Northern Territory TOP END HOLIDAY GUIDE 2018 Edition DISCOVER TOP END DAY TOURS Kakadu National Park Explorer Litchfield National Park Waterfalls • Explore Kakadu National Park FULL DAY | D4 • Explore Litchfield National Park FULL DAY | D5 • Experience Warradjan Cultural Centre • Swim at Florence & Wangi Falls • Cruise the Yellow Water Billabong * • Visit Howard Springs Nature Park ADULT ADULT • Visit spectacular Nourlangie $265 • See spectacular Tolmer Falls $185 * • View ancient Aboriginal rock art $133 CHILD • Stop for a nice, relaxing lunch $93 CHILD Katherine Gorge Cruise & Edith Falls Culture, Wildlife & Wetlands • Explore Nitmiluk National Park FULL DAY | D11 • Cross the Adelaide River Floodplains FULL DAY | D6 • Cruise spectacular Katherine Gorge • Enjoy a lunch cruise on the Mary River Wetlands & Corroboree Billabong • Visit the Adelaide River War Cemetery * ADULT ADULT • Take a swim at Edith Falls $269 • Meet the local Indigenous people $209 * for insight on bush skills & tucker • See Aboriginal rock art $135 CHILD • Spot native flora & fauna $105 CHILD For more information please visit, Shop 6, 52 Mitchell Street, Darwin or call 1300 228 546 aatkings.com *Conditions: These prices do not include the entry fee to the Kakadu National Park. 12343a WELCOME TO THE TOP END Aboriginal people are the original custodians of the Top End and have a unique relationship with the land. Their art and Dreamtime stories weave a connection between spirit and country and provide modern travellers with a deeper understanding and insight to the mysteries of land and waters. The Northern Territory occupies Darwin is the Northern Territory’s hire with unlimited KM. about one sixth of Australia’s total multicultural capital, famed for its Further detailed information and land mass; its boundaries encompass markets and festivals, Asian cuisine advice is available by contacting a variety of contrasting landscapes and beautiful natural harbour. It is Tourism Top End on and experiences. also the perfect base from which 1300 138 886 visiting our website to explore the natural treasures of tourismtopend.com.au or emailing The Top End of the Northern World Heritage-Listed Kakadu and [email protected] Territory is known for its tropical Litchfield National Parks as well as you can also visit the information weather, crocodiles, rich indigenous the Tiwi Islands, Nitmiluk National centre. culture, great fishing, national parks Park and Arnhem Land and laid-back lifestyle. Front cover image: Airboat on the This guide is intended as an Mary River - Wildlife & Wetlands It is home to an eclectic mix of informative planning tool to help Region - Wildlands Pty Ltd cultures whose outdoor lifestyle is plan your holiday. Contained within complemented by brilliant sunsets, are accommodation, tour and fantastic fishing and a colourful attraction listings as well as maps, calendar of outdoor events. essential information and vehicle 1 Welcome to the Top End 36 The Peninsula Way 68 Katherine and Surrounds 4 Festivals & Events 2018 38 Litchfield National Park 72 Mataranka, Stuart Highway & 6 Travelling To & Around 42 Adelaide River & Batchelor Roper River 11 Things to do in the Top End 44 Wildlife & Wetlands Region 74 Victoria River & Timber Creek 12 Tours, Charters & Cruises 48 Kakadu National Park 75 Borroloola and the Gulf 15 Itineraries for the Top End 57 Arnhem Land - Gove & Cobourg 76 East Kimberley 23 Fishing in the Top End 61 Tiwi Islands 78 Membership Directory 25 Discover Darwin & Surrounds 63 Douglas & Daly River Region 82 Map of Northern Territory 30 Darwin Accommodation 66 Pine Creek BOOK ONLINE tourismtopend.com.au 1 Sightseeing? With our great range of vehicles and extensive location network, we make it easy for you to explore all of what the Top End has to offer in air-conditioned comfort. Darwin • Katherine • Tennant Creek Alice Springs • Ayers Rock • Kununurra • Broome One way and long-term rentals, 24-hour roadside assistance, maps and local advice - whatever you need, think Thrifty. Call us today to find out how we can help. 136 139 thrifty.com.au 50 Mitchell St, 64 Stuart Hwy [email protected] & Darwin Airport 2 Tourism Top End - Visitor Information Centre 1300 138 886 Sightseeing? With our great range of vehicles and extensive location network, we make it easy for you to explore all of what the Top End has to offer in air-conditioned comfort. Darwin • Katherine • Tennant Creek Alice Springs • Ayers Rock • Kununurra • Broome One way and long-term rentals, 24-hour roadside assistance, maps and local advice - whatever you need, think Thrifty. Call us today to find out how we can help. 136 139 thrifty.com.au 50 Mitchell St, 64 Stuart Hwy [email protected] & Darwin Airport BOOK ONLINE tourismtopend.com.au 3 FESTIVALS & EVENTS 2018 January February March 20-21 Heineken Hottest 7’s in the 5 Goyder’s Day, Darwin 2 Commonwealth Games Baton World, Rugby Park, Marrara Waterfront by the Relay Final Event, Deckchair Cinema Darwin Waterfront 22 Flix in the Wet, BCC Cinemas