Put one foot in front of the other on an adventure through the Northern Territory’s extraordinary landscapes. 

Nothing beats the feeling of the hard ground beneath your feet and a cool breeze on your skin as you traverse the remarkable terrain of the Northern Territory. Embark on an unforgettable journey alongside your expert leader on a tour of Australia's Northern Territory and marvel at the natural beauty surrounding you. From the scenic views along the Larapinta Trail to the World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park and all of the Aboriginal history etched into its rock faces, this Australian state promises walking experiences that’ll never leave you feeling intimidated only inspired. 

Our Northern Territory walking tours

8 Days From 2620

Travel through the rugged landscapes of Kakadu National Park, Katherine and Litchfield...

7 Days From 2010

From Alice Springs, hike the highlights of the amazing Larapinta Trail, taking in...

Tailor-Made trips

Take four or more on an exclusive trip and tailor your itinerary

Highlights of our Northern Territory walking tours 

Traveller pointin at and standing in front of Ormiston Gorge

Marvel at Ormiston Gorge

Boasting the title of ‘most impressive gorge in the whole West MacDonnell region’, Ormiston Gorge is a natural wonder that has to be seen to be believed (make sure you take heaps of photos as proof). With its rising red rock walls, flourishing native plant life, and enchanting waterhole fit for a freshen up at the end of a long walk, beauty doesn’t even begin to describe it. 

Ancient Aboriginal rock paintings in Kakadu National Park

Learn about Aboriginal culture

Start exercising your brain instead of your body by learning about First Nations culture from the very people who have lived it for centuries. From marvelling at one of the territory’s most outstanding rock art sites, Ubirr, in Kakadu National Park to connecting with country in Alice Springs, this territory is full of a spellbinding history thousands of years in the making. 

A group of travellers walking along the larapinta trail underneath an overcast sky

Embark on a journey along the Larapinta Trail

Heralded as one of Australia’s greatest multi-day walks, the Larapinta Trail is bound to capture your heart and imagination with its naturally bewitching landscapes and spectacular scenery. Whether you’re excited to set foot on the towering red rock slopes of the West MacDonnell Ranges, yearning to walk up rugged mountains for unbeatable views, or simply can’t wait to explore shadowy gorges and curving riverbanks, this legendary trail is as challenging as it is rewarding.  

Woman standing in a valley of rocks surrounded by native greenery in Kakadu National Park

Hike your way through Kakadu National Park

The Northern Territory is full of magnificent landscapes to trek over, but Kakadu National Park is perhaps some of Mother Nature’s best work. You could spend days here and it still wouldn’t be enough time to see all of the Aboriginal artwork, spot all of the fascinating native animals, and seek out all of the waterlily-infested billabongs that this wonderous region is known for. From hiking through valleys to relaxing in pristine swimming holes, make the most of every moment. 

Northern Territory walking tour reviews

Northern Territory walking FAQs

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises). However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

Learn more about Intrepid's COVID-19 proof of vaccination policy

There are a number of ways to get to the Northern Territory depending on where in Australia you're travelling from including flying, self-driving, and catching public transport. The Northern Territory has several airports you can fly into from Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Hobart, and Adelaide, such as Darwin International Airport and Alice Springs Airport. Self-driving only really makes sense if you're travelling from a neighbouring state but you can catch public transport in the form of a coach from all major capital cities. 

The climate in the Northern Territory is different depending on which part of the region you're travelling to. The Southern part of the territory experiences a desert climate with very dry, hot summers and warm winters. Alternately, the northern part of the state enjoys more of a tropical climate with two distinct seasons, a dry one from May to October and a wet one from November to April. Regardless of which part you're travelling to, you can expect the average temperature to be in the high 20°s to low 30°s during every season. 

The best time to visit the Northern Territory would be during the winter months of June, July, and August as temperatures are still high without being extreme and there's less expected rainfall than in the summer months. Due to this, the humidity levels are also quite low making it easier to spend lengthy periods of time outside. You generally want to avoid travelling to NT from November to April, especially if you're destination is the top end, due to potential cyclones. 

Read more about the best time to travel to the Northern Territory

The Northern Territory is blessed to have an abundance of beautiful landscapes to explore so there's no better way to spend your holiday than to trek through them. From centuries-old rock formations to tumbling waterfalls, these are the best national parks in the Northern Territory to visit: 

  • Kakadu National Park 
  • Litchfield National Park 
  • Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park 
  • Finke Gorge National Park 
  • Nitmiluk National Park 

What to pack for a walking trip can depend on how difficult the walk that you plan to do is but generally it's a good idea to make sure you have the below items:

  • Backpack/day bag 
  • Comfortable walking shoes 
  • Sunhat 
  • Sunscreen 
  • Retractable walking poles
  • Reusable drink bottle 

Read more about what to pack for a Northern Territory walking trip

Our Northern Territory walking tours don't require an extreme amount of fitness, but rather a reasonable level of fitness so you'll be comfortable during the trip. Before embarking on a walking tour, try to prepare physically for it by going for long walks/runs and other forms of physical activity such as weight training and body weight exercises which will come in handy when walking up mountains or other challenging terrains. 

Intrepid is committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. That’s why we do our best to help as many people see the world as possible, regardless of any physical or mental limitations they might have. However, we’re always happy to talk to travellers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them towards the most suitable itinerary for their needs and where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.

Learn more about Accessible Travel with Intrepid

Read more about the Northern Territory