About the Region

The Northern Territory makes up nearly one-sixth of Australia and geographically most closely resembles the popular image of the Great Australian Outback. The north or Top End, centred on the capital, Darwin, is tropical with rich vegetation and a varied coastline. 251km east of Darwin is World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park (the third largest National Park in the world and about half the size of Switzerland), an area of vast flood plains and rocky escarpments steeped in natural and cultural heritage and home to Aborigines for at least 40,000 years. Katherine is 314km south of Darwin and just beyond that is Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) National Park, a striking system of 13 gorges towering up to 60 metres high.

The southern part of the Territory is centred on Alice Springs, which is virtually the centre of Australia and the starting point to explore many of the Red Centre-s highlights including Uluru (Ayers Rock), which is located about 465kms to the south-west. Other of the Red Centre-s natural and geological wonders include Kata Tjuta (the Olgas), King-s Canyon, the Western MacDonnell Ranges and the Devil-s Marbles.

Culture

Some areas that we visit have great significance to the local Aborigines and as such are culturally sensitive. Access to these areas (which includes the Uluru (Ayers Rock) climb) may be restricted for cultural reasons for unspecified times and with little prior notice. We reserve the right to amend our itineraries or visit alternative areas in these circumstances and no refunds will be given.

Red Centre:
Uluru-Kata Tjuta Aboriginal Cultural Centre: in keeping with the park-s importance to indigenous people, major emphasis is placed on helping visitors understand Aboriginal traditions and lifestyle. The Cultural Centre houses the park-s information services with displays presenting the sights and sounds of Tjukurpa (creation stories and laws) and the local culture.

Top End:
Aboriginal Rock Art: amazing examples of rock art dating back an estimated 40,000 years can be seen throughout Kakadu but most notably at Ubirr and Nourlangie.

Wildlife

Red Centre:
You may see kangaroos, emus, wild camels, goannas, thorny devils and more.

Top End:
You may see wallabies, salt and fresh water crocodiles, buffalo, frill-neck lizards, wild pigs and a huge variety of bird life including wedge-tailed and sea eagles, jabiru and herons.

Climate

Seasonality of the Top End :

Located in the Arid Tropical region of Northern Australia means that you enjoy beautiful weather for the majority of the year. The Top End experiences 2 distinct seasons as outlined below.

Minimum Maximum
Tropical Winter 21.5°C 31.5°C
Unlike most southern capitals which usually experience cool temperatures at this time of the year, the Top End enjoys blue skies, warm dry days and cool nights...perfect for outdoor adventures and touring.
Tropical Summer 24.6°C 32.2°C
Spectacular electrical storms, sun showers and warm, humid weather are the characteristics. The waterfalls are in full flow, flocks of birds spread across the wetlands, and a rich lush green becomes the dominant colour scheme

Due to rainfall and distinct seasonality, access into parts of Kakadu National Park will be restricted from Dec-Apr. At this time of year, some travellers may feel that Kakadu is a harder adventure than the soft nature of our other tours.

Seasonality of the Red Centre:

The Red Centre offers 4 seasons, all very special and offering something unique.
Minimum Maximum
Summer 22°C 37°C
It is at this time that the Red Centre is at its most vivid with hot days and balmy nights
Autumn 12.7°C 27.7°C
Warm days and nights that are cooling down characterize this season. Great weather for exploring the many sights by foot or in your vehicle.
Winter 5°C 20.5°C
This season is fantastic in all regards. Enjoy sunny days, cloudless skies, and crisp nights, especially when sitting around an outback campfire.
Spring 20.6°C 35.2°C
During spring, the region comes to life with magnificent wildflowers. Visitors will experience warm sunny days and pleasant evenings.

Frequently Asked Questions

*What do clients need to bring?

A sturdy pair of walking shoes (preferably ankle-high), swimming gear, a wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen, water bottle, insect repellent, torch, camera and lots of film, a sleeping bag (can be hired for a $15 cleaning fee) and a towel (not necessary for -Safari in Style-). For touring around the Red Centre, warm clothing in the winter months between June and September.

CLIENTS MUST ALSO PRESENT A VALID VOUCHER FOR TRAVEL TO THE GUIDE ON THE MORNING OF TOUR DEPARTURE.

*Are there fitness requirements?

Our tours are designed for active, independent travellers between 18-45, as a reasonable level of fitness and swimming ability is required (walks differ in duration and grade depending on the trip chosen). If you or your passenger has any doubts about their suitability for our tours, please check with our Reservations Department before making a booking.

*Do clients have to participate?

