5 places you NEED on your NT to do list

The northern territory is a vast state. Thousands of people travel from across Australia and from across the world to visit the northern territory every year. It's full of culture, national parks and red dirt. The territory is a must see for anyone on a long term trip to Australia. 

With all these things to see and do it can be a bit overwhelming trying to decide what, out of it all, you want to do. So here's 5 things you can start with, and I promise you, you won't want to stop here.

Darwin

You cannot miss the capital city of the Northern Territory. It's a lovely city with a relaxed, laid back vibe that fits to most people's idea of Australian life. Darwin is a great spot to take a fishing charter, enjoy a cold drink in the harbour or watch the sun go down over the sea. There's also heaps of wildlife and crocodile parks you can visit to get up close and personal with some of the Territory's and Australia's most dangerous residents. 

Litchfield NP

Litchfield is a beautiful national park covering 1500 square kilometers just south of Darwin. It's full of stunning waterfalls, natural wonders and cultural highlights and it really is a must visit. There's so much to see in the park that you really need about three days if not more to see it all properly. However, if you're rushed for time Buley rock holes and Tjaynera Falls (Sandy Creek) are both beautiful spots but you will need a 4WD vehicle to get to Tjaynera. 

Kakadu NP

Another one of the NT's beautiful national parks and probably it's most famous. It's a tricky one though. In the wet season it's often too wet to visit by foot but in the dry most of the waterfalls don't run so it's all about getting your timing right. Though you don't need to worry too much. There's heaps of helicopter tour operators you can fly with to see everything in full flung wet season mode and in the dry there's still plenty of rock holes and Aboriginal rock art to see. We visited in the dry season and for us Ubirr was the most incredible part of the park. It's an Aboriginal rock art site which is fascinating but it's also a beautiful spot to watch the sunset from,

Alice Springs

Alice Springs is one of the largest towns in the NT and arguably the capital of the red centre. Aboriginal people have lived in the area thousands of years so again it's full of fantastic Aboriginal culture. There's also heaps of natural landscapes to have a look at such as the Macdonnel Ranges and Simpsons gap. However, for a bit of history about the town you should visit the old telegraph station. It's really cheap to get in and is a great spot by the river to discover some of Alice Springs past and also enjoy a picnic. 

Uluru and Kata Tjuta NP

As if I could write a post about the NT and not talk about this absolutely phenomenal place. It really is a must visit. If you're going to go to one place in the NT make it this place. It's so much more than an awesome looking rock. It will completely take your breath away. It costs $25 pp to get into the national park but it's worth it. Also make sure you take a ranger tour I promise you will get so much from it. 

Well, there's five places you really should visit when you're in the NT, but really there's so many more. I've got lots more blog posts about the NT planned so keep your eyes peeled for those in the coming weeks/months. 

If you think there's somewhere in the NT that's a must visit make sure you comment below or tweet me. 

Until next time,

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Pinch, punch, first of the month

It's October. It's October and I'm coping brilliantly with the fact that we're two months from the end of the year can you tell? No, but seriously another month has passed and it's been a good one.

I've spent every single day of September exploring the Northern Territory and having adventures. It has been an amazing month and there's so much to tell but I'll save all the details for another day when I'm not blogging from my phone and I have decent internet.

Since my last travel diaries we've got our vehicle back and working - touch wood, which is a relief. After a little longer than expected in Darwin we continued how we'd planned. 

We've spent the last week or so in the red centre. It's an incredible part of Australia where you'll as Alice Springs, Tennant Creek and of course Uluru. 

Uluru was like a dream. It was the most beautiful, spiritual place I can recall being. In a weird way it really touched and moved me being there. It's so culturally significant in so many ways and it's definitely something you have to see for yourself to really understand. Even multi award winning photographers can't capture what you feel and experience there.

However as I said there will be more detailed posts about all our adventures in the future so look out for those. 

Currently we're cooking pasta and sausages on a campsite in Coober Pedy, Souh Australia. We've got a couple of adventures planned before we head back to the farm so make sure you follow me on Instagram to keep up and also on Twitter and like on facebook. (All social media links are over in the little lemons on the side bar, I can't put them in here because the blogger app doesn't let you - sorry)

Also no sugar September is over! How did you do? I actually managed to do it and I've definitely realised I don't need as much sugar as I though and there's added sugar in a surprising amount of things. I celebrated with jelly beans today but I'll definitely be more conscious about how much sugar I'm taking in from now on. 

