The population of the Northern Territory is small, but the location is one of the largest in Australia.
There is more that meets the eye to the Top End. With so much to discover in terms of nature and culture, it's like taking a holiday in your own back yard but in an entirely different country. Darwin is more like a small town than a city, and the vibe is relaxed, laid back and tropical. As a visitor it can be difficult to find the things to do outside of the classic well known destinations such as Uluru, Kakadu National Park or JimJim Falls. When you decide to go Australian tropical, the number one thing you need is the best travel agent. Make the most of your time and money by talking to someone who has in depth knowledge on the best way to indulge yourself or create a Northern Territory Adventure.
The mysterious, sacred, and awe-inspiring Uluru. Part of the most important first nations monuments in Australia.
What to do in the Northern Territory?
As travel agents themselves will tell you, our job means we can find out just about anything about an area. That's from personal experience or through our network of suppliers, tourist boards and other travel industry specialists. Nothing is as familiar as our own home turf though. The best agent for a top end adventure may be someone who is located there, especially if you want to get off the beaten track or find hidden gems that aren't on the usual tour options. They can also be extremely helpful when it comes to finding things to do in Darwin and other towns in the NT. It's one of our less well known regions, in fact, the vast majority of remote areas in the Northern Territory has never been comprehensively mapped. It might surprise you to know that over 40% of Australia, an area the size of India (according to Western knowledge), remains untouched. Most of that is in the NT.
Get away from it all in the Northern Territory.
By comparison to the rest of Australia, the population of the NT is tiny. Australia has a population of approximately 26m. Only 230,000 of them are residents in the Northern Territory, with over 50% of that population residing in the Darwin area and nearby suburbs. You'll find that gives the area a unique personality as intriguing as the people and wildlife that live there. With such a long history of settlement by our First Nations, it really is somewhere unlike anything else and can be reached from most major population centres in a matter of hours.
Jim Jim Falls in Northern Territory, Australia. Glorious Nowhere.
Travel Agents in Darwin really know their stuff.
It is one of the most specialised areas of Australia for tourism. Eco-tourism, fishing, and activity holidays are the most popular ways to spend time in this natural paradise. In order to get the best deals, you sometimes have to use your contacts. Life doesn't work along the same timelines as the more populated parts of the country. As a result, the local network can be invaluable. It can help to have someone in the area who looks after your travel plans. That's even more the case if you are trying to get to remote places. Having someone on the spot, in the time zone and with professional contacts throughout Australia can be invaluable. Of course, any agent in Australia can book your holiday, but to know you've got the true lowdown, use someone from Darwin or Katherine.
Kakadu National Park First Nations Rock Painting
Essential aspects of Northern Territory Tourism.
You will want a car. A 4WD car. You will need petrol. You will need snacks. A lot of pubs and hotels have turned into landmarks, simply because they are the only place around for miles and have turned into important community meeting spots. For example, the Humpty Doo Hotel, which is so famous that it has songs created for it.
Nearby attractions include the Barra Shack for locally raised Barramundi, the Jumping Croc Safari and the attractions of wider Kakadu.
Jumping Crocodile Safari, near Humpty Doo, Northern Territory.
The muddy browns of the tropical Yellow Water Billabong make for great places to view crocs and other wildlife in their natural habit. Litchfield National Park is family-friendly and an easy drive from Darwin (by NT standards). It has safe, crystal-clear watering holes, small waterfalls and BBQ facilities. The shoreline is amazing for fishing for trevally and other large game fish. Then again, there is the rich First Nations cultural history that will give you centuries of inspiration.
Family Fun in Lichfield National Park, Northern Territory. A more local way to experience the outdoors.
Things to do in Darwin.
You've trekked until your adventure shoes fall off. What is there to do in the 'city' of Darwin? As we mentioned, it's a small place. You might even be able to visit your agent in person and thank them for the holiday they created for you. Or maybe to give them feedback if you've found something that was spectacular, so other people can benefit from your experience.
Mindil Beach Night Markets are the go-to after a humid day. They get going just before dusk and carry on pretty much until everyone has had enough. As well as Outback displays of whip-cracking and First Nations culture, it has over 200 speciality food stands. You won't leave hungry or without tales to tell, but you might be a bit sleepy.
Mindil Beach Night Markets, Darwin. The atmosphere and food on the water make it a local favourite.
Stokes Hill Wharf is the place to go for seafood and other budget-friendly options. You have an amazing view of the Darwin inlet and the Timor Sea. Watch the weather roll in across the sapphire blue of the ocean and let some of the freshest fish in the country find its way to your stomach!
Darwin Street Art features many of these individually decorated horses scattered around the locale. This example is at Stokes Hill Wharf, Darwin.
Shopping is bit scant in the area, but if you want to really give back to the community, buy a piece of Aboriginal art. One thing that the NT does really well is to make sure that money goes back into the projects that create them. Definitely buy souvenirs at the source, if possible, but the organised art stores in Darwin are a great second option. Darwin has regular Aboriginal Art fairs and festivals as well as cultural events, including bush tucker and traditional dancing.
Aboriginal Art. The unique expression of the culture of the Australian First Nations.
