Australian Northen Territory

easywandering — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 19:30:05 +0000

Few people who visit Australian Northen Territory leave untouched by the experience. While it’s the most barren and least-populated area of Australia (only 1% in the nearly 20% of the country’s area) this is where many people find the country’s soul. It is in the Centre – the Red Heart – that the picture-book, untamed and sometimes surreal Australia exists.

The Territory is essentially divided in two different areas: the arid, red Centre and the monsoonal Top End, with best-known attractions of these areas, the iconic Uluru (Ayers Rock) and the Kakadu National Park. There are meteorite craters, eerie canyons, lost valleys of palms, hot springs, raging waterfalls and outback festivals.

Distance aside, getting around the Territory is straightforward – the Stuart Hwy travels its spine, connecting Alice Spings and the north coast. As you head up ‘The Track’ you’ll notice the gradual contrast between the arid Centre and the tropical Top End. At the end of this 1500 km drive is cosmopolitan Darwin. To its east, the wetlands and escarpments of Kakadu National Park are a trasure house of wildlife and Aboriginal rock paintings. most of Arnhem Land belongs to traditional Aboriginal owners and is off limits to visitors, but there are many opportunities in the Territory to learn about Aboriginal culture.

Source: Lonely Planet

Suggested book: The Songlines by Bruce Chatwin

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park

easywandering — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 19:07:33 +0000

The entire area is of deep cultural significance to the Aboriginal people. To them the Ayers Rock area is known as Uluru and the Olgas as Kata Tjuta. The National Park is leased to Environment Australia park (the federal governement’s national park body), who administer it in conjunction with the traditional owners.

It’s easy to spend several days in the Uluru-Kata Tjuta area; there are plenty of walks and other activities, and the rock never seems to look the same no matter how many times you see it. Unfortunately most of group tours are very rushed and squeeze in a quick afternoon Rock climb, photos at sunset, a morning at the Olgas next day and then off – 24 hours in total if you’re lucky. It’s best experienced at your own pace, if you have time.

A tribute to the Australian Aboriginal music:

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Australian Northen Territory

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park