Family travel in the Northern Territory – Litchfield National Park, Uluru, Mindil Beach Sunset Market, and Kakadu National Park.
1. Litchfield National Park
Swim in beautiful waterfalls and waterholes including Florence Falls and Buley Rockhole in this accessible national park. Litchfield National Park is an easy hour-and-a-half journey from Darwin, and is one of the Top End’s treasures. Sealed roads allow easy access but hire a four-wheel drive to enjoy off-road options, like the Lost City and Tjaynera Falls.
The Lost City is a series of sandstone rocks that evoke the remains of an ancient civilisation, and marvel at the Magnetic Termite mounds, which stand up to two metres high and are thought to be at least 100-years-old.
Book your Litchfield National Park Day Tour from Darwin here
2. Sounds of Silence Dinner, Uluru
With a million stars overhead, the drone of a didgeridoo in the background and a bush tucker meal, the Sounds of Silence dinner is without doubt one of the most magical travel experiences in Australia. Families with children aged ten and over can book the four-hour tour, which begins with canapes and drinks on top of a dune overlooking Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. As the sun sets and darkness falls, listen to the sound of a didgeridoo and join your table of fellow travellers for an unforgettable evening. Listen as an astronomer decodes the southern night sky, locate the Southern Cross, the signs of the zodiac, the Milky Way, and planets and galaxies that are visible due to the exceptional clarity of the atmosphere. If you want to go all out on your Red Centre adventure, the luxury wilderness camp Longitude 131 also welcomes children aged 10 and over.
3. Mindil Beach Sunset Market, Darwin
The vibrant and multicultural market at Mindil Beach is a must on any visit to Darwin. Held from late April to late October, there’s plenty to keep the family entertained with arts and craft vendors, buskers and food stalls offering everything from local delicacies, such as crocodile, to international cuisine. Pack a picnic blanket and sit back and relax as you watch the sunset over the Arafura Sea.
4. Indigenous culture in Katherine
Indigenous artist, Manuel Pamkal, gives a rare personal insight into his culture at Top Didj Cultural Experience & Art Gallery. After playing a traditional welcoming tune on the didgeridoo, he shares stories about growing up in the bush, living off the land, tribal life and his family tree. He also teaches the technique of Rarrk painting (cross hatch) with a reed brush, how to throw a spear at a fake kangaroo target and lighting a fire by rubbing two sticks together. Don’t miss this hands-on, family-friendly experience near Katherine.
5. Croc cruise or scenic flight in Kakadu
Cruise along the Yellow Water wetlands for prime views of Kakadu’s scenery and wildlife (especially birds and crocs!), accompanied by commentary from a local Indigenous guide.
There’s no better way to take in Kakadu’s dramatic scenery than from above, so make sure you include a tour with Kakadu Air Services in your Top End itinerary! They offer charter flights, 30-minute flights and 60-minute flights. Sunset is a particularly beautiful time to see the spectacular gorges and waterfalls – with the latter even more impressive during the wet season, from November to April.
The crocodile-shaped Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel is a great place to stay.
6. Parrtjima – a Festival in Light, Alice Springs
See the walls of the ancient MacDonnell Ranges illuminated during the Parrtjima Indigenous light festival, which returns to Alice Springs from April 9 to 18. The free, family-friendly event promises a sensory experience like no other, with large-scale sculptural installations, live music, talks and workshops. This year’s theme, Future Kultcha, is based on the timeless oral way of learning among generations of Aboriginal people.
7. Matt Wright’s Explore the Wild Tours
Embark on a thrilling outback adventure created by the star of National Geographic’s hit TV show Outback Wrangler. Matt Wright’s Explore the Wild tour series includes an adrenaline-pumping ride on an airboat, while the all-inclusive and family-friendly Top End Safari Camp package includes an exciting crocodile encounter, glamping and stargazing around a fire pit. You can also book custom tours with the man himself.
8. Arnhem Land, Top End
Discover Indigenous art and culture in Arnhem Land, a remote 90,000sq km reserve east of Darwin, which is one of the least inhabited regions of the world. Wildlife is prolific throughout the region, and includes saltwater crocodiles, dugongs, nesting turtles and hundreds of bird species, such as jacana, azure kingfishers, magpie geese, brolga and jabiru.
Book a tour with Davidson’s Arnhemland Safaris to explore lily-covered billabongs and wetlands, stay in a safari hut, fish for barramundi in the lodge’s private billabong and see some of Australia’s best Indigenous rock art, with 50 000-year-old paintings of spirits and animals including snakes, dugong and turtles.
9. Nitmiluk National Park, Katherine
Hike, paddle a canoe or cruise through the awe-inspiring Nitmiluk Gorge, around 300km south of Darwin. Despite its name, the gorge actually consists of 13 impressive gorges carved from the ancient sandstone, stretching over 16km and separated by natural rock barriers and rapids during the dry season. Cool off in the tranquil waters of Leliyn (Edith) Falls, on the park’s western boundary. Be sure to pop into the Nitmiluk Visitor Centre to learn about the cultural and spiritual significance of the gorge for its Traditional Owners, the Jawoyn and Dagomen people.
10. Earth Sanctuary, Alice Springs
Australia’s Outback is known for having some of the world’s clearest night skies, making it an ideal location for stargazing. For a truly magical experience, book a stay at Earth Sanctuary, which offers Australia’s only space camp. Sleep in one of six intergalactic-style domes, available in glamping or swag style, and take advantage of the observatory’s astronomy tours.
11. Darwin’s Heritage Trail
Take a scenic walk and learn more about the city’s war history on Darwin’s Heritage Trail. At Stokes Hill Wharf, the Royal Flying Doctor Service Darwin Tourist Facility uses virtual reality and holographic technology to transport you to the WW2 bombing scene of 1942, complete with films, storytelling ‘ghosts’ and simulated cockpit experiences. Darwin Military Museum and Defence of Darwin Experience host an amazing collection of artefacts, from uniforms to artillery, and play wartime footage and interviews with veterans.
12. Crocosaurus Cove, Darwin
Pet a baby crocodile or feed a juvenile croc from the Fishing for Crocs platform at this Darwin attraction, which has the world’s largest display of Australian reptiles. There are nine interactive shows daily. Brave parents and teens aged from 15 can try the Cage of Death, where you spend 15 minutes in a glass cage and come face to face with an adult crocodile in its pen.
