Northern Territory Travelers Recommend

Uluru is one of Australia’s most mystical attractions. Steeped in Aboriginal legend and surrounded by controversy and located in one of Australia’s oddest landscapes, visiting the monolith in the country’s Red Centre is sure to be a surreal experience no matter when you see it. For a real show, however, make sure you experience Uluru at sunset or sunrise. Picture this: the night sky above you is lit by a million stars, brighter out here in the middle of the desert than you’ve ever seen them near a city. Slowly, the eastern horizon starts to lighten, and as the sun starts crawling up into the sky, rays of orange light hit the red rock in front of you. You watch as the soft pinks of early morning sunlight begin to dance across the surface of Uluru. Now imagine that experience in reverse, with the intense reds and oranges of a desert sunset.

Stretching from the dry desert plains of Alice Springs and Ayers Rock to the tropical north of Darwin and the outback, the Northern Territory is Australia's very own version of the Wild West. With its mix of tropical and desert climates, the Northern Territory is best visited outside of the summer months (October through March) to avoid searing temperatures, daily showers and the possibility of cyclones. But whenever the visit, there's no time like the present to book your trip. With the Australian dollar falling, US and European travelers have even more reason to book soon and take advantage of the favorable exchange rates.

Uluru, or Ayers Rock, is one of Australia’s most well-known features. A site of cultural heritage with deep significance to the local Aboriginal population, Uluru is a unique attraction and it’s easy to see why so many people visit it year after year. Accessed from the gateway of Alice Springs, there are many options for visiting Uluru from Alice Springs. How to Get to Uluru from Alice Springs By far the easiest way of getting to Uluru from Alice Springs is to organise some kind of tour. Hiring a car and driving yourself is of course an option, however it is necessary to book in advance and there are certain requirements for driving in such a remote location. A shuttle bus from Alice Springs to Uluru is a comfortable way to travel, and an informative guide teaches visitors about the flora, fauna and cultural heritage of the area along the way.

Ayers Rock (Uluru) is one of the most spiritual, awe-inspiring sights in the world. To truly appreciate the color and scale of Uluru, take to the skies with a helicopter flight over Uluru and Kata Tjuta (a.k.a. the Olgas). These natural wonders are truly breathtaking. You'll see Uluru and the magnificent red desert all the way to the striking rock formations of Kata Tjuta. You won't be able to resist taking some spectacular aerial photographs! You've seen that natural wonder from above, now see it from…camel? That's right, spend your first afternoon and evening on a sunset camel ride, accompanied by an expert guide who will show you the desert wildlife and plant life, and regale you with stories of the region. One of the most amazing things about Uluru is the way it magically changes colour throughout the day. To admire its kaleidoscopic nature, take an Aboriginal Uluru Sunrise Lira Walk. You'll get to experience a magical sunrise overlooking Uluru.

You've landed bang in the bull's-eye of the enormous continent of Australia. Yep, you're in Alice Springs. So what'll it be? Museums? Wildlife? Ballooning? May we suggest all of the above in this tailored 3-day itinerary? Day 1: Getting to know Alice Springs One of the easiest ways to acquaint yourself with a new city is to take a nifty tour of the highlights, and a half-day bus tour will do just that. In Alice Springs, highlights include spectacular views of the West MacDonnell ranges, the School of the Air, the Royal Flying Doctor Service and that famous outback landscape. Once you've got the lay of the land, get independent and spend the afternoon on a hop-on hop-off bus tour so you can go back and check out the places that caught your interest.

Kings Canyon is one of Australia’s most legendary outback locations. Its palm-fringed waterholes, red gorges and eerie sandstone domes are ringed by walking tracks and camel trails for stupendous views over the surrounding Watarrka National Park. The remote canyon is in the Northern Territory, 323km (200 miles) southwest of Alice Springs. The best way to take in its remote grandeur is on a multi-day tour from the Alice. Accommodation in this far-flung location is offered by the Kings Canyon Resort, Kings Creek Station and the Yulara Resort at Uluru, or you can choose to sleep under the desert stars on a camping safari. Give yourself three days to explore the outback on a camping safari and you can include a must-do visit to Uluru (Ayers Rock). No visit to Uluru is complete without a guided walk around the base of the rock, and seeing the spectacular sunset and sunrise over Uluru.

Get your bearings with a tour – an Aboriginal-led tour will give you a great insight into the local area and history. Alternatively the hop-on, hop-off minibus visits most of the big sights in town. Darwin's city centre is compact, but the heat can be oppressive, so early morning and late afternoon are the best times for a stroll. Start with the galleries and gift shops of Smith Street Mall. Dinner by the water is a must-do in Darwin so head to the marinas for fish and chips wrapped in paper before easing on down to the vibrant Mindil Beach Sunset Markets (May - October) for beer and a spot of fire-juggling. Kakadu is Australia's largest national park. Its 20,000 square kilometres are World Heritage listed and you'll see why when you take a day tour from Darwin across the Marrakai Plains and into Kakadu. Spend the morning exploring the native fauna and viewing the superbly preserved Aboriginal rock paintings at Ubirr.