SummitPost.org

So, after many years I have finally finished my studies in physics. To celebrate with my girlfriend (who has also graduated last month) we are planning a big trip down under.

One part of our itinerary consists of (obligatory) Uluru, flying in to Alice Springs, rent a car and then afterwards working our way up towards Darwin. However, this part of our trip is going to be in march, which is the raining season. I hear temperatures and humidity can be terrible then. On the plus side however, the landscape is lush and green up there. So perhaps some of the aussies or otherwise experienced people can give me some advice; will it be worth going up there this time of year, and what to visit? Or should we rather go someplace else?

(We're already visiting NZ, Sydney, and Melbourne and surroundings)

Thanks!

Rick

(Will probably be posting tons of similar questions over the next weeks )

Hi Rick

Try NT Tourism and on this page click on the Visit Northern Territory photo on the right side of screen, this will then open up to more detailed information

Also click on the Links on the left side of screen

NT always hot and humid, just varying degrees.

How will you travel from Alice to Darwin, will you try the Ghan Railway

Cheers Roger

Hi Rick
great idea you'll love it, yes it is still the wet (be it the corner off) in the centre that time of year you get rain about 1 in 6 days up the top you get rain about 1 in 2 days.
I would recommend that you do it traveling up the stuart (highway) is a very easy road to drive (try not to travel a night or even dusk... the roo's tend to like coming across the road infront of you the speed limit is 130kmph but everyone generally drives as fast as there car will go once outside the towns, so avoiding them is very dangerous).
There are heaps of places to stop and see, which are easy to access. if you need more info let me know i've spent a bit of time between Mataranka and the top and happen to offer what help i can.

Thanks for the responses! The NT tourism site is especially useful: it has itinerary ideas, based on the number of days you have in a given place: itinerary ideas

The plan now roughly looks as follows: fly in to Alice, rent a car and explore the area for a few days (not too long as I've been there before). I haven't visited the MacDonnells yet, so perhaps we try and squeeze in an overnight hike there.

Afterwards we travel by land (Ghan or bus) to Darwin, rent a car again and visit the three national parks up there: Nitmiluk, Litchfield and Kakadu. Probably something like 1, 2, and 3 days respectively.

Rick B wrote:Afterwards we travel by land (Ghan or bus) to Darwin, rent a car again and visit the three national parks up there: Nitmiluk, Litchfield and Kakadu. Probably something like 1, 2, and 3 days respectively.

Kakadu is well worth the visit. There are plenty of waterfall filled pools to go swiming to cool off from the heat. Watch out for the Croc warning signs. On a touristy end the Croc feeding boat tour is worth a consideration. Cheers!

How about camping in this period? Will that be enjoyable or are we most likely to be washed away by torrential rains........?