Northern Territory

Darwin and nearby - Introduction

Umbrawarra Gorge Nature Park, south of Darwin © Tourism NT Until 1911, when the Federal Government took over control of the Northern Territory from South Australia, Darwin was called Palmerston. There were several unsuccessful attempts to found the city in the 1800s on various sites on the northern coast before arriving at Darwin’s present position. The Northern Territory only achieved autonomous self government as a state in 1978.

The original town was badly damaged by a cyclone in 1897. The rebuilt frontier town was then largely destroyed by Japanese air raids during World War 2. Darwin suffered major devestation again on Christmas Day 1974 when Cyclone Tracy hit. Since then Darwin has been emerging as a significant tourism gateway and centre, capped by the completion of the Ghan rail link in 2004.

We have split 'Darwin and nearby' into three sub regions - Darwin, Litchfield National Park and Tiwi Islands.

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Brookes Australia Tours Civilised 4WD outback adventures in the Top End from Darwin with a focus on Aboriginal rock art and culture plus flora and fauna. We stay well away from the crowds	Saville Hotel Group A range of apartment style hotels with full hotel service and facilities throughout Australia including Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane and Darwin
Coates Wildlife Tours The finest birdwatching and natural history tours available in WA and beyond - tours with in depth interpretation of the natural world	Xpress Tours A new concept of individual tours to the best locations in Australia. Experience Australia and Asia/Pacific faster without being limited to distance and time constraints
Aussie Adventure Holidays Quality small group size soft adventure touring (half day to 4 day) throughout the NT including to the Tiwi Islands, Litchfield, Kakadu plus Alice and Uluru (Ayers Rock)	Lord's Tours Specialists in 4WD day tours day tours to Arnhemland and Jim Jim and Twin Falls with exclusive access to some traditional Aboriginal lands and rock art sites
Heading Bush 4WD Adventures The original (and the best) outback adventures tour company operating small group adventures between Adelaide and Alice Springs - visit places others only dream about	Desert Venturer Australia's most remote road trip - between Cairns and Alice Springs (and vice versa). Travel through the authentic desert heart of the world's largest island
Truly Australia A wide array of eclectic travel arrangements throughout Australia with a particular emphasis on the natural attractions and unusual accommodation and touring	Rydges Hotels & Resorts Affordable, well appointed hotels in a wide variety of locations across Australia - our objective is to make your stay as comfortable and as enjoyable as possible

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Crocodile close up, Kakadu National Park © Tourism NT

Tasty travel ideas in the Northern Territory

Driving in the Litchfield National Park © Tourism NT

Australian Rules Football, Tiwi Islands © Tourism NT

DID YOU KNOW ... Ellenborough Falls, perched on the edge of the New England Tableland just north of Taree in NSW, is regarded as Australia's tallest single-drop waterfall with a 160 metre drop.