Northern Territory

Whether you’re soaking up the energy in vibrant Darwin, connecting with the land in Kakadu or escaping from it all in the Red Centre, the Northern Territory is quintessential Australia. Vast landscapes, fascinating native wildlife and deep Indigenous roots are all part of the story here – and that’s only scratching the surface. Are you ready to answer the call of the NT?

THE TOP END

You’ll be in endless wonder when you visit the Top End, a general name for the region incorporating Darwin, East Arnhem and Katherine. Here you’ll find some of Australia’s most famous national parks as well as wildlife, war history and Indigenous cultural connections.

Take a city tour of Darwin

A multicultural coastal hub known for its laid-back tropical lifestyle, for many Darwin is the gateway for exploration of the Northern Territory – but it has so much to offer in its own right. And the compact town centre means much of it can be seen on a relaxed morning tour. AAT Kings offers a great half-day Darwin City Sights Tour at 8:30am each day (aatkings.com.au/tours). Here you can learn about local aviation history, see a B-52 Bomber on permanent loan from the United States Air Force and view rare amateur footage of the 1942 World War II air raid of Darwin at the Darwin Aviation Museum (darwinaviationmuseum.com.au). You’ll also visit the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (magnt.net.au), view the largest permanent display of Aboriginal art in Australia, and drop into the splendid Darwin Botanic Gardens.

Discover the wonders of Kakadu National Park

No trip to the Top End would feel complete without a visit to Kakadu, a biodiverse nature reserve and cultural site of tremendous significance to the Traditional Owners, the Bininj/Mungguy people. Depending on the season you visit, many of Kakadu’s best sights may or may not be accessible by road; in the case of the latter, much of it can still be enjoyed from the air on a scenic flight. And, indeed, the highlights are plentiful. See Nourlangie Rock and Ubirr, known for rock art documenting life in the region from 20,000 years ago to the first contact with European explorers – not to mention spectacular nearby lookouts. On a Yellow Water Cruise, journey into the heart of Kakadu and see the rich wildlife of the national park, with over 60 species of birds and crocodiles in every direction. Or travel even deeper into the park to see highlights like Jim Jim Falls, Gunlom Falls and Maguk. Bear in mind certain parts of Kakadu may be closed at any time, be it due to weather or request of the Traditional Owners (parksaustralia.gov.au/kakadu).

Connect with the art of the Tiwi Islands

They’re known as the ‘Islands of Smiles’, and you’re bound to find out why on a day trip to the Tiwi Islands, the combined name for geographically and culturally linked Bathurst Island and Melville Island some 80km north of the Northern Territory coastline. A 2.5-hour ferry ride from Darwin, here you’ll discover a thriving Indigenous culture renowned for its wonderful art. Visit Jilamara Arts on Melville, whose artists are known for their use of natural ochres in paintings and carvings, as well as on tutini poles and tungas (ceremonial bark bags) (jilamara.com). Munupi Arts & Crafts, also on Melville (munupiart.com), and Tiwi Design (tiwidesigns.com) are brilliant too; or take a Tiwi by Design tour to really immerse yourself in the art and culture of the islands (sealinknt.com.au/tiwi-islands/tiwi-by-design).

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1. Nourlangie Rock as seen from nearby Nawurlandja lookout in Kakadu National Park

2. Bird watchers love Kakadu’s Yellow Water Cruise, where you might see over 60 species of birds including the comb-crested jacana

3. View 19 examples of civil and military aircraft at the Darwin Aviation Museum

4. An artist demonstrates the popular pastime of shell painting on the Tiwi Islands

KATHERINE & BARKLY TABLELANDS

Always delightful and captivating, Katherine is an oftenunderrated part of the Northern Territory famous for Nitmiluk National Park and Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge. Meanwhile, the Barkly Tablelands – one of not just Australia’s, but also the world’s most sparsely populated regions – features highlights like Tennant Creek, Mataranka and the Devil’s Marbles (Karlu Karlu).

Visit Nitmiluk

Just 30km north-east of Katherine, Nitmiluk National Park and the marvellous Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge is a destination everyone deserves to see in their lifetime. Paddle a canoe along the hauntingly beautiful gorge as you witness waterfalls, ancient Indigenous rock art and abundant wildlife. Float by on a sunrise or sunset river cruise and enjoy the spectacular colours and hues on display. You can also choose from a selection of scenic helicopter flights to witness the magnificent landscape from up high. For a day visit that’s accessible by road, Leliyn (Edith Falls) is a 60km drive north of Katherine along the Stuart Highway. Here, you can swim in the natural pool at the base of the falls, and there’s even a kiosk if you fancy a quick lunch or refreshment.

