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Nawurlandja Lookout Kakadu

Northern Territory: The Red Centre & Top End

Aboriginal culture, brought to life

Northern Territory holidays

Introduction

Australia’s Northern Territory is a land rich in Aboriginal culture and epic, natural beauty. Soak in the warmth of tropical Darwin, exploring an eclectic mix of delicious food and vibrant culture. Step back in time to discover ancient rock art in Kakadu National Park and Arnhem Land, some of which is up to 20,000 years old. Kayak, hike, bird watch, camp and 4WD your way through Nitmiluk National Park. Head down into the Red Centre to experience the sacred solitude Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and Kings Canyon and discover the authentic and charming outback town, Alice Springs.

The Red Centre: Alice Springs, Uluru, Kata Tjuta & Kings Canyon

Sandy plains that stretch far beyond the horizon provide the backdrop to some of Australia’s best-known natural wonders and Aboriginal stories, shared around a campfire under a star-studded sky. At sunrise and sunset, the light on Uluru’s surface creates such astonishing chameleonic displays that it’s easy to see why visitors travel far and wide to see it. There are over 100 activities to experience around Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park including heading down the road from Uluru to visit Kata Tjuta (the Olgas), a formation of dramatic domes some 200 metres taller than Uluru itself. Alice Springs is the Red Centre’s main hub. Trekking, camping and four-wheel driving tours to the Simpson Desert can all be organised in advance, as can trips to the nearby McDonnell Ranges, which run east and west out of Alice and are home to hiking trails, swimming holes and several aboriginal rock art sites.

The Top End: Darwin, Kakadu National Park & Katherine

Darwin, the Northern Territory’s tropical and vibrant capital city, offers balmy weather all year round and a surplus of outdoor festivals and markets. It’s also the gateway to the Top End’s incredible national parks. Litchfield National Park, an hour outside of Darwin, is famous for its, Monsoonal rainforests, towering termite mounds and beautiful waterfalls and swimming holes that are perfect for swimming at certain times of the year. To the east lies Kakadu National Park, which is packed full of nature and wildlife and famous waterfalls like the 250-metre-high Jim Jim Falls. Next to Kakadu you will find Arnhem Land: 91,000 sq. km of Aboriginal-owned beauty whose sprawling escarpments, untouched coastline, wildlife filled rainforests and ancient aboriginal rock art sites provide some of Australia’s most authentic adventures. Head south from Kakadu and you’ll reach Nitmiluk National Park, famous for Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge, a stunning series of sandstone gorges that can be explored by foot, canoe, or as part of a boat cruise.

 

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Top itineraries in Northern Territory: The Red Centre & Top End

Seal Bay, Kangaroo Island

The Ghan & Kangaroo Island

13-day tailor-made rail holiday from £6,315 pp incl. flights

Travelling from south to north, this tailor-made trip marries one of the world’s greatest rail journeys with tropical Darwin, Adelaide’s heritage and the wildlife of Kangaroo Island.

Nitmiluk Gorge

Northern Territory Explorer: Top End to the Red Centre

16-day tailor-made holiday from £5,710 pp incl. flights

Discover the diverse natural wonders, ancient Aboriginal cultural heritage and eclectic cuisine of Australia’s vast Northern Territory on this in-depth, immersive adventure.

Uluru / Ayers Rock, Northern Territory, Australia

Sydney, Uluru & the Great Barrier Reef

15-day tailor-made holiday from £3,805 pp incl. flights

Discover the sophistication of Sydney, the monolithic beauty and Aboriginal culture of Uluru and the underwater wonders of the Great Barrier Reef. This is Australia at its iconic best.

The Ghan

The Ghan Expedition: Wilderness to Wines

14-day tailor-made luxury rail journey from £8,395 pp incl. flights

Either side of this all-inclusive rail journey through the Outback, you’ll sample the wines of the Barossa Valley and enjoy a luxury safari in the wilds of Australia's Top End.

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Top places to stay in Northern Territory: The Red Centre & Top End

Longitude 131º

Longitude 131º, Uluru

Contemporary lodge

Perfectly positioned for sunrise and sunset views over Uluru, Longitude 131º offers exclusivity and luxury in this uniquely Australian destination.

The Ghan, Australia

The Ghan

Luxury train

Regarded as one of the world's greatest rail journeys, The Ghan takes you on an unforgettable journey through the heart of Australia.

Bamurru Plains

Bamurru Plains Lodge, Kakadu

Traditional safari lodge

Bamurru Plains is an ecologically sensitive camp in the midst of the Mary River floodplains, an area rich in bird and wildlife and where you can explore the magnificent landscape in the company of expert guides and hosts.

Swimming Pool, Sails in the Desert

Sails In The Desert

Traditional resort

Something of a contrast with the rugged Uluru landscape, the soaring white canvas sails and recently refurbished five-star interior offer guests the best in luxury.

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Where to go in Northern Territory: The Red Centre & Top End

Alice Springs, Australia

Alice Springs

Amidst the rugged beauty of the Australian Red Centre, Alice Springs is a vibrant outback town which serves as the gateway to stunning landscapes, rich Aboriginal heritage and a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

Kings Canyon, Northern Territory

Kings Canyon

Deep in the heart of the Northern Territory, Kings Canyon offers a breathtaking window into the rugged and awe-inspiring Australian Outback. With towering sandstone cliffs, lush palm-filled gorges and ancient Aboriginal rock art, it is a destination that truly captures the essence of the Red Centre.

Arnhem Land Wetlands at Gunbalanya

Arnhem Land

Of staggering size – 91,000 square kilometres – and filled with varied landscapes, Aboriginal-owned Arnhem Land is well worth spending some time in. In the middle of Australia’s northern coast, its boundaries are beautiful ones: Kakadu National Park, the Arafura Sea and the Gulf of Carpentaria.

Baruwei Lookout, Nitmiluk National Park

Katherine & Nitmiluk Gorge

Often described as the place where ‘the Outback meets the tropics’, Katherine and the Nitmiluk Gorge area is home to diverse landscapes and unique ecosystems that set the scene for adventure activities like fishing and four-wheel driving, canoeing and camping, bushwalking and bird watching.

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When to go to Northern Territory: The Red Centre & Top End

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Meet our Northern Territory: The Red Centre & Top End experts

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Why book with Wexas Travel?

At Wexas, we specialise in bespoke travel experiences. Our itineraries are just samples of what we can arrange, and can be changed depending on your precise needs, finances and ideas by our experienced destination specialists.

Contact one of our consultants on 020 7590 0634 to discuss how we can tailor your holiday.

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