Northern Territory
3
Day Itinerary •
Australia
Three days in the Northern Territory take you to the most sacred and extraordinary landscapes in Australia. Uluru, the most recognisable rock on earth and one of the most spiritually significant places in the world, and the remarkable domed valleys of Kata Tjuta give the finest Red Centre experience in Australia. Kings Canyon and Kakadu National Park complete an extraordinary introduction to the Territory. This route focuses on the NT's two iconic landscapes. Uluru at sunrise and sunset with the remarkable base walk and the extraordinary Anangu cultural interpretation, the extraordinary domes of Kata Tjuta and the Valley of the Winds walk, Kings Canyon and its remarkable rim walk, and the extraordinary Kakadu wetlands with the finest Aboriginal rock art in Australia at Nourlangie and Ubirr.
Best Time To Visit
Apr to Sep (dry season). Oct to Mar extreme heat in Red Centre.
Getting There
Fly to Uluru (AYQ) from Sydney or Melbourne. Fly to Darwin from major cities.
Getting Around
Car or tour from Yulara. Hire car for Darwin and Kakadu.
Budget Per Day
Approx A$250 to A$500 per person per day
Difficulity
Easy to moderate. Valley of the Winds is moderate in heat.
DAY 1
ULURU AND KATA TJUTA
MORNING
ULURU SUNRISE AND THE BASE WALK
Uluru at sunrise is the most extraordinary natural spectacle in Australia, the remarkable 348-metre sandstone monolith changing from black to deep purple to brilliant orange and red as the first light of day touches its extraordinary surface. The remarkable 10.6km base walk around the full circumference of Uluru passes the extraordinary sacred Anangu sites, the remarkable water holes and the extraordinary ancient rock art giving the finest single walk in the Red Centre. Walk free with park entry. Travel: 20 min drive
MIDDAY
ULURU CULTURAL CENTRE AND MUTITJULU WATERHOLE
The Uluru Cultural Centre gives the most extraordinary insight into the Anangu spiritual world, the remarkable Tjukurpa law and creation stories that explain every feature of Uluru and Kata Tjuta and the fine Anangu art and craft giving the finest cultural context for the rock. The extraordinary Mutitjulu Waterhole on the south face of Uluru, a permanent water source of enormous spiritual significance, is the finest single feature on the base walk. Centre free. Travel: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
KATA TJUTA VALLEY OF THE WINDS WALK
Kata Tjuta, meaning Many Heads in Anangu, is the most extraordinary domed rock formation in Australia, its remarkable 36 domes of conglomerate rock rising to 546 metres and enclosing the extraordinary Valley of the Winds. The remarkable Walpa Gorge walk and the fine Karu and Karingana lookouts on the Valley of the Winds circuit give the finest walk in the Western Desert. The extraordinary scale and enclosed atmosphere of the domes is outstanding. Walk free with park entry.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Uluru Field of Light art installation by Bruce Munro, when operating, gives the most extraordinary outback night experience in Australia, 50,000 solar-powered spindles of light covering 7 hectares of desert in a remarkable coloured carpet around Uluru's base. Check availability at ayersrockresort.com.au. The finest night experience in the Red Centre.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast at Yulara Before the sunrise drive to Uluru. | Lunch: Kulata Academy Cafe, Cultural Centre Outstanding Anangu-inspired food. Bush tucker ingredients. | Dinner: Sounds of Silence Dinner Outstanding outback dinner under the stars beside Uluru. Approx A$250.
