia, an Australian government body, and the park’s traditional Aboriginal owners. A number of Aboriginal clans still reside within the park. Kakadu is home to one of the largest concentrations of Aboriginal rock art in the world with galleries at sites like Ubirr and Burrungui / Nourlangie Rock. Other spectacular landmarks include Jim Jim Falls, Twin Falls, Maguk, Jarrangbarnmi / Koolpin Gorge and Gunlom. Kakadu National Park also contains many established walking tracks and camp grounds.

At the centre of the park is the small mining township of Jabiru, which offers a range of services and accommodation. Another settlement, Cooinda, also offers accommodation, and is located on the banks of Yellow Water, a billabong teeming with migratory birds, saltwater crocodiles and other wildlife. Cruises on Yellow Water depart daily. A visit to Kakadu is best started at the Bowali Visitors Centre near Jabiru or the Warradjan Cultural Centre near Cooinda.

Katherine is the third-largest town in the Northern Territory, with a population of around 8,000 and is located 300 kilometres south of Darwin. The town was named by the explorer John McDouall Stuart, after Catherine, the daughter of his benefactor. The region is home to the Jawoyn Aboriginal people. Katherine is often described as a place where ‘the outback meets the tropics’ and is well equipped with a range of accommodation and facilities.

Travellers visiting Katherine may like to browse the Katherine Railway Museum, view the fine collection of Aboriginal art at Katherine Art Gallery, relax in the Katherine Hot Springs or gain an insight into the workings of a cattle station with a visit to the historic Springvale Homestead, built in 1878.

While its star attraction is undoubtedly the famous Nitmiluk National Park (Katherine Gorge), Katherine and its surrounds include great fishing, hidden natural wonders and a rich indigenous and pioneering history. The region stretches from the Gulf of Carpentaria to the West Australian border. Around 300 kilometres south of Darwin, Katherine is set on the banks of the Katherine River. This unique outback town of around 8,000 people is the region's major service centre.

Katherine offers a wide range of accommodation, facilities and attractions, including museums, art galleries, character-filled pubs and historic sites. Other attractions within easy reach of the town include the Cutta Cutta Caves Nature Park, the Katherine Hot Springs and Leliyn / Edith Falls. Ninety kilometres north of Katherine is the gold rush town of Pine Creek, a treasure trove of heritage bush buildings and mining sites.

Nitmiluk National Park (Katherine Gorge) covers an awesome 3,000 kilometres of magnificent escarpment country. Nitmiluk means 'cicada place' to the local Aboriginal people. The Katherine River flows through 13 separate gorges that carve their way through the Arnhem Plateau. You can canoe, cruise and swim between sheer cliffs to the sandy freshwater beaches of the main gorges and view ancient Aboriginal rock paintings high on the rock faces. Waterfalls and rock pools are found along over 100 kilometres of walking tracks, beginning at the park's visitor centre.

An hour south-east of Katherine is Mataranka, where the famous Mataranka Thermal Pool is found. Travellers can enjoy a refreshing dip in the pools, which are surrounded by the rainforests of Elsey National Park. The Katherine region also offers excellent fishing. The Daly River area is a fishing hot spot, as is the Victoria River area, which includes the Gregory Nation Park and Keep River National Park. Nearby, the small historic towns of Pine Creek and Timber Creek are well worth a visit. The remote Gulf region also offers a fishing challenge. Anglers can base themselves at Borroloola and fish the McArthur River. Cape Crawford is also popular with anglers attracted by plentiful supplies of barramundi.

While its star attraction is undoubtedly the famous Nitmiluk National Park (Katherine Gorge), Katherine and its surrounds include great fishing, hidden natural wonders and a rich indigenous and pioneering history. The region stretches from the Gulf of Carpentaria to the West Australian border. Around 300 kilometres south of Darwin, Katherine is set on the banks of the Katherine River. This unique outback town of around 8,000 people is the region’s major service centre.

Katherine offers a wide range of accommodation, facilities and attractions, including museums, art galleries, character-filled pubs and historic sites. Other attractions within easy reach of the town include the Cutta Cutta Caves Nature Park, the Katherine Hot Springs and Leliyn / Edith Falls.

