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Simpson desert, Northern Territory

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Things to see and do in Northern Territory

Alice Springs

Check out the Cultural Precinct, consisting of an excellent arts centre, sacred sites and an aviation museum, at Alice Springs (www.nt.gov.au/nreta/arts/ascp). In the centre of the continent and set in red desert country, the town is a base for exploring the wonders of the outback.

Camping

Experience the true remoteness of central Australia: set up a camp fire and prepare for a night in the bush, surrounded by the sounds of nature. For further details, contact the Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory (www.nt.gov.au/nreta/parks/).

Daly Waters

Have an ice-cold beer at the famous Daly Waters Hotel, a historical pub and one of the oldest buildings in the Northern Territory, built in 1893. Daly Waters is considered the ideal stopover along the Stuart Highway between Darwin and Alice Springs.

Darwin

Take in the surprisingly modern and multicultural charms of Darwin, the territorial capital. The Top End is the area to see lush tropical vegetation, either in Darwin's Botanical Gardens or the Crocodylus Park (www.crocodyluspark.com) just outside Darwin.

Fishing

Enjoy excellent fishing in Kakadu National Park (www.environment.gov.au/parks/kakadu): numerous creeks, rivers and billabongs provide an ideal habitat for the much-prized barramundi (lungfish). Don't miss the local rock art while you're here; it is Australia's richest and most important collection.

Gorges and canyons

See colourful gorges, canyons, valley pools and awe-inspiring chasms including Stanley Chasm, Glen Helen Gorge, Ormiston Gorge and N'Dhala Gorge notable for its ancient rock engravings. Also visit Palm Valley and Rainbow Valley, on the edge of the Simpson Desert.

Helicopter ride

Take a scenic helicopter ride above Katherine Gorge, one of Australia's great natural wonders. Each of the 13 gorges around this region and in Nitmiluk National Park has its own glowing colours and fascinating outcrops.

Houseboat trip

Take a houseboat down the attractive Mary River and do a spot of fishing at sunset; also at night spot the red eyes of the local crocodiles in the river and on nearby banks.

Kakadu National Park

Tumbling waterfalls cascade into crystal-clear rock pools in Kakadu National Park, bordered by the Arnhem Land escarpment. At Ubirr (Obiri Rock) and Nourlangie Rock there are fascinating galleries of Aboriginal rock painting, many dating back over 20,000 years.

Lost City

Discover the 'Lost City' (a maze of eroded earth domes) and the 'Garden of Eden' (a sheltered green waterhole) when walking around Kings Canyon (Watarrka National Park), which also affords spectacular views.

Natural hot springs

Soak in natural hot springs at the thermal 'bathtubs' at Mataranka (www.mataranka.nt.gov.au): clear waters with a constant heat at body temperature, surrounded by palm forest, is a recipe for refreshment.

South Alligator River

Go on a boat cruise and explore the waterways along the South Alligator River or scenic Yellow Water, spotting crocodiles as you go. You may also catch a glimpse of the graceful jabiru (Australia's only stork) wading amongst the water lilies.

Stokes Range bushwalking

Go bushwalking through the Stokes Range, where you are unlikely to see another human being for miles. Other recommended destinations include the Arnhem Land Plateau (in Kakadu National Park) and the West MacDonnell Ranges along Larapinta Trail.

The Devils Marbles

Gaze at what the Aborigines believe are serpents' eggs at The Devils Marbles, an impressive formation of 7m (23ft) boulders.

Tiwi Islands

Visit the Tiwi Islands (www.tilg.nt.gov.au), comprising Bathurst Island and Melville Island, Aboriginal islands rich in history and a unique culture sheltered from the mainland: look out for pukumani (taboo) burial poles. Bark paintings and pottery with traditional designs are for sale.

Uluru

Behold the intense colours of Uluru (Ayers Rock) (www.environment.gov.au/parks/uluru). Uluru is the world's largest monolith and plays an important part in Aboriginal mythology. Note that climbing the rock is considered a gross sacrilege by the indigenous people. The nearby Kata Tjuta, meaning 'many heads' and formerly known as The Olgas, is a series of 36 massive rock domes and a system of gorges and valleys. Visitors can walk through the Valley of the Winds and the Olga Gorge, and also visit the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre, which has exhibitions on local history and geology.

Waterholes and waterfalls

Swim in one of the territory's many waterholes and waterfalls: recommended are those at Litchfield National Park and many others in the Top End and Red Centre. Remember to check that the area is crocodile-free.

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