Northern territory - the heart of Australia
Far away from everywhere! If you come to Australia, you should definitely visit the Northern Territory, and in this article we'll tell you why!
5/8/202413 min read
Contents:
Your Guide to Uluru
Let's start with the obvious..
Ayers Rock-Uluru
Australia is probably best known for its beautiful beaches, the Great Barrier Reef and Ayers Rock.
How to get there:
Ayers Rock located in the Center of the Country, is one of Australia's best known landmarks.
There are different ways to get there.
The fastest one is flying. There are direct flights departing from Sydney (Jetstar), Melbourne (Jetstar and Virgin), Cairns (Qantas) or Brisbane (Virgin). Depending on the time of the Year the flights are more frequently.
Go on a Roadtrip! 20+ hours drive from pretty much every major City means, you need to be prepared for long distances filled with nothing. The landscape can be the same for hours and hours with no phone coverage, so make sure to plan some stops to rest.
Arriving by Public Transportation (BUS):
If you fly into Alice Springs, you can also hop on a bus that takes you directly to Ayers Rock Resort.
Make sure to book your tickets ahead especially during peak season.
Best Time to visit:
At Ayers Rock you have mainly two seasons, dry and wet season.
Wet season roughly runs from November to March and it's hot and humid during that time. We had over 40 degrees celsius for over four weeks. It doesn't rain that often, but when it does it's pouring down, that's also when you have a change to glimpse the "Waterfalls" at Uluru.
Winter Season is approximately from April to October. During the day it is usally a nice temperature with up to 25 degrees celsius, but at night it gets chilly, and don't take that easy hearted, after all we are still in the desert.
To enter the National Park you need to purchase a park pass. You can either buy a 3 day pass directly at the gate or you can easily obtain a pass online. If you go with a tour you need to have your pass prior to boarding the bus (Attention, some tours already include the pass in the price).
The park also has specific opening hours, usually they open shortly before sunrise and close shortly after sunset. Throughout the day there are rangers patroulling the park and they take the opening hours seriously, and you may get fined. For more information on opening hours check the parks official website:
How to get to Uluru from Ayers Rock Resort
The easiest way to get from the resort to Ayers Rock is by either driving with your own car, or renting a car. This gives you flexibility and you can go whenever you want. When renting a car you need to know that it is more expensive if you are under 25 and most cars need to be picked up at the airport, not at the resort. The three rental companies are Hertz, Avis and Thrifty. All three are located at the tourist Information center at townsquare in Yulara, or simply look them up online for availabilty. I would also recommend ringing them to check if it's possible to pick up the car at townsquare instead of the airport, or plan ahead and directly pick it up after landing at the airport.
Another way to see Ayers Rock, is going on a guided Tour. The most popular tour operator is AAT Kings with day and half day tours to Uluru. They have a variety of options. Sunrise, sunset, they even have a BBQ.
You can also take the hop on hop off bus which is cheaper in price than the other tour operators but only gets you to and from the rock. No guides or other extras included. Also be aware that they sell out fast, so book in adavnce.
What to do at Uluru:
Once you made it to Uluru there are couple things to do.
Base Walk:
The Base Walk goes all around the Rock. It is almost 10km long but flat, so if you go early to avoid the heat, it is definitely doable. During wet season I recommend getting up early, watching the sunrise and getting onto the basewalk directly after. You will see all the beautiful things Uluru has to offer, the Mulitjulu Waterhole (most impressive after it rained), Kuniya Piti, and many more. On the official website you can also find Maps with the different walks, length and difficulty grade on it.
Guided Ranger Walk:
Check the official website of the National Park for more information about this. There is a daily guided ranger walk which starts at the Mala carpark, the biggest carpark at the rock. The walk usally takes about 45min to an hour and the ranger tells you interesting facts about the rock, the traditional owners and their way of living at the Rock. The ranger finishes the walk where it started, the tour is free of charge.
