subject: Australia Camper Travel- Northern Territory [print this page] The Northern Territory is home to a lot of Australias wilderness, and the long distances and stunning outback scenery make a campervan trip the best type of holiday for those who want to see the state.
Inhabited by aboriginal peoples for 40,000 years, with trade links between them and people in Indonesia, the state was not easily settled by the British. 3 attempts failed due to the harsh environment before settlers successfully set up colonies in the area. From 1825 to 1863 the Northern Territory was a part of Colonial New South Wales and in 1911 it was made a separate entity and put under commonwealth control. Its history has been chequered- at one point the state was split into two, and during World War II it was under military control. Aboriginal people in the Northern territory led the way in the fight for land and fair wages, and in 1976 the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern territory) Act was passed. Nowadays, the Northern Territory is a largely rural but friendly and ethnically varied state.
Darwin is the states capital city, a small yet very multicultural centre right up in the tropics and on the Timor Sea coast. It is a melting pot, and a hot one- high temperatures all year mean that Darwin and its residents have a unique and laidback way of life. One of the favourite pastimes is visiting the markets, where one might find aboriginal artists, typical crocodile hunter types, amazing asian food and culture from many different nations.
Near Darwin is the natural jewel in the crown of the Northern Territory. Kakadu National Park is a huge and varied national park which covers an area half the size of Switzerland. It includes 4 river systems, estuaries and tidal flats, floodplains, lowlands, stone country and lots of wildlife.The land belongs to the native aboriginal people, many of whom still live there, and it is also home to several amazing native rock art site. Having your own vehicle is the best way to explore Kakadu so that you can visit the roack art sites, visitors centres, waterfalls and walking trails. There are holiday parks in and around the park where you can find a site for your motorhome.
The towns and cities which pepper the outback below Darwin are clustered along the Stuart Highway which makes its way down the middle of the state. Teh towns are few and far between- overnight spots include Daly Waters, Elliot, Tennant Creek, Barrow Creek, Anmatjere, Ti Tree and of course the Oasis in the Outback which is the city of Alice Springs. The Alice, as it is known to locals, is the major stop on this route, and a veritable metropolis compared to the other towns along the Stuart Highway!
A feature of the southern part of the Northern Territory is Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock. This impressive large sandstone rock formation. The red tinge in Uluru and the surrounding land becomes spectacular when lit up by sunset or sunrise!
by: David Robinson
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