The Greatest Show

KAKADU prepares to host one of the greatest natural shows on earth Nature lovers from around the world are planning to flock to #Kakadu #Bird Week for what is regarded as one of the “greatest natural shows on earth”. With the dry season at its peak and the wetlands receding in advance of the arrival of the monsoon rains, Kakadu’s remarkably rich variety of birds and wildlife are at their most visible and active. 

The region is home to over one third of Australia’s bird species and whether it is graceful sea eagles ‘fishing’ on Yellow Water Billabong, the remarkable ‘Jesus Bird’ seemingly walking on water, or local favourites such as the Jabiru and the tiny, vividly beautiful, Kingfisher birds, Kakadu is Australia’s most spectacular location for lovers of exotic birds. 

The Festival is being held from 29 September – 7 October and a packed itinerary of events is designed for both dedicated bird watchers and lovers of spectacular natural habitats. A prime vantage point to view Kakadu’s wildlife is on Yellow Water Billabong, at Cooinda. Yellow Water Cruises and Kakadu Tourism will be offering visitors exceptional opportunities to get close to Kakadu’s bird life during the special week. 

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Australian Walking Holidays

IF you’ve been thinking about heading to the Northern Territory, do it now! Australian Walking Holidays, the domestic division of the World Expeditions Travel Group which pioneered the trail in 1995, has the best range of walking trips on the stunning Larapinta, including the 6-day Classic Larapinta Trek in Comfort, the 9-day Best of the Larapinta Trail and the 6, 9 and 12 day self-guided Larapinta Trail treks. 

The 6-day Classic Larapinta Trek in Comfort, which is one of the 13 Great Walks of #Australia, is guided trekking, with walkers carrying only a day pack and enjoying the facilities of the comfortable, semi-permanent eco campsites, while the 9-day Best of the #Larapinta Trail is also guided, with walkers carrying only day packs and wilderness camping under the Milky Way. 

The self-guided treks are suited to more confident walkers, who enjoy being more self-sufficient and travelling at their own pace and who appreciate the logistics – such as lightweight food, equipment, maps and transfers to and from the trail – being organized for them. 

However you choose to experience the Larapinta Trail, you’ll have the chance to swim in peaceful waterholes hidden deep within the West MacDonnell Ranges, to marvel at the stunning rock formations at Simpson’s Gap, Standley Chasm and Serpentine Gorge, to climb Mount Sonder for a spectacular sunrise and to gain an understanding of the rich history of Australia’s traditional owners and the Indigenous culture.

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Picture Credit: By Andrew Dolman Larapinta Trail, commons.wikimedia.org/

Free flight to the outback for U.S. travellers

TOURISM Northern Territory will cover the cost of flights to the Outback for travelers visiting from the United States. The campaign, called "Fly Free to the Outback," gives U.S.-based travelers the opportunity to book an Australian vacation through one of 11 participating wholesale operators in order to earn free one-way flights from an Australian gateway city to Darwin, Alice Springs or Uluru (Ayers Rock).

The deal is operational from May 31 through July 31, 2018 and aims to encourage visitation to the spiritual heart of #Australia with the message You haven't been Downunder until you've been Outback.

Now is the time to visit Australia's Outback, with new and authentic cultural, culinary and adventure experiences from Darwin to Uluru. The New York Times named the Northern Territory's Top End #12 on the list of "52 Places to Go in 2018," and artist Bruce Munro announced the extension of his world-renowned art exhibit called "Field of Light Uluru". The Northern Territory saw record visitation from the United States in 2017, with the U.S. now at number one for international market visitation.


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Up, up and away

EXPERIENCE the quiet calm of Australia's Northern Territory from a hot air balloon with Outback Ballooning in Alice Springs.

With a choice of either a half hour or hour scenic balloon flight as the dawn breaks over the MacDonnell Ranges starting with pre-dawn pick up, then watch the crew start to inflate your balloon as you watch the sun rise.

The scenic hot air balloon flight is a great way to see the spectacular Australian Outback, drifting over the rugged landscape and you will most likely see red kangaroos in their natural habitat.

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Picture Credit: Outback Ballooning

Northern Territory to expand tourism in remote areas

UPGRADED conference facilities at Crab Claw Island, the renovation of Seven Spirit Bay in Arnhem Land, and #wheelchairaccessible pathways in Central #Australia are among the Northern Territory (NT) projects to be funded under a national #tourism infrastructure scheme. 

Chief minister and tourism minister Adam Giles welcomed the funding of AU$775,000 from the Federal Government’s Tourism Demand-Driver Infrastructure Program in 2015/16, which will be administered by Tourism NT.

‘The Northern Territory government is determined to expand the range of tourism experiences on offer, particularly in our regional and remote areas, so we can create more jobs and drive economic development in these communities,’ he said. ‘The funding from the federal government will support a selection of high-quality, large scale projects that deliver a broad benefit across the tourism sector, and the territory government has focused investment to encourage visitors to disperse and extend their visit. These are all exciting tourism projects that will help attract more holiday-makers to the territory.’

The projects to receive funding include:

• Air conditioned accommodation, Lorella Springs
• A meeting and events area in the Nitmiluk Visitor Centre, Katherine
• Renovation of Seven Spirit Bay to develop a West Arnhem touring route
• Wheelchair accessible walking trails at Standley Chasm, Central Australia

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See the stars from Alice Springs

A SPACE observatory and private pods for #stargazing will be built at Earth Sanctuary in #AliceSprings, #Australia, with the help of a Northern Territory Government tourism infrastructure grant. 

Tourism Minister Adam Giles said the project aimed to capitalize on the emerging niche market of space discovery tourism and position Central Australia as one of the world’s leading stargazing destinations.

‘This grant will help Earth Sanctuary build a professional but modest observatory and private star pods that allow visitors to stargaze in a comfortable dome kitted with a double bed and private decking,” he said. “It is encouraging to see Earth Sanctuary working hard to position itself as a leader in providing a unique and sustainable tourism experience to not only Australians, but the rest of the world.’

Mr Giles said the Earth Sanctuary project follows a recent ‘Astronomeet’ that involved professional photographers and social media people coming together at Uluru to capture the night sky. ‘Projects and events like this promote the Northern Territory as a must-do holiday destination that is home to unique, world-class experiences and sends a message to holidaymakers: come for the stars, stay for a Red Centre adventure. It’s all part of the government’s plan to drive the development of North Australia and build an A$2.2 billion visitor economy by 2020.’

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/74101223@N00/7927534758">To Alice Springs via Tanami Road</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/">(license)