1. KAKADU NATIONAL PARK
Covering an area that’s the same size as Belgium and housing some of the great cultural and natural wonders of the world, Kakadu is certainly worth the hype. Located about three hours south-east of Darwin, it is a place you should explore by car, preferably 4WD, with some of the most popular sights lying at a fair distance from each other.
The stand out attractions are the site of Ubirr, where the rock-art is estimated to be up to 8,000 years old,Nourlangie rock, and a cruise along the Yellow Water wetlands – one of those rare places where reality matches expectation. We’d recommend a trip to the remote and spectacular Twin Falls and the 660ft high Jim Jim Falls, which can be reached along a 4WD track that turns south off the Kakadu Highway between the Nourlangie and Cooinda turn-offs. Maguk Gorge (formerly Barramundi Gorge) is also well worth a visit – a lovely spot for relaxing and swimming – as is Gubara. This pretty six kilometre trail ends at a rainforest cloaked chain of rock pools.
Be prepared to spend several days in Kakadu. The UNESCO-listed park is larger than Yellowstone, Yosemite and the Everglades combined, so it will take a while to explore.
Boasting thundering waterfalls(at their most spectacular during the wet season), ancient rock art and the world’s biggest crocs (the Corroboree Billabong has the largest concentration of saltwater crocs in the world), this is one of Australia’s must-see destinations and has something to offer every traveller on any budget.
The dry season runs from June to September and is the most popular time of the year for visitors. Prices can be dramatically lower during the wet season, so it might be worth just bringing a brolly.
2. LITCHFIELD NATIONAL PARK
No visit to the Top End is complete without a day-trip to the magnificent Litchfield National Park. Indeed, some prefer it to Kakadu, so it’d be daft not to see both. Situated about an hour-and-a-half down the road from Darwin on the Stuart Highway, it is the perfect place to cool off, boasting several magnificent rock and plunge pools, cascading waterfalls and tropical walks. Wangi Falls is one of the main draws and iseasily accessible. You can swim between May and October and watch the stunning waterfalls during the wet season. Litchfield National Park is also packed with animals and birds that sound more fictional than factual – the spangled drongo being a perfect example.
3. NITMILUK NATIONAL PARK
Outback Australia’s most impressive ancient sandstone region lies within the Nitmiluk National Park. The nearly 3,000sq km national park is owned by the Jawoyn Aboriginal people, who hold great ceremonial significance to the gorges and surrounding land. There are numerous walking trails ranging from strolls along the riverbanks to overnight walks and a five-day walk from Katherine Gorge (see no.4) to Leliyn (Edith Falls).The 58km Jatbula Trail passes waterfalls, monsoon rainforest, stone country and Aboriginal rock art, and ends at Leliyn, a tranquil camping ground.
4. KATHERINE GORGE
Katherine Gorge is one of the Northern Territories’ biggest attractions, and a visit to the Top End is not complete without coming here. The gorge, known bythe aboriginal name Nitmiluk, is the central attractionof the park and is made up of 13 separate gorges linkedby a maze of sandstone-framed waterways. There area number of options for exploring available and youcan discover it at your own pace. Visitors cruise in flatbottomedboats, canoe, swim or walk to explore themagnificent gorges. You can spend a night in Katherine at one of the many hotels, motels or resorts to maximise your time here.
5. KATHERINE HOT SPRINGS
Mother Nature is one smooth lady as she just loves a hot tub. And so do we. The majestically beautiful Katherine Hot Springs are natural thermal springs situated on the banks of the Katherine River. They comprise a seriesof clear pools framed by native vegetation, and watertemperatures average 32 degrees. Once, the main pool was simply an indentation at the edge of the Katherine River, but now the area is a place to relax, enjoy swimming in the pools, the picnic grounds and scenic walking tracks, which are crystal clear pools of water winding through the shade of trees to the river.
6. MOUNT BUNDY STATION
If you’re into horse riding, fishing and country-style hospitality, Mount Bundy Station is the perfect detour for you, three kilometres off the highway after Adelaide River.
Mount Bundy is a working cattle station in the Top End, but its overnight options are far removed from your average cowshed. The original station buildings have become spotless guest accommodation, plus there are luxury safari tents if you want to sleep under the stars. There are 4WD tours and plenty of animals on the property − guided horse rides cost $60 per hour, with overnight treks by arrangement.
7.DOUGLAS HOT SPRINGS
The Douglas Daly (Tjuwaliyn) Hot Springs is one of the Top End’s most popular attractions. The water is too hot where it first reaches the surface and can only be safely entered once it has mixed with cooler water from a tributary creek. The springs are 130km from Katherine and 200km from Darwin. If you are travelling south, take the Old Stuart Highway scenic route from Adelaide River.If travelling north take the route just north of Hayes Creek. The last seven kilometres into Tjuwaliyn is a gravel road providing dry season access (May to September) for all vehicles and camping is permitted.
8. TIWI ISLANDS
Bathurst and Melville Islands, collectively known as the Tiwi Islands, lie just off the coast of Darwin. Being cut off from the mainland has made their culture unique – they don’t have didgeridoos or boomerangs, for example. Entry to the Tiwi Islands is by permit only and most visitors come over on one-day tours of Bathurst, the smaller island.
9. ARNHEM LAND
Truly at the Top End is the beautiful Arnhem Land. An area of more than 94,000 square kilometres, it is Aboriginal-owned and home to many different clan groups (it is a cultural stronghold from which the didgeridoo originates). Its rugged ranges are fringed by idyllic billabongs, flood plains, paper bark swamps and monsoonal rainforests; an amazingly beautiful wilderness.
10. Darwin
Darwin is great because it’s a real mixture between far-flung outpost and holiday resort, it being the centre of the NT’s tropical Top End. It is also the main gateway to Kakadu and Litchfield National Parks (no.1 and 2). See our Top 5 Darwin must-dos and Take me to the Top End for more.
