Top places: Darwin, Alice Springs, Kakadu National Park, Uluru and Kata Tjuta National Park, Kings Canyon, Katherine Gorge, Arnhem Land.
The Northern Territory is a huge sparsely populated territory that lies in the tropical to desert climatic zones of northern Australia. The northern coast
is situated on Asia's doorstep. The vegetation ranges from tropical rainforest in the north to increasing arid landscapes as you venture south toward the centre of Australia.
The majority of this territory is classed as Outback and stations, which
are huge farms or ranches. Some of these stations are bigger in area than
some countries.
The northern part of this state is known as
the 'Top End' to the locals. There are only 2 seasons here, the Wet season
and the Dry.
Darwin is located in the Top End and is the capital city of the Northern Territory. Darwin is a true tropical city and is the last Australian city before heading across the Arafura sea into Asia. The city is pleasant and has a laid back feel to it.
But this city hasn't always been so peaceful. The city has been destroyed and rebuilt twice. In 1945 the Japanese bombed Darwin making this the only Australian city to ever be attacked. The second event was a powerful cyclone on Christmas Day, 1974. While the rest of the world were celebrating Christmas, residents of Darwin were under siege from the most powerful cyclone they have ever experienced. Today it is hard to imagine that such an event took place as the city has been completely rebuilt, making it the most modern city in Australia.
To the west of Darwin lies a huge World Heritage
area called Kakadu National Park which is 3.2 million acres in area. The park
is renown for its unique bird life and rugged tropical beauty. It also has
cultural importance to the Aborigine people. Aboriginal
paintings can be found on rocks and cave walls here more than anywhere else in Australia. In fact Kakadu has the worlds greatest display of ancient art.
This park is also crocodile country. Parts of the movie "Crocodile Dundee" were filmed here. The park contains many spectacular waterfalls which are best viewed during the wet season. Kakadu extends from the wild sandstone escarpments of Arnhem Land to the east, to the mangrove-rich, tidal fiats of Van Dieman Gulf in the north and south almost to Katherine Gorge.
Katherine Gorge another scenic area, is the result of the Katherine River winding its way through some very rugged Australian landscape. One of the best ways to see the gorge is to hire a canoe and just sit back and stair up into the sheer cliff walls.
As you head down the main highway, known as "The Track", you will start to notice the landscape becoming increasingly arid. If you travel far enough you will enter the vast desert areas that Australia is famous for. Mataranka Springs being the exception is an oasis created by an abundance of underground water which surfaces here through huge vents. The springs themselves are refreshing to swim in and are warm enough to stay in for hours.
If
you continue to head south you will eventually come to Alice Springs the second
biggest city in the Northern Territory. Alice Springs is a modern Outback
city but the city still has a pioneering charm. Surrounded by the
Mac Donnell Ranges and endless desert, this area of Australia is called the
Red Centre, due to the colour of the sand. Occasionally this sea of red sand
dunes is broken by white salt from dried out salt lakes or large rocky outcrops.
The Australian desert has a surprising amount of Flora and fauna. You won't find cactus in Australia as it is not native, but you will find many Eucalyptus trees and many other bush, shrub, and flower species. Like the rest of Australia there is also an abundance of colourful birds. It is also very easy to spot Kangaroos and Emus and you may even see a snake or a goanna – a type of giant lizard.
Ayers
Rock the largest monolith in the world is located in the south of the state and almost the dead centre of Australia. The Rock as it is affectionately known is probably the country's most famous geographical landmark and is about a half day drive from Alice Springs. Further to the west of Ayers Rock are a group of 27 Domes called the Olgas which are
even more spectacular.
If you continue south along the main highway
you will eventually cross into South Australia. To the west is Western
Australia and to the east is Queensland. To the north is the Arafura Sea and
the nearest land from there are islands that make up Indonesia.
| Related pages
Close up of Ayers Rock The Olgas More Australian states |
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