The area surrounding Alice Springs is a land of deep chasms and gorges carved through rust coloured ranges. The desert landscape is punctuated by unexpected oases and waterholes and ancient meteorite craters. It is home to an ancient people whose culture is alive and well. Alice Springs sits at the junction of the East and West MacDonnell Ranges. The spectacular West MacDonnell National Park is home to many amazing natural attractions, such as Simpsons Gap, Standley Chasm, Ellery Creek Big Hole and Ormiston Gorge and Pound. The renowned Larapinta Trail runs 223 kilometres through the West MacDonnells and is one of the world’s great walks. To pioneering Aboriginal artist Albert Namatjira, the West MacDonnells were his inspiration with their dramatic landscapes and ever-changing hues. Highlights of the East MacDonnell Ranges are Emily and Jessie Gaps, Trephina Gorge, Ndahla Gorge, Ruby Gap and Arltunga Historic Reserve. Arltunga was an important gold and gem prospecting area and for a while was the most important settlement in Central Australia. Now only a few restored stone buildings remain. Hermannsburg (an historic Aboriginal settlement, and the birthplace of artist Albert Namatjira) and Palm Valley (Finke Gorge National Park) are an easy drive from Alice Springs. Those looking to go further off the beaten track can explore the Simpson or Tanami Deserts, fossick for gems at Gemtree or Ruby Gap, or visit remote communities like Santa Teresa and Titjikala, where tours offer a chance to experience Aboriginal culture and watch artists at work. A visit to the iconic Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, home of the monolith Uluru / Ayers Rock, situated 461 kilometres south-west of Alice Springs on the traditional lands of the Anangu Aboriginal people, is an unforgettable experience.

The tropical Top End is dramatic, vibrant and friendly, and offers a range of experiences. Darwin, the Northern Territory’s cosmopolitan capital, is a great place to begin exploring. The city offers a range of accommodation and facilities and is a popular holiday destination, thanks to its relaxed charm and proximity to the region’s iconic natural wonders. An hour south of Darwin is Berry Springs Nature Park, a swimming and recreational area and the popular Territory Wildlife Park is just next door. Operating on the nearby Adelaide River, regular jumping crocodile cruises provide the chance to see saltwater crocodiles propel themselves from the water. Further south along the Stuart Highway is Litchfield National Park, a great place to cool off beneath cascading waterfalls and view attractions such as unique magnetic termite mounds, monsoonal rainforests and tumbling rocky waterholes. World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park is 250 kilometres from Darwin on the Arnhem Highway. To the north of Darwin are the Tiwi Islands where visitors can share in the culture of the Tiwi people. Take an organised tour and purchase some local art and crafts, chat with some of the local Tiwi ladies over a pot of billy tea, or fish the clear waters surrounding the islands. Fishing is a popular Northern Territory pastime, with Darwin and Bynoe Harbours offering excellent fishing. The Daly River, the Mary River wetlands and the Victoria River are among the fishing hot spots while Dundee Beach and Mandorah Beach boast stretches of sandy coastline.

The surrounding region, the Barkly Tablelands, is characterised by wide plains and vast skies, and with a population of 3,000, Tennant Creek is the main service centre for the area. Located 507 kilometres north of Alice Springs and around 1,000 kilometres south of Darwin, the town has a diverse history, shaped by Aboriginal culture, pastoralism and gold mining. The site of Australia’s last major gold rush in the 1930s, Tennant Creek’s rich mining history can be explored in the Battery Hill Mining Centre. The Nyinkka Nyunyu Art and Culture Centre is an award-winning museum and gallery showcasing the culture of the traditional Aboriginal owners of the area, the Warumungu people. Travellers can stop at a character-filled outback pub or roadhouse for an insight into a unique lifestyle shaped by isolation. Enjoy a swim in Tingkkarli / Lake Mary Ann, explore the historic Overland Telegraph Line, built in 1872, and spend a couple of star-filled nights in Tennant Creek area for a truly unique Territory experience. The mysterious rock spheres of the nearby Karlu Karlu / Devils Marbles Conservation Reserve, located 100 kilometres south of Tennant Creek, are one of the Outback’s iconic attractions.

There are many ways to experience the spectacular Nitmiluk National Park and its world-renowned gorge system - you can walk, swim, canoe, boat or fly. Walks over the sandstone plateau range from one hour to five days and offer spectacular views of the gorge, as well as other landscapes. Some, like the 62-kilometre Jatbula Trail, take in most of Nitmiluk's landscapes - monsoon rainforest, stone country, upland swamp, woodland and river – while the shorter walks may not be quite so varied, but are always spectacular. You can hire canoes at the gorge, or bring your own. Commercially operated cruises of the gorge system are available, as are helicopter flights. Raging river currents from December to April can restrict activities, but there is always something to do. Swimming and canoeing are generally only activities for June to November - but are no longer available in the First Gorge. The cruises available vary between the wet and dry seasons. Leliyn (Edith Falls) is another spectacular part of Nitmiluk that is well worth a visit. Leliyn is accessed from the Stuart Highway about 45 kilometres north of Katherine

With no entry fee (overnight camping fees apply) and easily accessible 2WD roads into all of the main waterfalls, it’s no wonder Litchfield National Park is one of the most popular spots in the Top End. Mix and match the variety of attractions around the region to make your own ‘Greater Litchfield Loop’ perfect for any age or any number of days. You can take in the military history of Adelaide River and Batchelor, stay in your choice of bespoke camping or nature-based lodges, swim safely at waterfalls and cascading rock pools, sip sunset drinks at beachfront fishing lodges and immersive nature and wildlife experiences at local attractions. Do yourself a favour and take a few minutes to stop in at the pubs, cafes and restaurants to get a flavour for how the locals live in and around Litchfield National Park. Swimming within the park and road access can change at certain times of the year. Check to see if Litchfield National Park is open: https://nt.gov.au/leisure/parks-reserves/check-park-open-darwin