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The Top End

The Northern Territory is geographically divided into the tropical forests and wetlands of the Top End and the red-gold desert and striking rock formations of the Red Centre. The Top End is home to the Kakadu National Park, famous for its fine Aboriginal paintings, as well as its wildlife, while the Red Centre is the setting of the monumental Ayers Rock known also as Uluru.

The Northern Territory is bordered by Queensland to the east, Western 

There are plenty of crocs in the Top End make sure you exercise care.

Australia to the west, and the Arafura Sea to the north. Not given quite the same status in terms of self­government as the other states, the Northern Territory was originally governed by the Australian Capital Territory, but now has partial governing powers. Only about 1% of Australians live in the heat of the Northern Territory where almost one third of the land belongs to the Aborigines. Darwin is the hub in the Top End, while Alice Springs takes on that status in the Red Centre.

Darwin and the Top End

The centre of Darwin itself gleams, as only an almost completely modern, seaside city can. The climate, bright foliage and friendly atmosphere create a sense of relaxation and ease, even at the very heart of town. The centre is remarkably easy to negotiate and visitors can take in most of the city’s attractions on foot, humidity permitting.

There are a number of cultural attractions. The East Point Military Museum has exhibitions on World War II activities in the Northern Territory, Asia, and Europe, and shows footage of the 1942 Japanese bombing of Darwin. A fine collection of Aboriginal art and work by other major Australian, Southeast Asian and Oceanic artists and objects of cultural and archaeological significance can be seen at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory. Other places of interest are Government House, Old Admiralty House, Victoria Hotel , the Chinese Temple, and the Northern Territory Museum of Arts and Sciences.

Mindil Sunset Beach Market - art and craft markets, food stalls and free entertainment  (dry season only)

The Darwin Wharf Precinct is a good place to relax, with its restaurants, walking trails and the Deckchair Outdoor Cinema. Come and have an evening drink and watch for the dolphins that often visit along the wharves. Get a feel for the local colour at one of the markets such as the Mindil Sunset Beach Market (held every Thursday and Sunday night from March until October). Take a relaxing harbour cruise, or if you're the fishing type, hire a rod for the day and just go fishing.

There are plenty of opportunities for the nature lover in and near to Darwin. Aquascene in Doctors Gully Road shows the daily hand feeding of milkfish, catfish, mullet, bream, and many other varieties of fish brought in by the tide. It opens only at feeding times and the hours vary with the tides.

The Darwin Botanic Gardens, a must for nature lovers, have an exceptional collection of palms and other lush tropical vegetation. 

Short trips              
Within easy reach of Darwin there are a number of attractions, most of which focus on the Territory's wildlife and natural environment. 

The Darwin Crocodile Farm (40km south of Darwin) is home to thousands of crocodiles, reared for their skins. There are crocodile-feeding displays and guided tours.

Window on the Wetlands is on the Arnhem Highway about 70 kilometres out of Darwin. It features a series of excellent displays on wetland ecosystems and fantastic views of the beautiful Mary River.

The Berry Springs Nature Parks, just outside of Darwin, displays wildlife of the Northern Territory in its natural surroundings. 

The Territory Wildlife Park at Berry Springs, 56 kilometres down the Stuart Highway, is a wildlife park with an international reputation. It has an extraordinary array of native and exotic species; a special feature is the nocturnal house, the second largest in the world, with its 50 mammal, bird and reptile species.

Litchfield National Park, 120km south of Darwin, is an area of rocky escarpments and spectacular waterfalls. 

For more information on this region contact:

The not-to-be-missed Kakadu National Park, 150km (93 miles) east of Darwin (extending for about 100km/62 miles from west to east, and 200km/124 miles from north to south), was made a UNESCO World Heritage area in 1987 on account of its Aboriginal art sites and its rich wildlife. The park's landscape includes the lagoons of the north which gradually transform to the rugged cliffs of the south.

The Arnhem Land Aboriginal Land, lying about halfway down the national park, forms a barrier between north and south. Only Gove, on the northeast corner of peninsula, is open to independent travellers. The tidal zone along the Van Diemen's Gulf is made up of the estuaries of four great rivers. Both saltwater and freshwater crocodiles are at home in the estuaries' swamps and lagoons. Beware: it is the saltwater crocodiles (salties) that are really dangerous. Birdlife is prolific, particularly during the wet season ('the Wet'), when the area swarms with migratory birds and other water fowl.

In the south of the park the Jim Jim Falls, and the nearby Twin Falls are worth a visit. There are numerous sites of Aboriginal rock art, the most famous of which are those at Ubirr and Nourlangie Rocks. Part of Kakadu is Aboriginal land which has been leased to the government for use as a national park. The park is an excellent, but difficult bushwalking area. Marked trails range from 1km (0.6 miles) to 12km (7 miles), but there are numerous possibilities for those who wish to move away from the tracks. Walkers are advised to prepare well and to leave information of their movements and plans with someone.

The Bathurst and Melville Islands, 80km (50 miles) north of Darwin, are home of the Tiwi Aborigines and have been for thousands of years. Colourful Tiwi fabrics and arts and crafts can be bought there. The islands can be visited on a guided tour, which includes a short flight from Darwin.

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT KAKADU NATIONAL PARK

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Katherine

Katherine, situated 314km (195 miles) south of Darwin, is a good base from which to explore the Katherine (Nitmiluk) Gorge which lies about 30km (19 miles) northeast of the town. The gorge, 12km (7 miles) long, has been carved out by the Katherine River, which can become a raging torrent during the wet season. Visitors can join a boat cruise which passes through five of the 13 gorges, or you can hire a canoe and explore them at your leisure. Katherine Gorge is incorporated in the Katherine Gorge National Park, which covers an area of 1,800km² (695 miles²), and is also home to the Edith Falls and Aboriginal rock paintings up to 7,000 years old. The Cutta Cutta Caves, about 25km (16 miles) southeast of Katherine, boast some impressive rock formations.

From Katherine you can head down the Stuart Highway which leads to the Red Centre. En route you can try your hand at gold panning in Tennant Creek, and stop to marvel at the Devil's Marbles, a scattering of giant red boulders south of the town.

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When to go ? 

Ask any Territorian when the best time to Darwin is and invariably they'll say the wet season (October to March). Everything is green, there's no dust, barramundi fishing is at its best, prices drop, there are spectacular electrical storms and all the tourists have gone home. The tourists have gone home for a reason - the humidity is often unbearable, many roads are impassable, access to certain areas restricted, swimming in the ocean is impossible, and cyclones are something of a worry. Late wet, early dry is probably the best season, as the rains taper off and the humidity drops. During the wet season the top end also gets swamped with mozzies and sandlies. Escpecially the latter one seems to have the effect of itching off and on for weeks.

Whichever season you arrive in, the temperature will most likely be between 30 and 33°C (86 to 91°F). If street parades are your thing, make your way here in August for the Festival of Darwin and the Beer Can Regatta.

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