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Kakadu National Park is found in the Northern Territory of Australia, and is roughly the same size as Israel, or half the size of Switzerland!
The name Kakadu comes from the mispronunciation of ‘Gagudju’ which is the name of an Aboriginal language spoken in the northern part of the Park. So here you will not only find some of the most stunning landscapes in the country, but also an array of Indigenous Australian culture dating back tens of thousands of years!
Explore monsoon forests, floodplains, native bush, crocodile infested rivers, sandstone valleys, waterfalls and lush rock pools (for cooling off in!). Kakadu is accessed through the city of Darwin, and you definitely need a four wheel drive and a sense of adventure!
I was lucky enough to experience Kakadu and Litchfield National Parks with Adventure Tours Australia, on their 3 day 4WD tour. I highly recommend taking a guided tour of the area, as much of the park is inacessible at certain times of the year and you really need a local’s advice!
The dry season is the best time to visit this natural wonder, but check with your local Backpackers World Travel consultant to see which parts of the park are open when you want to go!
Alice Springs and its surroundings is commonly known as the heart of Australia. Not only is it the very centre of this enormous and beautiful country, it is also one of the most spectacular places in this country. From the impressive red rock Uluru to the stunning beauty of Kings Canyon. It is impressive! Apart from giving you great photo oportunities and an amazing experience, you also have great chances of learning LOTS from the guides about aboriginal culture, the creation of this land and the many different animals the region is lucky to accommodate. When you get the chance to go - TAKE IT!!!
Theresa Engberg
BWT, Brisbane
 PUB in Alice, Northern Territory
In May-June this year I had the good fortune of spending two months living, working and playing in the NT whilst working in our branch in Alice Springs. As soon as I arrived I felt right at home with the small town vibe, country-style living, 4WD’s, utes, red dirt, dust, 31 degree heat and flies!
My passion for The Alice and surrounds continued to grow as I constantly found myself high atop a moutain range gazing out at the arid vastness of the semi-desert region with seemingly endless blue skies with some of the friendliest folk I’ve ever encountered.
Whilst I saw and did alot in two months, the highlight would undoubtedly be the weekend spent hiking Mount Zeil, the highest mountain in the NT and the highest point west of the Great Dividing Range. In a hired 4WD from a local operator we ventured north west of Alice along the infamous Tanami Track. Cooking equipment and a borrowed swag were easy to come by when the expedition party consists of four tour guides, two ex guides and myself (aka the blow-in!) The night was spent bush camping under the stars in the Aussie outback. After a solid nine hours hiking with an hour’s reprieve for lunch, we had successfully scaled Zeil, hiking an estimated 18-21 k’s!
What a wonderful experience living in The Alice - a remote, rugged outpost that is the heart of Central Australia!
Julie Salway
BWT, Cairns QLD
 Camping in the outback
The first thing what comes up to my mind talking about Northern Territory is the Red Centre. I went there with my parents two years ago. Not knowing what to expect I booked us on a three-day tour. To my surprise it was one of the tougher ones requiring sleeping in swags in the middle of the bush, participating in cooking the food and maintaining the fire through the night to make sure everyone is kept warm.
I wasn’t really sure how well would my parents cope with it (especially my mum), but they did a great job with no complaints and enjoyed experiencing this absolutely unique red sanded part of Australia very much. Here is my motto: ” There is no age limit in the Red Centre ”
Gabriela Sauerova
BWT, Sydney
 Hot air balloon, Northern Territory
The Northern Territory is big.. really BIG. It is the size of France, Italy and Spain put together! thats 1.38 million square kilometres.. which is only 18% of Australia.
One of the most iconic symbols of the Northern territory (and Australia) is Ayers Rock, Uluru.. this is also really big (bigger than you think!). It is 348 metres high, thats 24 metres taller than the Eiffel Tower! 39 metres taller than the Sydney Tower and 209 metres taller the Sydney Harbour Bridge!
In fact if you take the pole off the top of the Empire State Building, Uluru stands shoulder to shoudler with it!Its not just tall either. It wide too! 750 metres wide! thats three thousand, seven hundred and fifty koalas wide!In total, Uluru takes up 0.2km of land.. thats the same as Vatican City.. the worlds smallest country! The only difference is Uluru is older and more red.
Tim Halliday
BWT, Surfers Paradise, QLD
 Kings Canyon, Northern Territory
Australia has so much to offer and I’ve seen most of it but nothing compares to the gigantic Kings Canyon . The amazing work of nature still amazes me time after time and I dream about going back.
I remember climbing up to the top of Kings canyon and maybe for me, as unfit as I am, it was a struggle but definitely worth it. On top of Kings Canyon you feel like you’re on top of the world and everything’s possible. It’s a whole other world up there and you can only experience it by getting there, touching the plants, walking on the red rock and staring down with only thing on your mind – vertigo. In the midst of it all is a waterhole, right on the bottom between the tall walls. It’s so intimate, away from the rest of the world and water is freezing! But after a walk it feels like a blow of fresh air. After hours walking you return back on ground and all you want to do is climb up again to experience it all – fit or unfit.
Milla
BWT, Sussex Street, Sydney
Litchfield waterfalls, Northern Territory
If you only have a limited amount of time to spend in the Darwin, make sure you get to the Litchfield National Park to experience the waterfalls and unbelievable magic of the Top End. The park can be experienced all in one day - although we’d recommend you take more time if you can! A dip in the divine fresh water oasis will cure you of all your worries and set the theme for your dreams in many nights to come.
Backpackers World Travel will make sure you get on the right tour to suit your needs - and the right tour to make sure you get to all the right water holes! Don’t forget there are tours, and there are tours and Backpackers World Travel crew know you didn’t come all this way to get stuck on the wrong tour for you!
Nathalie, Backpackers World Travel, Darwin.
There’s no TV around the campfire at night so it seemed like the only thing left to do was to … have A WEDDING! It wasn’t quite Prescilla: The Movie, however we managed to get two staff members (our Product Manager and our Marketing Manager) to commit to not only providing you with the best product available, but also to the ever important task of finding a cappuccino and a plug for the straightening iron no matter where you go. Above we are doing the dance of the Desert Cap. (The bride, Ilona, on the right wears a fly screen veil by Desert Bride, the groom, Ted, wears a tuxo Tshirt, the best chick, Anika, models the latest in water bottle accessories and myself, Leesa, to the left, wore a cross made from dehydrated stick insects).
If you want to know where to go to combine Northern Territory fun with some of the small luxuries in life all on a backpacker budget, come see us at Backpackers World Travel!
Leesa, Backpackers World Travel, Melbourne
Northern Territory Wedding & Birthday
There’s something about the warm wind and the endless sky in the Northern Territory that makes you feel care free and on top of the world! It’s true, you can see forever and ever on the endless horizon up here! Come see us at Backpackers World Travel to make sure you get on the right tour and don’t miss out on any of the top spots!
Cindy, Backpackers World Travel, Sydney
Just a note: this is what a Kings Canyon sunste looks like at the end of the day!
Steve, Area Manager, Sydney
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