7 Reasons to Visit the Top End

The Top End is filled with immense and sparsely populated landscapes waiting to be discovered on your tour of the Northern Territory. The countryside is home to a spattering of urban areas where you are welcomed with true Aussie warmth, and the...
26 June, 2018Jim Jim Falls, Kakadu National Park

The Top End is filled with immense and sparsely populated landscapes waiting to be discovered on your tour of the Northern Territory. The countryside is home to a spattering of urban areas where you are welcomed with true Aussie warmth, and the rich red earth spanning between towns is full of natural treasures and culturally rich relics. There are plenty of reasons to take a tour through the Top End, here are just some of them.

Devils Marbles

Travelling from Alice Springs toward the Top End you are greeted by the intriguing rock formations known as the Devils Marbles. This string of granite boulders balance peculiarly on the baked earth, throwing ochre hues over the landscape. Marvel at this collection of enormous stones that pop up from the sweeping horizon and the wildlife that call their shady base home as your tour takes you north.

Devils Marbles, Northern Territory

Tennant Creek

The outback town of Tennant Creek has been shaped by the gold rush, its sprawling cattle stations, its rich Aboriginal culture, and its true blue Aussie characters. Resting 1000 kilometres south of Darwin and 500 kilometres north of Alice Springs, its secluded location reveals the vast expanse of the countryside and its residents provide an insight into life in remote outback Australia.

Katherine Gorge

Katherine Gorge (Nitmiluk) National Park is home to 13 gorges sculpted by the swirling waters of Katherine River. Slicing through the sandstone, the Katherine River Gorge system is a wonder to behold. Take a cruise along the waterway to spot crocodiles basking on the banks, admire the Aboriginal rock art adorning the stone, and watch the ravine walls change colour with the setting sun.

Katherine Gorge, Northern Territory

Kakadu National Park

Spanning almost 20,000 square kilometres, Kakadu National Park is a World Heritage-listed nature reserve with almost as many reasons to visit as kilometres it covers. Discover one of the highest concentrated areas of accessible Aboriginal rock art in the world, take a cruise of the Yellow Water Billabong to spot saltwater crocodiles and birdlife aplenty, and explore the bushland home to more than 1000 plant species.

Ubirr

One of Kakadu’s most significant rock-art galleries, Ubirr exhibits an array of ancient paintings believed to be 20,000 years old. Admire animal figures etched to honour them for giving their lives during a hunt, see the depiction of Dreamtime ancestors, and view a stunning illustration of a Rainbow Serpent. Climb to the lookout where the view vies for your attention after examining the stunning pieces of art at the gallery.

Rock Art at Ubirr, Kakadu National Park

Litchfield National Park

Encompassing much of the Tabletop Range, you will be greeted with views of a vast sandstone plateau intersected by bubbling waterfalls at Litchfield National Park. Stroll through pockets of monsoon vine forests and lush bushland, marvel at the cliff faces and striking escarpments, drink in the views from the elevated rocky outcrops, and perhaps take a dip in the clear plunge pools at the base of the cascading falls.

Darwin

This cosmopolitan capital was mostly rebuilt after Cyclone Tracey raged through in 1974. Its restored buildings are now home to an array of restaurants, bars and museums. Take a hop-on-hop-off bus to get a feel for the city or take a tour to learn about the WWII Bombing of Darwin. Enjoy the waterfront dining precinct, perhaps take a dinner cruise on the Darwin Harbour, or enjoy the food and craft stalls as the sun sets on the Mindil Markets.

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