Future Travel plans: Northern Territory and Kimberley
Linda Brettell, joint Managing Director of Sanford Travel, gives the scoop on the Northern Territory and Kimberley region. Linda loved her trip last year and it is certainly somewhere to look at visiting when restrictions have eased.
Tell me why this is becoming one of Australia’s most popular travel destinations?
The heart of Australia is also the soul to our wonderful land. We are beginning to realise that it is so worth a visit. The best months to travel are May through to September.
There are also plenty of options for luxury travellers through to families. The self drive or campervan option is very popular. However, those on shorter timelines often prefer a guided tour.
What would an ideal trip look like?
I recommend a 5-7 day trip to the immediate Centre, Uluru. You will need 4 nights minimum so you can see the “Rock” by sunrise and sunset, do the Sounds of Silence dinner, have a tour of the base of the Rock and see the rock paintings, take a tour to Kata Tjuta. There are many other exciting things to do such as a Segway tour around the Rock, take a Sunset Camel ride, do a Dot Painting Workshop or a 4 wheel drive to visit Cave Hill.
You would then travel across to Alice Springs via Kings Canyon. If you’re fit enough you can climb to and around the rim with a guide or for the unfit there is always the helicopter tour.
Darwin, Kakadu and Arnhem land offer so much you would need 10-14 days. Three nights in Darwin allows plenty of time to visit Cyclone Tracy Museum and the Royal Flying Doctor Service Museum. For evening activities I would recommend The Mindil markets and a Sunset dinner cruise on Darwin Harbour. Then drive across To Kakadu National Park which is listed as World Heritage. This is where you visit the Yellow Water, home to an incredible Crocodile population and amazing birdlife. Spend two nights in Kakadu before heading for famous Katherine Gorge where you see beautiful Edith Falls. Have two nights here to allow for a cruise on the Gorge and a visit to the Thermal pools. Proceed to Litchfield Park where you see spectacular waterfalls and have time to swim in natural swimming ponds. Spend a night here in the National Park before returning to Darwin
What are the top attractions in the Kimberley?
The Kimberley area tucked up in the far north west corner of Australia has so much to see and do. Broome is the entry port and famous for its breathtaking beaches and fascinating history. You could spend a week just in Broome alone but a visit into the Bungle Bungles is exhilarating. Visiting Fitzroy Falls en route and then up to Emma Gorge and into Kunnunarra.
You can do an air or land safari depending on the length of stay. I recommend the luxurious and famous El Questrofor the luxury travellers.