Darwin City 3 Steve Backshall’s BBCEarth 10 Darwin Masters 10s, (running until 25 March) Deadly 60 Downunder, Little Mindil Beach Darwin Convention Centre 26 Australia Day Celebrations, 18 Tiwi Islands Football and Art various venues across the 16 Chinese New Year, various Sale, Bathurst Island Top End venues across Darwin 24 Mud Racing, Hidden Valley 28 Mud Racing, Hidden Valley 19 76th Anniversary of the Motor Sports Complex Motor Sports Complex Bombing of Darwin, Cenotaph - The Esplanade and various 31 Blacken Open Air, venues across the Top End Alice Springs (Running until 2 April) 24 Mud Racing, Hidden Valley Motor Sports Complex May Cont... 18-27 A Taste of Kakadu, May Kakadu National Park 5 Billy Joel Tribute Concert, 19 Bass in the Grass, April SKYCITY Darwin George Brown Darwin Bontanic Gardens 18 Deckchair Cinema Opening 5-20 Nightcliff Seabreeze Night, Deckchair Cinema Festival, Nightcliff Foreshore 19-20 Fred Pass Rural Show, Freds Pass 21 Mud Racing, Hidden Valley 6 Royal Flying Doctors Service 90 Motor Sports Complex Year Anniversary Event, Stokes 20 Jimmy Barnes, Darwin Hill Wharf Entertainment Centre 25 ANZAC Day Commemorations 8-14 NT Barramundi Classic, 26 Uluru Camel Cup, Around the Top End Ayers Rock Resort 25-29 Tjungu Festival, Ayers Rock Resort 11-20 Ord Valley Muster, 26 Noonamah Tavern Rodeo, Kununurra Noonamah Tavern 26 Mindil Beach Sunset Markets Opening Night, 18 Darwin Star Ball , Darwin 26 Darwin Waterfront Harmony Mindil Beach Convention Centre Soiree, Darwin Waterfront 4 Tourism Top End - Visitor Information Centre 1300 138 886 The Top End is host to a wide range of incredible, world-class, unique events. Laugh along with the locals at quirky events distinctive to the Top End, honour Aboriginal culture at indigenous celebrations in remote communities or revel in major sporting events such as the V8 Supercars, SuperBikes and Darwin Cup Carnival. You will find all you need to know about Top End events listed here, more events can be viewed at tourismtopend.com.au/events/whats-on June July August 8-10 Barunga Cultural and 1 Territory Day 2-7 Desert Harmony Festival, Sports Festival, Tennant Creek Barunga Community 7 Darwin Cup Carnival, Darwin Turf Club 3-6 Garma Festival, (Running until 6 Aug) Arnhem Land 10 Ocean Film Festival 4 Darwin Turf Club Gala Ball, World Tour, Darwin Turf Club Darwin Deckchair Cinema 9-11 Finke Desert Race, Alice Springs 14 Darwin Dili Yacht Rally 9-10 Greek Glenti, 15-17 Supercars Championship Bicentennial Park Series, Hidden Valley Raceway 10 Summer Session, Darwin 20-21 Royal Katherine Show, 23-24 Darwin 4WD, Boating and Katherine Showgrounds Camping Expo, Darwin Showgrounds 22 Darwin Lions Beer Can Regatta, Mindil Beach 23-24 TERRA 3 Hour Race, Hidden Valley Raceway 26-28 Royal Darwin Show, Darwin Showgrounds 23-24 BMXA Nationals Series - 4 Pesona Indonesia, Round 3, 30 The Terra Territory Darwin Waterfront Satellite City BMX Club Challenge, Hidden Valley Raceway 6 Darwin Cup Day, 28 Speedway Sedans Australia, (Running until 5 Aug) Darwin Turf Club National junior Sedan Title, Northline Speedway 30 Pitch Black - 9-26 Darwin Festival, various venues (Running until 1 July) Royal Australian Air Force around Darwin (Running until 17 Aug) 28 Australian Superbike Championship, Hidden Valley 10-12 Darwin Aboriginal Fair, Raceway(Running until 1 July) Darwin Convention Centre October 29 Alice Springs Beanie Festival, 1 Million Dollar 11 Noonamah Tavern Rodeo, Alice Springs Fish Competition, Noonamah Tavern (running until 2 July) (Running until 28 Feb 2019) 19-25 Lasseters Classic Outback Trial, 30 Noonamah Tavern Rodeo, 1-28 October Business Month Alice Springs Noonamah Tavern November Disclaimer: The calendar of September events is provided as a service 11 Remembrance Day, from Tourism Top End. As event Bicentennial Park information by organisers can 13-23 Darwin International Film change without notice, we advise Festival, Darwin you to contact organisers directly to Deckchair Cinema December confirm all details prior to planning your holiday. Tourism Top End 22 Noonamah Tavern Rodeo, 31 New Years Eve, various assumes no responsibility for any Noonamah Tavern venues around the Top End errors or omissions. BOOK ONLINE tourismtopend.com.au 5 TRAVELLING TO & AROUND THE TOP END Getting Here explore some of the special locations air services from Singapore, the in remote areas, a four-wheel drive Philippines, Malaysia, Japan, Self-drive is absolutely essential. Good travel Thailand, Timor Leste and Indonesia. Excellent sealed highways provide advice for those using four-wheel It is possible when booking your ease of access into and around the drive vehicles will make the trip fun flights to arrange for a rental car, Top End region. The Stuart Highway and keep it safe. Make sure you plan awaiting your arrival at Darwin from Adelaide, the Barkly Highway ahead for your journey and always airport. Airport collections attract an from Queensland and the Victoria advise somebody of your travel additional fee.