Northern Territory
Magnificent Untouched Wilderness
Magnificent
untouched wilderness
Six times the size of Britain, the magnificent untouched wilderness of the Northern Territory is divided into two distinct regions, the Top End and the Red Centre.
The tropical climate of the Top End has created a varied landscape ranging from dramatic coastlines, tropical woodlands and rugged escarpments to deep gorges, wetlands, waterfalls and billabongs. In the Red Centre, vast deserts and jagged ranges dominate the landscape, whilst Aboriginal culture and spiritual connection echoes in every landmark.
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Darwin
- Experience the cultural and culinary diversity of Darwin through its outdoor markets, restaurants, colourful festivals, and annual events
- Explore the diverse landscapes of Kakadu & Arnhem Land, teeming with bird and wildlife, steep escarpments, and a high concentration of aboriginal rock art sites
- Cruise or canoe through the ancient gorges of the world-renowned Nitmiluk National Park in the Katherine region
- Follow the Explorer’s Way passing huge outback cattle stations to Tennant Creek and uncover the Territory’s heart of gold
- Learn about the charming pioneering history of Alice Springs and discover the boundless desert landscapes and remote Aboriginal communities of Central Australia
- Explore the ancient weather-worn landscape of Uluru-Kata Tjuta, rich in indigenous culture and home to Australia’s most recognisable natural icons
- Wander through the Field of Light, an award-winning exhibition of over 50,000 glowing solar-powered stems.
The Northern Territory’s capital, Darwin is surrounded by a harbour more than twice the size of Sydney’s and is an ideal base from which to explore the natural attractions of the Top End. Considered to be Australia’s most culturally diverse city, its heritage is a unique blend of ancient Aboriginal custom, European pioneering legacy, WWII history and fresh Asian influence. With warm weather year-round, Darwin enjoys a relaxed outdoor lifestyle and the lush foliage of its wide streets and suburban parks gives the city a tropical feel.
Here is a small selection of the accommodation available in Darwin but we have many alternative Hotels and Apartments to suit all tastes and budgets.
Mindel Beach Casino Resort
Spectacularly set amongst tropical beachside gardens, Mindil Beach Casino Resort has a prime position next to Mindil Beach Sunset Markets. The casino complex has a choice of several restaurants serving everything from Asian fusion to contemporary Italian. The guest rooms feature indulgent stone-clad bathrooms with twin showers and egg-shaped baths. From the superior suite, you can swim out from the deck to a man-made lagoon with a swim-up bar and it is fringed by a sandy cove, lined with deck chairs.
Mantra on the Esplanade
Situated on The Esplanade, overlooking Darwin Harbour to the Arafura Sea, this 4-star hotel offers apartment style accommodation with the convenience of hotel service and facilities. Choose between one-, two- or three-bedroom apartments with large balconies, perfect for experiencing a famous Northern Territory sunset and include lounge and dining areas and a fully equipped kitchen with fridge, microwave and dishwasher.
Experiences in the Top End
Some of the experiences available in the Top End are outlined below, but there are many, many more, so please ask for details of any other activity you would like to include during your stay.
Darwin City Package, 4 nights
This suggested city package includes 4 nights’ accommodation, half day city tour, full day Tour of Kakadu National Park and full day tour to Nitmiluk National Park. It can be booked with your choice of accommodation and adapted to suit the time you have available. Please request a quotation for your preferred travel dates.
Day 1: Arrive Darwin
On arrival you will be transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to explore the city.
Day 2: Half Day City Tour
This morning city sights tour is the perfect introduction to Darwin with an informative and interesting commentary from your professional guide. Highlights include the lush Botanic Gardens, Chinese Temple, East Point Military Precinct, Stokes Hill Wharf area, the Mooring Basin and Darwin Aviation Museum. There is also time available to explore the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, whose collections encompass Aboriginal art, visual arts, and Northern Territory history and natural sciences.
Day 3: Kakadu, Nourlangie Rock and Yellow Water
Travel by coach with a local driver/guide and discover the wonders of World Heritage listed Kakadu National Park. Visit the Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre and take a guided cruise on Yellow Water billabong, home to abundant birdlife and the saltwater crocodile. View Aboriginal art at Nourlangie Rock and stop at Window on the Wetlands for drinks whilst overlooking the floodplains.
Day 4: Katherine Gorge and Edith Falls
Travel by coach with a local driver/guide and stop to explore the Adelaide River War Cemetery. Continue to Edith Falls for a refreshing swim. Enter Nitmiluk National Park and take a guided cruise between the sandstone cliff walls of Katherine Gorge. Learn of the significance of the Aboriginal rock art which adorns the walls of the gorge, whilst watching out for wildlife.
Day 5: Depart Darwin
Today you will be transferred back to the airport for your onward flight.
The Great Northern Highway Self Drive, 9 Nights: Darwin to Broome
This highly recommended self-drive from Darwin to Broome requires 9 days 4WD rental and 9 nights’ accommodation. We will be pleased to help you choose the best rental vehicle and accommodation options to suit your personal preference and provide a quotation for you preferred travel dates.
