If you’re planning a backpacking trip, gap year in Australia or a working holiday Down Under you’d be forgiven for thinking that the only place you could find work is on the East Coast.
Big mistake. You need to be open minded and go to the Northern Territory,
At Gap Year World we are as guilty as the next travel agent of being seduced by a few quintessential Aussie staples – unnecessarily cold beers, beaches that will make you weep with joy, and barbecues that aren’t confined to one weekend of the year or a giant golfing umbrella.
So what – we’re shallow, pasty and it’s been raining for about forever. However, while we strongly encourage all of the above and wholeheartedly endorse experiencing all cultural stereotypes on your trip to Australia, particularly when they include a drink in a palm slung hammock, nowhere can quite capture the true spirit, power and raw splendour of Australia like the Northern Territory.
Highlights
Here is why we think you’ll like it. Then you can go to the beach.
For most people, the Northern Territory is dominated by the iconic imagery of Uluru. A couple of things please.
Firstly, anyone who says Uluru is just a rock clearly hasn’t been and no doubt uses this to justify why they never made it off the beach and over to the Red Centre.
While we’re not disputing that Uluru is indeed a rock, few natural landmarks possess the sheer power, majesty and cultural significance like this 500 million year old enigmatic monolith.
Until you’ve witnessed the sun rising and setting over the glowing sides of Uluru, it’s difficult to convey its spellbinding and humbling power so you’re honestly best to just go and see it for yourself (a glass of champagne is usually mandatory at any Uluru sunset viewing so there’s another reason right there).
Secondly, while understandable given what we’ve just said, Uluru can quite unfairly steal our imagination when we think of the Northern Territory.
Plus, the somewhat literal and unimaginatively named ‘Red Centre’ and ‘Top End’ areas of the state do little to capture the astounding dramatic extremes of landscape and climate, or the rich indigenous history and spirituality of these extraordinary ancient lands.
Stretching from the vast sunburnt plateaus and fantasy geology of the Olgas, Uluru and Kings Canyon, into the teeming floodplains, monsoon forests and tumbling waterfalls of Lichfield and Kakadu National Park, these breathtaking and contrasting wilderness landscapes are tied together by legends of Dreamtime serpents and the ancient spirits of one of the oldest civilisations on earth.
And, more usefully as travellers, these great wildernesses are connected by once-in-a-lifetime adventures in 4WDs, a quick flight, or the legendary Ghan train – one of the world’s greatest rail journeys.
The Ghan
Mapping the historic Afghan camel train route through the heart of Australia between Adelaide, Alice Springs and Darwin, this legendary journey resurrects the oft-forgotten golden era of rail travel, bringing heritage glamour, charm and classic luxury to Australia’s raw and unforgiving outback.
Traversing 1800 miles of the Southern Hemisphere’s most remote and extreme landscapes, wake up each morning to burning sunrises over spectacular new lands and experience the lush tropical wilds and sunbaked splendour of the outback across 3 unforgettable days.
Operating in both directions, travel the full route between Adelaide and Darwin with a day time stop in Alice and Katherine, or buy an individual sector between Alice and Darwin giving you time to explore at each end.
Longitude 131, Uluru
Although a truly amazing way to experience the beauty and solitude of the outback, don’t panic, visiting the Red Centre doesn’t have to see you reluctantly crawl feet first into a sleeping bag and tent.
One of the ‘Luxury Lodges of Australia’, Longitude 131 offers an incredible once-in-a-lifetime chance to experience the splendour of Uluru, and is arguably one of the most spectacular luxury camps in the world.
Floor-to-ceiling glass in the 15 private pavilions allow a rare and personal window onto the changing moods and hues of Uluru, while the flick of a switch draws back the roof canopy to reveal unforgettable outback skies. With a glimmering outdoor pool, exceptional 4 course dining, and Apple and Bose technology, camping this isn’t.
Bamurru Plains, Mary River
A remote working buffalo station on the edge of Kakadu National Park, Bamurru Plains gives Australia’s Top End visitors a unique opportunity to eschew the usual day trips from Darwin and immerse themselves in 185 square miles of savannah woodlands, waterlogged lily strewn coastal plains and extraordinary wildlife.
Also a member of the ‘Luxury Lodges of Australia’, this ecologically sensitive collection of just 9 safari bungalows exudes wild bush camp luxury, intimate and passionate hospitality, and exclusive safari experiences in one of Australia’s most exciting and diverse wildlife destinations.
