The NT with Kids: A handy holiday guide
Northern Territory
Explore the Northern Territory with your family
Part of the appeal of the Northern Territory is it has that ‘off the beaten track’ kind of charm. Perhaps that’s why it isn’t at the top of many Aussie families’ to-do lists—but it’s exactly why it should be.
The Top End is the perfect destination for outdoor adventures. Looking for the quiet reflection that is so often prompted by wide-open spaces? Make tracks for Uluru and the Red Centre.Â
The Northern Territory’s rugged landscapes are full of discoveries. Find out what’s happening in the NT here.Â
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Your Northern Territory family holiday guide
The Northern Territory is a great backdrop for a family road trip, and there is so much outdoor fun for kids to have among its sprawling red desert and dramatic rockscapes that is sure to leave cherished memories for years to come.
Top places to visit in the NT
Darwin
Darwin is ideal for those who want lasting family memories from a vacation without spending a ridiculous amount of money.Â
Being such a wildlife hub, Darwin has a lot of animal-related attractions and activities. Something the whole family can enjoy is the thrill of hand-feeding the fish at Aquascene, which is just a short walk from the Darwin CBD. You can also reel in dinner yourself in Darwin Harbour’s rich fishing grounds.Â
Apart from being a fantastic travel destination in itself, Darwin is also the gateway to fabulous Kakadu, Katherine and Uluru.Â
Katherine
Trace the Stuart Highway south through Adelaide River, stop for a (croc free) dip at Edith Falls and Katherine before stopping to admire the majesty of magnificent Katherine Gorge (Nitmiluk) and on to Mataranka Thermal Springs.
Enjoy a journey of discovery through the magnificent Nitmiluk Gorge as you paddle your way through the gorges or hop aboard a cruise and learn from the traditional landowners – the Jawoyn people.
Kakadu
Drive along the Arnhem Highway from Darwin through Humpty Doo and its big boxing crocodile to World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park to experience its diverse landscapes, abundant wildlife, ancient rock art and Aboriginal culture.
Australia’s largest national park, known for its diverse landscapes and thriving wildlife, is only a three-hour drive from Darwin. You can easily spend a week exploring. See the world’s oldest Indigenous rock art galleries and watch the sunset over the floodplains at Ubirr, then go waterfall hopping at some of the Territory’s most famous spots, including Maguk, Florence Falls and Jim Jim Falls.Â
Uluru
Walk or cycle around the base of this famous landmark, passing waterholes, caves and rock art. The best way to immerse yourself in the experience is to book a tour with an Indigenous guide to hear Tjukurpa (creation stories). Be sure to catch the wonder’s incredible changing colours at sunset and sunrise from one of the five public viewing platforms. You can also explore the desert in style with a Segway tour, partake in a camel ride, and experience a dot painting workshop. Stay at the nearby Ayers Rock Resort, which offers everything from camping to apartments to the five-star Sails in the Desert hotel.
Outdoor adventures
If you’re planning a trip to the Northern Territory, then there’s a pretty strong chance that you’re thinking about doing some outdoorsy stuff. The NT really does excel when it comes to adventures: fishing, sailing, walking, hiking, camel riding, flying, swimming – you name it!
Animal encounters
One of the NT’s biggest drawcards is its nature and wildlife and if you’re planning a visit to the Territory, you’re probably hoping to see plenty of reptiles, birds and cuddly marsupials. There are plenty of places that make spotting animals easy and driving to them is simple, too.
Alice Springs Reptile Centre: Play with a python, watch the lizards feed, spy on secretive geckos, see crocodiles from underwater, and meet resident goannas and frill-neck lizards.
Alice Springs Desert Park: If you haven’t managed to glimpse a spangled grunter or marbled velvet gecko, head to Desert Park where the creatures of Central Australia are all on display in one place.
Crocodile encounters
Come face to face with the largest reptiles on the planet in the streets of Darwin. Dive with saltwater crocodiles in the Cage of Death, or play it safe and cuddle a baby crocodile at Crocosaurus Cove. Watch the crocodile feeding experience or take a tour in the Croc Boat Cruise at Crocodylus Park.
Only 1.5 hours from Darwin, Adelaide River Jumping Crocodile River Cruises allow you to observe these 6-metre crocs up close as they leap out of the water to grab meat held out for them.
Take a cruise through Corroboree Billabong on the Mary River Wetlands. This area is teeming with birds and also has the largest concentration of saltwater crocodiles in the world.
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Opening image: A girl at Gunlom Falls in Kakadu National Park. © Tourism NT-Geoffrey Reid