Top 10 things to do in the NT for backpackers

If you are backpacking Australia, the Northern Territory is full of bucket list moments that go beyond the ordinary.

Think waterfall chasing, sunrise hikes across ancient landscapes and sunsets your camera cannot quite do justice. Take it slow, stay flexible and leave room for the unexpected.

From the tropical Top End to the Red Centre, these are the bucket list experiences every backpacker needs to add to their NT itinerary.

1. Float through natural thermal springs

Journey into the Katherine region and drift through warm, palm lined springs where time slows and the landscape does the rest. Here are the spots not to miss.

• Mataranka Thermal Pool - Palm fringed and crystal clear, ideal for an easy soak at your own pace.
• Bitter Springs - A gentle tropical float beneath leaning pandanus and paperbarks, best enjoyed slowly.
• Katherine Hot Springs - Easy to reach tiered thermal pools near town, perfect for a relaxed swim between adventures.

2. Hike Kings Canyon at sunrise

Often overlooked on the way to Uluru, the Kings Canyon Rim Walk within Watarrka National Park is one of the Northern Territory’s most unforgettable hikes. An early start rewards you with cooler temperatures, glowing sandstone cliffs and sweeping views across the canyon.

The climb begins with a series of steep steps, but the effort quickly pays off with dramatic panoramas, ancient rock formations and moments that feel completely still.

Budget tip: The Rim Walk can be completed self-guided, allowing you to explore at your own pace.

3. Chase waterfalls in Litchfield

Just 90 minutes from Darwin, Litchfield National Park delivers instant reward. Sealed roads make it easy to visit multiple swimming spots in one day. While there are plenty of places to discover, a few highlights include:

• Wangi Falls - large waterhole with easy access for all travellers.
• Florence Falls - plunge pool shaded by monsoonal rainforest perfection.
• Buley Rockhole - tiered rock pools made for all-day lounging.

Got a 4WD? Relax, explore and escape away from the crowds and head to Tjaynera Falls (Sandy Creek) or Surprise Creek Falls. Camp overnight, cook dinner under the stars and wake up ready for round two.

Some swimming spots in the Top End are seasonal. Check conditions before you go.

Budget tip: Litchfield is easy to visit on a self-drive day trip from Darwin, making it one of the most affordable ways to experience waterfalls and swimming holes in the Top End.

4. Swim at desert 'beaches’ in the West MacDonnell Ranges

In the Tjoritja/West MacDonnell Ranges, you may be hundreds of kilometres from the coast, but the desert still delivers beach moments. Waterholes such as Ormiston Gorge and Ellery Creek Big Hole pair soft sand and clear water with striking red rock backdrops.

5. Canoe through Nitmiluk Gorge

Paddle between towering sandstone walls and experience Nitmiluk Gorge from the water. Hiring a canoe lets you explore at your own pace, moving between gorges and discovering quiet corners along the way.

Budget tip: Split canoe hire with friends for one of the best value adventures in Katherine.

6. Spot a crocodile

The NT is home to the world’s largest wild crocodile population, watch safely from designated viewing areas at Cahills Crossing, take a wildlife cruise through Kakadu’s wetlands (Yellow Waters Cruise or Guluyambi Cultural Cruise) or experience the Adelaide River on a jumping crocodile cruise (Adelaide River Cruises, The Original Adelaide River Queen or Spectacular Jumping Crocodile cruise).

Note: Always read signage and Be Crocwise around Northern Territory waterways.

7. Eat laksa for breakfast at the Parap Village Markets

Darwin does breakfast differently. Start your morning in the Parap Village Markets laksa queue. Grab a bowl of the noodle soup, find a shady table and soak up the tropical market atmosphere before a day of exploring.

8. Feel the magic of Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park

Uluṟu is iconic for a reason. Watch the colours shift at sunrise and sunset, walk sections of the base and take time to understand its significance to Anangu. Stay overnight to experience desert skies at their most unforgettable.

Budget tip: Travel between April and September for better value and fewer crowds.

9. End the day at Mindil Beach Sunset Markets

Grab something to eat from the market stalls, make your way to the beach and settle in for one of Darwin’s best sunset moments.

From late April to late October, Thursday and Sunday evenings become a ritual as street food, live music and sunset come together on the sand.

10. Step into the dual World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park

In Kakadu National Park, you will find rugged escarpments, awe inspiring waterfalls and rock art galleries dating back up to 20,000 years. Here are the highlights you cannot miss.

• Walk past ancient rock art galleries at Ubirr and Nourlangie to see stories shared for tens of thousands of years.
• Climb to the Ubirr lookout at sunset for sweeping floodplain views.
• When seasonal conditions allow, add swimming spots of Gunlom Falls, Jim Jim Falls and Maguk Falls to your itinerary.
• Cruise through the wetlands on a Yellow Water cruise and watch the landscape come alive.

Budget tip: Travel with friends and share fuel and accommodation costs. Travel between April and September for better value and fewer crowds. Plan multiple Kakadu highlights in one visit to get the most value from your parks pass.

Want to keep the adventures rolling? Many travellers arrive for the bucket list and stay for the lifestyle. A working holiday in the Northern Territory gives you the chance to earn, explore, turning short trips into extended adventures.