The Top End
DARWIN
· Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Fannie Bay. Outstanding natural science exhibits, Aboriginal art, marine displays and history as well as interactive and educational displays. Kids will love seeing Sweetheart, the famous NT crocodile, and the Cyclone Tracy exhibit. Beautiful cafe on the museum grounds for a milkshake!
· George Brown Darwin Botanical Gardens, Darwin. Nature lovers will revel in the opportunity to stroll around the gardens and see the wide variety of tropical plants and trees on display. A lovely shady place to take the kids for a walk.
· Lyon’s Cottage is a fine example of early Darwin architecture. Not many of Darwin’s old buildings survived Cyclone Tracy in 1974. This restored 1925 stone cottage did and is open to the public and houses a collection of European and Larrakia history. The Esplanade, Darwin.
· Fannie Bay Gaol Museum was opened in 1883 and depicts the early Territory penal system that was used until 1979. The Gaol is now a museum of incarceration and it may be a good history lesson for the older kids. East Point Rd, Fannie Bay.
· Lake Alexander is located on the East Point Reserve, a 200-hectare recreation area with natural forest and mangroves. Visitors can enjoy a swim in the safety of this saltwater lake where there are picnic, barbecue and toilet facilities. Plenty of play equipment for the kids.
· Bicentennial Park is located on Darwin’s Esplanade and has beautifully manicured, shady lawns and great jogging and cycling paths. The park has many bench seats for visitors to sit and enjoy views of Darwin Harbour, have a bite to eat and relax.
· Berry Springs Nature Park - Enjoy a refreshing swim and family picnic or barbecue at this pleasant shady retreat next to the Territory Wildlife Park just 30 minutes drive from the city centre.
KATHERINE
· NT Rare Rocks – Showcases common and rare local and Territory rocks, gemstones and ore specimens. Also has locally-made rock jewellery and ornaments as gifts or souvenirs. Located at 1809 Zimin Drive Katherine.
· Edith Falls – An ideal spot for a family picnic and swim. Situated in the corner of Nitmiluk National Park with access just 20 kilometres off the Stuart Highway.
· Katherine Hot Springs – A popular swimming spot with both visitors and locals. Located near the town centre on Riverbank Drive next to the Katherine River. A beautiful spot for a family picnic and swim.
· Katherine Railway Museum – A National Trust property that is testament to the important role of early rail services in the Top End. Originally built in 1924, the museum is now open May to September 1pm – 3pm. Located on the Stuart Highway near the Katherine Bridge and town centre.
· Springvale Homestead – Explorer Alfred Giles built this fascinating sandstone homestead when he opened a cattle station at Katherine in 1878. Shady caravan park and motel rooms available and Devonshire teas. Free tours 3pm daily. Located near the town centre off the Victoria Highway.
NHULUNBUY
· The Alcan Gove Mine and Processing Plant Tour - The mine is the largest industrial undertaking in the NT. Public tours are available for free on Friday mornings from 8am to noon.
· The Bukka Larrnggay Mulka Art Centre and Museum at Yirrkala - houses a distinguished collection of historical bark paintings, carvings of totemic ancestors, artefacts, historical photographs and the famous church panels chronicling the collective history of all the clans of the region.
· Gayngaru (Town Lagoon) - A picturesque area of wetlands extending seven kilometres parallel with the beachfront that is visited by over 200 species of bird each year. An observatory platform is available for birdwatchers and photographers and there are well-marked walking tracks. No permits required and guided eco-tours are available on request.
· Nambara Arts and Craft Centre - located just outside Nhulunbuy and also has a wide range of traditional arts and crafts for sale including works on paper, ceramics, fabric prints along with more traditional items such as carvings, baskets, weaving, bark paintings and didjiridus by local artists.
· Roy Marika Lookout - Enjoy panoramic views of the lagoon wetlands, birdlife, Gove Harbour, extensive coastline, the town centre and Alcan Gove Mining.
The Centre
ALICE SPRINGS
· Alice Springs Aboriginal Art and Cultural Centre - The whole family can meet, interact with and share the unique culture of Central Australia's Aboriginal people. Witness Western Desert art and historic artefacts and even learn to play the didjeridu. Guided tours daily.
· The Date Gardens – Australia’s oldest date plantation, which was established by the Afghans in the 1800s. Take the kids in for some date ice cream in the lovely garden setting. Palm Court, Alice Springs.
· Olive Pink Botanical Gardens – A remarkable garden of native Centralian flora, showcasing over 300 plant species. Admission is free, and there is a cafe on-site. Alice Springs.
· Anzac Hill – Take a trip up to the top of Anzac Hill for a taste of local history and to appreciate the stunning desert sunsets from this Alice Springs landmark. The kids will love the views of the ranges.
· Alice Springs Telegraph Station Historical Reserve - An ideal place for the whole family to discover and learn about the history of one of Australia's most famous outback towns. The fully restored buildings and equipment are located on the town's original Todd River site and epitomise the challenges faced by Central Australia's early pioneers in the 1870's.
· Old Timers Traeger Museum - Parents and kids alike will revel in the opportunity to explore this unique museum with its collections of historic photos and displays of early household and work implements.
· West MacDonnell Ranges - The whole family can explore this magnificent ancient landscape with a journey along Pioneers' Path, an easy day trip from Alice Springs by car or 4x4. Local attractions include Simpsons Gap, Standley Chasm, Ellery Creek Big Hole with its fabulous swimming area, Serpentine Gorge, Ochre Pits and Ormiston Gorge.
ULURU / AYERS ROCK
· Uluru - Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre – Opened in 1995 and refurbished in 2002 the centre is an outstanding tribute to Aboriginal heritage that tells the story of Aboriginal history, culture, lifestyle and beliefs. Located on the main road to Uluru, twenty minutes drive from Ayers Rock Resort.
· Garden Walk – Tour the award-winning native gardens of Sails in the Desert Hotel with the resort’s resident gardener. The daily tour (excluding public holidays and weekends) takes one hour and commences early morning.
· The Mala Walk: Take a ranger-guided tour around Uluru/Ayers Rock. You meet at the Mala Walk sign and finish at Kantju Gorge. These tours take between one-and-a-half and two hours. They run once a day seven days a week.
· Resort lookouts: The resort at Yulara has over seven lookouts where guests can go and take in a breathtaking view of Uluru/Ayers Rock at sunrise or sunset. A memory the kids will treasure.
TENNANT CREEK
· Mary Ann Recreation Dam – A picturesque recreation lake 5km from the town and the perfect place for a picnic or a swim for the whole family.
· Battery Hill Minerals Museum – View the McLaughlin Collection exhibits of unique mineral specimens at the Battery Hill Regional Centre that also houses the Tennant Creek Visitor Information Centre.
· Overland Telegraph Station – Built in 1875, this beautifully preserved building recalls the by gone age of the Overland Telegraph line in the late 1890’s. Located 10 kilometres north of the town.
· Bill Allen Lookout - The lookout east of the town is named after a well-known local identity and provides sweeping panoramic views of the district surrounding Tennant Creek. It features plaques explaining significant local sites.
· Tennant Creek Cemetery - The cemetery just south of the township is the final resting-place of many pioneers. Plaques on the headstones help to tell the stories of the hardships, joys and tragedies they encountered.
· Self-Guided Town Tour - Pick up your free guide book at the Tennant Creek Visitor Centre take a stroll around the streets to discover Tennant Creek’s historic sites, significant building, and quirky relics of the past.
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