Nitmiluk National Park (Katherine Gorge) covers an awesome 3,000 kilometres of magnificent escarpment country. Nitmiluk means ‘cicada place’ to the local Aboriginal people. The Katherine River flows through 13 separate gorges that carve their way through the Arnhem Plateau. You can canoe, cruise and swim between sheer cliffs to the sandy freshwater beaches of the main gorges, and view ancient Aboriginal rock paintings high on the rock faces. Waterfalls and rock pools are found along over 100 kilometres of walking tracks, beginning at the park’s visitor centre.

An hour south-east of Katherine is Mataranka, where the famous Mataranka Thermal Pool is found. Travellers can enjoy a refreshing dip in the pools, which are surrounded by the rainforests of Elsey National Park. The small historic town of Pine Creek is also well worth a visit.

King Ash Bay is located around 50 kilometres past Borroloola on the McArthur River and is a popular fishing spot all year round. The King Ash Bay Boat and Fishing Club is a primary destination for visiting anglers and hosts the annual King Ash Bay Fishing Festival and the King Ash Bay Easter Barra Classic, fishing competitions that attracts competitors from all over Australia.

There's also a service station, mini-mart, houseboats, accommodation and fishing tours available. The clubhouse is open nightly and serves counter meals at the Groper Bar from 6pm to 8pm.

Kings Canyon, Watarrka National Park, is located 450 kilometres south west of Alice Springs in the Uluru-Kata Tjuta region of the Northern Territory. The Park encompasses the western end of the George Gill Range and is home to a variety of unique native flora and fauna, including over 600 different plant species. Commercial accommodation can be found within the Park at the Kings Canyon Resort and Kings Creek Station.

The area has also been home to Luritja Aboriginal people for the last 20,000 years. The word Watarrka refers to the umbrella bush that proliferates in this amazing landscape. Combined with an eerie collection of weathered rock formations known as the Lost City and a permanent waterhole veiled by palms and ferns known as the Garden of Eden, a visit to the incredible Kings Canyon is full of surprises. Kings Canyon has several accommodation options from campsites to luxury hotel units as well as a restaurant, cafe, bar, souvenir shop and fuel.

The ‘Canyon Rim Walk’ requires a reasonable level of fitness as the initial ascent to the top can be demanding. The walk is approximately six kilometres so allow at least three hours, wear sturdy footwear, appropriate clothing and carry at least one litre of water per person.

The canyon can also be viewed via scenic helicopter flight out of the resort or Kings Creek Station.

The historic township of Larrimah, 250 kilometres south of Katherine, is a pleasant stop along the Stuart Highway. Its traditional owners are the Yangman Aboriginal people, whose descendants live today in the nearby community of Wubuluwan and in other communities around the region. The Yangman people believe Dreaming tracks of the Storm Bird (a channel bill cuckoo) helped create the surrounding landscape. John McDouall Stuart explored this area in the early 1860s but the township of Larrimah didn’t spring up until 1940, when Gorrie Airfield was constructed to service the war effort.

Larrimah means ‘meeting place’ in the Yangman language and the town enjoyed a brief post war boom as a railhead and service provider to surrounding cattle stations. Visitors to Larrimah should stop in at the local hotel that was built using materials from the dismantled Birdum Hotel. It houses the highest bar in the Northern Territory, and is immediately recognisable thanks to the Pink Panther sitting outside. Budget hotel rooms, caravan sites and camping sites, meals and beverages are available. For traditional country fare, drop in to Fran’s Devonshire Teahouse after exploring the Old Police Station Museum.

Litchfield National Park covers an area of around 1,500 square kilometres and is an easy two hour journey from Darwin. This unspoiled wilderness boasts monsoon rainforests, cascading waterfalls, diverse flora and fauna and impressive natural formations. Travellers can cool off with a swim in the plunge pool below Florence Falls, wade through a series of rocky pools at Buley Rockhole, view magnetic termite mounds, visit Wangi Falls and Tolmer Falls, or explore the sandstone towers of the Lost City.

Litchfield National Park's closest service point is Batchelor, which offers a range of accommodation and facilities. Admire Batchelor's miniature replica of Karlstein Castle.

Mandorah is a tiny settlement on the western side of Darwin Harbour and the pleasant 20-minute ferry ride from Cullen Bay provides a different view of the Harbour. Once at Mandorah, many day-trippers head straight for the local pub to enjoy its views over the water to Darwin, barra and chips, and laid-back character. Fishing at the ferry jetty is a popular pastime, especially during the dry season, when mackerel and tuna come within casting distance.

