Ah, the Northern Territory, famed for its Outback desert landscapes, the iconic sandstone monolith of Uluru, the red-rock domes of Kata Tjuta and some of the most sensational sunsets that we’ve ever come across. It truly is the perfect place for your next #HolidayHere adventure!
With so much to see and even more to do, you’re really going to want to make the most of your NT travels. That’s why we’ve taken it upon ourselves to share our top 5 Northern Territory travel tips – simple tips that we’ve learned over the past 100 years of travelling the Territory.
1. SEE IT ALL (BUT NOT ALL AT ONCE)
With so much to see and so much to do, it can be difficult to know what exactly ‘it all’ actually is. Is it Uluru and the surrounds? Which surrounds you may ask? Or is it Alice Springs, or maybe Katherine instead? We recommend for you to choose. Think about picking one area and do it exceptionally well, from spending nights stargazing in the Red Centre desert, to taking on the Top End and its glorious national parks. There are so many great experiences in each of these locations, so take your time (Darwin time even!) and don’t rush these moments – as they will stay with you forever.
Do your research to really discover what exactly it is that you’re going to want to see, or you can entrust local experts such as AAT Kings, to package it all up and ensure you see absolutely everything….and a little bit more!
Start planning, see some of our most loved NT trips here.
2. KNOW WHEN NOT TO SAVE A PENNY
Don’t get us wrong, we absolutely love a value for money holiday, though sometimes spending that extra little bit can really be the difference between ‘just another getaway’ and that trip of a lifetime. We’ve all heard of those holiday horrors where people have tried to be a little too thrifty, ending up in less than ideal vacation situations. Thus, it’s really important to weigh up the costs to potential benefits when organising your travel plans.
Trusting local guides and tour operators such as AAT Kings with your travel means you’ll discover the local insights, and historic knowledge of our guides and tours, paired with our 100+ years of touring experience, which means you won’t miss a thing. For example, not far from Katherine, famous for the spectacular Nitmiluk National Park, is a hidden oasis called Mataranka, it is worth the journey with its sandy-bottomed thermal pool – one not to miss on your escape to the Top End.
3. USE YOUR TIME WISELY
All good things must come to an end, which of course also includes holidays (don’t worry, we’re pretty bummed about that fact, too!). Time on holidays is supposed to be spent enjoyed…not planning and organising!
When it comes to holiday planning, you really do have two options. You can plan, plan and plan some more. Do a little research, that will lead to more research, search a couple of reviews, compare costs, create a spreadsheet, pre-pay numerous different restaurants, attractions and the list goes on.
Or, for the many of us that live in a time-poor world, we don’t have the time, effort or maybe tech ability to do all that, so that’s where tour operator such AAT Kings can really take the stress out of organising. You know that all our tours have been tried and tested by thousands of Australians for decades.
If you’re also short for time but want to make sure you tick off all the must do’s (at the right time to do them) having inside knowledge is key! For example, knowing the best location for that Uluru sunset (and the best time to be there) or insights on when’s best to see Bruce Munro’s Field of Light exhibition can make or break your holiday experience.
Check out our short break tours which will ensure you’ll have a mini but MIGHTY adventure.
4. TASTE IT ALL
Going on holidays is all about discovering new cuisines and local tastes, and a Northern Territory holiday is no different. With so many local flavours on offer, travelling to the NT is the perfect opportunity to have a foodie experience, one that you won’t find anywhere else.
On the Outback Adventure tour, head to the Falzon’s Earth Sanctuary World Nature Centre. This Be My Guest experience invites you into the life of brothers, Tom and Danny, for an old Aussie classic outback barbecue. You’ll learn the zodiac stories of desert night sky deep within the West MacDonnell Ranges – devouring helpings of damper made with Quandong (bush peach) beer, sipping a billy tea around the campfire.
5. ENJOY YOURSELF
This may sound a little obvious, though with the NT being so impressive in size, with so many icon sites and so much historic value, paired with the encapsulating food scene, it’s incredibly easy to get caught up in trying to do it all at once, and not take a second to stop and take it all in.
Take it slow and do it right! See it all, taste it all and enjoy yourself.
With tours that allow you to see the very best of Uluru or the sites or Darwin, taste the best in Alice Springs or walk a mile at Kings Canyon, there’s an AAT Kings tour to suit every NT travel need!
See all of AAT Kings Northern Territory tours, here.