Five incredible national parks across the Northern Territory that can’t be missed

Kakadu National Park is 20,000 square kilometres of diverse ecosystems, adventure and awe-inspiring landscapes and is one of the best known national parks in the Northern Territory. This UNESCO World Heritage-listed site has wetlands, ancient rock art as well as an abundance of crocodiles and rare birds that’ll make this a thrilling adventure no matter what you do. Up in the Northern Territory, it’s excruciatingly hot all year round, luckily, the park also has a range of picture-worthy waterfalls and swimming holes to take a dip in.

The best spots are the ones loved by locals, which is just one of many things that makes this next national park so special. Just a short drive from Darwin is Litchfield National Park which is famous for its magnetic termite mounds, waterfalls and monsoon forest. For the trekkers, the park has a number of walking trails which are suitable for all different types of hikers. If you brought a capable car, the national park is also a great spot for 4WD with a tonne of different tracks to tackle. You can easily day trip this national park from Darwin, however, with so much to do and see, you might want to consider camping in one of the park’s dozens of campgrounds to get the full immersive experience.

Nitmiluk National Park, which is also known as Katherine Gorge, is a series of 13 gorges carved through ancient sandstone by the Katherine River. You can explore the gorges by foot, canoe or even helicopter. Starting at just $100 for 30 minutes, a helicopter will take you up over the park, giving you one of the best scenic views money can buy. Besides the gorges, the park has just about everything to suit all different adventurer’s taste buds from kayaking, swimming, and hiking. For the ultra-adventurous, you can tackle the Jatbula Trail, a multi-day hike through some of the most stunning and remote parts of the park.

No visit to the Northern Territory is complete without a trip to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Though it’s home to Uluru, this national park is more than just an excellent photo opportunity. Brimming with Aboriginal history and natural wonders such as the domes of Kata Tjuta and walking trails like the Valley of the Winds, this national park is not to be missed.

Stretching for over 160 kilometres west of Alice Springs is the Tjoritja/West MacDonnell National Park – a true way to experience the outback. Home to the Aranda people, the park features heavily in their dreamtime creation stories and was said to have been created by giant caterpillars (Yeperenye). From Simpsons Gap to Ochre Pits and Ellery Creek Water Hole, this national park is a true journey into central Australia and the outback.