The Northern Territory - my Top 5 Travel Tips
Reaching the NT from QLD, on the Savanna Way
The perception of the Northern Territory is that we’re a bit behind the times up here, and it’s a dangerous place to be (Correct me if I’m wrong, I’d love to know what you think of the NT!).
The NT is Outback Australia, it is NATURE Territory.
We have so much to explore here!
This blog post covers my top tips on how to “do the NT” and get the most out of your trip!
Adelaide River Winding
Introduction
The Northern Territory is big. It’s sparsely populated, hard to reach in places and definitely rugged.
People don’t visit for the glitz and glamour, they come for a landscape that is globally unique.
Mostly, that means that visitors come to the NT to explore the great outdoors….
I have SO much information to share on travelling in the NT, I literally wrote a book.
Discovering Natural Northern Territory is a guidebook to the Territory’s natural areas jam-packed with factual information on what to see and do, but I’ve also included so much insider, local knowledge that you just only get from living and exploring the NT like I have been for 15 years.
Jasper Gorge, Judbarra/Gregory National Park
Tip 1. Don’t forget, the Territory is HUGE. Allow more time!
I think this is the most important thing to remember when planning a trip to the NT.
Drives are long, supplies are spread out and it’s easy to lose time soaking up the atmosphere of the great outdoors.
Always check your driving distances when you’re planning your little adventures.
Even on the bitumen, drives always take longer than you think. If it’s a 4wd track or gravel road, add more time again.
The NT is known for wild swimming, wiling away hours bird watching, fishing and boating. These are all things that should not be rushed!
It’s nice to know you have time up your sleeve to stop and watch any wildlife that might unexpectedly pop up (I’m thinking more dingos and buffalos, not crocs!)
Uluru Ablaze
So, my biggest number one tip when planning a trip to the NT is GIVE YOURSELF MORE TIME!
That drive from Alice to Uluru takes much longer than you think!
Kakadu is the size of Victoria, don’t try and visit the park in a day (you’ll literally spend the day driving not enjoying waterfalls, walks and ancient aboriginal rock art).
It’s much more enjoyable to be able to swim and relax in one of the NT’s waterholes for a few hours than literally just seeing it, photographing it, and ticking it off the list. You are on holiday, afterall!
Sunset from Ubirr, Kakadu
Tip 2. Don’t be scared!
Many people are terrified of all the critters that want to kill you in the Australian Outback. I’m here to tell you, it’s actually not true.
I mean yes, we do have the dangerous critters.
But no, they’re not all hunting you down, following you and just waiting to attack.
We have deadly spiders and snakes. You’ll be lucky to encounter one. Snakes typically know we’re approaching, and will head off away from you. I’m out bush all the time and I can count on my fingers how many snakes I’ve seen (and when I mean out bush, I mean remote camping in a tent away from all facilities and people and everything… for days or weeks at a time).
What else are people scared of? Dingos? They’re skittish and will generally move away. Crocodiles are found in and around the waters edge (in the North)… top tip there? Stay away from the water unless you know it’s safe to swim.
Saltwater Crocodile, East Alligator River
Tip 3. Be prepared.
This might sound overkill or obvious, but traveling the NT’s natural areas is not like traveling the East Coast of Australia or around Sydney or Melbourne. It is remote. It is vast. Help can, at times, be a long long way away if something goes awry.
For me, when I travel the NT I tend to travel to get away from people which means I’m more remote than most…. That leads me to off-track hiking (for days), it means I do a lot of off-season travel. It means trying to get to those hard to reach spots to get the best shots. I regularly go days without seeing another person.
Some quick examples:
I spent 4 or five days driving some of the 4wd tracks in Judbarra (Gregory) National Park in late August/early Sept (still considered peak season heading into shoulder season). One of the tracks I did it took me 3 days to drive less than 50km. The track was slow and rocky. Yes I was stopping for photos and relaxing time and birdwatching a lot, but I didn’t see a single person for that whole time. If something mechanical had gone wrong, I would have had to have waited for a while for help!
I hiked the Larapinta Trail in Alice Springs in late March/early April (shoulder season). I hiked 230km in around 17 days. I didn’t see a person until day 8. (I don’t consider Larapinta remote at all, but of the 8 or so people I met on that trip, most of them from more populated states DID consider it to be a remote trail).
I’ve spent 3 days camped up at Sweetwater Pool above Edith Falls in the middle of February (wet wet wet), didn’t see a soul and had to wade across a waist deep creek on the way back.
Edith Falls in the wet season
I am not saying these situations are dangerous, scary or inevitable. I am saying you need to be prepared!
Especially if you are traveling out of season and to more remote areas.
The average traveler will be sticking to the main tourist routes and not getting quite so off the track as I do, BUT, you still need to be prepared.
