The Top End

The Top End is lush, green and tropical, a total contrast to the harsh, arid beauty of the Red Centre. Tour companies offer a wide choice of tours to Kakadu, Arnhem Land and Nitmiluk National Park. Or you can rent a car or four-wheel-drive and throw a tent in the back, or opt for resort-style accommodation. Anglers can fish for barramundi, renowned for both its taste and fighting qualities, and there are great walks, many ending in crystal clear pools just right for a swim.

There are also many croc-free pools at the bottom of waterfalls in Litchfield National Park. There are also a few that aren’t croc-free so read the signs before jumping in (the signs are prominent). Litchfield is two hours from Darwin and also has gorges, rainforest, huge termite mounds, walks and campsites.

A river cruise in Mary River National Park will take you to freshwater and saltwater habitats to get up close to crocodiles. You won’t need a warning sign here to keep you well within the boat. The wetlands here are home to a huge population of birdlife.

Katherine is the gateway to the Nitmiluk National Park with its beautiful Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge. You can paddle your own canoe, flanked by towering cliffs, or take a cruise. There are no roads in the park, but more than 100 kilometres of walking trails, including a wilderness trek, which takes five days.

Katherine itself is a typical outback country town of around10 000 people with plenty of time to stop for a chat. The Katherine Museum traces the town's history from its early days as a telegraph station through to World War II. The town has a railway museum, School of the Air, a gem gallery and an orchid nursery. The Katherine River flows through town and is popular for picnics, canoeing, and fishing.

Three kilometres south of town near the bank of the river, a thermal creek forms the Katherine Hot Springs. You can take a free tour to Springvale Homestead, the oldest homestead in the Territory. Tours also run daily to Cutta Cutta Caves, which began forming 500 million years ago and are still growing.

More Information

For more information about the Northern Territory:

• Events And Festivals
• Accommodation
• To See And Do
• Darwin
• Alice Springs
• The Centre
• From Adelaide River To Wauchope

Northern Territory Tours With Tours To Go