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Arboriginal Rock Art, Kakadu National Park, Australia

Northern Territory: The Red Centre & Top End

Aboriginal culture, brought to life

Northern Territory holidays

Introduction

The territory is a land rich in Aboriginal heritage and rugged, natural beauty. Step back in time among the rock art of Kakadu and Arnhem Land, experience the sacred solitude of Uluru and King's Canyon, then canoe, bushwalk, bird watch, camp and four-wheel drive your way through Katherine. Drop into the outpost of Alice Springs and soak up Darwin's balmy mix of food and cultures.

The Red Centre

Sandy plains that stretch far beyond the horizon provide the backdrop to some of Australia’s best-known natural wonders and Dreamtime stories, shared around a campfire under a star-studded sky. At sunrise and sunset, the light on Uluru’s surface creates such astonishing chameleonic displays that it’s easy to see why a world of Aboriginal mythology has been woven around it. To the west is Kata Tjuta (the Olgas): dramatic rock domes some 200 metres taller than Uluru itself. Alice Springs is the Red Centre’s main hub. Trekking, camping and four-wheel driving tours to the Simpson Desert can all be organised in advance, as can trips to the nearby McDonnell Ranges, which run east and west out of Alice and are home to hiking trails, swimming holes and several prehistoric rock carving sites.

The Top End

While the state capital Darwin offers balmy weather and a surplus of outdoor festivals and markets, the real attractions of the Top End can be found beyond the city limits. Litchfield, the traditional home of the Wagait Aboriginal people, is the closest national park to Darwin. Monsoon forests, towering termite mounds and unusual rock formations are typical sights in a park that includes much of the Tabletop Range along with several waterfalls and rock pools that are perfect for swimming. To the east lies Kakadu, often referred to as ‘the backyard’ and full of famous landmarks like the 250-metre-high Jim Jim Falls. More remote still is Arnhem Land: 91,000 sq. km of Aboriginal-owned wilderness whose sprawling savannah, wild coastline and tangled rainforests provide some of Australia’s most authentic adventures. Head south from Arnhem Land and you’ll reach the Nitmiluk National Park, a stunning series of sandstone gorges that can be explored by foot, canoe, or as part of a boat cruise.

 

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Top itineraries in Northern Territory: The Red Centre & Top End

Seal Bay, Kangaroo Island

The Ghan & Kangaroo Island

13-day tailor-made rail holiday from £6,315 pp incl. flights

Travelling from south to north, this tailor-made trip marries one of the world’s greatest rail journeys with tropical Darwin, Adelaide’s heritage and the wildlife of Kangaroo Island.

Uluru / Ayers Rock, Northern Territory, Australia

Sydney, Uluru & the Great Barrier Reef

15-day tailor-made holiday from £3,805 pp incl. flights

Discover the sophistication of Sydney, the monolithic beauty and Aboriginal culture of Uluru and the underwater wonders of the Great Barrier Reef. This is Australia at its iconic best.

The Ghan

The Ghan Expedition: wilderness to wines

15-day tailor-made luxury rail journey from £8,395 pp incl. flights

Either side of this all-inclusive rail journey through the Outback, you’ll sample the wines of the Barossa Valley and enjoy a luxury safari in the wilds of Australia's Top End.

Port Douglas beach, Queensland, Australia

Australia and New Zealand Discoverer

21-day tailor-made holiday from £5,305 pp incl. flights

Combine the highlights of two spectacular countries, from New Zealand's mighty glaciers and remote fjords to an Australian road trip exploring stunning beaches, waterside cities and iconic Uluru.

Top places to stay in Northern Territory: The Red Centre & Top End

Longitude 131º

Longitude 131º, Uluru

Contemporary lodge

Perfectly positioned for sunrise and sunset views over Uluru, Longitude 131º offers exclusivity and luxury in this uniquely Australian destination.

Vatu Sanctuary, Alice Springs

Vatu Sanctuary, Alice Springs

Small & intimate hotel

Vatu Sanctuary offers indulgent chic among Alice Springs' frontier severity. Featuring just four garden-ringed private residences, it's the ideal escape, beautified by a series of stunningly colourful indigenous murals.

Oaks Elan Darwin

Oaks Elan Darwin, Darwin

Contemporary hotel

The Oaks Elan Darwin soars 27 floors above the harbour and offers a choice of hotel rooms or apartments in a great location.

	Doubletree by Hilton, Alice Springs

Doubletree by Hilton, Alice Springs

Traditional resort

The Doubletree by Hilton offers excellent accommodation and beautiful views of the MacDonnell Ranges yet is only a short walk from the centre of town.

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Where to go in Northern Territory: The Red Centre & Top End

Arnhem Land

Of staggering size – 91,000 square kilometres – and filled with varied landscapes, Aboriginal-owned Arnhem Land is well worth spending some time in. In the middle of Australia’s northern coast, its boundaries are beautiful ones: Kakadu National Park, the Arafura Sea and the Gulf of Carpentaria.

Katherine

Often described as the place where ‘the Outback meets the tropics’, Katherine is home to diverse landscapes and unique ecosystems that set the scene for adventure activities like fishing and four-wheel driving, canoeing and camping, bushwalking and bird watching.

Kakadu

Kakadu is acknowledged as Australia's most diverse and stunning landscape and offers real outback adventure travel. Kakadu lies roughly 170km south-east of Darwin in the Northern Territory.

Darwin

Australia's northernmost state capital, Darwin, is well known as the gateway to the Top End's national parks, but there's plenty to do in the city itself, and even more in its immediate surroundings.

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When to go to Northern Territory: The Red Centre & Top End

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Meet our Northern Territory: The Red Centre & Top End experts

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Why book with Wexas Travel?

At Wexas, we specialise in bespoke travel experiences. Our itineraries are just samples of what we can arrange, and can be changed depending on your precise needs, finances and ideas by our experienced destination specialists.

Contact one of our consultants on 020 7590 0634 to discuss how we can tailor your holiday.

Learn why Wexas is the leader in creating luxury holidays. What is tailor-made travel?

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