Some basic health/safety/travel information for driving in the NT includes:
Always carrying plenty of drinking water - about 5l per person per day - often national parks have nowhere to restock drinking water.
Carrying a basic toolkit and ensuring you have an adequate spare tyre (or two).
Carrying a first aid kit
Be as self sufficient as possible. Most national parks have no facilities aside from campgrounds and toilets. That’s no shops, no restaurants or cafes (there’s a couple of exceptions)… mostly no power for charging electronics etc.
Be sun smart - it’s easy and quick to suffer sunburn, heat exhaustion and sunstoke. Cover up with a shirt, wear a hat and limit time in the sun during the heat of the day.
For those travelling more remote, in off season and further away from people, a satellite phone or PLB/EPIRB.
Sunrise at the 8th Gorge, Nitmiluk
Tip 4. Slowwwwww down
A bit related to tip 1, I guess. But it’s more just a reminder when you’re enjoying our great ideas to actually remember to enjoy it! A little reminder to be present, observant and alert when you’re out and about in the NT. Just being there, quietly, will reveal so much more to you - wildlife is actually everywhere, it just takes a bit of practice to spot it!
Birds are the most prevalent and spottable critters, followed by reptiles. A short walk through the Top End’s national parks will see tiny skinks darting through the leaf litter - but you have to be looking for them!
PS. we have the best sunsets in the world (fact!?) - you definitely need to spend time sitting and watching a few!
Keep River National Park
Counts Point, Larapinta Trail
Tip 5. Despite all of the above… Don’t be scared (part 2!)
A slightly less “mainstream” tip for you…. And possibly a controversial one (I’d love to hear your thoughts!).
Don’t be scared to visit out of the main tourist season. The NT has some speccy natural opportunities in the “off season” or shoulder seasons. And the main drawcard for visiting in shoulder season of off season is that you’ll escape the crowds.
In the North (Darwin, Katherine and surrounds) the main visitor season is between June and August. Yes, there is a reason for that. The temperature is at it’s most pleasant, the weather is dry and has been for weeks, meaning all roads and natural attractions are open. However, it’s also busy. Very busy.
In the South (Alice Springs, Uluru and surrounds) the main visitor season is similar, the coolest months between June and August.
I’m here to say don’t be scared! Don’t be scared to visit outside those times. I’m not saying a summer in the desert is a good idea (especially if you’re sensitive to the heat), but the shoulder seasons in the NT can offer something so special to those able to escape the crowds.
Casuarina Beach, Darwin
In the North (Darwin, Katherine and surrounds),
Shoulder season, mid-April to May is the end of the tropical wet season.
The risk of monsoonal weather and cyclones is very low (although still possible). Showers are likely, and you might be treated to a “knock ‘em down” storm with spectacular cloud structure and phenomenal lightning! Showers/storms tend to be short and isolated at this time of year so won’t disrupt your travel plans too much.
The waterfalls are at their best and the landscape is looking lush and green
On the downside, a lot of the north’s natural areas are not open yet after wet season closures. This only really applies to 4WD tracks… all bitumen roads will be open and if you’re lucky maybe a gravel road or two.
October to November is the end of the dry season and known as the “build up” season.
Nearly all 4wd tracks and natural areas are open and accessible
Storms are spectacular at this time of year, as are the sunsets.
However, it can be really, really hot and the landscape is looking in need of a drink! This season is probably only an option for the fit, able bodied and healthy and be aware you really need to keep on top of your hydration!
Jim Jim Falls in the wet season, Kakadu National Park
In the South (Alice Springs, Uluru and surrounds)
September to October is Spring in Central Australia
Warmer but still pleasant temperatures, before it gets too hot
Great for thunderstorms and possible rain, a rare sight in the desert!
It’s wildflower season
In theory, the amount of flies should be at its lowest as the winter frosts reduces the breeding cycle…. (this is what I’ve been told, but I have no solid evidence to support this!?)
Ellery Creek, Tjoritja (West MacDonnell Ranges)
If you’ve already explored parts of the NT, do you have any tips of your own to share or have any feedback?
About me
I have lived in Darwin since 2009 - that’s nearly 15 years and I’ve been a professional landscape photographer here (full time) since 2014. My life IS the Northern Territory’s natural areas. I’ve spent countless weeks and weeks out on the road, in national parks and reserves. Driving and hiking the NT’s trodden and never-trodden trails is my life. I’m so lucky, and I bloody love it!
Right from arriving in the NT I fell in love with the place. Starting in Darwin, I fit right into the outdoors lifestyle and grew to love the laid back vibe. I gradually explored further afield and over the years have continuously explored and educated myself on the local environment, including studying conservation and ecology at CDU (Charles Darwin University).
My passion is sharing the NT with the world. I just want to tell everyone all about it.
So… I did!
You can buy Discovering Natural Northern Territory here.
Thanks for reading.
