{"id":875617,"date":"2023-01-31T00:00:37","date_gmt":"2023-01-30T23:00:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/inspiringjourneys.com\/journal\/real-word\/?p=875617"},"modified":"2025-11-12T22:19:21","modified_gmt":"2025-11-12T21:19:21","slug":"things-to-do-northern-territory","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/inspiringjourneys.com\/journal\/things-to-do-northern-territory\/","title":{"rendered":"THINGS TO DO IN THE NORTHERN TERRITORY"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n<div class=\"Content s-cmsContent -size-lg -imgwidth-container\">\r\n<p>Name the Australian territory that\u2019s about the same size as South Africa, twice as big as Texas, and five times the UK.<\/p>\r\n<p>Yes, you&#8217;re right, it is the Northern Territory. But we did make that easy to answer by narrowing the choices down to the two territories, rather than adding all six states, and there&#8217;s no way anyone could consider the compact Australian Capital Territory to be in the running.<\/p>\r\n<p>Australia&#8217;s third-largest federal subdivision covers roughly 142,000,000ha \u2013 about equal to France, Spain and Italy combined \u2013 and should the Northern Territory one day secede from the Federation, it would immediately occupy 19th spot on the list of the world&#8217;s biggest countries right between Mongolia and Peru.<\/p>\r\n<p>With all that land comes a diversity of landscapes. From the ochre dirt of the parched Red Centre, past the arid outback stretching thousands of kilometres on either side of the Stuart Highway, to the tropical Top End where monsoonal storms feed waterfalls, and across the sparkling blue to dreamy Arafura Sea islands.<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<h2>TOP 25 THINGS TO DO IN THE NORTHERN TERRITORY<\/h2>\r\n<p>There&#8217;s no doubt the Northern Territory has something for everyone, from UNESCO heritage-listed wonders and numerous national parks to a thriving town that&#8217;s rewriting the conventions on capital-city living.<\/p>\r\n<p>There&#8217;s an Indigenous history that spans 40,000 years, a pioneering legacy left by the first European settlers who arrived in the 1870s to thread the overland telegraph line from north to south, and a chilled 21st-century population famous for welcoming newcomers.<\/p>\r\n<p>The destination boasts rich flora and fauna with some species found nowhere else in the world, legendary landscapes beneath a vast dome of flawless sky that takes on a surreal shade of blue when set beside the rusty ochre rocks, adrenalin-pumping adventures, and places to kick back and do nothing more than be peaceful.<\/p>\r\n<p>But where to start planning an adventure in a place famous for offering some of Australia&#8217;s most memorable cultural experiences? Here are 25 of the best things to do in the Northern Territory.<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<h2>\u00a01. SAVOUR AN ULU<u>R<\/u>U SUNSET<\/h2>\r\n<p>Northern Territory sunsets are dependably dramatic, with the vast outback sky turning vibrant shades as the fiery sphere sinks towards the horizon, but nowhere is it more magnificent than Ulu<u>r<\/u>u.<\/p>\r\n<p>The show starts late in the afternoon, when hovering clouds turn the colour of lava to light the monolith up like neon, and continues through the dreamy hours of dusk as the sky descends through shades of pastel before eventually giving way to the navy blue of a star-lit night.<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<h2>2. FLOAT BENEATH A WATERFALL<\/h2>\r\n<p>Floating in the freshwater bowl at the base of a tumbling or trickling waterfall is a unique experience reserved for those drifting through Australia&#8217;s northern latitudes, with spectacular spots to swim dotted through the landscape surrounding the Northern Territory capital.<\/p>\r\n<p>Pack a picnic lunch and follow in the tyre tracks of locals to complete the dawdling 90-minute drive from Darwin\/Gulumerrdgen to Litchfield National Park and cool down in the crystal-clear water beneath Florence Falls.<\/p>\r\n<p>Venture further into the sanctuary and soak in the deep plunge pool surrounded by jungle green at the base of Wangi Falls, pack the walking shoes to traverse the trail leading to the Cascades, or paddle in Buley Rockhole&#8217;s persuasive ponds.<\/p>\r\n<h2>3. WATER WISE IN KAKADU<\/h2>\r\n<p>The Top End swimming isn\u2019t limited to Litchfield, with Kakadu National Park enticing to those with an appetite for paddling.<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"xmsonormal\" style=\"background: white;margin: 0cm 0cm 12.0pt 0cm\">Visitors set on swimming or soaking can select from a deep pond at the base of a waterfall or the rock holes crowning escarpment cliffs.<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"xmsonormal\" style=\"background: white;margin: 0cm 0cm 12.0pt 0cm\">\u00a0Motor Car Falls is a hidden gem that\u2019s a favourite during wet season when the more dramatic drops are inaccessible, and Jim Jim Falls is a Kakadu icon reserved for dry-season swimming.