After a day of fishing, 4WD or airboat safaris, enjoy contemplative sundowners on your private timber deck before locally sourced gourmet dining and fine wines. We never said the outback was tough.
Northern Territory Experiences
Don’t take our word for it? Read on for three tales of desert stars, secret canyons, buzzing cities and a whole world of opportunities you’d never even considered.
Claire Mckinlay
I ended up in the Northern Territory largely by mistake, I decided I would like to go and see Uluru and then head to the West Coast to look for work but when I got to Alice Springs I loved it.
It’s a weird wee place but full of character (and characters). I asked the tour company I was travelling with if they had any work and, two years later, I finally left Alice.
Thanks to my job I got to spend my time exploring the Red Centre which is like nothing I’ve ever seen anywhere else in the world, miles and miles of nothing then, suddenly, a small mountain range, or a big red rock!
I also travelled the Stewart Highway between Alice and Darwin by campervan. As you travel North the landscape very gradually begins to dramatically change, the termite mounds start to appear and they get bigger and bigger until they’re over 7 feet tall.
There’s some amazing natural hot springs just south of Darwin (not that you really need warm water in their climate) as well as brilliant waterholes (just make sure you follow all advice regarding the crocs).
Be prepared for heat in the summer in the centre, some days it was so hot the rain evaporated before it even hit the ground! But it can get pretty chilly in the winter especially overnight – more than once I woke up in a frost covered swag.
By far my favourite thing to do when I lived in NT was camping, every chance we could we’d grab our swags in the back of a car and head out into the bush, find a spot, light a fire (where there weren’t fire warnings) cook up some food and sleep under the stars.
Should you visit the Australian Outback? Yes! You’ll never get over the amazing view of the stars and milky way from the Aussie outback.
Victoria Strong
During my first year in Aus I did my 88 days of rural work (to qualify for a 2nd year visa) 8 hours inland from Darwin in a roadhouse right by an aboriginal community. Very long days but I got to see so many places and experience so many things I wouldn’t have if hadn’t ventured out.
After my first taste of Northern Territory, I spent 9 months of my second year visa in Darwin. I started in a travel shop and, after 6 months, went to work in a bar down the waterfront.
We spent our weekends and bank holidays visiting Kakadu and Litchfield National Parks.They are not accessible in the wet season (October-April) without a 4×4 so we went in the dry which meant we could swim in the waterfalls as the crocs had gone.
Before we were due to leave the NT we did a 6 day road trip down to Uluru and back up. It was AMAZING! We definitely didn’t leave ourselves enough time as we were up before sunrise and stopped driving after sunset, but this meant we got to cook dinner on a portable stove under incredible stars. We stopped at The Devils Marbles, Daly waters pub, Mataranka Hot springs, Edith Falls and Uluru.
There is no place like the NT, I like to call it the ‘real Australia’. People are happy as long as they have a beer in their hand and a BBQ on the go.
Rowan Logue
On my working holiday in Australia I first arrived in Darwin at the very end of the rainy season so it was still a little bit humid with the occasional down pour. The best thing about going then is that most backpackers tend to wait until the dry season has started so by going a bit earlier it’s a lot easier to get a job.
I worked in a restaurant and bar and also helped host events, such as the Darwin fashion week. I loved it because I got to spend a lot of time outside and it is right on the waterfront so the views are fantastic, especially during lightning storms!
I loved the Mindil Beach Markets in Darwin, they’re on every Thursday and Sunday and you can go and watch the sunset and have street food from around the world!
Litchfield National Park and Kakadu National Park are also both amazing. They have waterfalls and natural pools that you can go swimming in…but watch out for the crocs! For Kakadu, I’d spend at least 1 night there as it’s huge and there’s lots to see.
My favourite thing about Kakadu was climbing up to the top of a cliff, a good couple of hundred meters above he ground, and discovering some pools at the top that had been heated by the sun. The views from there were incredible and I really felt like I was looking out over the whole world.
Plan a Trip to Australia’s Northern Territory
Heading to work in Australia? Or a backpacking adventure and planning your itinerary? Hopefully this article has given you some inspiration to go off the beaten track and explore more than just the iconic cities.
Now go search cheap flights to Australia and experience the Red Centre for yourself.