The Maningrida community lies on the north coast of Arnhem Land and is best known as a pristine fishing destination. Travellers need a permit from the Northern Land Council to visit. Maningrida’s waterways are teeming with species such as barramundi, salmon, mangrove jack, golden snapper, Spanish mackerel, trevally and coral trout.

Visitors can also learn about Aboriginal art and culture at the Maningrida Arts and Culture, which features traditional and contemporary art, bark paintings, sculptures, fibre craft, prints and items of material culture. Conical woven fish traps made by the local men and women are unique to the area and a popular collector’s item.

The calm waters of the Mary River are best enjoyed on a fishing trip or nature cruise. The Mary River area, between Darwin and Kakadu on the Arnhem Highway, is an angler's paradise, literally jumping with barramundi and other tropical estuarine species. Wildlife spotting cruises are another ideal way to explore the area. Diverse fauna such as crocodiles, buffalo, wild horses and migratory birds are frequently seen.

Travellers come to view magpie geese, brolgas, white-bellied sea eagles, red-tailed black cockatoos, rufous owls and more. Accommodation options in the area range from airconditioned cabins to caravan parks and campsites. Corroboree Park Tavern and the Bark Hut Inn are found along the Arnhem Highway, with Point Stuart Wilderness Lodge located through Mary River National Park. Mary River House Boats offer a unique accommodation option available for hire. Four-wheel drive enthusiasts will enjoy the floodplains, paperbark forests and monsoon rainforests found on the Hardies and Wildman four-wheel drive tracks.

The Mary River area encompasses the Mary River National Park and Djukbinj National Park on the Arnhem Highway between Darwin and Kakadu National Park. Explorer John McDouall Stuart explored this area in the early 1860s and signed his name on a tree at the mouth of Mary River. Today, a memorial marks the site of the tree. Both the AdelaideRiver and Mary River are best known for their large populations of saltwater crocodiles, the undisputed stars of popular boat cruises that operate in the area. The area is also a popular fishing destination and offers some of the best barramundi fishing in the Northern Territory.

The Mary River wetlands are part of a network of northern coastal wetlands that link eight major rivers in the Top End. This network is rare, fragile and ecologically important and some areas have been listed as of international importance. The Limilngan Wulna ‘freshwater’ Aboriginal people have made the Mary River region their home for thousands of years and continue to live, hunt and practise their traditional culture here today.

The rich wetland environment is home to a variety of flora and fauna, including a multitude of migratory birds. Examples of species that can be observed include magpie geese, brolgas, white-bellied sea eagles, rufous owls and more. Accommodation options in the area range from airconditioned cabins to caravan parks and campsites.

The Mataranka township, 100 kilometres south of Katherine on the Stuart Highway, was the setting of the famous Australian novel, We of the Never Never, by Jeannie Gunn. Jeannie Gunn, ‘The Little Missus’, lived at nearby Elsey Station and her affection for the area has been immortalised in her book. Within Elsey National Park, you will find the grave of her husband and a memorial to the author at the Elsey Cemetery and Reserve. Elsey Station is now administered by the local Aboriginal people. The ancient dreamtime stories of the Mangarayi and Yungman tribes describe a wind sweeping in from the east that created the area.

The famous Mataranka Thermal Pool is a great place to unwind. The warm, crystalline waters of the natural pools have the power to soothe aches and pains after a long day on the road. The water is spring fed, bubbling up at a fairly constant temperature of 34 degrees Celsius. The surrounding paperbark and palm forest filters the sun and leaves soft, dappled light playing on the water's surface. The area around the pools is a natural breeding ground for the little red flying fox, whose breeding season is usually from November to May, but often extends into the drier months. During the breeding season, there are ranger guided talks available.

Bitter Springs, a short drive north-east of Mataranka, is a relaxing alternative to the main thermal pools. Take your goggles, because small turtles and fish can often be spotted below the surface.

Melville Island, along with nearby Bathurst Island, is part of the Tiwi Islands, about 80 kilometres to the north of Darwin in the Arafura Sea. Melville Island is Australia’s second largest island after Tasmania. Melville Island isn’t open to the public for general tourism, but can be visited on an organised tour or fishing charter.

Melville Island was first sighted by Abel Tasman in 1644 on his way from Batavia. In 1818 Phillip Parker King explored the island (he named it after Viscount Melville) and was surprised to discover that the local Aboriginal people knew some Portuguese words. He deduced they had made contact with Portuguese sailors after a Portuguese ship had been wrecked nearby.

