Northern Territory holidays

Discover Alice Springs and the amazing services of this far-flung region. There’s the Royal Flying Doctor Service for remote Outback dwellers, and the extraordinary School of the Air educating their children. Visit the historic Telegraph Station and the Alice Springs Reptile Centre to see a Thorny Devil and other unique central Australian reptiles. Finally, take in the vista of Alice Springs and the surrounding ranges from the top of Anzac Hill.

Drive across the Marrakai Plains to Nourlangie Rock, where you’ll be guided along a walk to wonder at the emotive ancient Aboriginal rock art. After lunch, join a cruise on the Yellow Water Billabong, searching for saltwater crocodiles and colourful birdlife. The Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre has informative displays about the fascinating traditions of Kakadu’s Aboriginal people. The optional 50-minute scenic flight over the area is truly spectacular.

If you’re fit, you’ll thoroughly enjoy the rocky path on a two to three-hour trail through the awe-inspiring domes of Kata Tjuta to the Valley of the Winds Lookout. The reward is a golden Outback sunset. Take a glass of bubbly before enjoying a barbecue of steak, sausages, kangaroo meat, salads and bread and more Australian bubbly. Given clear skies, there’s stargazing too.

Litchfield National Park is a place to admire stunning waterfalls and amazing stands of termite mounds. At Florence Falls, take an interpreted walk through monsoon vine forest or take the stairs and enjoy a dip in the pool at the foot of the falls. Tolmer Falls is a magnificent photogenic cascade plunging into a deep waterhole. Finally, Wangi Falls has a large crystalclear pool, perfect for a swim. Enjoy a picnic lunch along the way.

Ballooning adventures start early, so when you reach the desert launch site the sun is just lighting the rugged MacDonnell Ranges. In the air, the vastness of the remote Outback becomes all too apparent. You’ll drift over spinifex grass, mulga scrub and cattle stations, seeing wildlife including big red kangaroos. After landing, a selection of breakfast foods are available and you will also be presented with a flight certificate. Choose from a 30 or 60-minute flight.

The Rock Pass is an excellent way of pre-booking iconic Red Centre tours. It’s valid over three days and includes the National Park Entry Fee and three tours: the Kata Tjuta & Uluru Sunset Tour; the Uluru Sunrise & Guided Cultural Base Walk (or climb); plus an additional sunrise or sunset tour of your choice.

These four magical hours start on a lone sand dune, where a path takes you to an uninterrupted 360° panorama with views over Uluru and the domes of Kata Tjuta. At sunset, enjoy sparkling wine and canapés before an authentic barbecue with fish (barramundi), meat (kangaroo, emu and crocodile), bush salads and dessert with Australian wine. Finally, there’s some of the world’s best stargazing, illuminated by a guide to the twinkling southern firmament.

Fly to Bathurst Island and take a guided tour through the Nguiu Aboriginal community to understand more about Tiwi lifestyle and culture. Have a cup of billy tea with your guides and Tiwi ladies. Take lunch at a local waterhole where you could swim before a guided walk, learning local folklore and how the Tiwi use plants for food and medicine. Enjoy traditional totem dances and a smoking ceremony to bless you, the visitors.

Experience a guided Mutitjulu Walk to the beautiful Mutitjulu Waterhole. You’ll see Aboriginal rock paintings and learn about Uluru’s Aboriginal and European history. You’ll be driven around the base, hearing a fascinating commentary about sacred sites and features. At the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre, learn about Aboriginal culture and Tjukurpa (their law). Lastly, enjoy nibbles and glass of wine at the Uluru sunset viewing area as the evening sky brings out the glorious colour for which Uluru is famous.

Follow the spectacular West MacDonnell Ranges, pausing by the red gums at Simpsons Gap for morning tea. Travel to magical Angkerle and take a walk into Standley Chasm – a stony watercourse lined with cycads, ghost gums, acacias and cypresses. Then it’s Ellery Creek Big Hole, Ormiston Gorge and Glen Helen Gorge, a semi-permanent waterhole. There’s lunch along the way and maybe a waterhole swim. Nearby Mt Sonder was painted often by the Aboriginal artist, the late Albert Namatjira.