Well until next time,

Em x

The top end | The Travel Diaries

So I'm sat in a hotel room in Darwin writing this travel diaries. Yep, a hotel room. It feels very sophisticated and important although my paint stained Yamba fishing t-shirt says otherwise. Anyway this isn't a fashion blog so I'll get on with the travel diaries. 

Jack and I have been travelling around the territory for nearly three weeks and we've been loving it. It's incredible up here and really is like another world with all it's culture and amazing natural landscapes. It really is a must do for any Australian travelling trip and I'm so glad we had the chance to do it and that we took that chance. 

We started off in Darwin and I've fallen in love with Darwin as a city. It's beautiful relaxed and full of interesting and cool places. There's heaps of history here to take in as well as great restaurants, shops and places to relax. I feel like I'm writing a tourist information guide and I'm trying to sell Darwin to you but it really is awesome here. 

Of course we couldn't come all the way up here and not check out the array of national parks on offer. We headed to Litchfield first and it's beautiful. There's so many natural spectacles to take in from waterfalls to mind blowing rock formations, and plenty of places to swim croc free which is just what you need at the end of a top end day. Kakadu is also incredible however because we're here at the end of the dry season there not many of the waterfalls are flowing but the plunge pools are still beautiful and there's so much Aboriginal culture in Kakadu that it doesn't matter. 

We've still got Nitmiluk national park to see when we leave Darwin and also Alice Springs and Uluru so there's still lots on the to do list but for now we're enjoying Darwin again for a little. 

Of course no travel diaries is without it's drama so here's how we ended up in a fancy hotel room rather than a campsite. Heading to Darwin last night from Kakadu we had a spot of bother with 'the Effy' also known as the F250 we're driving around, kindly lent to us by our employers. We had a break down. Dirty fuel put an end to our drive, three attempts to clean the fuel filter and bleed the engine and lots of swearing later we crumpled and got a tow truck to come and fetch us. Luckily we have the nicest employers and we found the nicest towing company in the territory (NT towing if you're wondering) so we were on to a winner and we'll have Effy back tomorrow morning. 

Just another tale for the diaries I suppose.

Until next time,

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All photos are from my Instagram account, make sure to follow me there for more frequent updates of our adventures!

Pre-NT check list

As you're reading this Jack and I will be travelling around the Northern Territory. The NT home to some of the most beautiful natural landscapes with dozens of national parks and not to mention the iconic Uluru (Ayers Rock). Full of diverse landscapes, ancient culture and colourful characters it's a must visit on your Australian trip.

However, the NT is also extremely arid and towns are few and far between in some parts so it's best to be prepared. It's important you have a few things in tow before even considering taking on the Northern Territory. Jack and I got lot's of advice from people who have travelled up to the territory before and we travelled very well prepared. However, if you aren't aware of the what the conditions can be like in the top end it's easy to come un-stuck so I thought I'd share with you a few must have's in case any of you are thinking of taking the trip. 

Water WATER WATER

Water is your best friend throughout Australia but in the NT it's important to always carry as much as you can with you. If you've got your own vehicle grab a couple of water containers from a hardware store and keep them topped up. If you're travelling as part of an organised tour pick up a couple of bottles everytime you stop at a servo. It might sound insane and like you'r carrying unnecessary weight but if you break down or get stuck somewhere it won't take long to get dangerously dehydrated in the NT. 

Extra fuel

Obviously this isn't an essential if you're travelling in a coach or another form of tour transport, however if you're in your own vehicle or hired vehicle carry extra fuel. You can pick up jerry cans from most servo's and hardware stores so grab a few and again keep them topped up. Fuel stations can be few and far between sometimes and you don't want to get stuck iwth an empty tank in the middle of nowhere.

Vehicle checks

Again this is one if you're travelling in your own vehicle but it is an essential before you go. Make sure you oil and water and full and checked and maybe even be prepared to take extra with you. Check your tyre pressures and also that your tyres are in good condiiton and consider the type of driving and roads you might be doing some driving on. Also make sure you've got a good spare tyre. If you don't feel confident doing these things find a mechanic who will because it is important. Vehicle problems can take a long time, up to ten days, to get sorted so if you leave knowing your vehicle is in good order you'll lower the risk of problems you might have. 

Sunscreen and bug spray

Again this is an essential across Australia but the heat is intense in the territory and so are the bugs sometimes so take plenty and be prepared to apply and re-apply and re-apply again. Citronella candles and mosquito nets are also something to consider taking. 

These are the four things I think are highly essential for a trip around the NT. If you have any others definitely let me know in the comments or tweet me and also enjoy your trip to the NT because it's an incredible part of the land down under. 

Until next time, 

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