Holiday home rental in Northern Territory, Australia

The Northern Territory is a vast, sparsely populated area that is home to Australia’s Outback and also contains some of the continent’s most fascinating visitor attractions.

Its most stunning sight is Uluru (formerly known as Ayers Rock), an enormous red sandstone formation that is one of the most sacred sites in Aboriginal. Northern Territory is also filled with incredible gorges and waterfalls, red desert and rocky outcrops that evoke both strange emotions and a sense of adventure for those keen on outdoor sports.

Darwin, its capital and largest city, was virtually rebuilt after a cyclone ripped through the city in 1974 and today is one of Australia’s most multicultural and modern cities, making it the ideal base to rent a holiday property and explore this vivid land.

Life in the great outdoors

Visitors to Northern Territory are spoiled for choice for activities outdoors as its awe-inspiring natural landscape makes it the perfect destination. Take a jeep safari into the Outback, go on a crocodile-spotting trip or try out a 4 wheel-drive adventure. Trekking and canoeing will lead you deep into Australia’s heart.

Many of the Aboriginal people living in Northern Territory lead visitors on informative guided walks that reveal myths and legends that are thousands of years old. Choosing a holiday rental in the Outback is the perfect way to get closer to Australia’s heartland.

A culinary challenge awaits those who want to get their teeth into local delicacies – known as bush tucker – that includes emu, crocodile and kangaroo meat. Anglers will be keen to test their skills in the many creeks and rivers.

The thermal hot springs at Mataranka, in the Elsey National Park, are a super place to visit and to relax after a day spotting crocodiles, bird watching, swimming and fishing within the park.

A wonder of the world

Undoubtedly, the major attraction and most popular tourist destination in Northern Territory is Uluru. This natural wonder is the world’s largest monolith and a spectacular sight to behold at both sunrise and sunset when a riot of colours is simply dazzling to behold.

In Kakadu National Park, anglers can attempt to land prize-fishing barramundi or go hiking or trekking in the West MacDonnell Ranges, while the park’s native rock art is intriguing to explore and will be a super talking point as you relax in your rented holiday accommodation.

Darwin is a bustling, busy city with lots for visitors to see and do, including the Botanical Gardens and Crocodylus Park. The most famous Outback town is Alice Springs – immortalised in Neville Shute’s best-selling book A Town Like Alice and commonly known as The Alice – which is famous for its aboriginal art and pioneering history. Visit the Cultural Precinct and Aviation Museum for a flavour of the Outback.

In Watarrka National Park, you’ll find Kings Canyon, an enormous red rock chasm in the earth that’s 270 metres deep. The park is also a conservation area containing rock holes and gorges that are home to more than 600 species of plants and many native animals. Don’t miss “the Lost City” and “the Garden of Eden”, a sheltered valley of waterholes and vegetation deep within the Outback.

Sizzling in the sun

Northern Territory’s summers are stiflingly hot. From November to February, the average daytime temperature is 36°C. Winter temperatures are more pleasant, around 20-23°C from May to September with little or no rainfall.

Getting to the Northern Territory

Direct flights arrive at Darwin’s main airport from Bali, Brunei, Europe, Singapore and the United Kingdom. The flight from London to Darwin takes around 20 hours so arranging rented holiday accommodation can give exhausted travellers the perfect place to rest their weary head on arrival. Those travelling on to Alice Springs can get connecting flights to Alice Springs airport while there are also connecting flights to Uluru/Ayers Rock airport.