Travel Journal

Exploring the Northern Territory is like stepping into another world. Picture yourself in Africa—there are wetlands full of vibrant birdlife and crocodiles, not too dissimilar to Botswana. Imagine cruising through lily-covered waterways in a traditional boat. And the waterfalls here are stunning—steep cliffs and sandy-bottomed billabongs, ideal for a refreshing swim once the rangers have cleared out the crocs!

Our five-day adventure through Litchfield and Kakadu National Parks was the highlight of our trip. With a knowledgeable guide and a comfy 4×4, we explored huge termite mounds and witnessed the necessary bushfires that are a part of life here. We visited incredible waterfalls and took dips in the billabongs. Florence Falls was particularly beautiful, with a steep staircase offering amazing views of the waterfall. The billabong below was buzzing with families swimming and the daring few jumping in from beneath the falls. A helicopter ride over the Escarpment gave us a breathtaking view of Jim Jim and Twin Falls, though they were temporarily closed due to some persistent saltwater crocs.

Bird enthusiasts will love Fogg Dam, especially in summer when the Brolga, Jabiru, and Magpie Goose flock here. But the highlight of our trip was the Cooinda Sunset Cruise. We spent two fantastic hours spotting magnificent birds like the Sea Eagle and the Jesus bird, which literally walks on water, plus a few crocodiles and snakes. The Paper Bark Tree Forest was enchanting with its towering trees growing out of the water, and the sunset we enjoyed on the return journey was simply stunning.

Gunlom Falls was another standout in Kakadu. You might recognise the pool at the base from the Crocodile Dundee movie! A short but steep climb led us to a series of beautiful pools where we swam and relaxed, taking in the views over the woodlands.

The Ubirr outcrop offers panoramic 360-degree views of the diverse landscapes, including wetlands, and some fascinating Rock Art. The caves and rock overhangs are adorned with colourful x-ray art, which is absolutely mesmerising.

For sport fishing enthusiasts, Arnhem Land offers fantastic Barramundi fishing adventures, ranging from one to five days.

We were blown away by how beautiful and relaxing the Northern Territory is. With temperatures consistently between 30-34 degrees from May to November and plenty of campsites and hotels, it’s perfect for a family holiday. Just be ready for lots of picnics, lazy swims, and wildlife spotting. It’s truly the ideal getaway!