Northern Territory

There's something about the meandering billabongs of the tropical north and the red dusty plains of the outback that makes it impossible to forget this place. Northern Territory tourism reveals a landscape so diverse, it's as though you've stumbled upon your own universe. Across its vast arena you'll find the ancient aborigine sites of Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kakadu, as well as breathtaking landscapes in the shape of Kings Canyon and the sweeping savannahs of the Barkly Tableland.

Surely the biggest of all Northern Territory attractions (in more ways than one) is the monolith of Uluru. Walk around it, fly over it or camp in its shadow; just make sure you see it. Elsewhere, you can learn to muster on a cattle station or take a night riverboat ride and see the glowing eyes of a saltwater crocodile peering back at you.

There are some excellent eateries in Darwin and Alice Springs where you can sample the likes of emu, crocodile, kangaroo and buffalo. However, for authentic Northern Territory food you should visit during one of the region's many mud crab weigh-ins or barramundi fishing competitions, or take a bush tucker tour and learn how fruits, seeds, and nuts have sustained aborigine people for thousands of years.

Get a glimpse of what everyday life is like for the cowboys (and girls) of the Northern Territory with a stay on a cattle station, or watch the sky light up with a million stars by pitching your tent at a remote campsite. For the very best in Northern Territory accommodation though, a night in a wilderness safari retreat is hard to beat.

This region may have fewer large shopping precincts than other parts of Australia, but Northern Territory shopping is all about picking up unique pieces. In townships you can buy one-off works from emerging aborigine artists, be they paintings, silk prints or hand-woven textiles. Meanwhile, Darwin and Alice Springs both have vibrant open-air markets, as well as a growing number of boutiques selling distinctive jewellery and clothing.

With the largest aborigine population in Australia, the Northern Territory is the perfect place to learn about the history and culture of the indigenous peoples. Take a dreamtime safari in Kakadu National Park, which will teach you about the link between nature and the spiritual ancestors of the aborigine people.