Ownership of Melville Island was returned to the Tiwi people in 1978, and like Bathurst Island, it is run by the Tiwi Land Council. Milikapiti, Pirlangimpi and Paru are the main communities, which are serviced by schools, sports ovals, museums and art and craft galleries.

Newcastle Waters township (no longer inhabited) is located 269 kilometres north of Tennant Creek just off the Explorers Way. It is part of the vast, historic Newcastle Waters Station in the Barkly Tablelands. The explorer John McDouall Stuart reached the area in 1861 and was excited to find large body of water in Lake Woods nearby and named it after the Duke of Newcastle, the then Secretary for the Colonies.

Stuart established a base camp near the present site of the station. With the development of the pastoral industry, a small township sprang up and thrived as a supply point at the junction of major droving routes. The introduction of the road train in the 1960s, however rendered droving obsolete and Newcastle Waters quickly became a ghost town. The National Trust has preserved several buildings and created the Drovers Memorial Park (its centrepiece being a life sized bronze statue of a drover). It is a worthwhile stop for those travelling the Explorers Way as an insight into a way of life long past.

The settlement of Nhulunbuy / Gove is approximately 600 kilometres from Darwin, on the eastern-most tip of the Gove Peninsula. The Gove Peninsula encompasses nearly 100,000 square kilometres of land owned by the Yolngu Aboriginal people and is famous for spectacular beaches and great fishing. The mangrove-fed waters of the Peninsula are jumping with all types of prized tropical species with several charters and fishing tours available.

Nhulunbuy was built in the early 1970s to service the bauxite mine managed by Nabalco. If you plan to travel by the Central Arnhem Road to Nhulunbuy, you will require a permit from the Northern Land Council. The Garma Festival is a celebration of Yolngu culture that takes place near Nhulunbuy every August and it is considered one of the most important indigenous festivals in Australia.

Noonamah is a small town just 46 kilometres from Darwin. Noonamah was first settled during World War II when the army set up a series of airstrips and depots in the area. Despite being bombed by the Japanese, the airstrips still remain to this day. Travellers can read about the significance of the airstrips at a memorial site located near Noonamah.

The Noonamah Tourist Park and Tavern offers motel rooms, powered caravan sites and camping sites.

The Northern Territory occupies about one sixth of Australia’s total land mass, with a population of about 200,000 and is home to some of the natural world’s most unique and exciting destinations. Equivalent in size to France, Italy and Spain combined, it is blessed with an abundance of natural environments.

The Northern Territory story unfolds through six main destinations. From the red sandy desert of Alice Springs and Uluru / Ayers Rock and the golden plains of Tennant Creek, to the savannah woodlands surrounding Katherine and the lush green tropics of Darwin and Kakadu, it's not surprising the Northern Territory is a popular destination for travellers keen to experience Australia’s outback.

It is known around the world for its iconic natural treasures, including the World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park and Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. The flora and fauna is as diverse as desert blooms are to lotus lilies and the fearsome saltwater crocodile is to the Brolga, the elegant dancing bird that is Northern Territory emblem.

The Northern Territory has a rich Indigenous culture and the Aboriginal people hold a spiritual connection to the land that dates back tens of thousands of years. Their culture can be shared today - 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.

One of the most popular ways to explore the Northern Territory is by vehicle and the Northern Territory's well-maintained roads cover some of the most memorable scenery in Australia.

Themed drives include the Nature’s Way, Red Centre Way, Explorer’s Way, Binn's Track and part of the Savannah Way which traverse a number of regions throughout the Territory. There are a number of challenging four-wheel drive detours to beautiful and secluded destinations that allow you to experience the most rugged parts of the Territory.

Palmerston is a dynamic city offering all modern facilities and a great base from which to explore the Darwin region. Palmerston is located just 22 kilometres (or a short 25 minute drive) from the centre of Darwin and has a population of 25,000. Palmerston is the site of the Australian Army’s Robertson Barracks, purpose built for the First Brigade as part of the Army Presence in the North Project.

There are several shopping centres at Palmerston and a pleasant 18 hole golf course. The surrounding rural area has many mango farms. Another popular attraction is Marlow Lagoon, a picturesque lake and park, which also offers an area for off-leash dog walking.