Darwin – Katherine – Timber Creek – Kununurra – El Questro – Halls Creek – Fitzroy Crossing – Derby – Broome
This itinerary is not available for travel from November to March of each year due to the wet season as many resorts and roads are closed during this period.
DAY 1 Darwin – Katherine (315 kms)
Pick up your large 4WD vehicle either at Darwin and begin your journey to Katherine. Depart on the Stuart Highway and travel via Adelaide River, Hayes Creek and Pine Creek to Katherine. Adelaide River township played an important role during World War II and Pine Creek was the scene of extensive mining in the 1880’s
Katherine is the heart of the real Outback. The highlight here is undoubtedly Katherine Gorge, located in the Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) National Park. The main entrance to the National Park is 32 kilometres from Katherine. Over millions of years, torrential summer rains in Arnhem Land during the wet season have caused the waters of the Katherine River to cut thirteen spectacular serpentine gorges. Cut into ancient rock, the canyon walls climb steeply above cool blue water, and there is abundant bird, fish and animal life, including the freshwater crocodile.
Overnight: Katherine
DAY 2 Katherine – Timber Creek (285 kms)
This morning you may wish to take a cruise on Katherine Gorge or visit the Cutta Cutta Caves. Depart Katherine today and join the Victoria Highway to travel towards Timber Creek via Tindal and Victoria River Crossing. Timber Creek is the gateway to Gregory National Park. There is not a lot in Timber Creek however, the points of interest surrounding Timber Creek are: Parks and Wildlife Commission Headquarters, Timber Creek, Gregory National Park, Limestone Gorge, scenic walks, Telecom Lookout, Heritage walk, Victoria River Crossing and Gregory’s Tree.
Overnight: Timber Creek
DAY 3 Timber Creek – Kununurra (240 kms)
Depart Timber Creek this morning and travel to Kununurra via the Victoria Highway. There are not a lot of towns along this section however you may be interested in visiting Keep River National Park and Hidden Valley National Park.
Kununurra is a rich green oasis amid the rugged land of the Kimberley, Kununurra is in the centre of the Ord River Irrigation Scheme, about 1057km east of Broome.
Overnight: Kununurra
DAY 4 Kununurra – El Questro (100 kms)
A suggestion for this morning is to rise early and take a scenic flight over the Bungle Bungles. Depart Kununurra and travel to El Questro, which is situated in the East Kimberley (58km on the sealed Great Northern Highway towards Wyndham with the remainder on the graded gravel Gibb River Road).
EL QUESTRO is now considered to be one of the world’s most unique holiday destinations. El Questro is on the eastern perimeter of the Kimberley and runs for approximately 80 km into the heart of the region, most of which has never been explored and certainly never settled. Animal, bird and fish life congregates on the rivers and waterholes.
2 Nights: El Questro
DAY 5 El Questro
Enjoy a full day at your leisure to explore this pocket of the Kimberley.
Perhaps take a short walk from the base of the Emma Gorge past butterfly filled trees and vines to a huge turquoise waterhole, perfect for swimming and even a gentle massage under the permanent droplet waterfalls. You may wish to take an afternoon cruise on the Chamberlain Gorge, a 3km fresh waterhole bounded by tropical vegetation belittled by towering 200 ft escarpments. The Gorge can only be travelled by boat, and guests are rewarded by excellent examples of Wandjina Rock Art at the far end. Another alternative for a unique experience is the Zebedee Springs – a short walk off the graded road through dense Livingstonia palms to a series of thermal pools, a fabulous place to soak and relax.
DAY 6 El Questro – Halls Creek (400 kms)
Depart El Questro this morning and drive back out along the Gibb River Road to the Great Northern Highway and travel to Halls Creek via Turkey Creek.
HALLS CREEK – Often referred to as the oasis of the Kimberley, Halls Creek sits on the edge of the Great Sandy Desert. In all directions the landscape is vast and harsh. Halls Creek is a service centre for pastoralists, mineral exploration, Aboriginal communities and booming tourism surrounding the Purnululu and Wolfe Creek Crater National Parks.
Overnight: Halls Creek
DAY 7 Halls Creek – Fitzroy Crossing (295 kms)
Depart Halls Creek and travel along the Great Northern Highway to Fitzroy Crossing.
Fitzroy Crossing is not a big town, but it has a big past. It is surrounded by some of Australia’s biggest and best pastoral properties. No visit to Fitzroy Crossing is complete without a drive out to the original town site. There you will find the legendary Crossing Inn, built in 1897 as a shanty inn and trade store for long distance travellers about to ford the mighty Fitzroy River. Here you can hear yarns about the awesome power of the Fitzroy in flood. Fitzroy Crossing is an ideal base to explore the national parks and gorges.