Cultural Center:
On your trip to Uluru don't skip the Cultural Center. It has a Cafe where you can try some of the local ice cream, browse for souveniers, and an art gallery where you can meet some of the local artists working on their paintings. Plan some time at the Cultural Center, if you are interested in the history of the spiritual heart of Australia.
Sunset and Sunrise:
Enjoy a Sunrise and Sunset at one of the many plattforms, they are very magical, so if you have the time don‘t miss out!
Uluru - Ayers Rock
Ayers Rock Resort:
Ayers Rock Resort is the only accomondation directly at Uluru. But be careful when planing your trip, from the Resort to Uluru it is still a 20min. drive.
Ayers Rock Resort consists out of 5 different Accomondations suitable for every budget, a superarket (IGA), a Gas Station and Souvenier Shops, as well as the Tourist Information Center, where you can find all the different Tour Operators plus the three different Car Rental Companies. The easiest way to get around the Resort is by using the free Resort Shuttle which runs every 20min and goes around the Resort in a Circle.
Tours at Ayers Rock Resort:
Ayers Rock Resort offers tours to spice up you visit at the Rock. All the Tours are built in communication with the traditional landowners and their purpose is to share culture and understanding.
Field of Light: The Field of Light Show is a permament art instatllion, which lights up the dessert at night. You have a couple different options from the basic entry admission up to a whole dinner experience with Ayers Rock in the background.
Sunrise Journeys: Get up early and enjoy one oft he centers magnificent Sunrises while having snacks and drinks, then immense all of the information provided through a interactive laser and light show.
Winjiri Wiru: The Drone Show is one oft he Resorts most spectacular Show where they tell the ancient Mala Story in a Laser, light Drone Show.
Where to stay:
The Resort offers accomondation for every Budget. All of the Accomondations include a Pool for the Guests to use. We will list them here in order from budget friedly to luxury accomondation.
Campground: The Campground offers the basic accomondation from unpowerd Sites for Tents and Caravans up to Cabins. They have Shower and Toilet facilities, a Campkitchen and BBQ Area.
Outback Hotel and Lodge: The Outback Hotel and Lodge can be a budget friendly option. They have Hostel type of Rooms with dormitries or private Rooms with shared facilites, but also four star private Hotel Rooms. A Campkitchen is for the Lodge Guests only. They offer Breakfast Buffett at additional cost.
Emu Walk Apartments and The lost Camel: Emu Walk Apartments and the Lost Camel are both conveniently located at Townsquare. The Lost Camel offers 3 star Style Hotel Rooms, while Emu Walk consists out of self serviced Apartments.
Dessert Garden Hotels and Sails in the Dessert Hotel: These are on the expensive site of the Budget. If you are in for luxury and get yourself a little treat, that´s your place to go. Dessert Garden Hotel is also the only place where you can get a Room with Rock view. Sails in the Dessert offers Spa Facilities.
Especially in High Season it is recommended to book your stay in advance to ensure you have a great Stay. The easiest way to book is through the official Website.
Ayers Rock Resort Accomondation
Where to dine:
Outback Hotel and Lodge: The Outback Kiosk or the BBQ Bar ist the only venue which offers live music on six days a week. It is more of a laid back cozy atmosphere, with outdoor dining. The Kiosk offers fast food with pizza, burger and salads, while the BBQ Bar boosts with a huge choice of proteins (Kangaroo, Camel, Emu, Chicken, Sausages, vegan alternatives and so on) which you barbeque yourself and enjoy the complimentary Salad bar.
Dessert Gardens Hotel: Mangata is a Restaurant with a classic ambiente and a modern alacarte Menu. Then there would be Arnguli Grill Restaurant a high class food venue where Bookings are essential. Arnguli is only open seasonal.
Townsquare: Geckos offers a all day menu. Breakfast untill 10, closed untill 11 and from then onwards open with Lunch and Dinner. Kulata Cafe only open till 2pm offering a wide variety of Sandwiches and great coffee. Ayers Wok only take away Restaurant and open in the Afternoon with a small variety of asian Food.