Established in the late 1800s after a gold rush in the area, Pine Creek is located 90 kilometres north of Katherine. The town is a treasure trove of heritage bush buildings and mining sites. Echoes of the gold rush days are still evident in the historic Pine Creek Settlement. Gold was discovered at Pine Creek in 1871 by construction workers on the Overland Telegraph Line. There is a small and informative museum and preserved railway station within the township. The township is small but offers a range of accommodation options, including caravan parks and cabins.

Many of the original buildings still stand, allowing travellers to soak up some of the old pioneering spirit. Step back in time by driving the Northern Goldfields Loop Heritage trail that takes you from Pine Creek to Adelaide River and on to the fascinating Grove Hill Heritage Hotel, an insight into life during the era.

Pine Creek is full of colourful characters and friendly locals. Next door to the Pine Creek Pub is the famous Maysie’s Cafe. With decor inspired by 1950s American diners, walls adorned with pictures of classic Hollywood glamour, and the shirt Leonardo De Caprio wore in Romeo and Juliet, this charming little pit-stop serves delicious mango smoothies.

Renner Springs Roadhouse is located 150 kilometres north of Tennant Creek along the Stuart Highway. It was originally established by Dr Frederick Renner whilst working on the Overland Telegraph line in 1877. The Renner Springs Roadhouse itself is a World War Two army hut relocated from Banka Banka Station (established in 1885) 50 kilometres away. Renner Springs provides fuel, meals, bar facilities, motel accommodation and campsites to the traveller on the Explorers Way.

The Simpson Desert stretches south from Alice Springs towards the South Australia border. Many attractions located on its fringes are an easy day trip from Alice Springs and provide a taste of its fascinating natural, cultural and historical wonders. The Simpson Desert offers some of the best four-wheel driving in Australia. An endless horizon, rolling sand dunes and challenging desert tracks all make for a real frontier experience. Travelling through this desert region means exploring territory very few people have seen.

The Old Ghan Heritage Track passes through the Simpson Desert on its way from Port Augusta in South Australia to Alice Springs. This is one of Australia’s most important heritage trails as it follows the route of the original narrow gauge Ghan line. Interpretive signs on replica railway trolleys are located at 20 key points along the trail and tell the story of an incredible engineering achievement in the outback.

Not far from the Stuart Highway (Explorer’s Way), south of Alice Springs is Rainbow Valley. Nestled in the James Ranges, it is a spectacular sandstone bluff with rainbow like bands, best seen in the late afternoon sun or after heavy rainfall.

An easy stop off on the way to Chambers Pillar is the Ewaninga Rock Carvings Conservation Reserve. These rock carvings and petroglyphs provide a fascinating record of many important beliefs by the local Arrernte people. Chambers Pillar was named after one of the explorer John McDouall Stuart’s sponsors and rises as a solitary beacon out of the rugged landscape. Early pioneers used Chambers Pillar as a navigational landmark. A walk up the hill to this 50 metre sandstone pillar’s base is recommended to see the markings made by nineteenth century explorers who carved their names into the soft sandstone.

After stopping at the Aboriginal community of Finke to refuel and buy refreshments, you may want to head out to Old Andando, a heritage listed station.

The Tanami Desert, one of the most isolated and arid areas on earth, wasn’t truly explored until well into the twentieth century. The Tanami Track connects Alice Springs to the Kimberleys traversing this huge desert. Points of interest along the Tanami Track include Tilmouth Well Station, offering accommodation and fuel in a true outback setting and Birds Australia’s 2,600 square kilometre Newhaven Station Bird Sanctuary.

Those planning to drive the Tanami Track should only do so in a reliable four-wheel drive vehicle, take spare fuel and a good quantity of water. The road surface is usually quite good but, services on the Tanami are very limited with fuel available only at Tilmouth Well and Rabbit Flat (closed Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday).

From its rough and tumble beginnings as a gold rush and cattle town, Tennant Creek has become an important regional centre. Located 507 kilometres north of Alice Springs the town has a population around 3,000 and is the main service centre for the Barkly Tablelands and the sprawling cattle stations there.

Tennant Creek’s gold rush of the 1930s was the last in Australia’s history and was at one time the third largest gold producer in the country. Visitors to Tennant Creek today can take a tour through an underground mine where various mining techniques and devices from throughout history are on display and in some cases demonstrated.

The excellent Nyinkka Nyunyu Art and Cultural Centre provides a useful insight into Aboriginal history and culture of this region. Local arts and crafts are on sale and the centre has a great cafe.