Relax in the Mataranka hot springs

Immortalised by Jeannie Gunn in the autobiographical novel We of the Never Never, the small town of Mataranka south of Katherine is further renowned for its palm-fringed, sandybottomed thermal pools. The short walk down the stairs to the pool is beautiful in its own right, but once you arrive you’ll feel positively gob-smacked at the crystal-clear 30°C-plus water and peaceful surroundings. You may also be lucky enough to spot turtles, wallabies and little red flying foxes, the latter of which form a well-known colony in the area.

5. Canoers make their way through Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge at a leisurely pace

6. The thermal pools of Mataranka remain at over 30 degrees Celsius throughout the year

7. Leliyn (Edith Falls) is a 45-minute drive from Katherine and is perfect for a half-day trip

AT A GLANCE

AAT Kings Darwin City Sights Tour

1300 300 911 aatkings.com.au/tours

Darwin Aviation Museum

08 8947 2145 darwinaviationmuseum. com.au

Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory

08 8999 8264 magnt.net.au

Kakadu National Park

08 8938 1100 parksaustralia.gov.au/ kakadu

Jilamara Arts

08 8978 3901 jilamara.com

Munupi Arts & Crafts

08 8978 3975 munupiart.com

Tiwi Designs 08 8978 3982 tiwidesigns.com

Tiwi By Design Tours

1300 130 679 sealinknt.com.au/tiwiislands/tiwi-by-design

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THE RED CENTRE

Journey deep into the dusty, arid desert landscape of Australia’s Red Centre. The town of Alice Springs is your gateway here, from which you can set off for icons like Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, the West MacDonnell Ranges and much more.

Admire Alice Springs from up high

If you subscribe to the theory that views are best had from as high up as possible, why not take to the skies in a hot-air balloon and watch the sun creep above the outback horizon? Outback Ballooning operates 30-minute and 60-minute flights high above the Northern Territory’s Red Centre, including return transfers from accommodation in Alice Springs (outbackballooning.com.au). Or, if up to 1,000 feet is a little too high for your liking, make your way to Anzac Hill lookout for panoramic views of the town with your shoes still firmly on the ground. The site also features a memorial dedicated to those who sacrificed their lives during World War I and beyond.

Soak in an outback sunset on camelback

Fancy a camel ride against the backdrop of a sunset over the stunning West MacDonnell Ranges? You can experience just that on a one-hour ride with Pyndan Camel Tracks, located 15 minutes from Alice Springs or Simpsons Gap. Absorb the outback desert landscape and catch glimpses of native wildlife as you ride atop gentle camels and learn more about these impressive creatures. Club members won’t soon forget the glowing outback sky as it shifts from red to blue, orange and pink (cameltracks.com). ■

1. Explore the West MacDonnell Ranges on camelback at sunset

2. Float high above the Red Centre on an awe-inspiring hot-air balloon tour

AT A GLANCE

Outback Ballooning

1800 809 790 outbackballooning.com.au

Pyndan Camel Tracks

0416 170 164 cameltracks.com

New Zealand & the rest of the World

Whether you’re a New Zealand Probus Club hunting for a travel experience at home or an Australian Probus Club ducking across the pond, NZ’s rich palette of possibilities makes it one of the most wondrous countries on earth. On the following pages, we’ve chosen just a small selection to get the juices flowing. Or, for Tour Officers from either country looking to plan for an international travel adventure, you’ll also find ideas for the Pacific Islands, Asia, Europe, the USA and Canada. Let the adventure begin...

118 NEW ZEALAND & THE PACIFIC ISLANDS

120 Cherry blossoms in New Zealand 120 Bay of Islands 121 Hawke’s Bay 122 Southern Lights 123 Queenstown 124 Vanuatu 124 Bora Bora, French Polynesia 126 New Caledonia 126 Solomon Islands

132 ASIA

134 Beijing, China 134 Matsumoto to Takayama, Japan 136 Cameron Highlands, Malaysia 136 Seoul, South Korea 137 Kampot, Cambodia 138 Java, Indonesia

140 EUROPE

142 A trip through Ireland 142 The city of Lisbon 143 Cruise the Adriatic Coast 143 Central Europe Christmas Markets 144 Travel around Switzerland 144 RHS Chelsea Flower Show, London 145 The city of Paris 146 Architectural wonders of Spain 146 The Romantic Road of Germany 147 Vinterjazz Festival, Denmark

148 USA & CANADA

150 Alaska 150 Southwest National Parks 151 The Historic Triangle 152 Toronto 152 Yukon and Northwest Territories