From the shifting shades of sunset over the desert to the rust-coloured natural formations scattered across the landscape, Mother Nature really shows off her work in the Northern Territory.
A spectacularly rugged landscape, a mesmerising colour palate, and a million moments you’ll never forget: experience all this and more on our Northern Territory tours and holidays. Bypass the cities and crowds for the diverse flora and fauna of the rough and raw Aussie Outback, travelling past otherworldly formations and through captivating national parks while reconnecting with Country. Learn about the territory’s cultural history from its traditional owners and follow your Intrepid leader as you explore the magic of East Arnhem Land, the wonders of Uluru, and the historic domes of Kata Tjuta for the adventure of a lifetime.
Popular regions
Our Northern Territory tours
4 Days
From
915
Discover the history, culture and incredible landscapes of Australia’s Red Centre on a...
6 Days
From
1660
Discover Australia’s Red Centre in comfort with a six-day Intrepid adventure. Visit...
6 Days
From
3485
Uncover 600 million years of history on a Premium adventure through Australia’s Red...
3 Days
From
660
Discover the best of Australia’s Red Centre on a three-day adventure with Intrepid,...
6 Days
From
1595
Discover the staggering landscapes of Australia’s Top End on an incredible 6-day...
Tailor-Made trips
Take four or more on an exclusive trip and tailor your itinerary
4 Days
From
925
Set out on a camping safari through captivating Kakadu National Park. Experience the...
4 Days
From
980
Discover the best of Australia's Red Centre on a four-day family adventure with...
5 Days
From
1580
Discover Australia’s Red Centre in-depth on a four-day adventure with Intrepid,...
8 Days
From
2715
Travel through the rugged landscapes of Kakadu National Park, Katherine and Litchfield...
4 Days
From
1040
Set out on a camping safari through captivating Kakadu National Park. Experience the...
10 Days
From
2100
Travel on an epic 4WD tour from the glistening beaches of Broome, across the wild...
Things to do in the Northern Territory

Explore East Arnhem Land
The beautiful and magical Arnhem Land is undoubtedly one of the Northern Territory’s best-kept secrets. From its naturally diverse landscapes, including tropical rainforests and billabongs brimming with wildlife, to its spiritual connection to Aboriginal culture, exploring this captivating land is a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience. Learn about the way of life for the Yolgnu Peoples (traditional owners) with your group and soak up the blissful peace and quiet that comes with being in the middle of the Aussie wilderness.

Discover Darwin
The Northern Territory isn’t all rich red desert and outstanding natural rock formations, Darwin city is definitely a worthy stop on your next holiday. Buzzing with a diverse culture, an epic arts scene, fascinating flora and fauna, and some of Australia’s best beaches, Northern Territory’s capital definitely turns up the heat. Whether you want to explore the waterfront, journey to a national park, or eat your way through the many cuisines available, Darwin is not a city that should be overlooked.

Marvel at the magic of Uluru/Ayers Rock
You can’t journey to the Northern Territory and not see Australia’s most iconic natural attraction; the mesmerising Uluru/Ayers Rock. Nestled in the heart of the Aussie desert, this famous formation was naturally created over 600 million years ago and is now a beloved part of the Northern Territory’s landscape thanks to its giant stature and unique shape. Watch in awe as Uluru’s creviced surface shifts colours underneath the dying sun and learn about the spiritual importance this magical place has in Aboriginal culture.

Visit the epic domes at Kata Tjuta
Another natural formation that proves Mother Nature knows more about creating extraordinary things than we do is the otherworldly domes at Kata Tjuta (The Olgas). Sacred to the Aboriginal people, these fascinating rock domes were formed millions of years ago, standing the test of time so you can marvel at their size and beauty today. Whether you feel like hiking around the domes with a choice of several trails or watching them glow with the setting sun, these epic formations are a sight you simply don’t want to miss.

Appreciate Aboriginal artists at work
Aboriginal art is a big part of life in the Northern Territory from the traditional bark paintings found in East Arnhem Land to the ancient rock art preserved in Kakadu National Park. Storytelling goes back millions of years in Aboriginal culture and the art being produced today sheds light on not only the history of the traditional peoples of this land, but also how they lived, hunted, cooked, and created. Whether you fancy wandering through a gallery or trying your hand at traditional painting, dive into the Northern Territory’s fascinating art scene.