Tingkkarli / Lake Mary Ann, five kilometres from Tennant Creek, is a great place for a swim or picnic. Barbecue facilities, safe swimming areas, bushwalking tracks and wildlife watching areas are all available and you can reach it by the cycle path from town.

Built in 1872, the Tennant Creek Telegraph Station is a collection of historic stone buildings that functioned as an important part of the Overland Telegraph Line that linked Australia with the outside world. The station, 11 kilometres north of town and has a self-guided walk with interpretative signage on the region's telegraph communications and pastoral history. The station is particularly beautiful just before sunset where the golden light that the region is known for lights up the stone walls.

The Tennant Creek region is centred on the junction of two great highways, the Barkly Highway and the Stuart Highway. It encompasses the sprawling Barkly Tablelands and has a rich gold mining history. With a population of 3,000, Tennant Creek is an important supply and service centre for outlying cattle stations on the Barkly Tablelands. Located some 500 kilometres north of Alice Springs and around 1,000 kilometres south of Darwin, the town has a diverse history shaped by Aboriginal culture, pastoralism and gold mining.

About 100 kilometres south of Tennant Creek is the region's most spectacular landmark, the Karlu Karlu / Devils Marbles Conservation Reserve. The Karlu Karlu / Devils Marbles are made up of thousands of huge, precariously balanced boulders. Local indigenous people believe these mysterious rock spheres are the eggs of the Dreamtime’s Rainbow Serpent. Kunjarra / The Pebbles, a miniature version of the Marbles, is a short drive north of Tennant Creek and are worth a visit also.

There is much to explore in the Tennant Creek region. Small towns, such as Wycliffe Well (which is famous for numerous UFO sightings), Ti Tree (servicing several Aboriginal communities), Newcastle Waters (a historic settlement that is now virtually a ghost town) and Elliott (established during World War II as a camp for troops) provide an opportunity to enjoy the unique character of the outback.

The Davenport Ranges, accessed via the Barkly Highway, are an ideal spot for camping, bushwalking and four-wheel driving. A great way to explore the region is via the Overlander’s Way tourism drive, which links Tennant Creek and Townsville through the Barkly Tablelands. The Overlander’s Way follows the footsteps of pioneering cattlemen, and provides a unique insight into a bygone era.

Tennant Creek is known for its gold mining history. The surrounding region, the Barkly Tablelands, is characterised by wide plains and vast skies, and with a population of 3,000, Tennant Creek is the main service centre for the area.

Located 507 kilometres north of Alice Springs and around 1,000 kilometres south of Darwin, the town has a diverse history, shaped by Aboriginal culture, pastoralism and gold mining.

The site of Australia’s last major gold rush in the 1930s, Tennant Creek’s rich mining history can be explored in the Battery Hill Mining Centre. The Nyinkka Nyunyu Art and Culture Centre is an award winning museum and gallery showcasing the culture of the traditional Aboriginal owners of the area, the Warumungu people. Travellers can stop at a character filled outback pub or roadhouse for an insight into a unique lifestyle shaped by isolation. Enjoy a swim in Tingkkarli / Lake Mary Ann, explore the historic Overland Telegraph Line, built in 1872, and spend a couple of star filled nights in Tennant Creek area for a truly unique Territory experience.

The mysterious rock spheres of the nearby Karlu Karlu / Devils Marbles Conservation Reserve, located 100 kilometres south of Tennant Creek, are one of the Outback’s iconic attractions.

‘Threeways’ is a roadhouse located at the junction of the Stuart and Barkly Highways, 25 kilometres north of Tennant Creek and is the ideal place to take a break during a long drive.

A local point of interest is the Flynn Memorial. Reverend John Flynn pioneered the Royal Australian Flying Doctors Service. The memorial originally sat at the exact meeting spot of the Barkly and Stuart Highways, but the point has now been moved 250 metres south. The Threeways roadhouse offers fuel, meals, provisions, bar facilities, swimming pool and motel accommodation and camping.

The tiny township of Ti Tree, 314 kilometres south of Tennant Creek, is home of the Anmatjere people and services several Aboriginal communities, including Utopia, which is renowned for its art. The Red Sands Art Gallery is a respected gallery and one of the best places to acquire some Utopian art.

Ti Tree is also an unlikely agricultural centre producing significant crops of table grapes and melons thanks to the abundant sunshine and huge underground water resources. Ti Tree roadhouse offers fuel and basic provisions for travellers between Alice Springs and Tennant Creek.

