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RED CENTRE TRAVEL IDEAS

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EXTENSION IDEAS

STAYS OF DISTINCTION

HOLIDAY OF A LIFETIME

OUTBACK & TOP END CAMPING SAFARIS

COACH TOURS

SELF DRIVE

Cattle mustering

Cattle mustering

Northern Territory Camel riding

Ayers Rock Camel Riding

Aboriginal Art Gallery.

Aboriginal Culture

The Olgas

The Olgas

Northern Territory

OUTBACK AUSTRALIA

Click for a more detailed map of the Northern Territory

Click here for a detailed view of the Northern Territory.

The Northern Territory is one of the world's most exciting frontiers. Here, there are aboriginal legends and flying doctors, huge cattle stations, and a massive river diversion scheme. Here are awesome gorges and camel farms, crocodile infested rivers, vast deserts, casinos and world class tourist resorts. Territorians are vibrant, outgoing and extra friendly. The Territory is vast and dynamic - some say, "There's no place more Australian". Come outback to Goway's Northern Territory. You'll be amazed...!

ORIGIN OF NAME:

From 1863 to 1911 this area was the Northern Territory of South Australia.

CAPITAL:

Darwin.

FLORAL EMBLEM:

Sturts Desert Rose

FAUNAL EMBLEM:

Red Kangaroo and Wedge-Tailed Eagle

STATE FLAG:

Stars of the Southern Cross and a stylised Sturts Desert Rose.

STATE MOTTO:

None

LOCATION:

The Northern Territory occupies a huge area of the continent's North and Centre. It's bordered by the Timor Sea to the North, Queensland to the East, Western Australia to the West and South Australia to the South. Usually known as "Outback Australia".

AREA:

The Northern Territory comprises 1/6 of Australia's land mass and is 1,346,200 km2 in area.

LANDFORM:

Mostly Desert and Tablelands.

POPULATION:

195,500 (2000 est). Few people live in the huge dry areas, and almost half the population are residents of Darwin. More than one-quarter of the people are Aborigines. Approximate: Darwin 88,100 (1999 est) Alice Springs 23,000 Nhulun Buy 3,500 Katherine 5,700 Tennant Creek 3,500

CLIMATE:

The Northern Territory lies in the Torrid Zone. There are two broad climatic divisions - The Northern part, known as "The Top End", receives heavy rainfall for three to five months of the year, and the Southern area, known as "The Centre", has a low rainfall and no permanent rivers.

AROUND ALICE SPRINGS:

Right in the centre of the centre is "Alice" - surrounded by the MacDonnell Ranges. Alice Springs is an oasis in this vast land. It began in 1872 as an overland telegraph station; today it combines the vigour of the frontier life with the convenience of modern facilities.

All around, the country glows red and orange and from Alice you can visit the wonders of the desert: prehistoric Palm Valley, Standley Chasm standing like a cathedral of nature, and further out Ayers Rock and The Olgas, huge rock formations. Their awe inspiring presence is only matched by the mystique of the Aboriginal folklore surrounding them. Stay to watch Ayers Rock change colour with the day: pink, brown, orange and then, at sunset, the giant monolith glows blood red. Out here the silence, colour and endless horizons give a sense of eternity.

SHOPPING:

Most of the things you need can be purchased from the various shops and stores in "Alice". Of interest are the Aboriginal arts and crafts. Normal shopping hours are 9am to 5:30pm Mon-Fri. 9am to 12 noon Saturday. Supermarkets open 9am to 6pm, 7 days a week.

AYERS ROCK:

Located 450 km SW of Alice Springs. One of the world's greatest monoliths, some 3 km long and rising 348m above the surrounding plains. Located within Uluru National Park, Ayers Rock is noted for its spectacular colour changes at sunset and sunrise, and is sacred to the Aboriginal people.

THE OLGAS:

Located 28 km SW of Yulara Resort. Part of Uluru National Park, a cluster of 36 dramatic head-like rock domes, covering approx. 35 km2, up to 546m high.

AYERS ROCK SAFETY INFORMATION

  1. The climb is 348 metres and as some sections are very steep, good physical fitness is essential.
  2. Only the designated track must be followed at all times.
  3. Rubber soled shoes are essential. Leather soled shoes and thongs are unsafe on what can be a slippery surface.
  4. Your hands must be kept free for holding the chain on ascent and for scrambling up steep sections. Personal items such as you camera and water bottle must therefore be secured by a strap to ensure they are not blown off by the wind. If hats are not secured and are lost visitors must not go off the designated track in search of them.

THE ABORIGINES:

Forty thousand years ago, long before the Pharaonic age of Egypt, the Aboriginal people lived in Australia. Their culture has given this country of treasure, art, and folklore a period known as the "Dreamtime". According to the "Dreamtime" legends, the country was once a vast feature-less land inhabited by giant spirit creatures. Over time, the spirits made epic journeys across the land, creating mountains, rivers, rocks, animals and plants.

The easiest place to see Aboriginal culture is the Northern Territory, which has by far the greater number of sacred sites and ancient art. The most famous sacred site is Ayers Rock, known by the Aborigines as "Uluru". At the nearby Yulara resort, guides and displays explain features of the region. From Alice Springs you can take tours which show how the local landmarks relate to the "Dreamtime" legends and the skills used by the Aborigines for thousands of years to live in the Outback.

Traditional paintings, carvings, weaving, boomerangs and shields are on display at museums and galleries in every capital city.

See also Aboriginal culture in Australia.

For travel ideas that incorporate Aboriginal Culture Experiences, Please click here for Central Australia or click here for The Top End.