Beyond the imposing and sacred red sandstone monolith of Uluru, the teeming waterways of Arnhem Land and the white sand vistas of the Tiwi Islands, the Northern Territory offers some of the most unique encounters, station stays and wilderness adventures in Australia.
From residing in luxury at some of the country’s best lodges to off-roading it in the waterways of Arnhem Land, knowledgeable guides, unparalleled access and wildlife encounters await in our Ultimate Guide to the Northern Territory.
The Red Centre
The heart of Australia in a rust-dirt ribcage, the Red Centre beats with ancient stories from the Traditional Owners of the land. Vibrant outback sunsets give way to undisturbed views of the Milky Way while the imposing silhouette of Uluru resides over it all. Secluded swimming holes, informative bushwalks and some of the best in outback luxury await.
Longitude
Resting atop rust-red dunes, Longitude 131° overlooks Australia’s best-known natural icon, Uluru, and is arguably one of the best luxury wilderness camps in the world. Floor to ceiling windows invite the beauty of the outback inside your retreat while an exceptional touring program beckons you out. Explore the Valley of the Winds, take a botanical walk and learn about the dynamic ecology of the harsh ecosystem, or simply relax by the pool and take in your stunning surrounds.
SEIT Outback Tours
Accompanying a member of the Pitjantjatjara community to their ancestral homelands, called Patji, learn about the oldest living Culture in the world in this touring experience. Explore the burnt orange vistas outside of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park south of Uluru by 4WD alongside your Aboriginal guide and be enthralled by the extraordinary stories of the Traditional Owners and their ancestors as you traverse iconic outback locations such as Uluru, Kata Tjuta, Mt Conner, Kings Canyon, East and West MacDonnell Ranges.
The Top End
A tropical oasis at the top of the Northern Territory home to the city of Darwin, the World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park, remote Arnhem Land in the north-east corner, and the Katherine region, where the tropics meet the outback. Here, towering waterfalls and ancient rock formations meet pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters teeming with wildlife, awaiting discovery.
Bullo River Station
A five-star outback experience hosted on 400,000 acres of a working cattle station, Bullo River Station offers a unique blend of authentic station life and ancestral history. Here, you are invited to witness station life firsthand or enjoy one of the many adventure activities available on the station such as 4WD tours, fishing expeditions or riverboat cruising. Trips to the ancient outcrops surrounding the property will give you a glimpse at galleries of Aboriginal rock art that has been there for tens of thousands of years. The sprawling property also contains vast areas of pristine wilderness and is rich in native fauna – you’ll spot wallabies, dingoes, wild buffalo, saltwater crocodiles and many migratory birds.
Finniss River Lodge
Catering to twelve guests across six luxury suites, guests of Finniss River Lodge discover some of Australia’s most unique ecosystems, through a range of personalised activities, while discovering authentic day-to-day life on a working cattle station. Explore floodplains, beachfront, paperbark forests, giant termite mounds and granite escarpment alongside specialist-trained, highly-knowledgeable guides who breathe passion for the region. Owned and operated by third-generation pastoralists, this remarkable property offers a profound sense of isolation within a diversity of stunning landscapes, all while being easily accessible from Darwin.
Bamurru Plains
A bush-luxury safari camp overlooking wetland wilderness on the Mary River floodplains invites just 24 guests to explore the diverse environment by airboat and staying in immersive safari bungalows. Discover sunken forests, lily fields and the world’s largest population of saltwater crocodiles. On safari you can spot an array of incredible wildlife including water buffalos, wallabies, geese and barramundi while you try your hand at fishing or on a picturesque helicopter flight over the region.
Venture North Safaris
A multi-award winning, family-owned tour company who specialises in taking guests ‘off the beaten track’ and into some of the more remote and pristine parts on the Northern Territory, Venture North is an unmissable experience in the Top End. Travelling in top-of-the-line Landcruiser vehicles, be escorted by expert guides holding special permits that allow you to indulge in unparallelled access to restricted parts of the region including Arnhem Land, the Cobourg Peninsula and Kakadu National Park. For those wanting to camp out, rest and rejuvenate at their unique safari-style Coburg Coastal Camp.
Arnhem Land
Home to some of the Top End’s most spectacular natural scenery, Arnhem Land is one of the largest parcels of Aboriginal-owned land in Australia taking in 37,000 square miles (90,000 square kilometres) of untouched wilderness and culturally significant sites. Rugged coastlines, remote islands, tropical rainforests, dense wetlands and towering escarpment hide some of Australia’s best-kept secrets and deliver an unforgettable journey through history and place. Prime, untouched fishing habitats and ancient caves featuring incredible rock art depicting the entire human history of Australia dating back 40,000 thousand years await in this remarkable region.
Davidsons Arnhemland Safaris
In the shadow of the imposing Mount Borradaile waits lily-covered billabongs and waterways teeming with birds, crocodiles and barramundi for you to explore alongside Davidsons Arnhem Land Safaris. The adjacent escarpment hides ancient Aboriginal rock art in old habitation caves and shelters, where the history of the region is vividly depicted in ochre paintings dated up to 40,000 years old. Explore a region entrusted by the Traditional Owners to Max Davidson’s family and his highly trained guides to swim through pristine natural swimming holes, walk through catacombs containing ancient artefacts and try your hand at barramundi fishing in this region. One of the most exclusive experiences in Australia, you’ll gain a deeper understanding and respect for the land and the people that call it home before coming to rest at a purposefully-built safari lodge each night.
Lords Kakadu Arnhem Land Safaris
Catering only to small groups, Lords Safaris offer tailor-made, multi-day 4WD journeys throughout Kakadu and Arnhem Land and is recognised as one of Australia’s most highly-regarded interpretive experiences enjoying access to the exceptional country. Headed by Sab Lord, who was raised in remote Kakadu before it became a national park, the experience offers a real connection with both the land and the Traditional Owners – with a team of expert guides fortunate to be able to share their knowledge and respect for the local Aboriginal Culture. Whilst on safari, you’ll experience remarkable landscapes through Bamurru Plains, Arnhem Land and Kakadu National Park, and connect with multiple First Nations communities to learn more about their Traditional Culture. Lords’ Safaris will also bring you close the unique wildlife of the Top End including crocodiles, water buffalo, wallabies, brolgas, jabiru and magpie geese.
