The Top End of Australia's Northern Territory is one of the last
remaining genuine outback regions where you can fully experience the awesome
grandeur of nature first hand. There are not many places left in the world that
offer a magnificent, remote natural environment to wander and explore. The Top
End is just what it says, the most northern part of the Northern Territory. It
is lush, green and tropical - a total contrast to the harsh, arid beauty of The
Red Centre. The modern multicultural city of Darwin, the Territory's capital, is
the northern gateway to Australia. The Top End occupies the huge square bump at
the top of the Australian map, half of which is the vast area of Arnhem Land,
owned by the country's traditional Aboriginal people.
Internationally recognised, the World Heritage listed Kakadu National Park is
one of the Nation's most prized cultural and ecological treasures. Almost 20,000
square kilometres in size the park is almost three hours drive east from Darwin.
South of Darwin is Litchfield National Park a favourite area among Darwin
outdoor lovers, the park comprises 1500 sq kms of largely untouched landscape.
Nitmiluk Gorge is the major natural attraction in the Katherine region. The town
of Katherine itself has many places of interest including the historic
Springvale Homestead, the River Corridor, Katherine Hot Springs and various
museums and historic buildings.
The Red Centre is the heart of Australia and is in stark contrast to the Top
End of the Northern Territory. Often harsh, always remote, Central Australia is
awesome in the arid beauty of its endless plains and monuments of nature - Ayers
Rock (Uluru), Mount Olga (Kata Tjuta), the MacDonnell Ranges and Kings Canyon.
The town of Alice Springs has evolved into a modern Outback town, with all the
creature comforts of a capital city. It is the hub of Central Australia, making
it the perfect base to your explorations of the region, it is rich with the
culture and heritage of the Aboriginal people who have roamed the Territory for
tens of thousands of years. Whether you're a born-and-bred Australian or visitor
from abroad, touring The Centre gives you an appreciation of the vast and
unspoiled wonders of Australia's interior.
Whatever the season, each day of your stay in the Top End guarantees
something different, a new adventure, a new experience - it's just a matter of
choosing the season which best suits your interests and fits in with your
holiday schedule.