Australia - The Top End

Mar 9
08:46

2009

Karen Cooke

Karen Cooke

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A holiday in Australia's Top End offers a unique and rewarding experience ... one that takes a look inside the true heart of this great nation. The Top End is the wild and tropical region that includes Darwin, Kakadu and Litchfield national parks, and Arnhem Land - a huge expanse of land owned by Australia's indigenous peoples. And each amazing destination has its own story to tell.

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A holiday in Australia's Top End offers a unique and rewarding experience ... one that takes a look inside the true heart of this great nation.

The Top End is the wild and tropical region that includes Darwin,Australia - The Top End Articles Kakadu and Litchfield national parks, and Arnhem Land - a huge expanse of land owned by Australia's indigenous peoples. And each amazing destination has its own story to tell.

The capital of the Northern Territory, Darwin is a modern city with a history and cityscape shaped by the monsoonal weather. A melting pot of people and cultures, Darwin is located on a peninsula with the ocean on three sides. Its outdoor lifestyle, superb natural attractions and al fresco dining make Darwin a special place.

A day trip from Darwin could take you wildlife watching at the award-winning Territory Wildlife Park or to the Crocodylus Park to spot salt and freshwater crocodiles.

To Darwin's east lies World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park, an outstanding ecological wilderness covering an area of 20,000 square kilometres. This is a land of contrasts, with dry, flat plains, rugged and craggy escarpments, stunning waterfalls, plunge pools, the lily-covered South Alligator River, abundant wildlife and ancient Aboriginal rock art - the cultural art sites at Ubirr and Nourlangie are not to be missed. And Mamukala Wetlands, near the entrance to the park, has a large bird-hide where you can watch thousands of migratory birds and thirsty wildlife stop to rest.

A must-do activity in Kakadu is a wildlife river cruise at Yellow Waters, Cooinda. When water is scarce and the seasons are turning, the sky is darkened with flocks of magpie-geese overhead, water buffalo come down to drink, pink water lilies blossom and large crocodiles laze in the still waters of early morning.

About two hours to Darwin's south is Litchfield National Park, with 15,000 square kilometres of weathered and ancient landscapes made up of magnetic termite mounds, warm year-round swimming, lovely bush walks and four-wheel drive tracks. Highlights are Wangi and Florence falls, and Buley Rockhole, with its series of cascading pools.