<\/p>\r\n<p>Magnuk Gorge \u2013 the picture-perfect plunge pool an hour\u2019s drive from Cooinda, also known as Barramundi Gorge \u2013 is another of the destination\u2019s safe swimming spaces, with modest dry-season cascades trickling down the narrow ravine\u2019s steep rocky sides.<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-875619\" src=\"https:\/\/inspiringjourneys.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/top-end-waterfalls-blog-image-optimized.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1280\" height=\"815\" srcset=\"https:\/\/inspiringjourneys.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/top-end-waterfalls-blog-image-optimized.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/inspiringjourneys.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/top-end-waterfalls-blog-image-optimized-330x210.jpg 330w, https:\/\/inspiringjourneys.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/top-end-waterfalls-blog-image-optimized-1024x652.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<h2>\u00a04. EXPLORE THE MAGNIFICENT MACS<\/h2>\r\n<p>The East and West MacDonnell Ranges\/Tjoritja stretch away from Alice Springs\/Mparntwe like two long tentacles reaching across the ruddy dirt, with the rocky ridgelines that cast long shadows over the desert floor early and late in the day hiding pretty-as-a-picture landscapes and legendary landmarks.<\/p>\r\n<p>Wind through the West Macs to spy black-footed rock wallabies at Simpsons Gap\/Rungutjirpa, watch the walls of Standley Chasm\/Angkerle Atwatye glow at noon when the midday sun fills the narrow rock gorge, or swim in the refreshing freshwater ponds at Ellery Creek\/Udepata or Ormiston Gorge\/Kwartatuma.<\/p>\r\n<p>Pack a picnic when heading east and enjoy a snack at Jessie Gap after gazing at the Emily Gap rock art or wandering the circular Corroboree Rock walking route.<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<h2>\u00a05. CRUISE THROUGH KAKADU&#8217;S HEART<\/h2>\r\n<p>Rise long before the sun wakes to see Kakadu National Park&#8217;s Yellow Water\/Ngurrungurrudjba at its most beautiful.<\/p>\r\n<p>A dawn cruise around the peaceful wetlands \u2013 part of the South Alligator River floodplain \u2013 reveals a menagerie of native wildlife, from the wild buffalo that roam the grassy plains beside the billabong to the menacing saltwater crocodiles that lounge on the muddy banks.<\/p>\r\n<p>It is a twitchers haven, with 30 bird species found at the wetlands, and an early-morning cruise will pass dainty waterbirds dancing across floating leaves and birds of prey standing sentry in the skeletal branches of a bleached waterside gum.<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<h2>\u00a06. FABULOUS FEASTING AT MINDIL BEACH<\/h2>\r\n<p>When wet season subsides, and the dry settles on the Top End, the famous Mindil Beach Sunset Markets return to bring the world&#8217;s culinary creations to this beachside patch of Darwin parkland.<\/p>\r\n<p>More than 200 stalls \u2013 including 60 stands cooking cuisine brought to the multicultural capital by migrants arriving from all points of the compass across the decades \u2013 set up every Thursday and Sunday night between April and October.<\/p>\r\n<p>Buskers perform along the pathways with the music drifting across the crowd, local artists sell colourful creations, and cooks create dishes that come together to become Darwin&#8217;s delicious version of a degustation dinner.<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<h2>\u00a08. APPRECIATE ART IN THE OUTDOORS<\/h2>\r\n<p>Australia is famous for its alfresco First Nation galleries that feature thousands of years of Indigenous art.<\/p>\r\n<p>There are more than 100,000 significant rock-art sites around the country, with 5,000 of these precious places sitting inside the expansive boundary of Kakadu National Park.<\/p>\r\n<p>The outdoor galleries at Ubirr, Burrungkuy and Nanguluwurr protect centuries-old paintings that are now treasured for documenting the ancestry of the Bininj and Mungguy people.<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<h2>\u00a09. GO WHERE THE ROCKS GLOW<\/h2>\r\n<p>Nitmiluk National Park features high up on every list of Northern Territory treasures, with this protected plot on the land of the Jawoyn people sitting to the south of Kakadu National Park close to Katherine.<\/p>\r\n<p>A quiet cruise through Nitmiluk Gorge at any hour between dawn and dusk lets travellers understand the changing moods of the towering sandstone sides.<\/p>\r\n<p>The movement of the sun and clouds cast different shades and shadows across the sheer slopes that rise from the Katherine River&#8217;s still mirror-like surface as it drifts through the 13 impressive gorges.<\/p>\r\n<p>Those with more time can complete the journey to Edith Falls\/Leliyn near the park&#8217;s northern boundary and swim in a natural pool surrounded by paperbarks and pandanus plants.<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-875621\" src=\"https:\/\/inspiringjourneys.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/edith-falls-optimized.