10 incredible ways to immerse yourself in nature in the Northern Territory

1. Visit the Kangaroo Sanctuary, Alice Springs

No animal is more synonymous with Australia than the kangaroo – and no person is more emblematic of the Outback than Chris Barns. Known universally by his nickname of ‘Brolga’, the former tour guide turned kangaroo-carer shot to fame in 2013 as the star of BBC documentary series Kangaroo Dundee. The programmes focused on his remarkable work at the Kangaroo Sanctuary, near Alice Springs, which has since gone from strength to strength.

The 188-acre wildlife refuge has a simple aim: to rescue, rehabilitate and release orphaned baby red kangaroos. It can be visited on a pre-booked sunset tour – the time when kangaroos generally stir from their daytime sleep – and you’ll learn about the amazing work being done here. Naturally, you’ll also get the chance to see the real stars of the sanctuary, the young joeys being cared for until they’re ready to be returned to the wild.   

2. Watch wildlife on a Yellow Water Billabong cruise

The vast wetlands of Kakadu National Park are a world of their own. Birds wade in the shallows, escarpments glow in the distance and the creeks shimmer in the tropical sunshine. This is where you’ll find the beautiful Yellow Water Billabong, the setting for the richly atmospheric boat trips. There’s a rare joy to be had in watching the park’s flora and fauna reveal themselves as you sail through the landscape.

Magpie geese and whistling ducks fly overhead. Indigenous plants cluster on the banks. Feral water buffalo hulk in the distance, wild horses wander the plains and – yes – huge saltwater crocodiles swim through the very waters you’re sailing through. Joining a cruise at any time of day makes for a memorable experience, but opt for a sunrise or sunset sailing for that glorious, golden-hour encounter. This is no ordinary boat trip, so expect vivid travel memories.     

3. Learn about indigenous Red Centre species at Alice Springs Desert Park

If you thought the Outback was a barren expanse where animals were few and far between, think again. The Alice Springs Desert Park – on the outskirts of the town itself – showcases the resourceful indigenous species that call the Red Centre their home, from dingoes, ghost bats and marsupial moles to emus, wedge-tailed eagles and burrowing frogs. The attraction covers the different environments found here in the heart of Australia, including creeks, sand dunes and woodland habitats.

Prominence is also given to the hardy plants that survive out here, among them desert oaks, ironwoods and native bluebells, and you’ll also learn about the ancient connection that the region’s Aboriginal people have forged with the land around them. For a different perspective on desert wildlife, meanwhile, it’s possible to tour the park on a guided nocturnal tour, on which you’ll meet echidnas, bilbies and more.  

4. Soak in a hot spring in Katherine

The three-hour road trip from Darwin down to Katherine is where the scale of the Northern Territory starts to become apparent. The mighty north-south artery that is the Stuart Highway has by now begun its journey through the country in earnest, and the town of Katherine appears as a logical place to break the journey, rest and indulge – most notably by taking a soak in the local hot springs.

You’ll find these natural thermal waters enticingly close to town, on the banks of the Katherine River, in the form of clear pools ringed by native plants and trees. Simply grab your swimmers, slip into the water, and enjoy. And if you can’t get enough of bathing in warm waters, be aware that an hour further along the Stuart Highway, the tiny town of Mataranka has hot springs of its own, the unappealingly named but deeply pleasurable Bitter Springs.   

5. Take on the Kings Canyon Rim Walk

The panoramic 6km loop that is the Kings Canyon Rim Walk is now firmly established as one of Australia’s greatest half-day hikes, a testing but unforgettable trail that leads you up onto the sandstone heights of this vegetation-clustered natural chasm. Forming part of Watarrka National Park, Kings Canyon stands almost bang in the middle of the Australian map – which in turn means it’s somewhere for rare Outback plants to flourish.

The name Watarrka refers to an Aboriginal name for the sand-loving umbrella bush, one of countless plants to grow locally. Indeed, some sixty rare indigenous species can be found on, above and below the canyon’s ancient walls, including palm-like cycads that have been part of life here since the age of the dinosaurs. Others include the bush tomato – also known as the desert raisin and long a form of bush tucker – and the holly-leaf grevillea, which has drooping red flowers. 

