The Northern Territory of Australia stretches from the northern coast of Australia deep into the heart of the continent. Along with mining, tourism is essential to the economy of the Northern Territory, and the sights that there are to be seen in the Northern territory means that it should be an essential part of your antipodean inventory.
Along with the Sidney Opera House and the Kangaroo, there is one other super-iconic image that leaps to mind when thinking of Australia. That is of course what most people know as ‘Ayers Rock’. Ayers Rock is more properly referred to by its pre-colonial name Uluru. Revered by the native people for tens of thousands of years this sandstone rock formation is located in the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.
Uluru AKA \''Ayer\''s Rock\''
The closest town to the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is Alice Springs. It is important to point out however that Uluru itself is over 200 miles away from Alice Springs. It is possible to fly to the National Park from most of the major cities of Australia. The town of Alice Springs itself is an interesting place to visit. You can see how European miners adapted t the scorching temperatures by carving underground houses out of rock. Some even have underground pools!
The capital of the Northern Territory is Darwin. Located on the coast it is named after the acclaimed naturalist Charles Darwin when the area was first surveyed by the HMS Beagle in 1839. The Beagle had been the ship that had previously taken Darwin on his famous voyage. You can fly into Darwin International airport directly, or take other flights to Australia and then transfer.
There are many spectacular natural parks that surround Darwin. Tours are operated to the Litchfield National park, Catherine Gorge and the Kakadu national Park. The location of Darwin also makes an ideal point for travelling to and from other countries in Asia and Oceania.
Useful links:
Australian visas and immigration
Northern Territory tourist information
Latest travel advice from the Foreign Office
Jess
Jun 9th, 2011In the final season of Oprah, the host visited Uluru. It seemed so beautiful and spiritual… I would love to see it in person.
Lindsay
Jul 18th, 2011Sound really interesting. I’d love to travel places and witness different sights that are breath taking. I think this place is quite spectacular.
joe
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