Darwin is a hot sticky town at the Top End, or northernmost part of the Northern Territory. It’s the gateway to Kakadu National Park and for some heading to Indonesia. There’s not much in Darwin to encourage a long stay, and seeing how uncomfortable it is there, averaging 31 degrees Celsius, few tourists or even backpackers hang out there.

You could try cooling off at a beach if it wasn’t for the crocs, stingers (poisonous jellyfish), and baking heat. Or you could cool off in a bar, along with the biggest beer guzzlers in Australia – and that’s saying a lot! Darwiners down 230 liters per person annually!

Darwin is a good place to delve into Aboriginal culture. You could start at Darwin’s Museum of Arts and Sciences, and even pick up some art at local galleries. Then venture out to one of the 4,000 ancient Aborigine Rock Painting sites in Kakadu National Park.

Kakadu National Park is where Crocodile Dundee was filmed, and you’ll be awed by the natural beauty of the area’s mountains, rivers, lakes and forests, abundant with wildlife.

Located in the geographical center of Australia, Alice Springs is a remote outpost of civilization. Surrounded by harsh, beautiful wilderness, Alice is a most unusual tourist destination. There’s not much in town to capture your interest or imagination, but step outside town and visit the MacDonnell Range and you’ll be fascinated by nature’s wonders, including gorges, waterholes and an assortment of wildlife.

And of course you can’t visit Alice Springs without venturing to Uluru, formerly known as Ayers Rock, a long 460 km trek from Alice. Uluru is a most sacred place for Aborigines. The view of this extraordinary red rock is spellbinding, especially during sunrise and sunset. You can walk around the rock or climb to the top for some breathtaking scenery.

You can stay nearby at Yulara, a recent tourist town that sprung up to serve the needs of the 250,000 travelers who visit Uluru every year.