Northern Territory

[Prawn_86]

The Northern Territory is a federal territory of Australia, occupying much of the center of the mainland continent, as well as the central northern regions. It shares borders with Western Australia to the west, South Australia to the south, and Queensland to the east. To the north, the territory is bordered by the Timor Sea, the Arafura Sea and the Gulf of Carpentaria. Despite its large area — over 1,349,129 square kilometres (520,902 sq mi), making it the third largest Australian federal division — it is sparsely populated. With a population of 218,380[2] it is the least populous division in the country

[Monsoons]

I am a Territorian now :) Moved up over 8 years ago to be warm all the time :cool:

[Prawn_86]

Was there a reason for your move other than the climate Monsoons?

[chrissylewis03]

I am a Territorian now :) Moved up over 8 years ago to be warm all the time :cool:

so jealous, i love that heat that gets into your bones. much better than this cold that gets into your bones! i've seen some amazing pics from NT but am not quite sure myself where exactly to go for the best scenery, can you name a few places you just can't miss when you go there?

[kennas]

Lived in Darwin for 3 years.

Yes, it's warm!!

Walk outdoors and your sun glasses fog up.

Don't know how people lived there before AC. I suppose you get acclimatised. I didn't in all that time.

I got to see most of the Territory while there but missed Tiwi Islands. Really wanted to be there for their Aussie Rules final one year, but other events conspired against me.

I'm not sure if I'd go back there to live, but it would be a nice place to visit.

In the dry season!!

Although the wet has some spectacular things, including the most incredible lightening storms you could imagine.

[Prawn_86]

AN experienced hiker underestimated the harsh central Australian environment and set off on a 40km trek carrying just four litres of water.

http://www.news.com.au/travel/story/0,28318,24951470-5014090,00.html

[chicky050]

does anyone have any recommendations for decent cheap accommodation while visiting the rock (uluru/ayers rock) ?

[Prawn_86]

does anyone have any recommendations for decent cheap accommodation while visiting the rock (uluru/ayers rock) ?

Hi chicky,

Welcome to ATF :)

Personally im not sure about your question, but i wouldn't have thought there are that many choices of accomodation... I may be wrong though, people who have been there can correct me :)

[Monsoons]

With Alice Springs being popular with backpackers, I am sure there would be one or two packpacker hostels you could look into.

[ck10_9]

does anyone have any recommendations for decent cheap accommodation while visiting the rock (uluru/ayers rock) ?



Yulara is really the only place to stop near Uluru
Alice is 400 kms away

[EverNothing]

Adventure tourists listen up...

A new crocodile exhibition sufficiently called Cage of Death in Crocosaurus Cove has recently opened up in Northern Territory.

Crikey! :rolleyes:

This new 'attraction' (and I use that term loosely) allows visitors with balls of steel to spend up to 15 minutes in a modified glass tank - only metres away from 700kg prehistoric beasts.

http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/6758/091708crocosauruscove.jpg (http://img526.imageshack.us/i/091708crocosauruscove.jpg/)

I've been lucky enough to swim with Flipper in Queensland but something tells me these fellas might not be as happy to share their pool with a scrawny Uni student from down south.

Has anybody had any previous swimming/diving/snorkeling experiences with marine animals - crocs, dolphins, sharks etc...

[Prawn_86]

Has anybody had any previous swimming/diving/snorkeling experiences with marine animals - crocs, dolphins, sharks etc...

I have been diving with reef sharks. They tend to not be too bothered.

We have a dedicated divers thread here EN:
http://www.aussietravellersforum.com.au/forums/showthread.php?t=50

[kennas]

Hooly dooly!! :eek:

Doesn't surprie me NT would do this sort of thing. They love their crocs!

Rarely a day goes by that the NT News doesn't have a croc on the cover.

[eljayaus]

Hey Guys,

New here. Am planning a trip to Darwin. We are coming between the 27th May and 10 June. We are hiring a 4WD and are leaving Darwin as soon as we arrive. We have looked at maps and know where all the great tourist spots are with all the national parks but who knows where the things are that aren't in the glossy brochures? Will we be able to get to them during this time of year and how do we get there! :D Hopefully someone can help us. We want to see great view, awesome waterholes and anything anyone else has loved.

Thanks in advance,

Cheers
Lindsay.

[white_crane]

That time of year should be ideal. The heat is gone and the wet season is over. There is still enough water around though so everything should still be green and nice to look at. Roads should all be passable at that time also.

I don't recommend swimming in any waterholes in and around Darwin (crocodiles) but viewing them (waterholes) some distance back from the bank should be ok.

You mentioned national parks already - make sure you visit Kakadu and Litchfield.

There are plenty of things to see in Darwin itself, just visit a Darwin tourism website to find them. One thing that may not be listed is the old Qantas hangar in Parap. It is packed full of old cars, trucks and byegone relics. The building itself still bears the scars of World War II. Also, the Aviation Heritage Centre is worth a visit - they have a whole B52 in there. There is also a military museum at East Point packed full of guns, tanks etc. housed in the original army bunker.

Hope this helps.

[eljayaus]

Thanks the hanger sounds great. Kakadu and Litchfield are on the list for sure! Do you have any ideas how much it is to camp in the national parks?

Thanks again for the reply...

Cheers.

[white_crane]

The cost for camping in Kakadu can be found here:
http://www.environment.gov.au/parks/kakadu/visitor-activities/camping.html

Fees for camping in Northern Territory Parks and Wildlife Service managed parks (e.g. Litchfield) can be found here:
http://www.nt.gov.au/nreta/parks/pdf/Camping_fees_10.pdf

[Nothing But Adventure]

The NT is one of the most amazing places to visit. In fact probably my favourite adventure state to go to.

NT is probably most well known for Uluru so visiting the rock is always a highlight but there is so much more than that.

Barramundi Fishing is the most popular here... especially in Kakadu National Park, Jumping Croc along the rivers... near Darwin.

And one thing that I am dying to do which is to visit the Crocoseum in Darwin where you can get in glass type cage and get put in the water with a massive saltwater Croc.

There is so much more but the main places to visit are Uluru, Darwin & Kakadu National Park.

[Travelling]

Hi, I stayed at Yulara last year. It is the only place you can stay as you are not allowed to camp in the national park. Everything there is expensive but I used my Entertainment Book to get a good discount on a self-contained apartment. I was really pleased to have a kitchen because the food in Yulara is expensive. There is a supermarket there in case you run out of supplies. Previous two times I camped there but last time (1992) had found campground too noisy & crowded so did not want to do that again. You might be OK in a caravan though.

Fabulous destination. Don't forget to go to Kata Tjuta. The Valley of the Winds walk was one of my highlights.