Australia’s Northern Territory: 10 Things Not to Miss

To me, the Northern Territory is Australia. That’s not to say that the rest of the country doesn’t have much going on, it certainly does, but the Northern Territory is the Australia of my boyhood. When, as a twelve year old, I fantasized about visiting the land Down Under, my mind imagined vast expanses, Aboriginal bushmen, frill-necked lizards, kangaroos taller than my father, giant red rocks, ferocious crocodiles and the endlessly vacant outback – and this iconic version of Australia, the stuff of childhood dreams, really does exist in the Northern Territory.

It’s in the territory after all where the majority of Australia’s crocs reside, and where Sweetheart, the country’s most famous crocodile—notorious for attacking boats—made her nest. It’s the territory where many Aboriginal young men still go on “walkabout” when they come of age and where most of Australia’s indigenous population lives. It’s the territory that Mick Dundee called home, in the movie Crocodile Dundee, which (let’s admit it) informed most of our early opinions on the country and the territory where frilled necked lizards leave their dens during the wet season, escaping predators by running on their hind legs. It’s even the territory where red kangaroos, known to grow as tall as six and a half feet, hop through the scrub brush at the base of Uluru, Australia’s red-rock centerpiece.

And since Australia’s Northern Territory is twice as large as the state of California with 1/200th of the population, it’s the most ideal place to carve out a little elbow room and explore the outback. Here are my top-ten must-visit spots in “The Territory”:

1 – Uluru

The navel of Australia isn’t just a national icon; it’s also one of the most sacred Aboriginal sites that the country has on offer and certainly one of the most beautiful on a grand scale. Standing next to Uluru, glowing red in the afternoon sun, while reading the dreaming stories retold by the Anangu people for tens of thousands of years, a person feels humbled but at the same time connected rather than insignificant. Few places on the planet can offer such a depth of emotion.

2 - Kata Tjuta

Resting in the same National Park, and a mere ten miles away from Uluru, the domed formations of Kata Tjuta are often thought of as even more striking by travelers. Which makes it stranger still to learn that only 25% of the visitors to Uluru-Kata-Tjuta National Park stop off there at all. One wonders, once you’ve gone all that way (because the Red Center is not close to anything else in the whole country) why not push on those extra ten miles? Those who do discover that it’s infinitely worth it —and the Valley of the Winds walk, following a path through the domes carved by rushing wind for millions of years, is an experience that won’t soon be forgotten.

3 - Kakadu National Park

Before I ever set foot on Australian soil I was surprised to find Kakadu National Park ranked above even the mighty Uluru in a book titled: 100 Places in Australia That Australians Should See Before They Die. Now, having spent a combined month tramping through the park, I know why.

Kakadu, located in the Territory’s “top-end” is as diverse and fascinating as the country itself. It is a massive park, 12,305 square miles (roughly the size of Israel) with a wildly varied ecology. Grasslands, mangrove swamps, deciduous forests, savanna and monsoon rainforests all flourish here creating a wide variety of animal habitats.

Cruising the Yellow Water Billabong at sunset to spot birds, crocodiles and the occasional buffalo is an absolute must. Also be sure not to miss the rock art and panoramic wetland vistas at Ubirr or the opportunity for a swim at Jim Jim Falls, Gunlom Falls (where parts of Crocodile Dundee were filmed) or Maguk Plunge Pool.

4 - Kings Canyon

This spot is the least visited of Central Australia’s big three (behind Uluru and Kata Tjuta) but those who do visit are in for a treat.

The Rim Walk, around the top of the canyon, indulges hikers with hundreds of egg-shaped sandstone domes unfolding across the horizon, wide vistas of the surrounding stone country and vertigo inducing looks 330 feet down to the valley floor below.

Inside of the canyon there is a small, wind-protected swimming hole perfect for refreshing tired hikers and for taking in the much more comfortable view up the sheer walls.

5 - Animal Tracks Safari

It is not my business to blatantly plug a safari company. But in all my time in Australia I have seen an endless string of travelers disappointed because they were not able to have an experience in which they gained access to genuine Aboriginal culture. Animal Tracks does just that in a way that honors Aboriginal Heritage rather than exploiting it. With an Aboriginal guide, guests track crocs and learn to find wild carrots, yams, grubs and sugar bag (native honey). Later they use fire sticks to get a blaze going for roasting crocodile, kangaroo and barramundi on an underground oven. This is a perfect way for kids to learn about this fascinating culture and pick up a few basic survival skills.