Sails in the Dessert Hotel: They have the Walpa Lobby Bar with light bites during lunch and dinner time. At Sails you also have the option to dine in at the Ilkari Restaurant, a high class Buffet Style venue, where a Booking is required. Only open for Dinner.
Kata Tjuta:
Kata Tjuta translated meaning "Many Heads" is another rock formation in the National Park.
It is a 45min drive from Ayers Rock Resort and a 20-25min drive from Uluru. It is included in the Uluru park pass, and offers two main hikes, Walpa Gorge and Valley of the Winds. Both Hikes are starting at the carpark, where you can also find a Water station.
Walpa Gorge: 1 hour hike mostly flat with nice views, a easy stroll.
Valley of the Winds: A three hour Hike up and down, it will take you through the many heads. The hike is definitely the most exhausting out of Uluru and Kata Tjuta but is also way more impressive then the Walpa Gorge. It is a loop hike meaning you will end up back at the Car Park. At around half the Hike is another Refill station to take a break and fill up your Bottles.
Please always remember to take your trash with you and be respectful to the land around you.
Walpa Gorge Walk
Kings Canyon
Another Icon hidden deep within the Territorys Heart is the Kings Canyon. The large Canyon is not on too many traveller´s Bucket List but believe me, it is definitely worth the drive there.
How to get there: From Ayers Rock it´s a 3-4hrs drive along a sealed road. From Alice Springs its either a 3hrs 4WD recommended Drive or a 4.5hrs via sealed roads.
Where to Stay: Kings Canyon Resort offers different accomondation style from Camprground powered and unpowerd sites to Hotel and Lodge Rooms. In High Season always book upfront to guarantee a Spot.
Things to Do:
At Kings Canyon the main thing to do is Hiking. You can choose between four different Hikes:
All of the four Hikes are starting at the Car Park, where you can also find toilet facilites and some information plates.
Kings Creek Walk: A 2km long Walk, roughly an 1hour Return.
Kings Canyon Rim Walk: 6km Walk, 3-4hrs Loop Walk. This Hike is the most impressive one and it will take you past the picturesque spot of the National Park. You will come by the Lost City and the Garden of Eden. Near the End, the path will connect with the South Wall Return Walk. The most exhausting Part is probably the first Part where you need to climb a steep Hill.
South Wall Return Walk: 4.8km, 2hrs Return Walk. The Turn around Point for this Walk is at the Gate where the Rim Walk connects to the South Wall Walk.
Giles Track: 22km, 1 or 2 Day Hike. This Hike starts as well at the Carpark, but it ends at Kathleen Springs. There are a couple Campsites on the way, if you do it as an overnight Hike (recommended), but the best Campsite is Reedy Creek roughly 8km after the Carpark. It aslso doesn´t matter if you start the Hike at Kathleen Springs or at Kings Canyon. Also don´t forget to enter your details at the Hikers Log for any emergencys.
Kings Canyon Rim Walk
Garden of Eden
Tennant Creek:
Tennant Creek is a great Stop along the Stuart Higway to split up your Roadtrip. As the seventh`s largest Town in the Northern Territory it has the basics, so you can hit the Road refreshed. (Gas Station, Supermarket, some smaller shops). You can also choose between a Hotel/Motel or Caravan Parks.
Things to Do in Tennant Creek:
Visit Lake Mary Ann: Want to feel refreshed during one of those hot Summer Days in Down Under? Have a Pichnic Stop at Lake Mary Ann and jump into the refreshing Water.
Visit Battery Hill Mining: Soak up Information about the golden era of the Gold Mining in the 1930s by joining one of the guided Tours they offer.
Devils Marbles: Located just an hour south of Tennant Creek lies a sacred Site also known as "Karlu Karlu". Formed over millions of years those stone formations offering a unique view each time you visit. Follow the Walkways for more information about their origin, or stay and watch a sunset. You can also camp on the nearby Campsite, just remember to book ahaead and to pay the fee.
