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Easter travel: Best weekend getaways in Northern Territory

The Easter public holidays are the perfect time to travel to the Territory’s Top End and Red Centre for a memorable getaway, whether its short stay in Darwin, camping and waterfalling hopping in the pristine national parks or a road trip through the outback. The Dry Season also commences soon in April, greeting travellers with warm weather and ideal temperatures for outdoor adventures, and an exciting roster of art, culture, music and sporting events.

SHORTER NT TRIPS

Darwin staycation: Spend a long weekend exploring the tropical city of Darwin, where you can soak up the laid-back atmosphere, sample delicious local cuisine, and take in the stunning sunset views.

1. For foodies,  the Gourmet Food Tour samples some of the city’s most iconic restaurants or queue up for an iconic steaming bowl of laksa at Parap Markets.
2. Take in the sights of the beautiful Darwin Harbour, whether its enjoying the breeze on a luxurious champagne sunset dinner cruise, or racing on a thrilling jet ski tour.
3. Visit the diverse Aboriginal arts galleries around town, including NATSIAAs exhibition at Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT). If time allows, book the immersive Tiwi By Design art and culture tour to the remote Tiwi Islands, introducing you to the Aboriginal community of Wurrumiyanga
4. Learn about Aboriginal traditions and stories with Larrakia man, Trent Lee, at Saltwater Cultural Tours. Just an hour’s from Darwin, Pudakul Aboriginal Cultural Tours offers authentic tours in the Adelaide River floodplains, where local guides demonstrate basket weaving, dilly bag making, and touch upon bush medicine.
5. Consider timing your trip with BASSINTHEGRASS music festival which returns to Darwin’s Mindil Beach on 20 May. Expect an incredible lineup including May-A, Tones and I, and more.
6. Stay at Mindil Beach Casino Resort, where you can wine and dine to your heart’s content, and relax at the infinity pool. Stay at the Lagoon rooms, which have a private balcony or deck, and offer sweeping views of the deluxe tropical Lagoon pool.
7. Stay in the middle of the action at the Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront on Darwin’s promenade, surrounded by excellent restaurants and family activities like Wave Lagoon.

Greater Litchfield Loop (2-4 days): The Greater Litchfield Loop is the perfect road trip to explore Litchfield National Park, located just 90 minutes from Darwin. Litchfield is a true nature lover’s respite with crystal-clear waterfalls, hiking trails, incredible monsoonal forest scenery and towering termite mounds.

1. Enroute to Litchfield, book a Jumping Croc Cruise at Adelaide River to witness wild crocodiles in their natural habitat and watch them spring out of the water around you.
2. Head south to Berry Springs to soak up the first of many water holes in this stunning region.
3. Meet some of the animals that call the NT home at the Territory Wildlife Park including walking through tree top aviaries.
4. Stop by locals’ favourite, Berry Springs Tavern, before continuing to Litchfield to bask in iconic water holes like Wangi Falls, Florence Falls and Buley Rockhole.
5. Retreat to Hideaway Litchfield,  a set of three luxurious and sustainable shipping containers-turned cabins located in the secluded and beautiful surrounds of the Park
6. Litchfield Tourist Park also has a range of accommodation options, from camping to caravanning and cabins, and is perfect for families and groups.
7. Extend your road trip by checking out and staying in the coastal towns of Dundee Beach or Crab Claw Island, both famous fishing spots in the Top End.

Finniss River Lodge: Located on Finniss River Station, a working cattle property which is a 90-minute drive from Darwin and set near lush floodplains, Finniss River Lodge is NT’s newest experiential luxury wilderness retreat. The Lodge boasts six luxe ensuites, described as ‘bush character meets contemporary elegance’, and can cater for 12 guests at a time. Visitors can witness station life, like musters or indulge in the Cows n Canapes experience, participate in private wilderness tours and enjoy thrilling airboat rides. Minimum two-night stay.

Alice Springs: A gateway to the Red Centre, Alice Springs is a thriving outback town, surrounded by fantastic natural wonders and ancient sites.