Situated on the doorstep of Gregory National Park in the Katherine region, the township of Timber Creek is a traveller’s oasis. Timber Creek, 285 kilometres west of Katherine, is the region's main centre and is home to about 70 people. This friendly Northern Territory town features several attractions that preserve its rich pastoral and exploration heritage.

Timber Creek is the traditional land of the Ngaliwurra Aboriginal people, who provided early European settlers with valuable bush knowledge and acted as guides for the local police. A police station was first established in Timber Creek in 1898. Initially just a hut and a goat yard, the dwellings were upgraded to iron and steel in 1908 and this structure has been reopened as the Timber Creek Police Station Museum.

Fishing is one of Timber Creek's biggest drawcards, with the beautiful Victoria River, running through deep valleys and gorges, is one of the Northern Territory's most scenic places to catch barramundi. Gregory National Park is Timber Creek’s backyard, covering an area of approximately 13,000 square kilometres, the Park is home to red-rimmed escarpment ranges, plunging gorges and ancient boab trees.

Located 80 kilometres north of Darwin, the Tiwi Islands are the combination of Bathurst and Melville Islands and collectively the Aboriginal population call themselves the Tiwi people. The Tiwi Islands remain a unique and rare opportunity to view and share this culture. Travellers do need a permit to visit the Tiwi Islands and cannot arrive unannounced, it is therefore imperative to go on an organised tour or fishing charter. There are several fishing lodges on the Islands to cater for the fishing enthusiast or for those wanting a cultural experience, you can do this on a day tour. There are also overnight experiences including going out with a hunting party to gather traditional bush foods such as mud mussels, mud crabs and mangrove worms.

The Tiwi people are world famous for their art, many paintings can be found hanging in major art galleries around the world. Their art extends from the traditional forms of paintings on bark and canvas to wood carvings, distinctive silk screened cloth, woven accessories and pottery. There are several art galleries on both Melville and Bathurst Island and you are more than welcome to purchase directly from the artists.

The Tiwi Islands are also famous for their love of sports, in particular Australian Rules Football. The Tiwi Football Grand Final, usually held in March, is a must see if you are in the area at the time.

Nicknamed the Island of Smiles, the Tiwi people are coastal Aborigines with a culture different to those on the mainland. Their strong traditions, rituals and traditional foods are still a very important part of everyday life today and they appear to have successfully combined both traditional and modern lifestyles.

Uluru / Ayers Rock is one of the most recognised symbols of Australia. The monolith stands 348 metres high and has a great cultural significance for the traditional Aboriginal owners, the Anangu people.

Located 440 kilometres to the west of Alice Springs by road, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park contains Uluru / Ayers Rock and the impressive 36 domes of Kata Tjuta / The Olgas. These massive geological formations date back over 500 million years and are visited by thousands of travellers each year.

A range of accommodation from camp sites to luxury is available at Yulara, a small township purpose built to service park visitors. Yulara contains Ayers Rock Resort, made up of a range of properties to suit most budgets, a shopping centre and an airport with daily connections to several other Australian destinations.

Uluru / Ayers Rock is Australia's most recognisable natural icon. Standing 348 metres high, the monolith has a great cultural significance for the traditional Aboriginal owners, the Anangu people. Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is located 440 kilometres by road south-west of Alice Springs and encompasses both Uluru / Ayers Rock and the 36 domes of Kata Tjuta / The Olgas, and both dating back hundreds of million of years. Visitors to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park can also browse through the informative and award-winning Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre.

When exploring the base of Uluru / Ayers Rock, there are a number of excellent interpretative walks, including the Uluru Base Walk and the Kuniya Walk. The Valley of the Winds Walk winds through the domes of Kata Tjuta and includes spectacular lookout points. These walks can be done independently or as part of a tour. Visitors stay at Ayers Rock Resort, which is the focal point for the township of Yulara.

Atila / Mt Conner, located 100 kilometres east of Uluru, is a spectacular mesa that is often mistaken for Uluru. It is three times as large as Uluru and can be visited on tours from Curtin Springs Station.

The Uluru-Kata Tjuta region (sometimes referred to as the Peterman Region) also includes the stunning Kings Canyon within Watarrka National Park. Kings Canyon lies 310 kilometres west of Alice Springs. The canyon’s 300 metre high sandstone walls are breathtaking, and the surrounding area is home to diverse flora and fauna. Travellers can hike to the canyon rim, follow a walking trail through the scenic desert surrounds, or stroll along the boulder-strewn valley floor. The 22 kilometre Giles Track begins at Kathleen Springs and ends at Kings Canyon, Watarrka National Park.