6. Canoe Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge

Katherine is the gateway to the incredible Nitmiluk National Park, the centrepiece of which is the show-stopping,12km-long Nitmiluk Gorge (also known as Katherine Gorge). Carved deep into the Arnhem Land Plateau, the gorge is flanked by tall ochre cliffs and at times feels like part of a lost world. It makes for an utterly spectacular backdrop for a canoeing trip: rock pools, waterfalls and all.

The gorge itself (actually thirteen individual gorge sections split by rapids) can be paddled for as far as your fitness levels and appetite for adventure allow. There are three main options for self-guided adventure. The first is a half-day hire that allows you to spend up to 4.5 hours exploring the dramatic first gorge; the second is an all-day outing that lets you extend your journey into the more secluded second gorge; the third is an epic two-day excursion with a bush camp. One and two-person canoes can both be hired.       

7. Go birdwatching in Kakadu National Park

The list of reasons for wildlife-lovers to visit Kakadu is a long one. From wallabies to saltwater crocodiles and sugar gliders, you’ll find mammals and reptiles aplenty – but nothing quite compares to the park’s birdlife. As home to around one third of all of Australia’s bird species, Kakadu offers a truly world-class range of different sightings and habitats.

Whether you’re watching a noisy flock of magpie geese honking over the billabongs or spotting the rare white-throated grasswren hopping through fronds of spinifex, your birding experience will be a memorable one. Smaller species include azure kingfishers, red-winged parrots and rainbow bee-eaters, with classic Aussie birds such as kookaburras and cockatoos adding to the highlights. For many visitors, however, it’s the larger species that steal the show, with brolgas and black-necked storks wading across the wetlands and white-bellied sea eagles bossing the skies overhead.

8. Spend the night at Bamurru Plains

Not all safari lodges are created equal. On the fringes of the Mary River floodplains hides a luxury wilderness sanctuary to rival anywhere in the country. Welcome to Bamurru Plains, where a 300 sq km, wildlife-rich swathe of Top End savanna is shared by around 20 guests. As a place to truly experience the scale and majesty of the landscapes of the Northern Territory, it’s a phenomenal place to stay.

With standalone bungalows, an infinity pool and exceptional food and wine – including a three-course gourmet dinner each night – the luxury levels are high. Every bit as impressive, however, is the scenery that forms the backdrop to the location. The savanna and floodplains might be free of other travellers but they’re full of iconic Australian flora and fauna, and it’s also possible to tour into neighbouring Kakadu and Arnhem Land, accompanied by the lodge’s expert field guides.     

9. Discover a working cattle station  

The Northern Territory is a region where the traditions die hard and the horizons never end – which makes a trip to a working cattle station a stirring experience. Newly opened in 2022, the elegant Finniss River Lodge is a six-suite luxury hideaway in the Top End wilderness west of Darwin. You’ll find a plunge pool, a sunset deck and glorious design touches, but what really marks it out is its location on a working cattle ranch.

You’ll be driven across the cattle station to discover more about day-to-day life in this filmic environment, enjoying champagne and Indigenous-inspired canapes as well as meeting the hand-reared cows and calves. And at the same time, you’ll be able to soak up the magic of the landscapes, complete with countless bird species, Indigenous plants, wallowing crocodiles and towering termite mounds. The lodge also runs airboat tours across the wetlands.  

10. Have an adventure in the West MacDonnell Ranges

For many visitors to the Northern Territory, the West MacDonnell Ranges – known in the local Arrernte language as Tjoritja – are a revelation. Spreading across the desert south of Alice Springs, this rugged belt of mountains is packed with scenic gorges, permanent waterholes and vast Outback panoramas. On a guided tour, you’ll see exactly what makes the range so special, from its glowing red walls at sunrise to its refreshing swimming holes during the heat of the day.    

Unmissable stop-offs include the ghost gums and rock wallabies of Simpsons Gap, the shimmering waters of Ellery Creek Big Hole (don’t forget your swimming costume) and the walking trails and imposing cliffs of Ormiston Gorge, but you’ll see far more besides. And if long-distance walking is your thing, be aware of the Larapinta Trail, which leads along the range for more than 200km – it’s a tough trek and requires plenty of forward planning, but it’s one of Australia’s best. 

Book now with Trailfinders: The No.1 tour operator to Australia

It pays to book with the experts. With extensive experience of the Northern Territory’s many highlights and with a knowledgeable and friendly team on-hand to find your perfect holiday, Trailfinders will help you to uncover the very best of this part of Australia. To book call 020 7795 4551 or visit trailfinders.com