If you have a globe of the world, take a look at Australia. The majority of the towns and cities are around the perimeter of the landmass. Perth, Sydney, and Brisbane are all on the coast.
Now take a closer look at the center. What do you see? Likely a square-shaped region called “Northern Territory” with a town called Alice Springs right smack dab in the middle of the desert.
Now go on Google maps and use street view to plop yourself down in the town, thousands of miles from the nearest Aussie city. It’s a surreal experience. The landscape is like something from the surface of Mars. And all of the properties in the town are bulging with HVAC equipment. From the edge of the settlement outwards, it is nothing by mile after mile of brush. There is nothing in the distance except some red mountains that look impossible to climb.
The Northern Territory is just about the loneliest part of the western world. The population here is less than one person per square mile. And practically everyone lives in one of two places – Darwin in the north and Alice Springs in the centre as we just mentioned.
The highway network here is pretty minimal. And most of the places that you’d want to go as a tourist are only accessible via offroad vehicle. You’d expect there to be more development, but the people are so few and far between and the area is so vast that it looks nothing like a modern society. Once you leave the town behind, there’s nothing but you, the warm air, and spiders.
Travelling to the Northern Territory is one of the most exciting things that you can do if you’re the kind of person who enjoys a bit of alone time. The sky is blacker at night than anything you can get in Europe. And the sounds transport you to a different world. The entire region is positively primal, with crickets chirping in the background and the odd sound of a marsupial rustling in the bushes.
Preparing For A Northern Territory Trip
Preparing for a trip to this part of the world is easy if you plan on staying in one of the cities. If you want to get out of town, though, it’s a different story. Travelling here is nothing like exploring America’s west. It’s way more remote, and there are far fewer tours, stop-offs and conveniences. It’s probably the last place in the world with a real frontier spirit and untamable wilderness.
If you want to visit the territory, you’ll need to spend a lot of time and energy preparing for it. Once you leave civilisation behind, it becomes a survival mission. It’s just you versus the constant heat and the infinite expanse of scrub.
Perhaps the best time to go is during the winter months. Temperatures are a much more reasonable 20 to 25 C at this time of year. If you go in the summer, you’ll have to put up with 47 C days, which is way too hot for the average person.
You’ll want to start by thinking about the type of sunglasses you wear. Here you have to be careful to choose lenses that block out UV light; otherwise, you could wind up damaging your eyes in the intense glare.
You’ll also need to protect your skin from the heat and intense sunshine. Wearing a hat is essential. Try to avoid leaving parts of your skin exposed.
Beware that the temperature of the ground can reach 70 to 80 C in direct sunlight, which will give you a nasty burn if you touch it. For that reason, you need shoes that will insulate you properly, especially if you head outside at midday. Regular rubber-soled trainers simply won’t suffice. Look online for footwear that can withstand higher temperatures.
If you plan on going anywhere off the beaten track, you’ll need an off-road vehicle. Your best bet here is a Jeep with high ground clearance and a winch. If you run into bog or marsh, you’ll need it to drag yourself out of a sticky situation. You’ll need a mallet, a post and plenty of elbow grease if you get into trouble. Don’t rely on any trees nearby to anchor yourself to. They don’t grow well in the region.
Take Your Camera
Once you’ve got your survival strategy figured out, you’ll want to focus on the real reason you’re there: to marvel in awe at the ruggedness of some parts of the natural world.
We’d recommend taking a digital DSLR if you have one. The region offers some of the best lighting and sunsets in the world, thanks to the way the rays bounce off the sand and scrub.
There aren’t many animals that live here. But those that do are true desert creatures. On your travels, you’ll likely find all sorts of creepy crawlies plus crocs, snakes and spiders.
Travelling to the region isn’t for the faint of heart. But it does provide you with an opportunity to revel in the loneliness of it all. It’s quite remarkable.
Sightseeing In The Northern Territory
If you travel to the Northern Territory, you’ll want to check out Ayers rock, now called Uluru. The ancient rock formation is a sacred site for the indigenous Australians and one of the most impressive geological features anywhere in the world. You’ll also want to check out Kakadu National Park in the north which offers beautiful wetlands as a habitat for dozens of native and migrating bird species.
For those of you who love geology, be sure to check out Devils Marbles on the road north from Alice Springs to Darwin. The location plays host to a set of precariously-balanced rocks sitting on top of red rock slabs.
Finally, for those of you wanting to experience life as Crocodile Dundee, be sure to head over to the Trephina Gorge National Park for some of the most spectacular scenery in the region.
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