Gripped by the Territory streaming on your screen? Now you want your own Territory adventure, right? Territory (the series) was filmed on locations across the Top End. Here’s how you can see the best of the Territory. For Real.
The real Territory (not the one on your screen) is all about dramatic landscapes. Characters larger than life. Cattle stations bigger than some countries which stretch well beyond the horizon. Oh sure, Territory (the series streaming on your screen) is pretty special and you’re likely riveted by the drama and cinematography. But, you know what? The Territory IRL is pretty extraordinary. For Real.
Katherine Outback Experience
Brush off your Akubra, slap on some denim and settle in for a real insight into station life at Katherine Outback Experience. You’ll be ringside and close, where it’s raw and it’s real with action aplenty. Celebrate all things Territorian where working dogs and horses are the stars of the show. Though singer-songwriter Tom Curtain – an Aussie superstar with two Golden Guitars from Tamworth Country Music Awards – is the human guitar-wielding star.
Over two hours of music, storytelling and demonstrations you’ll learn what it takes to work with dogs and horses on a cattle station. Plus, you’ll hear from stockmen and stockwomen whose working lives are replicated in series’ like Territory. But this is for real. Sign up for a Stockman’s Experience and you’ll go behind the scenes and learn how wild horses are tamed and how to train a cattle dog. Like we said, it’s true-blue and it’s very real. It’s also interactive, enthralling and is definitely not to be missed.
Bullo River Station
Far out west near the West Australian border, Bullo River Station combines conservation (in partnership with Australian Wildlife Conservancy) with all the day-to-day action of a working cattle station. Covering 1,650sq km of Outback Australia, the station is more than twice the size of Singapore. Bullo is home to more than 200 resident and migratory birds (some are endangered), short-eared rock wallabies and little-seen chameleon dragons who are kings of camouflage. But the real hero of Bullo are bovine (Brahman cattle to be exact) and you’ll find plenty of opportunity to ogle cattle.
Take a scenic helicopter flight across plains where cattle and wild buffalo graze and winding rivers are dissected by gorges and waterfalls. Immerse yourself in Aboriginal culture on Djarrany-Djarrany Country and admire ancient rock art. Cruise the Bullo River to see towering cliffs and mangrove forests. With more than 80km of river winding through station lands, you’ll have every chance to land a barra or spot a croc.
Bamurru Plains
You’re in the Territory but you’ll wonder if you’re in Africa (the kangaroos are a giveaway) when you check into Bamurru Plains. Styled on wild bush luxury, you’ll sleep in mesh-walled safari-style tents and fall asleep beneath star-filled skies. Awake to endless grassy plains and savanna woodlands lining the banks of the Mary River. Water buffalo graze on floodplains dotted with blooming lilies. The sky darkens with flocks of magpie geese on their annual migration. Ever-present crocodiles await opportunistically for a feast.
Bamurru is a working buffalo station covering more than 300sq km which has Kakadu National Park as a neighbour. Take a game drive in an open-topped safari jeep to look for buffalo, crocs and perhaps the famed black-necked stork (often mistakenly called a Jabiru). Cruise the floodplains on an exhilarating airboat adventure or settle into the elevated Hide for more wildlife-spotting. Linger over poolside cocktails as the Territory’s famed sunsets tint the sky scarlet. Sit down to native-inspired gourmet cuisine. Don’t be surprised to see paperbark-smoked barramundi or wattle seed seasoned kangaroo fillet on the menu. Naturally, paired wines accompany each course.
Seven Emu Station
Get way Outback, all the way to the coastal shores of the Gulf of Carpentaria. If you’re on a self-drive 4WD adventure on the Savannah Way, you’ll find Seven Emu Station a terrific diversion. The station is 150km east of Borroloola after crossing the Robinson River. You’ll capture bragging rights photos that will be the envy of those stuck at home watching Territory on their screens. Aboriginal-owned and operated by the Shadforth family for four generations, Seven Emu Station offers a unique opportunity to see both a cattle station and wildlife sanctuary from an Indigenous perspective. Camp at rustic stockmen’s camps overlooking Robinson River or Shark Creek, and don’t forget to bring your fishing line – the barra are always biting!
More than 3,000sq km of pastoral land has been sanctioned as a private nature reserve called Pungalina-Seven Emu Wildlife Sanctuary. The conservation zone incorporates rugged sandstone plateaus to coastal wetlands and tidal floodplains feeding into the Gulf of Carpentaria. Card-carrying twitchers (aka bird watchers) should look out for fairy wrens, egrets, brolgas and sea eagles (even if you’re not a twitcher, you soon will be). Keep an eye out for bull sharks hunting salmon. So too dugongs, turtles and crocodiles which inhabit coastal waters.
Finniss River Lodge
Covering 202sq km, Finniss River Lodge is twice as large as Darwin and surrounds ( or twice the size of Phillip Island in Victoria) – it’s mammoth in every direction. But don’t be distracted by the numbers, Finniss is seriously impressive. Like 6 modern suites with luxurious trimmings. Fine dining 3 times (at least!) a day. Exhilarating airboat cruises across vast floodplains for epic croc spotting adventures. Where canapés at sunset come with cattle and mammoth termite mounds cast deep shadows across grasslands.
Finniss is a working cattle station around an hour’s drive from Darwin. The lodge lies amidst vast floodplains that sustain life for Brahman cattle along with abundant wildlife and birdlife. There’s a chef on hand to prepare gourmet cuisine paired with fine wines. Bring your boots and Akubra hat. But you might also want to toss in a little black dress or a crisply ironed shirt for dinner – Finniss is Territory-style fancy. For real.
Swimming holes you’ll only find in the Territory
- Berry Springs Nature Park – Spring-fed natural swimming pools surrounded by lush forest less than one hour from Darwin
- Katherine Hot Springs – Thermal hot springs on the Katherine River shaded by pandanus palms in the heart of Katherine
- Litchfield National Park – A vast nature park about 90 min from Darwin with year-round swimming holes, waterfalls (Wangi Falls, Florence Falls and Buley Rockhole) , walking trails and campsites
Outback experiences you’ll only find in the Territory
- Hawk Dreaming Wilderness Lodge – Stay in the heart of Kakadu National Park for exclusive access to Cannon Hill rock art sites
- Croc spotting at Cahills Crossing – The East Alligator River is a hotspot for viewing crocs in the wild complete with an elevated viewing platform
- Heli pub crawl – Grab a handful of your best mates for a heli-pub crawl flying to four remote pubs in true Territory style
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