With the exception of the -Safari in Style-tour, everyone is expected to help, under the direction of the guide, with the preparation of meals, cleaning up of dishes and campsites and the gathering of wood. We rely on each passenger-s participation and sense of adventure to make the tour a complete success!

*How much luggage is allowed?

We ask that clients limit their luggage to a maximum of 15kgs in a backpack or soft overnight bag and include a small daypack to hand carry for easy access to camera etc.

*Will passengers be picked up and dropped off at their accommodation?

Yes, but please make sure to advise us of passengers pick up point at time of booking.

*What about special dietary requirements?

The meals we provide are largely BBQ and camp-oven cooking. We can cater for vegetarians or those that are gluten intolerant but if clients have very specific dietary requirements (e.g. vegan), they may need to provide their own food. Please advise us of your client-s needs at time of booking.

*How much water do clients need to drink?

Doctors advise that between 2 and 3 litres (10-12 glasses) of water per day is essential when travelling in Northern Australia. All vehicles carry adequate water supplies.

*Do clients need to reconfirm their tour?

Yes, passengers must contact our Reservations Department on quoting their 6 digit booking number before 4pm the day prior to travel with both the name of their accommodation and room number.

FAILURE TO DO SO COULD RESULT IN THE CANCELLATION OF THEIR BOOKING.

Cancellations: In the event of a cancellation, fees will be charged as follows:
Between 30 days -48 hours: 25% of fare
Between 48 hours -24 hours: 50% of fare
Within 24 hours: 100% of fare

Safety: All the tours and activities that we do are approved by local authorities, National Parks & the NT Transport Department. We have a first class safety record and carry public liability of $20,000,000 and all other insurance required by law.

Insurance: Please consider it an important service to your clients to encourage them to purchase comprehensive travel insurance before leaving home. We strongly recommend that all passengers be fully covered by insurance.

Accommodation

For travellers who look for a backpacker accommodation we recommend:

DARWIN
*Cavenagh

ALICE SPRINGS
*Melanka Backpackers
*Alice Springs Plaza Hotel

Available facilities to go to the accommodation:

- Airporter Shuttle Bus services are available -AUD $6 one-way / AUD $10 return per person (Darwin); 9.90$ AUD one-way / AUD$16.50 return per person (Alice Springs)

- Taxi fare from airport to :
*Cavenagh: about 20/25$ AUD.
*Melanka Backpackers: about 25/30$ AUD
*Alice Springs Plaza Hotel: about 25/30$ AUD

- Check if free transfer buses are provided by the hostels.

Interest

(depending on tour chosen)

*Adelaide River township: approximately 110kms south of Darwin along the Stuart Highway you will find the World War II Cemetery.

*Alice Springs: Alice Springs is the famous geographical centre of Australia. This town is situated on the Stuart Highway and is a place where the traditional Arrernte Aboriginal owners have lived for about 20000 years. About 29000 people live in the town nowadays. Alice Springs is unique insofar as the town is situated -in the middle of nowhere-, but the atmosphere there is really warm, the nightlife is just amazing, and the attractions nearby are numerous.

*Annaburroo: a saltwater, crocodile free swimming billabong.

*Barramundi Gorge (Maguk): one of the few permanent waterfalls in Kakadu, it has cut its path through the ancient sandstone creating an oasis where we can swim.

*Barrow creek pub: this pub is a typical stopover point on the Stuart Highway and is located about 280 kilometres north of Alice Springs.

*Coober Pedy: is the opal capital of the world, producing 95% of the world-s opals and attracts a special breed of people. There are 41 different nationalities living in a population of just over 4000 people. 80% of them live underground to avoid the heat. There are underground shops, churches, hostels and hotels. We accommodate our guests in an underground bunkhouse, but also offer the opportunity to upgrade accommodation to a 4 star hotel for those who want to break the journey. Passengers will be taken on a mine tour and given the opportunity to -noodle-for their own opals.

*Curtin Springs Station: a working cattle station of some 4000 square kms, on which is located Mt Connor.

*Cycad Gorge at Palm Valley: clumps of tall, slender palms lending a tropical atmosphere to their barren setting. These pre-historic palms are leftovers from much wetter times in Central Australia.

*Daly Waters: the famous pub at Daly Waters, the oldest in the Northern Territory, is situated 588kms south of Darwin and also acts as a bank, post office and police station. It dates back more than a hundred years and was originally built for the pioneer drovers on the long cattle drives through this part of the Outback.

*Darwin: This is the most popular town and also the territorial capital of the Northern Territory. It is a city of about 110000 inhabitants with a large proportion of Aboriginal people, which justify the fact that the town is sometimes called -the multicultural capital of Australia-.

