Northern Territory
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.
