Northern Territory
Most trips to the Northern Territory go to Uluru in the Red Centre or to Darwin in the tropical Top End. The two are far apart, so pick one area or plan a flight between them.
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The Northern Territory is a large region in central Australia, and most trips cover one of two areas. The Top End, in the north, is tropical, with Darwin as its capital and main city base. The Red Centre, in the south, is desert country around Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, where the sandstone rock Uluru and the domed Kata Tjuta formations rise from flat plains. Uluru is sacred to the Anangu, the traditional owners, who share management of the park.
The two areas are far apart, so most travelers pick one or plan a flight between them. The Top End suits travelers who want a city base, water and wildlife, though it is hot and humid for much of the year. The Red Centre suits those who want desert scenery and walks at dawn and dusk. The dry season, roughly May to October, is the best time for the Top End. The Red Centre is most comfortable in the cooler months, roughly April to September. Allow at least a day or two at Uluru to see it at sunrise and sunset.
Northern Territory in five
- Choose the Top End or the Red Centre, then fly betweenThe Explorers Way between Adelaide and Darwin covers about 3,000 km, so most visitors pick one half and fly in and out. Yulara is the Red Centre base; Darwin is the Top End base.Yulara travel guide
- Buy the right pass for each parkKakadu and Uluru-Kata Tjuta each sell their own Parks Australia pass, and every other national park is run by the NT Government with its own Parks Visitor Pass for visitors to the Territory.Uluru-Kata Tjuta guide
- Swim only where the sign says openTerritory Parks tests water and runs crocodile surveys only in managed swimming areas. At Litchfield, Wangi Falls is for the dry season only; Florence Falls is open all year except in extreme flooding.Swimming in parks
- Go to the Top End in the dry seasonKakadu prices its pass by season: the dry season runs 15 May to 31 October, and the tropical summer from 1 November to 14 May is cheaper. Litchfield lists May to September as peak season, with campground hosts at three sites.Darwin
- Drive the Red Centre Way with time to spareParks Australia describes the Red Centre Way as a 1,135 km loop from Alice Springs through the West MacDonnell Ranges, Palm Valley and Kings Canyon. Fuel at roadhouses and carry water.Getting here
Neighborhoods
Darwin
- Price band: $$
Yulara
- Price band: $$$$
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
Uluru, a sandstone monolith, and the rock domes of Kata Tjuta sit in the Northern Territory, with Anangu-led walks on site.
Things to do in Northern Territory
See all attractions in Northern Territory
Need to know
- Airport
- Darwin (DRW), Alice Springs (ASP) and Ayers Rock (AYQ)
- Getting there
- Flights to Darwin, Alice Springs and Yulara
- Getting around
- Hire car for parks; long distances between towns
- Best base
- Darwin for the Top End; Yulara for Uluru
- Time needed
- 5 to 7 days for one half; 10 or more for both
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryWet, storms
- FebruaryWet, monsoon
- MarchWet, humid
- AprilWet ends
- MayDry begins
- JuneDry, pleasant
- JulyDry, busy
- AugustDry, clear
- SeptemberDry, hot
- OctoberBuild-up begins
- NovemberBuild-up, storms
- DecemberWet begins
Right now in Northern Territory
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
28
- Feels like
- 32°
- Humidity
- 76%
- Wind
- 9 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 98%
Darwin
08:13 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today35°26°98%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 35°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 98%.
- Wed36°26°16%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 36°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 16%.
- Thu34°27°26%Thursday: Cloudy. High 34°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 26%.
- Fri34°24°75%Friday: Rain. High 34°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 75%.
- Sat34°25°45%Saturday: Thunderstorms. High 34°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 45%.
- Sun34°25°41%Sunday: Drizzle. High 34°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 41%.
Updated 05:49 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 1.423 AUD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Yulara and Ulurua flight to Ayers RockThe resort base, 20 minutes from the rock and 45 from Kata Tjuta.Read the guide
- Litchfield National Parka day out of DarwinWaterfalls and plunge pools; check which swimming areas are open.
- Kakadu National Parka long day or an overnightWetlands, rock art and a separate Parks Australia pass.
Before you go to Northern Territory
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Northern Territory, checked
- Kakadu pass, valid 7 days: adult $40 in the dry season (15 May to 31 Oct), $25 in the tropical summer; $25 applies to passes for 1 Jul to 31 Oct 2026.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
- Litchfield National Park requires visitors to the NT to have an NT Parks Visitor Pass.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
- Only swim in a Territory park area that has a swimming area open sign; unsigned water may not be free from saltwater crocodiles.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Plan around Northern Territory
Waterfront, markets, Litchfield and Kakadu
Read the guideYularaThe resort base for Uluru and Kata Tjuta
Read the guideUluru-Kata TjutaPark pass, walks and heat rules
Read the guideSouth AustraliaThe Explorers Way starts in Adelaide
Read the guideAll of AustraliaETA, regions, flights and money basics
Read the guideFlights and car hireLong distances and one-way rentals
Read the guideTravel insuranceCover for cancellations and remote travel
Read the guideNorthern Territory FAQ
How many days do you need in the Northern Territory?
Five to seven days cover one half well: Darwin with Litchfield and Kakadu, or Alice Springs with Yulara and Kings Canyon. Both halves need ten days or more, with flights in between.
Do you need a park pass in the Northern Territory?
Yes in most parks. Kakadu and Uluru-Kata Tjuta each sell their own Parks Australia pass. Litchfield, Nitmiluk and the other NT Government parks require a Parks Visitor Pass from visitors to the Territory. Check each park page before you go.
When is the best time to visit the Top End?
The dry season, roughly May to October, has the most reliable roads and swimming. The wet season brings storms and flooding, though prices and crowds drop and the waterfalls run strongly.
Can you swim in Territory waterholes?
Only in areas with a swimming-area-open sign. The NT government says other areas may not be safe or free from saltwater crocodiles. Some holes close in the wet season or in flood.
Is it worth driving the Stuart Highway?
It is a long, empty road with roadhouses every few hours. Drive it if you have two weeks and enjoy the outback itself; otherwise fly into Darwin and Yulara and use hire cars for the parks.