Adventure through Kakadu National Park
One of the best ways to reconnect with your love for the great outdoors is to adventure through the spiritually significant Kakadu National Park. Guaranteed to stay in your heart long after you leave, this spectacular national park is full of jaw-dropping waterfalls, challenging but oh-so-worth-it walks, rare and unique rock art, and more native animals than you can think of. Follow your Intrepid leader as you journey through the park and take time to soak up the magic that runs through every ancient tree and flows in every waterlily-covered billabong.
Northern Territory tour reviews
Northern Territory 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.
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 best way to travel from Melbourne to the Northern Territory is by plane. You can fly from Melbourne International Airport (MEL) into Darwin International Airport (DRW) in just under 4 and a half hours and the tickets will set you back roughly $300 depending on which airline you fly with and how far in advance you book. This form of transportation may not be the cheapest way to travel between the two destinations but it is the quickest.
Read more about the best way to travel from Melbourne to the Northern Territory
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
Read more about Northern Territory's national parks here.
The Northern Territory has many art, culture and music festivals in its events calendar. Some of our favourite events include:
Alice Springs Beanie Festival
Celebrate the very best of Aboriginal talent, creativity, and skill at the Alice Springs Beanie Festival. Bursting with silly and colourful handmade beanies, this festival aims to encourage and appreciate the work of both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people with various textile workshops and demonstrations on sight to help you understand and learn how to make local arts and crafts.
Barunga Festival
Barunga is a closed community in the Northern Territory that you usually need a permit to enter, but for three days they open up to the world to celebrate life in Katherine's remote Indigenous communities. With a jam-packed program featuring storytelling circles, art and bush medicine workshops, and some of Australia's best First Nations musicians, Barunga Festival is a wonderful opportunity to connect with the vibrant community.
The short answer is yes, you can! However, weather conditions in the Northern Territory can make it hard to swim in natural watering holes all year-round. The best time to swim in Kakadu is during our winter season (from June to August) but you still need to remain aware of changing weather conditions and crocodile warning signs.
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.
Read more about Australia
Aug 09, 2023
What not to do at Uluru
There are plenty of do's at Uluru, but there are also some don't's.
Feb 20, 2020
7 reasons you should explore the east...
Australia is an amazing country. Here are seven reasons to add Intrepid's Sydney...
Dec 14, 2015
The world’s best city rivalries: why...
Whether it’s based on landmarks, music, fashion, food, sport, literature, location...
Feb 07, 2016
Meet the couple that crossed the...
Trina and I sat on my mum’s couch in Manchester, listening to a family friend try...
May 04, 2023
22 new ways we’re creating positive...
Our not-for-profit, The Intrepid Foundation, is welcoming 22 new partners in 2023....
Jun 21, 2023
Everything you need to know before...
You can't just rock up to Uluru (pardon the pun). Here's all the important stuff...
Aug 31, 2021
11 amazing things to do on K’gari ...
This ever-changing sand island promises an amazing outdoor adventure whether it's...
Jan 12, 2022
Reconnect: Explore Australia and...
Discover family holidays featuring life changing Aboriginal and Torres Strait...
Apr 19, 2022
“What happened needs to be...
Set in the heart of South Australia’s Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park,...
May 15, 2022
“At that moment I just burst into...
We sent Rachael Sarra on our Flinders Ranges Explorer trip – a seven-day journey...
May 02, 2017
4 places to discover in Australia’s...
It may be one of the most arid regions on earth, and yep, there's a whole lot of...
Mar 17, 2019
Heading Down Under? Here’s how to see...
If your only experience of Australia is an old Simpsons episode and Fosters beer...
Aug 24, 2021
8 things to do around Uluru and the...
Get ready for adventure with 8 incredible ways to immerse yourself in Australia's...
Jul 20, 2023
Reasons to visit the Grampians
Here’s why you should lace up your hiking boots and head to the Grampians for your...
Jul 12, 2023
The top 10 destinations to travel in...
From the iconic Incan ruins of Peru to the rolling Saharan dunes of Morocco, here...
Mar 18, 2023
4 things you can expect when hiking...
One thing's for sure, hiking the Larapinta Trail will be one of the greatest...
Mar 26, 2023
7 ways to prepare for the Larapinta...
Here are 7 things you can do to set yourself up for success.
May 16, 2023
The 6 things you should know before...
This trail will leave you feeling different. In the best way possible.
Jun 23, 2023
So much more than a rock: Spoonful of...
Exploring your own backyard can be just as eye-opening as the far-flung...
Mar 03, 2022
9 animals to see in Uluru & Kings Canyon
How many of these local wildlife residents will you see on your Red Centre...
Aug 23, 2022
Championing coastal wetlands: Blue...
Intrepid Foundation partner Blue Carbon Lab is working to mitigate climate change...
Sep 11, 2022
Budj Bim Cultural Landscape: stories...
Budj Bim Cultural Landscape in Western Victoria is one of Australia’s most...
Oct 28, 2022
5 amazing First Nations travel...
Got a trip to Sydney on the cards? The iconic harbour city is home to some...