*Devils Marbles: massive red granite boulders balancing precariously on top of each other located some 100kms south of Tennant Creek.

*Edith Falls: located about 60 kilometres north of Katherine, Edith Falls is a series of superb waterfalls and beautiful pools cascading into a lake. An ideal place for swimmers…

*Jim Jim & Twin Falls: spectacular waterfalls accessible only during the Dry Season (May to November) by 4WD vehicles. Swimming ability is a must (1km return paddle to the base of Twin Falls)

*Kakadu National Park: this National Park situated about 250 kilometres from Darwin is an Australian icon and one of the most visited National Parks in Australia. It is renowned for its diverse environment from amazing waterfalls and to beautiful Aboriginal rock art. Between Alligators, birds and kangaroos, the wildlife is rich and numerous.

*Kata Tjuta (the Olgas): this -place of many heads-has 36 domes that make up a site of even greater cultural significance to the Aborigines than Uluru. There are two permitted walks in Kata Tjuta (no climbing is allowed as requested by the traditional owners), the Mt Olga pass, which is around 3km return and the Valley of the Winds which is approx 8km return.

*Katherine Gorge: actually consisting of 13 gorges which are best viewed from the air, you can canoe or cruise around the first few gorges appreciating the striking landscape.

*Kings Canyon (Watarrka): is a canyon almost 275 metres deep. A 6-8km walk around the canyon gives spectacular views of the surrounding desert and special features such as the 'Lost City', the 'Amphitheatre' and the 'Garden of Eden'.

*Mary River Wetlands: is the largest system of its kind in the Northern Territory. It boasts the highest concentration of salt-water crocodiles in the Southern Hemisphere, as well as an amazing profusion of other wildlife. ATA offer a private boat cruise on the wetlands for our passengers. Our boats seat only 24 passengers in contrast to the 50 seat boats operating on other cruises such as Yellow Waters and the Adelaide River.

*Mataranka: this is a small town located along the Stuart Highway about 100 kilometres south of Katherine.

*Mataranka thermal springs: these thermal springs are situated underground in the Elsey National Park and are incredibly clear and hot.

*Motorcar falls: with its amazing 25 metres waterfall dropping down into a pretty rock pool, Motorcar Falls is one of the best wet season areas in Kakadu National Park.

*Mt Connor: higher than Uluru and often mistaken for it, we pass this flat topped monolith on the way to Yulara.

*Nourlangie Rock: located approximately 330km east of Darwin in the heart of Kakadu National Park, another ancient rock art site famous for its dynamic display of art and panoramic views of the Escarpment country.

*Nungulawar art site: a site which allows people to see aboriginal art, paintings, dreaming stories etc.
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*Tennant Creek: about 986 kms south of Darwin was the centre of Australia's last gold rush in 1930. Passengers enjoy a gold mine tour here on our trips between Alice and Darwin.

*Ti Tree: Ti tree is a small service town and supply point on the Stuart Highway, and is located about 190 kilometres from Alice Springs. Lots of Aboriginal people (about 1300) still live there.

*Timber creek: this small town of about 600 inhabitants is situated about 290 kilometres from Katherine. It lies on Victoria Highway which connects Australia-s top end and the Kimberley region in Western Australia.

*Tropic of Capricorn: This is one of the five main circles of latitude on Earth maps. It passes about 30 kilometres north of Alice Springs.

*Ubirr Rock: approximately 280km east of Darwin, Ubirr has been home to Aborigines for an estimated 25,000 years. They have recorded and documented the changing landscapes and social occurrences in the rocks at this site. The art is endemic to this region.

*Uluru (Ayers Rock): the second largest Monolith in the world and centre of the sacred heart of Australia, it is of deep cultural significance to local Aborigines. Though the traditional owners would prefer if they didn-t, visitors can still climb it. Our guides give clients the information to make an informed decision and then the choice is up to the individual (the climb is 1.6km from base to top and people with heart conditions or breathing difficulties should not attempt it). Climbing is not permitted if the Rangers consider it unsafe due to extreme temperatures, wind or rain. Photography is limited in some sites because of their significance.

*Uluru-Kata Tjuta Aboriginal Cultural Centre: In keeping with the park-s importance to indigenous people, major emphasis is placed on helping visitors understand Aboriginal traditions and lifestyle. The Cultural Centre houses the park-s information services with displays presenting the sights and sounds of Tjukurpa (creation stories and laws) and the local culture.

*Valley of the Winds (Kata Tjuta): this spectacular hike, varying in length from (approx) 6-8km depending on the trip chosen, winds through some of the 36 weathered domes. NB: The trail is closed when temperatures rise above 36°C.