Known as Victoria River, Victoria River Crossing and the Victoria River Inn, this tiny settlement is located on the Victoria Highway 194 kilometres west of Katherine. The settlement itself is little more than a roadhouse and campground, but the scenery along the highway as it winds past immense escarpments split by the mighty Victoria River ranks as some of the most stunning in the Territory.

Gregory National Park protects the area's colourful scenery featuring grassy plains, boab trees and majestic gorges carved out of sandstone escarpments.

The scenic Victoria River area, located south-west of Katherine, is home to one of Australia’s last wild rivers. The Victoria River teems with fish and other unique wildlife and is a popular fishing destination. The small, historic township of Timber Creek is located on the Victoria Highway, 285 kilometres west of Katherine.

Gregory National Park sits at Timber Creek's doorstep, covers around 13,000 square kilometres, and is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. Some activities to be enjoyed include escarpment walks, four-wheel driving, swimming, boat cruises and bird watching. A sunrise or sunset river cruise lets travellers see the river and its surrounds, and offers a chance to view the park’s diverse wildlife.

Situated 170 kilometres west of Timber Creek is Keep River National Park. This park encompasses towering sandstone landforms and Aboriginal rock art and is best explored on foot following one of its many bushwalking trails.

Watarrka National Park and its most famous landmark, Kings Canyon, is located 330 kilometres south west of Alice Springs in the Uluru / Kata Tjuta region of the Northern Territory. The park encompasses the western end of the George Gill Range and is home to a variety of unique native flora and fauna, including over 600 different plant species.

Commercial accommodation can be found within the park at the Kings Canyon Resort and Kings Creek Station. The area has also been home to Luritja Aboriginal people for the last 20,000 years. The word Watarrka refers to the umbrella bush that proliferates in this area. Watarrka can be reached via the gravel Mereenie Loop Road (Red Centre Way) or via the sealed Luritja Road running off the Lasseter Highway.

Wauchope is 114 kilometres south of Tennant Creek, a short distance from the Devils Marbles Conservation Reserve. The historic Wauchope Roadhouse and Pub was built in 1938 to service the needs of the nearby wolfram (used in the manufacture of tungsten) mines and is full of memorabilia from that era. It is a friendly well appointed wayside inn offering fuel, meals, bar facilities, comfortable motel accommodation, camping and a swimming pool.

Running due west from Alice Springs, the West MacDonnell Ranges contain a variety of impressing and interesting geological features and landscapes. Simpsons Gap is a dramatic cleft in the range through which a dry white sand riverbed fringed with river red gums winds. Standley Chasm with its vertical red walls that glow in the midday sun gives the impression of some sort of giant fracture in the rock. It contains permanent springs and unusual plant life and is a pleasant excursion on its own.

Ellery Creek Big Hole is a large permanent waterhole nestled in the ranges that is a favourite swimming place for locals in the summer. The water can be freezing at other times of the year however.

The Larapinta Trail winds 250 kilometres from Alice Springs through the West MacDonnell Ranges to Mount Sonder. The Trail is one of the world’s great walks and visitors not wishing to attempt the entire walk can chose sections to walk in the space of a day.

Most of the West MacDonnell Range’s key attractions are easily accessible from Alice Springs via a sealed highway as far as Glen Helen Resort.

Wycliffe Well, located 130 kilometres south of Tennant Creek and 380 kilometres north of Alice Springs, has built a reputation around extraterrestrial sightings in the area. Wycliffe Well began as a market garden to supply the troops going to and from Darwin during World War Two. As the highway developed further after the war it became a roadhouse supplying fuel and provisions to travellers and eventually as tourism increased has transformed into a substantial and well equipped holiday park. Located nearby is the Karlu Karlu / Devils Marbles Conservation Reserve and the gateway to the Davenport Range (proposed) National Park

The township of Yulara supports Ayers Rock Resort where visitors to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park are accommodated. The resort features different levels of accommodation from hotel, apartment style, budget and camping. There is a commercial centre with supermarket, bank, newsagent and food outlets. Yulara also has a service station, a Royal Flying Doctor Service clinic, police station and fire service. Ayers Rock Airport, located a few kilometres from the resort, is linked by daily Qantas flights to Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Cairns and Alice Springs.