1. Time your trip with one of NT’s most anticipated cultural events, Parrtjima-A Festival in Light, 7-16 April 2023. This is an extraordinary 10-night celebration of First Nations art, culture and light including projections against the West MacDonnell Ranges, large-scale installations, talks, performances, workshops and films.
2. Wake up in awe with a sunrise hot air balloon ride and float silently alongside the rugged Ranges.
3. Visit Kangaroo Sanctuary, where the little ones can cuddle orphaned kangaroos,  feed baby joeys and learn more about wildlife preservation in the outback.
4. Experience the best stargazing at Earth Sanctuary, with the outback home to some of the clearest skies. For a magical experience, sleep under the stars at the Sanctuary’s Space Camp.
5. Outside of town, there are no shortage of picturesque natural swimming holes including Glen Helen Gorge, Ellery Creek Big Hole, Ormiston Gorge or Redbank Gorge.
6. For a comfortable stay, book at Double Tree By Hilton or Lasseters

LONGER ROAD-TRIPS

Nature’s Way (8 days): Experience the best of the Top End along the Nature’s Way road trip. Start the journey in Darwin, then take Arnhem Highway to reach the nature-lovers’ paradise that is dual-World Heritage listed Kakadu National Park. Then, continue to Katherine and explore the incredible sandstone gorges of Nitmiluk National Park, before stopping by Litchfield.

1. At Kakadu, cruise on the Yellow Water Billabong lined with lily pads, native birdlife and sunbaking crocodiles, and marvel at ancient rock art galleries at Nourlangie and Ubirr.
2. Attend Kakadu’s unique cultural dining experiences including the ultimate bush food experience, Taste of Kakadu, 13-21 May 2023, and Full Moon Feast dinner, 1 April 2023
3. Stay at the Kakadu’s Cooinda Lodge, offering camping, lodges and Outback Retreat glamping.
4. At Nitmiluk National Park, hire a canoe and paddle along the gorges to see waterfalls, or book a river cruise and listen to Jawoyn guides share their world of culture and history.Stay at Cicada Lodge, a luxury lodge overlooking the Katherine River with rooms opening to the sounds and sights of the native bush.
5. When in Katherine, visit local Aboriginal guide and TikTok sensation Manuel Pamkal at Top Didj Cultural Experience.
6. Bathe in natural thermal waters of Bitter Springs and Katherine Hot Springs.
7. Discover the ancient, limestone caves at Cutta Cutta Caves National Park, 30km south of Katherine and home to rare wildlife like the orange horseshow bat.
8. Visit award-winning Katherine Outback Experience, where kids can watch horse and working dog demonstrations, pet station animals, and take a glimpse into farm outback life.

Red Centre Way (5 days): The Red Centre Way is the quintessential outback road trip. Uncover the breathtaking beauty, rugged landscapes and sacred cultural icons of the Red Centre, stopping by Alice Springs, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and Watarrka National Park (Kings Canyon).

1. Follow the Red Centre light trail starting from Parrtjima – A Festival in Light in Alice Springs, then Bruce Munro’s newest Light Towers  installation at Kings Canyon, and  the beautiful Field of Light installation and Wintijiri Wiru 1000 drone, laser and projection show at Uluru.
2. Embark on a camel tour through the desert.
3. See Uluru in all its glory, whether it’s walking the 10km base, hiring a bike, heading on a guided Mala tour or capturing the changes colours at sunset at the viewing platforms.
4. Explore some of Australia’s leading Aboriginal art galleries and centres including Araluen Cultural Precinct and Hermannsburg Potters at Alice Springs
5. The halfway point between Alice Springs and Uluru, Kings Canyon is a majestic valley 400-million-years in the making. Enjoy the endless red desert views from Discovery Kings Canyon or Kings Creek Station, with camping and glamping options available.

Arnhem Way (7-10 days): Arnhem Land is a must-visit for the ultimate immersion into Aboriginal culture and is one of Australia’s last unspoilt areas. Arnhem Way road trip starts near Katherine and ends in Nhulunbuy on the Gove Peninsula. This region is also home to some of Australia’s most pristine white sand beaches, incredible fishing, diverse marine life and stunning wetlands.

1. Visit galleries showcasing local artists for a deeper understanding of traditional practices like Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Art Centre at Yirrkala.
2. Find time for a sunset drink at the Gove Boat Club with unhindered views of the horizon.
3. Visit Groote Eylandt, Little Bondi Beach or Coburg Peninsula for some stunning coastal views.
4. Escape to Banubanu Beach Retreat for an impressive eco, beachfront experience.

Image credit: Tourism NT 

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Tourism, Travel, Northern Territory, Tourism NT