The Easter public holidays are the perfect time to travel to the Territory’s Top End and Red Centre for a memorable getaway, whether its short stay in Darwin, camping and waterfalling hopping in the pristine national parks or a road trip through the outback.  The Dry Season also commences soon in April, greeting travellers with warm weather and ideal temperatures for outdoor adventures, and an exciting roster of art, culture, music and sporting events.

SHORTER  NT  TRIPS

Darwin staycation:  Spend a long weekend exploring the tropical city of Darwin, where you can soak up the laid-back atmosphere, sample delicious local cuisine, and take in the stunning sunset views.

  1. For foodies,  the  Gourmet Food Tour  samples some of the city’s most iconic restaurants or queue up for an iconic steaming bowl of laksa at  Parap Markets.
  2. Take in the sights of the beautiful Darwin Harbour, whether its enjoying the breeze on a luxurious  champagne sunset dinner cruise, or racing on a thrilling  jet ski tour.
  3. Visit the diverse Aboriginal  arts galleries  around town, including NATSIAAs exhibition at Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT). If time allows, book the immersive  Tiwi By Design  art and culture tour to the remote Tiwi Islands, introducing you to the Aboriginal community of Wurrumiyanga
  4. Learn about Aboriginal traditions and stories with Larrakia man, Trent Lee, at  Saltwater Cultural Tours. Just an hour’s from Darwin,  Pudakul Aboriginal Cultural Tours  offers authentic tours in the Adelaide River floodplains, where local guides demonstrate basket weaving, dilly bag making, and touch upon bush medicine.
  5. Consider timing your trip with  BASSINTHEGRASS  music festival which returns to Darwin’s Mindil Beach on 20 May. Expect an incredible lineup including May-A, Tones and I, and more.
  6. Stay at  Mindil Beach Casino Resort, where you can wine and dine to your heart’s content, and relax at the infinity pool. Stay at the Lagoon rooms, which have a private balcony or deck, and offer sweeping views of the  deluxe tropical Lagoon pool.
  7. Stay in the middle of the action at the  Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront  on Darwin’s promenade, surrounded by excellent restaurants and family activities like Wave Lagoon.

Greater Litchfield Loop (2-4 days):  The  Greater Litchfield Loop  is the perfect road trip to explore  Litchfield National Park, located just 90 minutes from Darwin. Litchfield is a true nature lover’s respite with crystal-clear waterfalls, hiking trails, incredible monsoonal forest scenery and towering termite mounds.

  1. Enroute to Litchfield,  book a  Jumping Croc Cruise  at Adelaide River to witness wild crocodiles in their natural habitat and watch them spring out of the water around you.
  2. Head south  to  Berry Springs  to soak up the first of many water holes in this stunning region.
  3. Meet some of the animals that call the  NT  home at the  Territory Wildlife Park  including walking through tree top aviaries.
  4. Stop by locals’ favourite, Berry Springs Tavern, before continuing to Litchfield to bask in iconic water holes like Wangi Falls, Florence Falls and Buley Rockhole.
  5. Retreat to  Hideaway Litchfield,    a  set of three luxurious and sustainable shipping containers-turned cabins located in the secluded and beautiful surrounds of the Park
  6. Litchfield Tourist Park  also has a range of accommodation options, from camping to caravanning and cabins, and is perfect for families and groups.
  7. Extend your road trip by checking  out and staying in the coastal towns of  Dundee Beach  or  Crab Claw Island, both famous fishing spots in the Top End.

Finniss River Lodge:  Located on Finniss River Station, a working cattle property which is a 90-minute drive from Darwin and set near lush floodplains,  Finniss River Lodge  is  NT’s newest experiential luxury wilderness retreat. The Lodge boasts six luxe ensuites, described as ‘bush character meets contemporary elegance’, and can cater for 12 guests at a time. Visitors can witness station life, like musters or indulge in the Cows n Canapes experience, participate in private wilderness tours and enjoy thrilling airboat rides. Minimum two-night stay.

Alice Springs:  A gateway to the Red Centre, Alice Springs is a thriving outback town, surrounded by fantastic natural wonders and ancient sites.

