Nature's Way

Explore Darwin. A good starting point is the Indo Pacific Marine, the Museum and Art Gallery of the NT or the Crocosaurus Cove, the newest tourist attraction right in the heart of Darwin's Central Business District. Adventurous visitors might like to take a walk on the wild side at the Territory Wildlife Park. Located on the outskirts of Darwin, the park offers travellers a close-up encounter at an extensive aquarium with a walk through a tunnel where they can stand nose to nose with a 3.7 metre saltwater crocodile or marvel at a Daily Birds of Prey display and trek through the nocturnal house. If it is a Thursday or Sunday, visit the Mindil Beach Sunset Markets (5pm - 10pm between May to October). Be spoilt for choice with over 200 quality art and craft stalls to shop at and tantalise your tastebuds with more than 50 food stalls offering a range of dishes from across the world. There is also a wealth of street buskers who will keep you entertained. Overnight: Darwin

Depart Darwin on the Explorer's Way and turn left onto the Arnhem Highway. Continue onward to Jabiru - home of the World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park. Birdwatchers and nature lovers should stop along the way at the Fogg Dam Conservation Reserve on the Wetlands and a Jumping Crocodile cruise on the Adelaide River to get up close and personal with these prehistoric predators. Spend the afternoon basking in the natural beauty of Kakadu National Park, where Aboriginal rock art sites are housed. Walks to escarpment lookouts, thundering waterfalls and impressive visitor centres await you. One of the best ways to experience Kakadu is from above, so consider a scenic flight. Perhaps you might want to start from Ubirr to witness at first hand the fascinating manifestations of rock art and visit Bowali Visitor Centre to learn about the wonders of the park. Overnight: Kakadu

In the morning, visit Nourlangie Rock and Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre before taking a leisurely cruise on Yellow Water billabong cruise, the best place to experience Kakadu's prolific wildlife Continue southward to Katherine via Pine Creek where gold was first discovered in 1871 and marvel at the still-standing original buildings which were first built in the heady gold days. Pine Creek's attractions include a Railway Station that was built in 1888 and Miners' Park, which houses original mining machinery from olden times. Overnight: Katherine

Explore the spectacular Katherine Gorge (Nitmiluk) by boat, canoe, helicopter or on foot. Another popular attraction in the park is the Edith Falls (Leliyn), a wonderfully scenic swimming hole fringed by lush green foliage and framed by cascading waterfalls. Next, visit the Jurassic Cycad Gardens, a garden containing over an amazing collection of 200 different species of plants from the ancient cycad family. In the afternoon, take a detour to explore Litchfield National Park on the bushwalking tracks, admire the bird and wildlife species and swim in the crystal-clear waterholes under thundering waterfalls that flow year-round. A must-see highlight is the amazing magnetic termite mounds. At the end of the day, drive the hour and a half back up the highway to Darwin. Overnight: Darwin

Visit Aquascene, a quirky and enduring attraction that happens to be a magnet to hundreds of fish from Darwin Harbour each day at high tide. The water boils with large milkfish, mullet and mangrove jack as visitors throw bread into their midst. Or head to Casuarina Square with over 180 stores or visit the Parap Village Saturday Market, a favourite destination to enjoy a hearty breakfast or brunch and admire indigenous crafts before heading home or to Central Australia.