For me, the Northern Territory (for the tourist) is about Kakadu and The Red Centre. Darwin is a great city and, probably, unlike any city you have been to before, so it’s also worth a couple of days, as is Alice Springs.
For accommodation in Darwin, I go for the simple options that have a pool and air-conditioning like Top End Hotel. If you want something a bit more upmarket, somewhere like Sky City Grand Darwin (formerly MGM Grand Hotel) would suit. In the Alice, I’m happy with somewhere like the Elkira Motel, around $100 a night with air-conditioning, swimming pool, bar and restaurant.
You can hire a car and explore the natural wonders yourself but a safari with a good guide and transport taken care of takes a load off the planning - and your accommodation (albeit basic) is covered in the tour. I like Adventure Tours who have various length safari options to both Kakadu and The Red Centre.
I have stayed in an excellent resort at Yulara, but I paid handsomely for it. So, if you are on a budget, I would consider roughing it a bit and making the trip a total experience. A 3-day Kakadu safari leaving from Darwin is priced from $475 per person. From Alice Springs you can take a 3-day or 5-day safari that includes the MacDonnell Ranges, Uluru (Ayers Rock), Kata Tjuta (Olgas) and Kings Canyon from $495 per person.
If you want to have a few more luxuries, you can ‘Safari in Style’ for $695 - this gives you real beds, tents with lights and fans etc but is still great value compared to paying a lot for accommodation and paying for side trip tours - and, as I said, it’s an experience. Of course if you want posh resort accommodation with Dinner Under the Stars etc, I can point you in the right direction there as well!
A couple of out of the way places for those out of the rat race people wanting something different and special - Seven Spirit Bay in Arnhem Land and Mount Bundy Station at Adelaide River.
Northern Territory Accommodation Links
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