What to Do in the Northern Territory – According to Qantas Frequent Flyers

Planning a trip to the Northern Territory? We asked Qantas Frequent Flyers to share their highlights, from a first-hand discovery of Aboriginal culture at the Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park to uncovering Darwin’s secret city bars. 

“We completed the 10 kilometre Base Walk circling Uluṟu with a local Aṉangu guide who shared Dreaming stories with us and highlighted sacred sites that we passed during the walk.” – David Keys, Gold Frequent Flyer

Returning to Uluṟu after 25 years was almost like seeing it for the first time, especially viewing it through the eyes of my partner, who had never been there before. The experiences now are much more thoughtful, respectful and meaningful. We completed the 10-kilometre Base Walk, circling Uluṟu with a local Aṉangu guide who shared Dreaming stories with us and highlighted sacred sites that we passed during the walk. Afterwards, we  visited the spectacular Field of Light installation – about 20 kilometres from Uluṟu and where 50,000 LED lights illuminate the desert – and took a helicopter ride above Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park. Stargazing at the outdoor Sounds of Silence dining experience was also incredible – I saw Saturn’s rings through a telescope. But the highlight was the Wintjiri Wiṟu Sunset Dinner. It started with a glass of champagne and nibbles and then, as the sun set behind Uluṟu, we were seated in a desert amphitheatre with a gourmet picnic hamper. Overhead, 1200 drones lit up the night sky with moving images accompanied by music and storytelling in the local Pitjantjatjara language. I was at a loss for words. 

David flew Sydney to Ayers Rock

“We based ourselves in Darwin’s CBD and spent our nights exploring city laneways and discrete, hidden bars.” – Ash Lane, Platinum Frequent Flyer

“I took a friend who was visiting from the United States to Darwin. She was expecting to encounter red dirt roads and characters like Crocodile Dundee, so the tropical, modern city completely surprised her. We based ourselves in Darwin’s CBD and spent our nights exploring city laneways and hidden bars. We needed help locating the unmarked door to enter Hanky Panky Lounge, a popular whiskey and cocktail spot with great bartenders. Another under-the-radar gem is Charlie’s of Darwin, a brilliant rooftop distillery accessed through a secret roller door entrance that serves its own locally inspired gin incorporating native botanicals such as Kakadu plum. Our mornings began with iced coffees – the old-school kind with a big dollop of vanilla ice-cream – from The 1995 café, which is tucked into the retro Air Raid Arcade on Cavenagh Street and renowned for its friendly service and inviting atmosphere. For our big-ticket dinner, we chose Sri Lankan restaurant Ella by Minoli. Its chef, Minoli De Silva, is a former MasterChef Australia contestant and she brings her Sri Lankan heritage to the menu, which blew us away with its array of fresh, complex curries.”

Ash flew Perth to Darwin

“Drifting silently above the desert as the ranges turned pink and gold was pure magic.” – Alison Moore, Bronze Frequent Flyer.

I first visited Alice Springs while in the Northern Territory during a working holiday from Ireland, where I used to do guided tours through the Red Centre. The NT has had a special place in my heart ever since and when I returned, it felt like coming home. This time, I road-tripped with a friend from Alice Springs to Kings Canyon, Kata Tjuṯa and Uluṟu and then to the East and West MacDonnell Ranges to soak up the landscape at our own pace. There are incredible camping spots, such as Rainbow Valley and Redbank Gorge, where there’s a stunning waterhole at the end of the two-kilometre return Creek Walk.

I’d wanted to take a sunrise balloon ride over Alice Springs for years and for Christmas two generous friends gifted me a ticket to the experience. I love that time – there’s a blanket of stars, a soft wind and everything is so still. Drifting silently above the desert as the ranges turned pink and gold was pure magic. Coming in to land was thrilling as the basket glided gently towards the ground, and upon disembarking we were handed a glass of bubbly.

Throughout our journey the views were spectacular. I loved the astonishing Garden of Eden, a lush oasis in the desert along the Kings Canyon rim walk. On the Valley of the Winds 7.4-kilometre return walk, the Karingana Lookout, situated between two of Kata Tjuṯa’s domes, offers a stunning vantage point overlooking the landscape. On a visit to the Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park Cultural Centre near the rock, I bought artwork by Aṉangu artist Theresa Taylor at Walkatjara Art. Every time I look at it I’m taken right back to the desert. 

Alison flew Sydney to Alice Springs.

“Kayaking through Nitmiluk Gorge is awesome.” – Ivy Carruth, Bronze Frequent Flyer

“My partner and I decided to challenge ourselves with a 15-day campervan journey along the Northern Territory portion of the 3700-kilometre Savannah Way, which stretches from Cairns in Queensland to Broome, Western Australia. The highlight was an awesome full-day kayak tour through Nitmiluk Gorge [pictured], a half-hour drive from the town of Katherine. Surrounded by towering rock formations, we floated past waterfalls and little caves then went for a dip in secluded rock pools. The only sounds that accompanied us were birdsong and the quiet slice of our paddles through the water. 

“We also fell head over heels for the NT’s offbeat roadhouses. The Daly Waters Pub, between Darwin and Alice Springs, felt like it was in the middle of nowhere. Despite its location, it’s almost a city unto itself: there’s a pub, accommodation, roaming longhorn cattle, donkeys, Shetland ponies and even a crocodile. It’s wild.”

Ivy flew Qantas from Sydney to Darwin.

“The landscape is a living artwork – it’s the greatest rock show on earth.” – Julia D’Orazio, Silver Frequent Flyer

“I flew from Perth to Alice Springs with Qantas codeshare partner Airnorth on a four-day itinerary and it was, without doubt, the greatest rock show on earth. It’s not just Uluru; it’s Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon, too. For a happy hour unlike any other, the Sounds of Silence experience involves sipping sparkling wine and nibbling on canapés while perched on a dune overlooking Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. As darkness fell, music played on a  didgeridoo, setting the mood for a bush-tucker-inspired three-course dinner, followed by an astro-tour of the night sky.

“In Kings Canyon, I saw artist Bruce Munro’s latest installation in the Red Centre: Light-Towers. The experience involves wandering in darkness among 69 towers made from glass bottles, each filled with fibre-optic cables that change colours in response to the music emanating from within. In my opinion, it’s Munro’s most enchanting work yet.”  

Julia flew Qantas codeshare partner Airnorth from Perth to Alice Springs.

“Sleeping under the stars in Jabiru opened my eyes to a different way of travelling.” – Gabriel Forbes, Bronze Frequent Flyer

“I flew to Darwin to meet with a friend who was on the last leg of a two-month-long road trip. When I arrived, he told me we were going camping. We headed to Kakadu National Park and set up at Aurora Kakadu Lodge in Jabiru, near the Arnhem Land escarpment. There are lots of hikes and daytrips that can be done from there, including visiting the ancient rock paintings at Burrungkuy (Nourlangie), a 30-minute drive south of Jabiru. It was a humbling experience. 

“One of the biggest thrills was going to Cahills Crossing on the East Alligator River. At night, we’d lie on the roof of the van and look at the stars. This trip opened my eyes to a different way to travel. I couldn’t thank my friend enough for this gift.” 

Gabriel flew Qantas from Melbourne to Darwin.

SEE ALSO: What to Do in South Australia – According to Qantas Frequent Flyers