The Best Cultural Experiences in the Northern Territory
Forage for bush tucker, hear millennia-old histories and explore the untouched lands of the Top End with a First Nations guide. These are just some of the best things to do if you’re looking for rich cultural experiences in the Northern Territory.
Take sacred steps on Kuniya Walk
See wallabies bound through tall grasses and river red gum trees on the 45-minute Kuniya walk to the Mutitjulu Waterhole. The latter is a special place to the First Nations people who have taken the likes of the Dalai Lama and British Royals to experience a connection with nature. In the summer, the rains result in magical waterfalls while the waterhole itself provides relief from the weather.
Maruku Arts Dot Painting Workshop
For generations, the Anangu people have passed down their culture and stories with dot painting. In a workshop led by Anangu artists, you’ll get to learn about the significance of the artform as well as getting to work on – and take home – a painting of your own.
Wintjiri Wiru sunset dinner and experience
Pull up a chair at the open-air desert theatre – perched upon a dune top – for the Wintjiri Wiru Sunset Dinner. The three-hour experience begins with drinks and canapes as the sun goes down, followed by a gourmet dinner hamper, where native flavours are combined with modern cooking techniques. With Uluru as the backdrop, you’ll witness the ancient Mala story retold through choreographed drones, lasers and projections forming an artistic, modern expression of an ancient Anangu story.
Embrace ancient connections
Book in with Seit Tours and take a 4WD trip to Patji, just outside Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and homelands of the Uluru family. You’ll hear from traditional owners about Paddy Uluru’s fight for Aboriginal land rights and how the members of the oldest living culture in the world gathered food and survived for countless generations in this desert environment.
Sunset Scenic Flights
Fly over Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and experience the beauty of Australia’s great landmarks. Fly Uluru’s 40-minute plane flight or 30/36 minute helicopter route offers an ascendant vantage point and an unmissable view of Uluru and Kata Tjuta. The endless red horizons are stunning, and give you a glimpse of so much sacred country that’s often hard to reach for visitors.
Walk through the Field of Light
A visit to this huge-scale artwork is an experience you might never be able to capture in the retelling but you'll never forget it. The ‘stroll among the stars’ experience includes, a selection of outback canapes, sparkling wine followed by a self guided walk through 50,000 glass spheres that come to life as night falls.
There’s so much to explore in the Northern Territory. Find flights now.
Tap into a thriving arts scene
Located in Alice Springs’ Araluen Cultural Precinct, the Araluen Arts Centre houses galleries, a theatre and art space to showcase Central Australian art and performances. Its packed calendar of events offers something for everyone, including movies, solo and group art exhibitions and live shows and music. While you’re there, pay a visit to the nearby Central Australian Aviation Museum for a glimpse into the early days of flights into and around the Red Centre.
Darwin’s vibrant market scene
There’s no better place to sink your teeth into Darwin’s diverse culture than at its markets, where the city’s melting pot of different nationalities come together. Watch the sun go down as you indulge in an international smorgasbord of dishes at the Mindil Beach Sunset Markets.
