Stats & Facts
Where
The Northern Territory counts for 15.5 per cent of Australia’s land mass and its boundaries encompass the mid north coast of Australia to the arid heart of Central Australia.
The Territory has two major gateways; Darwin and Alice Springs. Darwin is the capital of the Territory and a great base for exploring World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park.
To the south, Alice Springs is a modern outback town and the gateway to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.
The vast area between the two towns is a patchwork of sprawling cattle stations, country towns and more than 100 national parks and reserves.
Area
1.35 million km2
Population
199,900
Capital
Perched on a huge harbour and overlooking the Timor Sea, Darwin is the capital of the Northern Territory and a bustling, multi-cultural city. Famed for its tropical weather, outdoor lifestyle, barramundi fishing, sunsets over the sea and lively market culture, Darwin is also an ideal base to explore Kakadu and Litchfield National Parks and the Tiwi Islands.
Currency
Australian dollar
Language
English
Timezone
GMT + 9.30 (daylight saving is not observed in the Northern Territory)
Climate
The Northern Territory is so big that it covers two very distinctive climate zones.
The first is the Territory’s tropical north, which includes the Darwin, Kakadu and Katherine regions. This region starts the year with heavy rain that brings the landscape to life.
Towards mid-year, the humidity levels drop and the days are warm and sunny and nights are cool. The end of the year is pre-monsoonal season, the rain is on its way again and humidity levels rise.
The second zone is Central Australia, which is the Territory’s desert centre and includes the Alice Springs, Uluru/Ayers Rock and Barkly regions.
This zone is semi-arid and has four seasons: summer, autumn, winter and spring. The monsoon rains do not extend this far south and there is no tropical rainy season.
Getting There
Via Darwin
Darwin is within four hours flying time of all Australian capital cities. Qantas has regular flights to Darwin from most Australian capital cities as well as cairns.
There are regular connecting flights between Darwin, Alice Springs and Ayers Rock. The Ghan now travels into Darwin from Adelaide once a week and cruise ships arrive in Darwin regularly.
Via Alice Springs
Virgin Blue flies to Alice Springs from Melbourne and Adelaide and Qantas has regular flights to Alice Springs from most Australian capital cities. Alice Springs sits on the fully sealed Explorer’s Way, 1,500 kilometres south of Darwin and 440 kilometres north-east of Uluru.
The drive from Darwin takes about four days, with overnight stops along the way. The Ghan stops in Alice Springs, Katherine and Tennant Creek twice a week on its way to Darwin from Adelaide and back.
Holidays & Festivals
Public Holidays & Festivals 2009
Jan 01 New Year's Day
Jan 26 Australia Day
Apr 10 Good Friday
Apr 11 Easter Saturday
Apr 13 Easter Monday
April 25 Anzac Day
May 04 Labour Day
Jun 08 Queens Birthday
Aug 03 Picnic Day
Dec 25 Christmas Day
Dec 26 Boxing Day
Useful Contacts
For more information on Northern Territory visit http://en.travelnt.com/
To visit the Corporate Site click on Tourist Commission