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THE Northern Territory is one of the most sparsely settled environments on the planet and one of the last places on earth where ancient woodlands meet untouched beaches and even older desert dunes. It is paradise for true lovers of nature, and is home to two remarkably different environments: The Top End of the Northern Territory has a tropical climate that produces rich wetlands, wild rainforests and thundering waterfalls. World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park typifies this natural splendour. In Central Australia visitors experience a completely different type of nature; the endless serenity of the outback, the magic of natural landmarks like Uluru (Ayers Rock) and unique desert characters like the thorny devil - a spiky lizard-like creature. These amazing habitats are rare and precious and they exist side by side in the Northern Territory. The Outback is mythical Australia - red dust, empty tracks, unique wildlife, tall tales and big characters. It's not just about lifeless desert. With its awesome sense of space and few people, the Northern Territory is the real outback. There are vast open skies, wildlife abounds, the pubs are quirky and the characters you'll meet here are authentic and larger than life. You can't claim to have seen Australia until you've seen Australia's Outback - the Northern Territory. This is the real outback - home of rugged landscapes and spirited places - where the pace of life winds back a notch, the scale of nature soothes your soul and strangers are willing to share a story or two. There's a huge amount of space in the Territory and this equates to an enormous amount of freedom - freedom to escape, freedom to choose your own adventure and most importantly, freedom to be yourself. A journey through the Northern Territory offers unique and unforgettable experiences. You can fish in tropical waters, canoe or swim through magnificent gorges, explore desert terrain, marvel at the local art, and trek, walk, ride or drive through awesome landscapes. There are 93 national parks and reserves in the Northern Territory, sprawling across 48, 000 square miles. Two of these are Australia's iconic World Heritage-listed national parks, Uluru-Kata Tjuta (Ayers Rock/The Olgas) and Kakadu. Bushwalking through amazing scenery is a feature of a visit to the Northern Territory. Travel round at your own pace A driving holiday in the Northern Territory gives you the freedom and flexibility to explore at your own pace. From the red sand deserts of the Centre, elevated black soil plateaus in the Barkly region, to the lush green tropical vegetation of the Top End, Northern Territory roads take you through some of the most memorable scenery Australia has to offer. There are sealed roads to 95 per cent of tourist hotspots and unsealed and four-wheel drive routes for those looking for a more adventurous path. Each of the five themed drives, Explorer's Way, Savannah Way, Red Centre Way, Overlander's Way and Nature's Way, make a great Australian road trip. Rest areas, camping and caravan stops, hotel or bed and breakfast accommodation can be found along major tourist routes. Camping areas are available for explorers on the Northern Territory's many four-wheel drive tracks, such as the Centre's Tanami track, the Davenport Ranges or Gregory and Limmen National Parks. Whether you want to go off road driving or on a touring holiday to one of the Territory's iconic attractions, a fantastic driving journey awaits you. Walking is great way to explore region With an extraordinary amount of natural habitats and untouched wilderness, the Northern Territory is the perfect place for a bushwalking or trekking experience. Bushwalkers can pit themselves against rugged tracks or stroll down well-worn paths with ease. Here's just a snapshot of the walks on offer: Larapinta Trail A long-distance walking track through the West MacDonnell National Park, near Alice Springs. The Trail runs for 223 kilometres and is divided into 12 sections, each with varying levels of difficulty and comprising a one to two-day walk. Jatbula Trail A 58-kilometre track through Nitmiluk National Park (Katherine Gorge). The park features wildlife, cultural sites and deep sandstone gorges and four days should be allowed for the whole walk. Tabletop Track Litchfield National Park features waterfalls that cascade from a sandstone plateau called the Tabletop Range. The Tabletop Track is a 39-kilometre circuit bushwalk linking the falls and can be accessed at a number of points. Uluru Base Walk Follows an easy 9.8-kilometre circuit around the base of Uluru (Ayers Rock), taking in the Mala and Mutitjulu walks along the way. The walk takes around four hours and is an excellent alternative to the climb. Barrk Sandstone Bushwalk Located in Kakadu National Park, this is a challenging 12-kilometre walk through the sandstone country of Nourlangie that takes in the Nanguluwur art gallery. A full day should be allowed. Giles Track Ideal for trekking enthusiasts, this 22 kilometre track is located in Watarrka National Park. Starting at the Kings Canyon Rim Walk, the Giles Track scales the Canyon's soaring sandstone walls and traverses the rugged countryside of the George Gill Ranges. Fishing heaven Fishing in the Northern Territory is world class and there are many diverse fishing habitats on offer; lush billabongs, big tidal rivers, mangrove-lined estuaries, a scattering of islands and hundreds of kilometres of unspoilt coastline. A fantastic fighting fish, barramundi is famous for high leaps and strong runs. While the 'barra' is perhaps the most sought-after trophy, other species like jewfish, queenfish, giant trevally, mangrove jack, saratoga, threadfin salmon, golden snapper, billfish, marlin and mud crabs thrive in the Northern Territory's waters. Darwin Harbour, an enormous expanse of water teeming with fish, is a popular fishing spot that is easily accessed from the Central Business District. Fishing is also an exhilarating way to experience the Northern Territory's other diverse destinations. Huge, wide rivers like the Daly and Victoria are prime barra haunts, as are the networks of beautiful waterways found in World Heritage listed Kakadu National Park and the Mary River area. Anglers seeking a real adventure can travel to more remote destinations like Arnhem Land and the Tiwi Islands. Fishing in the Northern Territory is excellent all year round and while barramundi are most active from March to May, anglers can fish successfully at any time for a range of species. You can hire a boat or bring your own, take a fully-guided fishing safari, stay at a remote fishing lodge or charter a mothership - every type of angler and every type of fishing experience is catered for in the Northern Territory. |
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