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. 

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Things to do in the Northern Territory

Traditional first nations experience in Arnhem Land.

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. 

Aerial view of Darwin's cityscape.

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. 

Two smiling female travellers standing in front of Uluru/Ayers Rock in the Northern Territory.

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. 

Traveller sifting red dirt through his hands at Kata Tjuta.

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. 

Traveller watching locals making traditional art in the Northern Territory.

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. 

Traveller relaxing in a natural swimming pool in Kakadu National Park.

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.

Learn more about Intrepid’s COVID-19 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 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. 

Learn more about swimming in Kakadu National Park

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

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