Overnight: Fitzroy Crossing
DAY 8 Fitzroy Crossing – Derby (262 kms)
Depart Fitzroy Crossing and continue your journey west. There are a couple of options; you can stay on the Great Northern Highway and travel via Ellendale, Willare Bridge Roadhouse and take the Derby Highway north to Derby. This drive is approximately 262 kms. For an off-road alternative, drive approximately 40km out of Fitzroy Crossing, turn off the Great Northern Highway and travel towards Tunnel Creek National Park and Windjana Gorge National Park. 29 kms past the Gorge, turn left onto the Gibb River Road and continue on to Derby. This alternative route is approximately 297 kms and is predominantly on un-sealed road.
Overnight: Derby
DAY 9 Derby – Broome (222 kms)
Depart Derby and return to the Great Northern Highway at Willare Bridge Roadhouse to arrive in Broome.
Broome, a unique, exotic town and the southern gateway to the raw wilderness area called the Kimberley. Established as a pearling port in the 1880’s, Broome boasts a multi-cultural population made up of many nationalities that flocked to the shores of Roebuck Bay in the hope of making their fortune from the pearling industry. Broome’s unique beauty needs time to explore.
Overnight: Broome
DAY 10 Broome
Today is free for your leisure. Places of interest to visit during your stay are the dinosaur’s footprint at Gantheaume Point, estimated to be 130 million years old, Cable Beach, with its 24 km of clean, white sand, the nearby Pearl Coast Zoological Gardens and the Broome Crocodile Farm.
Return your vehicle to the Broome Airport depot or Broome city Rental Depot
Stay in the Red Centre
In the heart of Central Australia, and nestled between the beautiful MacDonnell Ranges, the township of Alice Springs is a great base from which to explore the natural wonders of the Red Centre. Beyond the spectacular gorges and chasms of the MacDonnell Ranges stretch the Simpson and Tanami deserts, where Aboriginal people have lived for thousands of years.
One of Australia’s most famous sights, Uluru (Ayers Rock) dominates the Red Centre. Of great spiritual importance to the indigenous Anangu people, this mighty monolith is one of the earth’s natural wonders.
Mercure Alice Springs
Situated on the banks of the famous Todd River with its magnificent gum trees, Mercure Alice Springs offers friendly outback service and modern, comfortable facilities. Just a 5- minute walk from the town centre, the low-rise architecture and lush green lawns contribute to the relaxed atmosphere of this hotel.
Voyages Sails in the Desert Hotel, Ayers Rock
Voyages Ayers Rock Resort is a luxurious oasis at the gateway to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and it is the Resort’s premier hotel. Named for the soaring white sails that crown its roof, the hotel is exquisitely furnished and designed. The interior décor focuses on Aboriginal heritage and culture, with significant artworks featured throughout rooms and public areas.
Ayers Rock Package: 2 Nights
This suggested package includes 2 nights’ accommodation, half day Ayers Rock and Uluru Base Tour, Uluru sunrise tour and evening dining under the stars in a private desert setting. It can be booked with your choice of accommodation and adapted to suit the time you have available. Please request a quotation for you preferred travel dates.
Day 1: Arrive Ayers Rock & Uluru Base Tour with Sunset Drinks
Flights to arrive prior to 1 pm. On arrival you will be transferred to your hotel. This afternoon visit the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre and Maruku Arts and Craft Cooperative, dedicated to interpreting Anangu culture and law. Travel to the waterhole of Mutitjulu for a guided walk, view ancient cave paintings and learn about Aboriginal legends, then join the guided Mala Walk and learn of the region’s geology and flora. Late in the day, enjoy a glass of wine and canapés as you view the changing colours of Uluru at sunset.
Day 2: Uluru Sunrise and Kata Tjuta & Sounds of Silence
Departing 60 minutes before sunrise, enter Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park to witness Uluru at sunrise and see the desert come to life. Travel to the immense rock domes of Kata Tjuta and enjoy a guided walk into Walpa Gorge to learn of its formation and the flora and fauna of the region. Return to your hotel late morning and enjoy the afternoon at leisure. This evening, dine under the stars in a private desert setting. Enjoy champagne and canapés as you watch the sun set over Uluru, dine on a Northern Territory feast, and experience some of the world’s best star gazing with the assistance of an astronomer.
Day 3: Depart Ayers Rock
Today you will be transferred back to the airport for your onward flight.
A Night at Field of Light
With Uluru as your backdrop, enjoy canapes and chilled sparkling wine to an unforgettable sunset.
As darkness falls and the coloured lights of the 50,000 glass spheres gently sparkle to life, join your table of fellow travellers for a special three course bush tucker inspired buffet. Your host will provide insights and background to the artist and light installation that awaits you. The music of a lone didgeridoo and a local Indigenous performance are also part of your evening experience.
You’re invited to immerse yourself in the Field of Light, its pathways glistening softly with rhythms of coloured light, beckoning you to explore. Take a lasting look back at Field of Light from the raised viewing area as you enjoy a sweet treat, hot chocolate or port before boarding your return transfer.
Duration: 4.5 hours including transfers
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