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You will find more details about the above mentioned attractions
in the following section.
Additionally, we have provided some Climate
tables .
Big parts of the capital of the Northern
Territory Darwin, have been destroyed in1974 by Cyclone Tracy.
This opportunity has been used to rebuild a brighter, more modern
and safer city. You can find plenty of information about the use
of plants by local Aboriginals in the Botanic Gardens or
just enjoy a stroll and rest in the shade of one of 400 palm trees.
The Museum & Art Gallery of the Northern Territory exhibits
an excellent collection on Aboriginal paintings from the Tiwi Islands
and from the nearby Arnhem Land. Additionally there is detailed
information about life before and after cyclone Tracy and a sound
recording of the storm which you will remember for a while. The
Fannie Bay Gaol Museum was used as the local jail for more
than 100 years and you can get a good impression about life as a
prisoner at that time with a wander around the cells.
Activities: Swimming, Scuba Diving, Cycling, Golf,
Sailing, Climbing, Parasailing, Scenic Flights and Parachute Jumps
The whole area of Northern Australia has two seasons.
The Dry (May till October) and The Wet (November till April) In
the Wet it is common for parts of this region to be completely cut
off and streets will flood and may be impossible to pass.
Another reason to avoid travelling in the wet season to Northern
Australia is the Box Jelly Fish, which is very dangerous to humans
and is active during this time in the ocean around Northern Australia.
Depending on your travel time, you will have very different
impressions. In the months March/April at the end of the wet season
the rivers and waterfalls will be filled and overflow, the forests
lush and green, the flowers will blossom and the wildlife will be
spread out over the whole area. While you will find the complete
opposite in October/November and the wildlife will be close to the
few waterholes.

 The
Litchfield National Park is located about two hours drive
south of Darwin and offers spectacular landscape, awesome waterfalls
and pools which invite you for a refreshing swim. The area is excellent
for hikes, where you will also see huge termite mounds as well as
the beautiful scenery.

The Kakadu National
Park impresses with striking scenery, abundant wildlife and
a high cultural significance with outstanding Aboriginal paintings
spread out over the whole area.
Some of the best known features of this park are the Jim Jim
and the Twin Falls, which are both accessible with a good
4WD, some adventurous spirit and very careful driving, only in the
dry season. Both falls offer spectacular sights and a refreshing
bath at the natural pools. A visit to this area is not complete
without a boat tour on the Yellow Water or East Alligator
River through the wetlands to see some of the huge saltwater
crocodiles, sea eagles and much more.
For
visitors who prefer to explore the park by foot there is a wide
variety of hikes with different lengths and grades on offer.
Activities: Scenic Flights, Aboriginal Tours.

Arnhem Land
belongs to the Aboriginals and borders on the east to the Kakadu
National Park. This region can only be visited with a special
permit. A journey through Arnhem Land will show you untouched
and sparsely populated landscape with many rock paintings.
Katherine
is the largest town on the road from Darwin to Alice Springs and
is a starting point for tours into the Nitmiluk National Park,
better known as the Katherine Gorge. The best way to explore
this gorge (only during dry season) is by canoe, then you can pick
your own best spot for a swim. Hikers will find many tracks varying
in length and difficulty, the less active can take the option of
seeing the gorge on a boat tour. A visit to the crystal clear natural
thermal pools of Mataranka, surrounded by ferns and palm
trees, can loosen up your muscles and is very relaxing after a long
tour.

