NORTHERN TERRITORY (Australia)

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From Darwin, the capital of Northern Australia in the far north, down to the mysterious Uluru (Ayers Rock) and the pioneering town of Alice Springs in the south, the Northern Territory is a land of contrasts. Here you will meet some of Australia's most colourful characters and experience deserts, islands and beaches, wetlands teeming with birds and crocodiles, shining rivers and ancient Aboriginal sites.

Like most of Australia, the Northern Territory is big. To travel from Darwin to Alice Springs involves a journey of 2 days. The state is 1600 kilometres (1000 miles) north-south and 950 kilometres (600 miles) east-west. Those are straight line map distances, actual road distances are considerably further.

Northern Territory travel involves long distances and roads are limited. Although most of the popular attractions are reachable via sealed roads, some attractions require 4WD for access. The less adventurous visitor may wish to consider using tour organisations as this is a part of the world in which local knowledge can be important. Many areas are sacred sites and permits are required before entry.

The northern end of the state, commonly known as the Top End, is dominated by wetlands at the foot of an escarpment. The wet season pours vast amounts of water over the escarpment which then spreads across the Kakadu National Park and Arnhem Land . The wet season has a major influence on activities and the surrounding environment. Above the escarpment the land stretches away into the Tanami Desert in the west and Barkly Tableland in the east before its transition into the dry, red Simpson Desert in the south.

The Top End, being tropical and humid, has only minor temperature variations between summer and winter. Of greater significance is the Wet Season and the Dry Season. The Wet is between November and April with temperatures averaging 33-35° C during the day dropping to an average of 23-25° C overnight. The Dry is between May and October with temperatures averaging 30-32° C during the day dropping to an average of 20-22° C overnight.

Away from the coastal influence, the inland areas revert to four distinct seasons. Winter is June - August with maximum temperatures around 20-22° C during the day dropping to minimums of around 4-6° C overnight. Summer is December - February with maximum temperatures around 34-36° C during the day and 20-22° C overnight.

Temperatures in the remote inland areas can be more extreme. Summer daytime maximums can climb to 40-42° C with winter nights dropping to 2-3° C. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology provides detailed weather information.