Northern Territory

About the Northern Territory

The Northern Territory somehow feels like the REAL Australia, vast red deserts, stunning ancient mountain ranges and deep gorges. The most prolific collection of Aboriginal Art, both rock art paintings and petroglyphs. Wildlife in abundance, including crazy big saltwater (estuarine) crocodiles.  And the vibrant city of Darwin.

The NT (or simply “the Territory” as it’s known to locals) is an adventure travellers playground. With amazing hiking, exciting 4×4 tracks, and epic road trips you’ll be spoilt for choice as you explore the NT.

We have visited the Territory three times in the last three years!  We simply can’t get enough of the place.

If you’re planning a trip to the NT, grab our FREE Northern Territory Road Trip Checklist

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Northern Territory Travel Guides

Central Australia

The Top End

Getting to the Northern Territory

By Air

There are three main airports, Darwin, Alice Springs and Yulara (the closest to Uluru). You can fly to Darwin and Alice Springs from most capital cities, and to Yulara from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Cairns.

By Road

While the Northern Territory is a large state (territory!), there are only THREE sealed roads going in. You can enter from Queensland on the Barkly Highway via Mt Isa, from Western Australia on the Victoria Highway via Kunnanurra, or South Australia on the Stuart Highway.

If you’re planning on driving in via one of the unsealed roads, make sure you check the road conditions before you leave. These roads may be closed, especially during the summer (wet) season. The Northern Territory is remote, there is little to no mobile phone reception or internet along the way, and you’ll need to plan your stops for fuel and water.

Getting around the NT

While the distances are vast, the scenery is spectacular. With so few other vehicles on the road, the Northern Territory is perfect for a Road Trip. We did a Northern Territory Road Trip in our camper van in 2022 including the journey from Alice Springs to Darwin. In 2023 we did a Central Australia Road Trip and a Top End Road Trip, in a hire car and staying in beautiful accommodation along the way.

Best time to visit the Northern Territory

Central Australia

Central Australia (the “Red Centre”) has a desert climate, so the summer months are hot day and night, with daytime temperatures averaging in the mid to high 30s and usually staying above 20 overnight.

The winter months still have warm days, low to mid 20s, but the nights can be very cold, temperatures even going below zero! When we visited the Red Centre in June 2022, Central Australia had its coldest winter in over 50 years. There were 12 days straight with sub-zero night-time temperatures. And, our van heater wasn’t working.

The Top End

The northern part of the Northern Territory is known as the Top End – this is where you’ll find the capital Darwin, along with three of the most visited National Parks – Kakadu, Litchfield and Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge).

The winter months are definitely the most popular times for tourists, as it’s a lot safer (and more pleasant) on the walks in the cooler weather.

Adventure Travel Films

Binge watch our entire NT Video series HERE