DAY 2
KINGS CANYON
MORNING
KINGS CANYON RIM WALK
The Kings Canyon Rim Walk at Watarrka National Park is the most extraordinary canyon walk in Australia, the remarkable 6km circuit ascending 100 metres of ancient sandstone steps to give the finest panorama over the extraordinary Lost City domes, the remarkable Garden of Eden oasis and the vivid red Carmichael Crag viewpoint. The extraordinary amphitheatre of weathered sandstone domes, the fine cycad palms in the Garden of Eden and the remarkable canyon depth are outstanding. Walk free with park entry. Travel: 1 hour drive back to Yulara
MIDDAY
KINGS CREEK STATION AND THE RED CENTRE WAY
Kings Creek Station between Kings Canyon and Uluru is the most extraordinary outback cattle and camel station in the Red Centre, its remarkable camel farm and the fine gorge walk along the Kings Creek giving the finest outback station experience in the Territory. The extraordinary Luritja and Arrernte country visible across the red desert plain and the remarkable isolation of the Red Centre Way are outstanding. Travel: 1.5 hour flight to Darwin
AFTERNOON
DARWIN WATERFRONT AND MINDIL BEACH
Darwin's extraordinary Mindil Beach Sunset Market on Thursday and Sunday evenings is the most extraordinary outdoor market in Australia, its remarkable setting on the beach with food stalls, craft and live music giving the finest sunset market experience in the country. The extraordinary Darwin waterfront precinct with its remarkable wave lagoon and the fine Stokes Hill Wharf give the finest Darwin afternoon. Market entry free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Giles Track in Watarrka National Park beyond Kings Canyon is the most extraordinary multi-day walk in the Red Centre, a remarkable 22km route through extraordinary sandstone canyon country almost entirely without other visitors. Free with park entry. The finest undiscovered walk in the Kings Canyon region.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast Early departure for Kings Canyon. Must start by 9am in warm months. | Lunch: Kings Creek Station cafe Outstanding remote outback cafe. Local camel burger and Territory fare. | Dinner: Mindil Beach Market or Darwin restaurant Outstanding Territory food. Local barramundi and bush tucker.
DAY 3
DARWIN AND KAKADU
MORNING
YELLOW WATER WETLAND CRUISE, KAKADU
The Yellow Water wetland cruise at Cooinda in Kakadu National Park is the most extraordinary wildlife boat experience in Australia, the remarkable billabong teeming with saltwater crocodiles, the extraordinary diversity of waterbirds including jabiru storks, brolgas and the remarkable whistling ducks giving the finest single wildlife encounter in the Northern Territory. The dawn departure gives the finest light on the extraordinary wetland. Cruise approx A$65. Travel: 1.5 hour drive
MIDDAY
NOURLANGIE ROCK ART
Nourlangie in Kakadu National Park contains the most extraordinary accessible Aboriginal rock art in Australia, the remarkable Anbangbang Gallery with its extraordinary X-ray style paintings of Namarrgon the Lightning Man, the remarkable Anbangbang Billabong and the extraordinary Gunwarddehwardde Lookout giving the finest single rock art site in the country. The art is estimated at up to 20,000 years old. Walk free with park entry. Travel: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
UBIRR ROCK ART AND THE FLOODPLAIN PANORAMA
Ubirr in Kakadu's East Alligator region contains the most extraordinary collection of Aboriginal art in a single location in Australia, the remarkable multi-layered rock art gallery showing the extraordinary evolution of painting styles across thousands of years. The fine Nadab Lookout above Ubirr gives the most extraordinary panorama over the Kakadu floodplain and the Arnhem Land escarpment beyond. Walk free with park entry.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
Jim Jim Falls in Kakadu is the most extraordinary hidden waterfall in the Territory, a remarkable 200-metre sheer drop into an extraordinary plunge pool accessible only in the dry season by 4WD. Free with park entry. Requires a 4WD and a 1km walk. The finest hidden natural experience in Kakadu National Park.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast in Darwin Very early departure for Cooinda dawn cruise. | Lunch: Cafe at Kakadu or Cooinda Outstanding Territory food at the Kakadu national park hub. | Dinner: Restaurant in Darwin Outstanding farewell NT dinner. Local barramundi and Territory buffalo.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Yulara, Nights 1 to 2 Longitude 131 or Sails in the Desert. Uluru resort. Approx A$250 to A$1000. Darwin, Night 3 Vibe Hotel or DoubleTree Darwin. City centre. Approx A$150 to A$350.
Top Tips
1. Please do not climb Uluru. The Anangu Traditional Owners have asked visitors not to climb as it is sacred.
2. The Uluru base walk is 10.6km and takes 3 to 4 hours. Start at dawn before the heat builds.
3. Kings Canyon rim walk must be started before 9am from October to April due to extreme heat.
4. The Yellow Water wetland cruise at Kakadu departs at dawn and dusk. Book at the Cooinda Lodge.
5. An Uluru Cultural Centre visit before the base walk gives the finest context for the Anangu landscape.
6. Kakadu rock art at Ubirr and Nourlangie requires a ranger guide for the finest interpretation.
Total Budget
Approx A$250 to A$500 per person per day