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| If you need more headspace, the biggest tip I can give you is to visit the Northern Territory. Split into two areas, the Red Centre and the Top End, my trip focused on the lush, green Top End which is made up of the regions of Darwin, Kakadu & Arnhem Land, and Katherine. This place is one of the world’s last frontiers – a genuine outback region, it overflows with a diverse mix of culture and adventure. After only a few days, I put my camera away – not wanting to miss a minute of the incredible sights. No lens could ever capture the beauty and sheer power that lies in the dramatic outback settings, breath-taking wetlands, stunning rock formations, spectacular national parks and exotic beaches. If you only ever get the opportunity to do one big trip in your lifetime, you will not regret spending that trip time in the Top End! The heat adds an ethereal shimmer to such a magnificent landscape. The Top End is one of the warmest places in Australia, with tropical weather conditions. The dry season, April to October, is the best time to visit Darwin. The wet season, November to March, brings unpredictable weather but it is generally hot and steamy with occasional storms. If you don’t mind the rain, the wildlife is most active during the wet season, making it an ideal time for animal spotting. Darwin is also one of the World’s lightening capitals and has some of the most dramatic storm skylines ever photographed. I was surprised at how fresh and vibrant Darwin was, the youngest city in Australia, it has plenty to offer. It’s not only the gateway to the tropical Northern Territory and Kakadu National Park, but an exciting destination in its own right. The buzzing multi-cultured city is an eclectic, cosmopolitan centre that has survived 3 cyclones and 64 bombing raids during the Second World War – it’s a pretty resilient place with a friendly atmosphere - think outdoor activities and al fresco dining. Visit Stokes Hill Wharf, rent a bike and ride along the coast to Fanny Bay, charter a boat and fish off Darwin’s picturesque coast line, or drop into the Darwin Sailing Club for sunset cocktails, before heading to Mindil Beach Sunset Market for a bite to eat. The Top End is home to the largest Aboriginal population in the country. Through various cultural programmes that benefit local Aboriginal communities, visitors to the Territory are rewarded with an insight to their history and cultural traditions. Visitors to the World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park can indulge themselves in 50,000 year old rock art. The sites of Ubirr and Nourlangie are some of the oldest and most extensive paintings in Australia. Aboriginal guides encourage visitors to learn about their culture and traditions, which include basket weaving, spear fishing, dot painting and bush tucker walks. Kakadu National Park boasts an abundance of native wildlife, 60 species of mammals, 289 types of birds and some 132 reptiles, 25 types of frogs and 55 species of freshwater fish, and not forgetting the 10,000 varieties of insects. The Northern Territory is also big cattle country. Its vast stations cover thousands of acres. Driving across country along deserted open roads that stretch for hundreds of kilometers, I have never felt further away from my life or been in the middle of so much space. Here in the real outback, the men are tough and the women are even tougher - enabling them to cope with the hot, hard days the outback throws at them. Try your hand at becoming a Jackeroo or Jillaroo (Australian cowboy or cowgirl) on a working cattle station or fish for huge barramundi in croc-inhabited rivers! The Top End is the real thing. It is hard to imagine and it is hard to describe which makes it all the more worthy of a visit. |    |
This Outback Australia Eco Experience is the perfect holiday to unwind and ‘leave it all behind’. Alone with nature, and you can focus on watching crocodiles bathe in the sun, spotting kingfishers dart through trees, and learning about Indigenous bush tucker. Starting out on a catamaran around Darwin Harbor you’ll be perfectly placed to kick back and take in the stunning views and abundant wildlife, finishing off with dinner at sunset. The following day you’ll have the chance to discover the culture and history of Darwin with a local Larrakia guide. Then it’s off to Nitmuluk National Park at your own pace, where you can enjoy an informative guided walk through nature’s pantry identifying traditional foods of the Jawoyn people, climaxing with a swim at a waterhole or at a sandy beach along the Katherine River. You will also have the chance to discover the customs of the traditional land owners, the Jawoyn people and an afternoon exploring Cutta Cutta Caves. It’s an enlightening experience to leave you feeling refreshed and invigorated. 
See more Northern Territory holidays here 