The Devils Marbles are located 750 kilometres (468 miles)
south and are one of the best known features of the Northern Territory.
Its red colouring is most spectacular at sunset.
Alice
Springs is itself an attraction, but is mainly a starting point
for tours to the famous red rock, Ayers Rock (Uluru), the
Olgas (Kata Tjuta), the Kings Canyon and to the West
MacDonnell National Park.
You can find in Alice Springs the headquarters of the Royal
Flying Doctor Service with interesting information about the
white history of this area, the School of the Air and the
old historic Telegraph Station. The Arid Australian Reptile
House exhibits a good collection of native snakes and reptiles
and offers a good opportunity to learn about these animals.
A hot air balloon ride will present this area with its wildlife,
in the twilight of a sunrise in an unforgettable way.
The
Ayers Rock or Uluru, as it is called by the Aboriginals,
forms the red centre of Australia, is located about 450 kilometres
(281 miles) southwest of Alice Springs and is the worlds largest
monolith - 348 metres high and 9 kilometres (5.6 miles) around
the base. It changes colour during the day and turns more and more
into red as the sun sets.
This big red rock has spiritual significance to the indigenous people
of Australia. Before you decide to make the climb, we would like
to suggest that you visit the excellent Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural
Centre to get an understanding of the significance and history
of this rock. A very good alternative is a tour around Uluru, guided
by a local Aboriginal who will explain the meaning of the rock and
cave paintings, thousands of years old.

Another
50 kilometres (32.2 miles) further west
you reach the not less fascinating Olgas or Kata Tjuta.
The Olgas are a collection of huge rocks with a similar colouring
as Uluru. The highest point reaches 546 metres and a walk through
the Valley of the Winds will show you the uniqueness of this fascinating
landscape.
The Kings Canyon is located in the Watarrka
National Park and is a distinctive geographic rock formation.
A hard climb to the top of the canyon will be rewarded with exceptional
views of the surrounding area.
The
West MacDonnell National Park offers spectacular impressions
with interesting colour displays. Some of the best known features
are Simpsons Gap, a red coloured gorge with towering cliffs, Standley
Chasm, a gorge which is only for one hour a day, lit up by the
sunlight into a glowing red colour and Ellery Creek Bighole
offers the chance for a very refreshing swim. For a visit to the
Serpentine Gorge you have to first swim through cold natural
pools, before you reach the actual start of the gorge, to be rewarded
with excellent views. This National Park is an excellent hiking
area, offering a variety of tracks from easy to difficult varying
from one to several days in length.
Climate Tables:
Please note, that the following charts show average temperatures.
| Darwin |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dez |
| Maximum [°C] |
32 |
31 |
32 |
33 |
32 |
31 |
30 |
31 |
32 |
33 |
33 |
33 |
| Minimum [°C] |
25 |
25 |
24 |
24 |
22 |
20 |
19 |
21 |
23 |
25 |
25 |
25 |
|
Maximum [°F]
|
89.6 |
87.8 |
89.6 |
91.4 |
89.6 |
87.8 |
86 |
87.8 |
89.6 |
91.4 |
91.4 |
91.4 |
|
Minimum [°F]
|
77 |
77 |
73.4 |
73.4 |
71.6 |
68 |
66.2 |
69.8 |
73.4 |
77 |
77 |
77 |
| Rainfall [mm] |
406 |
349 |
311 |
97 |
21 |
1 |
1 |
7 |
19 |
74 |
143 |
252 |
| Raindays |
21 |
20 |
19 |
9 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
7 |
12 |
16 |
| Alice Springs |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dez |
| Maximum [°C] |
36 |
35 |
32 |
28 |
23 |
20 |
19 |
22 |
27 |
31 |
33 |
35 |
| Minimum [°C] |
21 |
21 |
17 |
13 |
8 |
5 |
4 |
6 |
10 |
15 |
18 |
20 |
|
Maximum [°F]
|
96.8 |
95 |
89.6 |
82.4 |
73.4 |
68 |
66.2 |
71.6 |
80.6 |
87.8 |
91.4 |
95 |
|
Minimum [°F]
|
69.8 |
69.8 |
62.6 |
55.4 |
46.4 |
41 |
39.2 |
42.8 |
50 |
59 |
64.4 |
68 |
| Rainfall [mm] |
36 |
42 |
37 |
14 |
17 |
15 |
16 |
12 |
9 |
21 |
26 |
37 |
| Raindays |
5 |
5 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
5 |
6 |
5 |
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