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1280\" height=\"1117\" srcset=\"https:\/\/inspiringjourneys.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/edith-falls-optimized.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/inspiringjourneys.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/edith-falls-optimized-330x288.jpg 330w, https:\/\/inspiringjourneys.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/edith-falls-optimized-1024x894.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<h2>10. WANDER BETWEEN KATA TJUTA&#8217;S DOMES<\/h2>\r\n<p>Kata Tju<u>t<\/u>a \u2013 or The Olgas, as the Red Centre landmark was christened in 1872 by explorer Ernest Giles during one of his expeditions through Australia&#8217;s arid inland \u2013 is the windblown cluster of 36 domes that rise from the desert floor a 20-minute drive from Ulu<u>r<\/u>u.<\/p>\r\n<p>The magical location is the perfect place for serene strolling, with tracks and trails winding around the stately structures, and travellers joining an Indigenous guide will discover how this region&#8217;s &#8220;many heads&#8221; landmark feature in the Tjukurpa of the local A<u>n<\/u>angu traditional owners.<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-875622\" src=\"https:\/\/inspiringjourneys.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/walpa-gorge-blog-image-optimized.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1280\" height=\"854\" srcset=\"https:\/\/inspiringjourneys.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/walpa-gorge-blog-image-optimized.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/inspiringjourneys.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/walpa-gorge-blog-image-optimized-330x220.jpg 330w, https:\/\/inspiringjourneys.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/walpa-gorge-blog-image-optimized-1024x683.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/p>\r\n<h2>\u00a0<\/h2>\r\n<h2>11. SUNSETS, STORMS AND SEAFOOD\u00a0<\/h2>\r\n<p>Do as the locals do in Darwin, and wander onto Stokes Hill Wharf late in the afternoon to occupy an alfresco table at this outdoor dining destination and feast on the freshest local seafood while watching daytime descend through the stages of dusk to darkness.<\/p>\r\n<p>Linger during wet season and marvel at the monsoonal storms brewing on the horizon around dinnertime, or take a sunset sail on Darwin Harbour during the dry and end the cruise with an after-dark drink or indulgent dessert under the stars.<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<h2>12. BECOME THE KING (OR QUEEN) OF THE CANYON<\/h2>\r\n<p>Those making the three-hour drive from Ulu<u>r<\/u>u to Watarrka National Park should pack their most sturdy walking shoes to explore Kings Canyon which is, without a doubt, the most spectacular corner of this Red Centre sanctuary.<\/p>\r\n<p>Complete the iconic Kings Canyon Rim Walk to ascend the steep sandstone cliffs to savour 360-degree views across the rust-coloured dunes and gaze down into valleys choked with lush palm trees, or enjoy on the more leisurely amble into the Garden of Eden to become immersed in the spring-fed green.<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<h2>13. BE HYPTOMISED BY TIWI TIME<\/h2>\r\n<p>The Top End&#8217;s Tiwi Islands \u2013 the timeless Timor Sea plots aptly nicknamed the &#8220;Islands of Smiles&#8221; \u2013 lets travellers escape the tourist trail to uncover a land famed for its biodiversity and natural beauty.<\/p>\r\n<p>Bathurst\/Nguyu and Melville\/Yermalner are the two main islands, resting 80km across the water to the north of Darwin, with the predominantly Indigenous population residing in the quiet communities scattered along the captivating coastline.<\/p>\r\n<p>Travellers can visit on day-trip adventures from the capital and meet locals famous for artistic abilities and sporting skills, or time a trip to coincide with the annual art sale and Aussie Rules carnival scheduled into the destination&#8217;s calendar every March.<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<h2>\u00a014. TAKE A TOUR OF A TOWN LIKE ALICE<\/h2>\r\n<p>Let a stop in Alice Springs become an educational experience by visiting the tourist attractions dotted around the Red Centre capital that are dedicated to telling the story of living in this most remote of regions.<\/p>\r\n<p>Visit the Royal Flying Doctor Service Alice Springs Museum to discover the organisation John Flynn founded before seeing how teachers at the Alice Springs School of the Air educate kids that can&#8217;t reach traditional classrooms.<\/p>\r\n<p>Step back in time to the days when the settlement was first established at the Alice Springs Telegraph Station Historical Reserve, ascend Anzac Hill to gaze across the address that&#8217;s now home to more than 25,000 people, and head out of town to the Kangaroo Sanctuary where Chris &#8220;Brolga&#8221; Barnes cares for orphaned joeys.<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-875623\" src=\"https:\/\/inspiringjourneys.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/alice-springs-dinner-optimized.