Northern Territory Travel

The Northern Territory is a mainly tropical region of Australia, with a substantial amount of desert areas and with a very small population. It is however home to several of Australia's most noted and internationally famous natural features, and attracts many tourists.

It's often said that people who go 'Up North' are divided into two groups - those who love it and can't wait to go back, and those who hate it and can't stand the weather. The climate is much more similar to that of south-east Asia than it is to the more equitable regions of Australia.

There is a distinct 'wet' and 'dry' season, and thunderstorms and cyclones are not uncommon during the summer Wet (at which times average temperatures and humidity reach unbearable levels), so tourists are strongly advised to plan their travels carefully and to take full advantage of the more hospitable winter dry season between April and October.

Roads are sparse in the Northern Territory and much of the country is relatively inaccessible. The trans-Australian highway is now completely paved and gives improved access to Darwin, and the cross-country railroad was completed in 2004. It is now possible to take a train from Adelaide in South Australia up to Alice Springs and then continuing right up to Darwin.

The Northern Territory has very long distances between destinations. There are a large variety of linking tours that allow you to travel between Adelaide, Alice Springs and Darwin. From Alice Springs you can travel to Ayers Rock and from Darwin you can travel to Kakadu National Park, Litchfield National Park and also join linking tours that take you to Broome or Perth in Western Australia.

Because of the long distances involved flying is a popular option to get to Alice Springs and Darwin. Qantas is the main airline flying into these small cities.

Northern Territory Regions of Most Interest to the Tourist