The Territory is known for its spectacular landscapes, epic skies, crystal clear streams, thundering waterfalls, abundant wildlife and star-lit silence. Visit during summer and you'll find the colours, the sights and the sounds of the bush are just a little bit more intense and a little wilder (in a fun sort of way!).
Tropical summer (or 'the wet', as Territorians call it) is famous for its block-buster lightning storms, moody skies, pumping waterfalls, bulging river systems teeming with fish and lush, green National Parks that absolutely glisten with growth at this time of the year. It’s also a slower time when everything eases into a relaxed pace. Summer is a perfect to connect with Aboriginal culture, the oldest living culture on earth.
So slip into something comfortable,disconnect from your devices and reconnect with nature. Embark on your own wild summer reality show with jaw-dropping Territory nature as the backdrop.
1. Colours of Kakadu
Over the summer holidays while everyone is clamouring for towel space on a hectic beach, Kakadu National Park is undergoing a transformation into a tropical garden-like paradise.
The wildlife spotting opportunities are next level. The landscape is lush and everything bursts with new life. Flowers spring up in a riot of colour and tall native spear grasses emerge, some more than 2m tall. Wild berries, plums, bush potatoes and little fruits blossom and trees bud with new growth.
You can drive the 253km from Darwin to World Heritage-listed Kakadu in justa couple of hours. Many of the popular areas such as Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) and Yellow Water Billabong are open all year round. If you'd rather leave the driving to others, take a private tour with Venture North Safaris to Kakadu so you can sit back and enjoy the scenery.
If you drive yourself, keep your schedule flexible as the weather may change suddenly, check the daily access report and buy yourKakadu NP access pass online before you travel. Do as the locals do and keep an eye on the BOM radar throughout the day.
2. Do go chasing waterfalls
With monsoonal rains draining off the Arnhem Land plateau and cascading into Kakadu’s floodplains, the full-flowing waterfalls are at their dramatic best during the tropical summer.
Book in for a scenic flight with Kakadu Air and Airborne Solutions to see Jim Jim Falls and Twin Falls in all their wet-season magnificence as you watch water surging over rugged sandstone stacks into creeks below. You'll have a bird’s eye view that will stay with you long after your holiday, leaving you with endless bragging rights. Let’s be honest, who wants to do what everyone else is doing?
Make sure you add Nitmiluk National Park to your plans and see the magnificent gorge in all its glory with a variety of scenic heli flights. One option includes a remote landing for an Insta-worthy pic along the top ridge. There is no road access to this spectacular and secluded location and with not another soul in sight you'll have the entire gorge to yourself.
3. Jump into a world of wild water
One of the reasons locals love tropical summer is the chance to escape the heat with a dip in crystal clear swimming holes. A firm favourite is Litchfield National Park, just over an hour's drive from Darwin. Litchfield is home to stunning waterfalls, scenic walks andswimming holes. Most are open year round, but it's best to check the Parks website before you visit Florence Falls, Buley Rockhole, Wangi Falls and the Cascades are open all year round. If you’re a visitor apply for a park pass before your visit.
Moline Rockhole in the southern part of Kakadu is a beautiful place not many people know about. The perfect place to cool down and relax, it’s open during the wet season and not far off the main road (Kakadu Highway). You will need a 4WD if self-driving, or you could book on one of the many group tours to Kakadu.
Further afield is the pandanus-fringed Leliyn (Edith Falls) in Nitmiluk National Park, about 290km south of Darwin, the spring-fed Mataranka thermal pools, set amongst palms and tropical woodlands in Elsey National Park, and Bitter Springs, an unexpected sweet spot, an hour’s drive south of Katherine. The water has a lazy river feel as you wash away your city worries on a gentle float downstream before hopping out and doing it again. It’s one of our personal faves.
4. Take a scenic cruise in Kakadu
Hopping aboard a boat and seeing Kakadu from its waterways is a phenomenal way to take in this World Heritage site during the wet season.
A handy base is Cooinda Lodge, from where you can hook up with Yellow Water Cruises to cruise amongst crocodiles and a sweeping smorgasbord of birdlife at sunrise. They can also organise 4WD tours and a visit to the Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre nearby.
Enjoy the spectacular scenery of the East Alligator River with the unique Guluyambi Cultural Cruise (check for seasonal closures). At the height of the seasonal flooding, the operation moves to Magela Creek (generally from February to March) where you will glide along billabongs of water lily pads on a unique tour of Ubirr and Magela Wetlands. Savour the sights, sounds and smells on a guided cruise through paperbark forest and a tangled jungle of branches, birds and nests. After the cruise, visit Ubirr, one of Kakadu National Park’s most famous Aboriginal rock art galleries. It’s not to be missed.
5. Walk in lush landscapes
Lace up your hiking boots and head to Yurmikmik for a series of interconnected walking trails. Based in Kakadu’s southern region, these monsoon rainforest-lined paths, with secluded swimming holes and woodland wildlife, are possibly one of the Top End’s best-kept secrets.
When the creeks, plunge pools and waterfalls have been topped up by the tropical summer rains the country comes alive, making summer a spectacular time to visit the NT.
There are several trails from moderate to difficult (Boulder Creek Walk, Yurmikmik Lookout Walk, Motor Car Falls Walks, a particular favourite, and Kurrundie Creek Walk) but we promise you won’t be disappointed. For more info, download this pack from Parks Australia and check the Kakadu access report. Venture North Safaris offer private tours if you’d rather a guided tour.
Be aware that crocodiles pose a risk year-round and you should always be crocwise near waterways in the Top End.
6. Book a summer tour and get the best of the season
Make life simple and book a green season Litchfield and Kakadu tour with Ethical Adventures or private tours with Venture North Safaris.
These tour operators embrace the Top End in tropical summer, giving you the chance to awaken your senses, feel the power of nature and witness electrifying afternoon storms without worrying about spare tyres and breaking down.
Marvel at misty mornings on floodplains and wild waterfalls, swim in outback creeks, try some seasonal bush tucker, spot a brolga or a regal black-necked stork (jabiru) and visit Aboriginal art centres while surrounded by ancient Indigenous culture and stories. The only thing you have to do is get amongst it and let the movie-reel of Mother Nature capture your heart and soul.
7. Have the Top End to yourself
Experience the vibrant, blooming landscape during wet season without the hustle and the bustle of crowds. This means you can take your time to explore, truly appreciate the wildlife, enjoy the tranquillity and listen to the calming sounds of a plumed whistling duck, a rainbow bee-eater or azure kingfisher.
Kakadu is home to 280 different types of birds, 120 species of reptiles and 25 species of frogs. Fogg Dam, about a 45 minute drive from Darwin, is also a bird watchers paradise with nearly 200 species. Drive slowly along the road (the dam wall) and look for Little Egret, Royal Spoonbill, Pied Heron, Comb-crested Jacana and others. Keep an eye for green water lilies and other flowering plants.
The wet season also means you’ll have the chance to have some one-on-one time with local guides and rangers atTop End national parks. Make sure to take the time to ask them about the local flora and fauna, Aboriginal art and cultural centres, and their favourite parts of this wild, untamed land.