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1280\" height=\"853\" srcset=\"https:\/\/inspiringjourneys.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/alice-springs-dinner-optimized.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/inspiringjourneys.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/alice-springs-dinner-optimized-330x220.jpg 330w, https:\/\/inspiringjourneys.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/alice-springs-dinner-optimized-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<h2>\u00a015. BE TEMPTED BY THERMAL SPRINGS<\/h2>\r\n<p>Mataranka, the Stuart Highway hamlet 420km south of Darwin, was popularised when it featured in Jeannie Gunn&#8217;s autobiographical novel\u00a0<em>We of the <\/em>Never Never before becoming the backdrop for the 1982 production that took the story to the big screen.<\/p>\r\n<p>But the main attraction is now the string of crystal clear turquoise ponds that tempt travellers exploring the Northern Territory by road to pause inside Elsey National Park for a satisfying soak in the heated thermal water that hides beneath a canopy of perfect palms.<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<h2>16. MARVEL AT MOTHER NATURE\u2019S MARBLES<\/h2>\r\n<p>A corner of the Barkly Tablelands, 95km from Tennant Creek, takes on a surreal sci-fi feel thanks to the rotund granite boulders that pepper the desert landscape of a secluded shallow valley.<\/p>\r\n<p>The Devil&#8217;s Marbles are the sacred site known as Karlu Karlu to the Warumungu people, this land&#8217;s traditional owners, and while the rocks formed millions of years ago they continue eroding and cracking to be one of Mother Nature&#8217;s works in progress.<\/p>\r\n<p>Footpaths are flanked by information boards that tell visitors a story of time, explaining how the boulders are shaped by wind and rain to be precariously perched as if defying gravity.<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<h2>\u00a017. TAKING TO THE CENTRE&#8217;S TOP TRAIL<\/h2>\r\n<p>Central Australia is home to one of this country\u2019s most impressive multi-day hikes, with the 230km Larapinta Trail following the rocky spine of the West MacDonnell Ranges from the Alice Springs Telegraph Station to Mount Sonder\/ Rwetyepme.<\/p>\r\n<p>While experienced walkers can take a week to complete the course, those seeking to stroll can plan day hikes by accessing the many trailheads plotted along the 12 stand-alone sections of the track.<\/p>\r\n<p>Locals say the cooler months from April to August are the best for tramping, with the 9km segment from Ormiston Gorge to Finke River the shortest section taking four hours to complete and traverse territory marked by dry creek beds lined with stately red gums.<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<h2>18. FINDING FESTIVAL FUN UNDER THE WINTER SUN<\/h2>\r\n<p>Darwin is fast becoming a renowned artistic hub to rival the cities in the country&#8217;s southern states.<\/p>\r\n<p>The Territory\u2019s capital city comes alive during the dry season \u2013 when Australia&#8217;s southern states are coping with the winter chill \u2013 to host two of the country&#8217;s most memorable festivals.<\/p>\r\n<p>The 2023 Darwin Fringe Festival \u2013 considered the state&#8217;s &#8220;biggest platform for emerging artists&#8221; \u2013 is set to take place between July 14 and 23 this year, and the Darwin Festival will happen the following month between August 10 and 27.<\/p>\r\n<p>It&#8217;s a chance for visitors to &#8220;soak up relaxed vibes and balmy weather&#8221; with a long list of events and activities scheduled to make the most of the dependable mid-year sunshine and clear starry nights.<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<h2>\u00a019. ESCAPE TO THE LAND TIME FORGOT<\/h2>\r\n<p>Arnhem Land \u2013 the wild paradise bounded by Kakadu National Park, the Arafura Sea and the Gulf of Carpentaria \u2013 is considered Australia&#8217;s &#8220;last stronghold of traditional Aboriginal culture&#8221; and a destination few outsiders are fortunate enough to experience every year.<\/p>\r\n<p>Walk a rugged coastline that&#8217;s broken up by perfect plots of white sand, visit the community centres where locals work on traditional arts and crafts, cast a line and try to catch dinner, or sit with an elder to learn more about the traditional owner&#8217;s unbroken link to the land.<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<h2>20. REMEMBERING TRACY IN THE CAPITAL<\/h2>\r\n<p>On Christmas Eve in 1975 a menacing category-four cyclone scored a direct hit on the capital to take the lives of 71 people, level 80 per cent of the settlement, and add a significant chapter to the Territory&#8217;s history.<\/p>\r\n<p>Today Cyclone Tracy is remembered in a remarkable permanent exhibition at the Museum and Art Gallery Northern Territory, with the display dedicated to documenting the event featuring a sound booth that lets visitors hear the noise of the night as captured on the tape recorder of a local seeking shelter from the destruction.