Choose from 54 Fun Things to Do in Northern Territory
Edith Falls
A visit to the falls typically involves swimming, and Sweetwater Pool, as well as both the upper and lower pools, are all particularly suited for the activity. Visitors to the falls during the wet season, however, may find that swimming is off-limits due to potentially dangerous conditions.
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Anzac Hill
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Defence of Darwin Experience
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Australian Aviation Heritage Centre
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Darwin Wharf Precinct
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Charles Darwin National Park
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Alice Springs Reptile Centre
Arnhem Land
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Kakadu National Park
The UNESCO World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park is a massive Northern Territory nature reserve, clocking in at 4.2 million acres (1.7 million hectares). With sandstone escarpments, secret waterholes, billabongs, and lily-strewn waterways, Kakadu is an introduction to wild Australia. Read on to learn what to see and do in the country’s largest national park.
The Basics
On Kakadu National Park tours and Top End adventures, you’ll find opportunities to encounter exotic animals such as dingoes, wallabies, dugongs, and saltwater crocodiles, and also discover Aboriginal culture, from ancient aboriginal rock art at Ubirr and Nourlangie to the Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre at Cooinda, where visitors pore over traditional bush food and didgeridoos. Ubirr is uniquely beautiful, located at the foot of a food plain, with prominent rock formations standing as guardians of the Arnhem Land. If visiting without a tour guide, be sure to stop into the Bowali Visitor Centre to plan your trip with the center’s staff; this rugged outback environment can be hazardous for the unprepared.
Ways to Visit Kakadu National Park
You can take in Kakadu on a guided tour from Darwin, or, if you have your own car, visit the park independently from much farther areas such as Kimberley and Broome in Western Australia. Most day tours depart from Darwin, about 93 miles (150 km) away, and last upwards of 12 hours, including round-trip transportation by a WiFi-equipped coach. Kakadu National Park can be reached in about 1.5 hours from Darwin by road, and travelers can choose from a variety of options, including small-group tours, private tours, and adventure tours. For a longer excursion, multi-day options offer accommodations or camping experiences that can be combined with a visit to Litchfield National Park, Nitmiluk National Park, or Katherine Gorge, other must-see spots in the Top End.
Top Sights to Experience Kakadu’s Natural Beauty
Cruising along the Mary River wetlands or the East Alligator River (Guluyambi) will allow you to spot native birds and possibly catch a glimpse of a crocodile from a safe distance. Travelers also enjoy cruising Yellow Water Billabong near Cooinda and bush camping in Koolpln Gorge, although it’s recommended that this adventure is taken with a guide unless you’re an experienced outback camper, as permits are required and the terrain is rough. The park’s most prominent water features are Jim Jim Falls and the nearby Twin Falls, but they flow mostly in the quiet wet season. The best way to see these falls is on a scenic flight, which allows for spectacular aerial photo ops.Best Times to Visit
Finke Gorge National Park
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Crocosaurus Cove
Even though it’s located in the middle of the city, Darwin’s Crocosaurus Cove lets you feel like you’ve wandered out into the Top End of Northern Australia's wilderness, where turtles, saltwater crocodiles, and barramundi fish reside in their natural habitat. You can visit the sanctuary full of yellow-faced turtles or observe the fish swimming around in the aquarium, where you can also catch a glimpse of a whipray—the freshwater cousin of stingrays. Throughout the day there are staff-led talks and chances to view trainer-led crocodile feedings.
While Viator tours do not include these activities, visitors have the opportunity to observe crocodiles from an underwater glass enclosure or to hold a baby crocodile under careful staff supervision for an additional fee starting from $120.
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Crocosaurus Cove is located just outside of Darwin city center, close to Bicentennial Park. You can get there via the Stuart Highway, or walking from most downtown attractions and the Darwin bus station. The cove is open every day from 9am to 6pm, and admission costs $35 for adults, and $23 for children agres four to 15. Additional activities must be booked well in advance. There are showers and changing rooms inside the facility.
Did You Know? Saltwater crocodiles are the world’s largest reptiles, and can grow up to 18 feet (5.5 m) long.
Alice Springs Telegraph Station Historical Reserve
One of the twelve stops along the overland telegraph route the Alice Spring Telegraph Station Historical Reserve is a great place for a picnic. The reserve has walking tracks, swimming holes, a cycle path and shady spots to rest. There are also free electric barbeques. Several colonies of rock wallabies share the reserve with plenty of other native wildlife and some pet camels.
Many of the buildings in the old Telegraph station have been restored and offer a look at how messages were sent across Australia in the days when the trip took weeks by horse. In the Post and Telegraph Room you can still post a letter and send a telegram (email) to a friend. In the cooler months (May - Oct) the wood-fired oven is lit and damper ('outback bread') and scones are served.
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Access to the reserve is free but there is a cost to visit the historic buildings. There are free 45-minute tours through the Telegraph Station or you can self-guide with the map provided.
The park is about 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) north of Alice Springs. You can drive, catch a cab or walk or cycle the path from Wills Terrace and Undoolya Road.
Fannie Bay Gaol
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Darwin Botanic Gardens
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East Point Reserve
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Ayers Rock (Uluru)
- Cell phone coverage can be limited, but WiFi is available at the Cultural Centre in Uluru and Ayers Rock Resort.
- While climbing Ayers Rock is not prohibited, Uluru is a sacred Aboriginal site, and climbing it is considered disrespectful to the Anangu.
- Ayers Rock is located in the desert, so sunscreen, a hat, water, and comfortable shoes are a must. Prepare for high temperatures during the day and chilly weather at night.
- Many areas of Ayers Rock, including viewing areas and part of the base walk, are wheelchair accessible.
- Alcohol is not allowed in the park except on organized tours.
Adelaide River
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Alice Springs Desert Park
The Alice Springs Desert Park offers the opportunity to experience the main desert environments in Australia. Wander through sand, woodland and river deserts and learn about their different plant and animal inhabitants. You will also learn about the traditional owners of the land, the Arrernte.
Animals rarely seen in the wild are on display in the nocturnal house which mimics the night desert offering a peek at rare and endangered animals that only come out in the dark like bilbies and carnivorous ghost bats.
The aquarium offers you a look at the animals you might find in a waterhole including fish, yabbies, burrowing frogs and turtles.
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Guided audio tours are available. You can take the short route through the park or explore further afield to find kangaroos and birdlife.
The park is 10 minutes by car from the center of Alice Springs. Alternatively, the Larapinta bike track will take you to the entrance.
Cullen Bay
Cullen Bay is about 10 minutes outside of Darwin. Its drawcard is a big sleek marina packed with yachts. In an uncertain tropical climate like Darwin's, this marina offers yachting traffic the security of a man-made environment with a locked waterway and sea walls that close. This means it's accessible in the low Spring tides and a registered cyclone haven - hence its popularity.
For the landlubber, Cullen Bay is an equally sleek oasis of shops, restaurants, bars and day spas. It's a popular place for visitors to stay, as its serviced apartments are so close to all these amenities - and water views. It's also close to the ferry terminal, so you can take off on trips to Mandorah and Tiwi islands.
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There are also plenty of charter businesses that can take you out on fishing trips, sightseeing expeditions or sunset cruises.