  1. Time your trip with one of  NT’s most anticipated cultural events,  Parrtjima-A Festival in Light,  7-16 April 2023. This is an extraordinary 10-night celebration of First Nations art, culture and light including projections against the West MacDonnell Ranges, large-scale installations, talks, performances, workshops and films.
  2. Wake up in awe with a sunrise  hot air balloon ride  and float silently alongside the rugged Ranges.
  3. Visit  Kangaroo Sanctuary,  where the little ones can cuddle orphaned kangaroos,   feed baby joeys and learn more about wildlife preservation in the outback.
  4. Experience the best stargazing at  Earth Sanctuary, with the outback home to some of the clearest skies. For a magical experience, sleep under the stars at the Sanctuary’s Space Camp.
  5. Outside of town, there are no shortage of picturesque natural swimming holes including  Glen Helen Gorge,  Ellery Creek Big Hole,  Ormiston Gorge  or  Redbank Gorge.
  6. For a comfortable stay, book at  Double Tree By Hilton  or Lasseters

LONGER ROAD-TRIPS

Nature’s Way (8 days):  Experience the best of the Top End along the  Nature’s Way road trip.  Start the journey in Darwin, then take Arnhem Highway to reach the nature-lovers’ paradise that is dual-World Heritage listed  Kakadu National Park. Then, continue to Katherine and explore the incredible sandstone gorges of  Nitmiluk National Park, before stopping by Litchfield.

  1. At Kakadu, cruise on the  Yellow Water Billabong  lined with  lily pads, native birdlife and sunbaking crocodiles, and marvel  at ancient rock art galleries at  Nourlangie  and  Ubirr.
  2. Attend Kakadu’s unique cultural dining experiences including the ultimate bush food experience,  Taste of Kakadu, 13-21 May 2023, and  Full Moon Feast  dinner, 1 April 2023
  3. Stay at the Kakadu’s  Cooinda Lodge, offering camping, lodges and Outback Retreat glamping.
  4. At Nitmiluk National Park,  hire a canoe  and paddle along the gorges to see waterfalls, or book a river cruise and listen to Jawoyn guides share their world of culture and history.Stay at  Cicada Lodge, a luxury lodge overlooking the Katherine River with rooms opening to the sounds and sights of the native bush.
  5. When in Katherine, visit local Aboriginal guide and TikTok sensation Manuel Pamkal at  Top Didj Cultural Experience.
  6. Bathe in natural thermal waters of  Bitter Springs  and  Katherine Hot Springs.
  7. Discover the ancient, limestone caves at  Cutta Cutta Caves National Park, 30km south of Katherine and home to rare wildlife like the orange horseshow bat.
  8. Visit award-winning  Katherine Outback Experience, where kids can watch  horse and working dog demonstrations, pet station animals, and take a glimpse into farm outback life.

Red Centre Way (5 days): The  Red Centre Way  is the quintessential outback road trip. Uncover the breathtaking beauty, rugged landscapes and sacred cultural icons of the Red Centre, stopping by Alice Springs,  Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and Watarrka National Park (Kings Canyon).

  1. Follow the Red Centre light trail starting from  Parrtjima – A Festival in Light  in Alice Springs, then Bruce Munro’s newest  Light Towers    installation at Kings Canyon, and  the beautiful  Field of Light  installation and  Wintijiri Wiru  1000 drone, laser and projection show at Uluru.
  2. Embark on a  camel tour  through the desert.
  3. See  Uluru  in all its glory, whether it’s walking the 10km base, hiring a bike, heading on a guided Mala tour or capturing the changes colours at sunset at the viewing platforms.
  4. Explore some of Australia’s leading Aboriginal art galleries and centres including Araluen Cultural Precinct and Hermannsburg Potters at  Alice Springs
  5. The halfway point between Alice Springs and Uluru, Kings Canyon is a majestic valley 400-million-years in the making. Enjoy the endless red desert views from  Discovery Kings Canyon  or  Kings Creek Station, with camping and glamping options available.

Arnhem Way (7-10 days): Arnhem Land is a must-visit for the ultimate immersion into Aboriginal culture and is one of Australia’s last unspoilt areas.  Arnhem Way  road trip starts near Katherine and ends in Nhulunbuy on the Gove Peninsula. This region is also home to some of Australia’s most pristine white sand beaches, incredible fishing, diverse marine life and stunning wetlands.

  1. Visit galleries showcasing local artists for a deeper understanding of traditional practices like  Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Art Centre  at Yirrkala.
  2. Find time for a sunset drink at the  Gove Boat Club  with unhindered views of the horizon.
  3. Visit  Groote Eylandt,  Little Bondi Beach  or  Coburg Peninsula  for some stunning coastal views.
  4. Escape to  Banubanu Beach Retreat for an impressive eco, beachfront experience.

Image credit: Tourism NT