<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<h2>\u00a021. A RED CENTRE ROUND<\/h2>\r\n<p>Golfers should pack the clubs when heading for the Red Centre and play a round at one of the planet\u2019s premier desert courses.<\/p>\r\n<p>The Alice Springs Golf Club is an oasis in the outback, with one dramatic description noting it offers a \u201cunique charm blended with some subtle severity\u201d.<\/p>\r\n<p>The championship course rests against the rolling ridges of the West MacDonnell Ranges and boasts fairways flanked by scrubby vegetation and manicured greens that stand out beside the craggy rocks.<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<h2>22. WALKING AROUND THE ROCK<\/h2>\r\n<p>Travellers set on seeing more of Ulu<u>r<\/u>u can embark on a gentle lap around the landmark with the Ulu<u>r<\/u>u Base Walk a 9.4km wander that circumnavigates the structure.<\/p>\r\n<p>The saunter can be done solo, but those joining a guided hike with one of the Park&#8217;s Indigenous rangers will hear Tjukurpa stories handed down through the generations while seeing rock-art sites and learning about the area&#8217;s abundance of native flora and fauna.<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<h2>\u00a023. REMEMBERING A WARTIME ADDRESS<\/h2>\r\n<p>At first glance, Adelaide River appears to be a sleepy settlement that straddles the Stuart Highway a stone\u2019s throw from the capital. But this town tells a story of World War Two in the Top End, with signs of wartime activity still on show for travellers interested in Australia\u2019s military history.<\/p>\r\n<p>Adelaide River was a dot on the map in 1939, it quietly grew to become a rest camp and Army agricultural area in the early days of the Second World War, and then rapidly expanded to become a major military hub after the first air raids occurred in February 1942.<\/p>\r\n<p>The settlement is home to the Adelaide River War Cemetery, with this peaceful property not only the final resting place for service people who died while on duty but also the civilians killed during the first devastating raid on Darwin.<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<h2>\u00a024. ALL-SEASON SWIMMING IN THE CAPITAL<\/h2>\r\n<p>The Top End&#8217;s beaches are out of bounds but there&#8217;s a man-made lagoon complete with a net to protect swimmers from stingers at the buzzing Darwin Waterfront.<\/p>\r\n<p>For those seeking a little swell, the Wave Lagoon serves up 10 different wave patterns that start big for bobbing on a boogie board before relaxing into little more than ripples that lap against the artificial beach.<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-875624\" src=\"https:\/\/inspiringjourneys.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/darwin-city-blog-image-optimized.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1280\" height=\"852\" srcset=\"https:\/\/inspiringjourneys.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/darwin-city-blog-image-optimized.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/inspiringjourneys.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/darwin-city-blog-image-optimized-330x220.jpg 330w, https:\/\/inspiringjourneys.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/darwin-city-blog-image-optimized-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<h2>\u00a025. DRIVE THE DAVENPORT DISTRICT<\/h2>\r\n<p>The Davenport Range \u2013 200km from Tennant Creek on wild Alyawarr Country \u2013 qualifies as one of the Northern Territory\u2019s hidden gems and a location that\u2019s home to a menagerie of native animals from rock wallabies and emus to the waterbirds that dwell in the billabongs around the sprawling sanctuary.<\/p>\r\n<p>The Davenport Range National Park is best forged by four-wheel drive, with tracks winding around this isolated area of outback that\u2019s bounded by some of northern Australia\u2019s biggest cattle stations, with freshwater ponds like Old Police Station Waterhole and Whistleduck Creek both tempting sites to cool down with a tranquil swim.<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Name the Australian territory that\u2019s about the same size as South Africa, twice as big as Texas, and five times the UK. Yes, you&#8217;re right, it is the Northern Territory. But we did make that easy to answer by narrowing the choices down to the two territories, rather than adding all six states, and there&#8217;s [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":875618,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":null,"ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":null,"stick-header-meta":null,"header-above-stick-meta":null,"header-main-stick-meta":null,"header-below-stick-meta":null,"astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[22942],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-875617","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-things-to-do","regions-red-centre","regions-top-end"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v20.9 (Yoast SEO v27.1.1) - 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