The Pebbles: A five minute drive outside of Tennant Creek is the smaller version of Devils Marbles. A small Hike leads you around the stone formation. No facilities, Camping permitted. The Road to the Pebbles is not sealed, but manageable with 2WD.
Devils Marbles
Mataranka
Mataranka is a small Town in Outback Northern Australia. It is halfway drive between Tennant Creek and Katherine. Mataranka is your Gateway to the Elsey National Park. You have a Gas Station, a small Shop and some Souveniers. But the most important thing in Mataranke are the Thermal Hot Springs.
Bitter Springs: Bitter Springs was our personal favorite out of the two Pools in Mataranka. It is just a 5minute Drive out of Mataranka. You have a Carpark from where you walk five minutes to the Springs. The water is crystal clear and really warm all year around. No Entry fee required, open all day. You enter the water follow the stream and at the exit walk back to the start. Entry and Exit are clearly marked. Stay inbeetween these two sections. Remember You are in Croc Country. We stayed in Bitter Springs Cabin and Camping Park and really enjoyed it. It is a 10min Walk from the Campsite to Bitter Springs.
Mataranka Thermal Pool and Rainbow Springs: Accessible through the Homestead Caravan Park. You dont need to be a Customer of the Park to enter the Pools, no entry fee required. The water is crystal clear and warm all year around. Some build in underwater benches, to make your stay more enjoyable. Pools are open and accesibla all day long.
Bitter Springs
Katherine
Just about an hour drive away from Mataranka, Katherine greets you as the Territory fourth biggest town with a range of shopping and food options as well as a range of different accomondations suitable for every budget.
If you start your day from Mataranka and plan to finish in Dawrin (about a 4-4.5hrs drive, Katherine is a perfect stop to have a rest and a stroll through the City.
We recommend to visit the Hot Springs (no entry fee required and huge parking space available) just a couple minutes out of Town center and have a coffee and a snack at the Pop Rocket Cafe. It is located next to the Springs they serve a wide variety of coffee, smoothies and snacks or even lunch, they are only open during the morning until about 2pm.
Darwin
Visit the capital of the Northern Territory!
Without doubt the biggest and most vibrant city of the territory. Located at its top end you can have enless summer over there. In Darwin you have generally 2 Seasons dry and Wet. It is recommended to visit during dry season which runs from around May to October which is when you have sunny days and low humidity. As a city of its siye darwin is easy reachable by plain or car or even by train.
Thinsg to do in Darwin:
Visit Mindil Beach Night Market (only during dry season)
This fabolous night market is only twice a week during the dry season. It runs Thursdays and Sunday nights and believe me it is absolutely packed. With mostly food stalls and some souvenier or clothing vendors the market is cozy and the live music adds a vibrant atmosphere. A popular thing is to purchase some food or snacks and then enjoy the sunset at the beach. Believe me those sunsets are totally worth it.
Watch a Sunset at Mindil Beach
The stunning sunsets at Mindil beach are famous for a reason. If you are tight on time i recommend doing the night market and the sunset in one go, but if you have some more time come here twice and enjoy the sunset on a day where there is no market and where it is less packed. Don´t be fooled there will still be people around.
Visit Berry Springs
About a 45minute drive away from darwin CBD are Berry Springs, some beuatiful pools (yes it is safe to swim) and nice picnic spots it is a great cool down from the bustle of the city. You can either pack your lunch and have a picnic or enjoy one of the delicious meals at Berry Springs tavern.
Have a realxing swim at the recreation lagoon
Since Darwin is Croc Territory and it is not advised to swim at any beaches that wonderful in the heart of Darwin is definitely worth a visit. You have grassy picnic areas to lay down and enjoy a sunbath after cooling down in the seawater, which is safe to swim. You can also pay the small entrance fee for the nearby wave pool. Next to the lagoon you have some souveniers stores and restaurants.
Visit Dripstone Cliffs
Visit the crocosaurus Cove
Things to do around Darwin:
Day trip to Litchfield National Park
Join a famous crocodile jumping tour
