Darwin

Litchfield National Park is a stunning expanse of lush woodlands and crystal-clear freshwater creeks, waterfalls and swimming holes, where many come to escape the oppressive heat of the summer months. Especially impressive are the enormous termite mounds found throughout the park, as well as the Lost City, an area with rock formations of bizarre beauty.

World-famous Katherine Gorge is located in Nitmiluk National Park, just to the south of Kakadu. The 12-kilometre length of the gorge, surrounded by its 70-metre tall cliffs on either side, is an impressive sight, best enjoyed in a rented kayak from water-level.

Museum & Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, or MAGNT, is Darwin's premier cultural organisation, showcasing fantastic exhibits and research programs, including maritime and natural history, aboriginal art and a room where you can experience the power of Cyclone Tracy, as well as regular events and performances.

Epitomising outdoor living, the Mindil Beach Sunset Market is a very popular rendezvous spot for families. There are usually 200 stalls selling Aboriginal arts and crafts, along with musicians and entertainers. It is also a great place to sample a wide range of food from 60 different food stalls, including Thai, Malay, Indonesian, Chinese, Indian and Greek. Other markets can be found at Parap (Saturday morning), Rapid Creek (Saturday and Sunday), and Nightcliff (Sunday).

Take part in an extraordinary cultural adventure where you can view unique termite mounds and explore fascinating waterfalls, learn about traditional ways of land management and aboriginal culture. Find a tour that speaks beast to your particular interests and supports small businesses in the local community.

A mere 5 minutes from the city centre, Fannie Bay is a suburb of Darwin with a ton of activities to offer. There is a small but lovely beach with barbecue facilities and playgrounds, an artificial lake safe for swimming all year, bike trails and a walking path through the mangrove, and the interesting Fannie Bay Gaol Museum.

Cullen Bay is the home of Darwin’s first Marina and is surrounded by trendy restaurants and cafes. It is the place to to go to catch a harbour cruise, book fishing charters or dive tours in search of marine life and wrecks. Superb sunsets, great fish and chips and a beautiful lawn to sit on. Pet friendly as well.

Brown's Mart is a beloved and iconic theatre and performance space, committed to providing opportunities for local artists to show their craft. Regular performances are held in a building which dates back to 1885 and has since filled many roles until becoming the cultural centre it is today.

The recently modernised Darwin Entertainment Centre in the heart of the city hosts world-class performances and cultural events. The Darwin Symphony Orchestra appears there regularly, and the centre also hosts major international artists and theatre performances.

The entire trip of 2,000 miles (3,220 km) starts in the tropics of the Northern Territory, in Darwin and leads you through the red desert and Alice Springs, all the way to the green and plentiful province of South Australia and its capital Adelaide. The trains are comfortable and equipped with a dining car; many off-train experiences at stopovers are included in ticket prices.

The ‘Island of Smiles’ — Bathurst and Melville, which lie across the water 80 kilometres north of Darwin — proudly offers you thriving Aboriginal arts culture, fishing lodges and tours, pristine coastal views with breathtaking sunsets. Take a day trip from Darwin or stay overnight to enjoy island life just a bit longer. The people on Tiwi Islands are famous for maintaining traditional lifestyle, producing stunning artworks, vibrant fabrics and textiles.