Exploring Australia’s most remote and sparsely populated region leaves a lasting impression for precisely those reasons. With the iconic Red Centre at its heart and a vibrant Top End characterised by dense monsoonal forest and spectacular gorges, camping in the Northern Territory is its own reward. And with RV rentals, caravan park bookings, and tips on the best things to see and do, getting out there is easier than ever with CamperMate.
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A lush, tropical Top End known for national parks like Kakadu, and the mighty Red Centre home of Uluru put the Northern Territory firmly on any road tripper’s map. The vibrant city of Darwin, the jungle-like natural springs around Katherine, the fossicking reserves north of Alice Springs, and the rich Aboriginal culture to be experienced across the Territory, simply seal the deal.
While you can get pretty far on sealed roads, you’ll miss out on a lot of lesser-known highlights if you’re limited to the bitumen. The bulldust and corrugations of outback tracks such as the Tanami and Binns Track simply add to the adventure, and paint a true picture of Northern Territory in all its colours. Think rippled sand dunes and ancient rock formations, colourful displays of flowers and curious native animals. There are few skies more striking than the outback’s – from fiery sunsets to crystal-black nights sprayed with sparkling stars – proving that so much of what the NT has to offer is what money cannot buy.
No Northern Territory trip is complete without some time at the unmistakable Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. The Rock sits high on the list for most people, and the real decision is how you’ll experience it: walk, segway, bike or camel ride? The magic of the Red Centre extends well beyond the Rock, however, so get yourself in a 4WD and hit the Mereenie Loop for the best bits: Kings Canyon, Palm Valley, Finke River and the West MacDonnell Ranges which hosts part of the 223km Larapinta Trail as well as fossilised evidence of a long-emptied inland sea.
Karlu Karlu, aka the Devils Marbles break up the long drive north, as do the warm see-through springs screened by Pandanus trees at Mataranka. Once in the tropical Top End, it’s time to go on a waterfall crawl. Litchfield, less than 90 minutes from Darwin, as well as the slightly more challenging Kakadu and Nitmiluk national parks have got you sorted.
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Most people who visit Central Australia swing via Kings Canyon and Uluru by going up and down the Stuart Highway. But if you’re happy to go off the bitumen, the Mereenie Loop is a much more adventurous and interesting way to explore the area.
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