6 - Litchfield National Park

Go to Litchfield on a hot Saturday and you’ll get a master’s class on how Territorians stay cool. The park is Mother Nature’s take on Wild Rivers, a circuit of amazing swimming holes and cliff jumps. The finest gem among them is Walker Creek where you can reserve a shady campsite and have a natural swimming pool, carved by river against rock, all to yourself—water monitor lizards and butterflies included.

7 – Darwin

The largest population center in the Territory, Darwin is far from being a booming metropolis. The town has a quaint feel and it’s easy to explore the sidewalk bars and harbor side parks by foot. Be sure to visit the sprawling Mindil Beach Sunset Market (Thursday & Sunday only), pretty much the only place I’ve ever been where you can feast on an endless variety of local and international dishes, purchase a bottle of organic honey, get a massage and watch monkey hand puppets play the bongos all in one night. Another great way to acquaint yourself with the city is to hop aboard the Alfred Nobel for a dinner cruise with Darwin Harbor Cruises. The cruise is a perfectly relaxing chance to learn the history of Australia’s second most famous harbor while indulging in oysters, shrimp and barbecued barramundi.

8 - Douglas Hot Springs

Normally when I think hot springs I think of mildly warm water that smells overpoweringly of sulfur. But not Douglas. Here the water bubbles up boiling hot through a sandy creek bed and converges with a cool water section of running river. The resulting mix comes at any temperature that you could desire (from scalding to tepid). Sitting in the steaming pools at dusk with your legs trailing in the current is the all the spa you’ll ever need up in the Territory. Keep your eyes peeled for the two beautiful olive pythons living in the hollow tree stump at the water’s edge.

9 - Katherine George

My favorite experience in Australia may very well be the 41-mile, five day Jatbula Trail tracing the Edith River near Katherine. Arrive in the early part of the dry season (when the rivers are safe from saltwater crocs but there’s still lots of water flowing) and you will experience some of the most stunning, yet isolated scenery the territory has to share. Each day of hiking leads to a new, separate, and totally unpopulated waterhole with natural slides, cliffs to jump off of and animals of all sorts to spot including the rare frill-necked lizard. The hike winds through grassy savannah, swampy wetlands, and rough stone country—sometimes all three in a day, before dropping you at another empty, spectacular campsite.

10 - Arnhem Land

Abutting Kakadu National park, this vast Aboriginal Land Trust is difficult for tourists to access but worth the effort ten-times over. Arnhem Land has the same various beauty as Kakadu without the infrastructure or crowds. More importantly, this is the spot to go if you are looking to connect with indigenous people living in the traditional manner. Some of the area can be accessed by tourists who hold permits, reserved far in advance. If you aren’t planning a year out a better option comes around in July, when the Aboriginal Community at Oenpelli (near the Kakadu-Arnhem Land Border) hosts an “Open Day”. There, visitors can see the works of traditional artists, practice spear throwing, enjoy local music and dance and watch a footy match between neighboring communities. A month later, on the isolated Gove Peninsula in North East Arnhem Land, the Garma Culture Festival kicks off, a weeklong opportunity for visitors to see the intact cultural traditions of the Yolngu people who have inhabited the peninsula continuously throughout the course of history. It may take a little research to access Arnhem Land but the opportunity to interact with Aboriginal communities on their land and on their terms is absolutely invaluable.

So there it is. The Northern Territory in all its croc filled, scorched earth, wild, sprawling, epic glory. In danger of sounding far too gushy: let me wager that this is the Down Under you’ve always dreamed of.

When to go

To visit the Top-End try the end of May till the first week in July when the water holes are full but the crocs have moved out of them. The Red Center is great any time but keep in mind that summer temperatures regularly climb upwards of a hundred and ten degrees.

Photo credits:
Uluru by Peter Nijenhuis on Flickr, Kings Canyon by Lyndi&Jason on Flickr, Darwin sunset market by grun2000 on Flickr, Swimming hole and Gunlom Falls by Steve Bramucci

Mexico: Baja California, Loreto - Two Great Adventure Trips for Families. Consider a whale watching family adventure in Baja’s Magdalena Bay with guaranteed whale sightings, chance to touch a whale. Or plan a spring break to Loreto on the Baja’s Sea of Cortez with whales, dolphins, and sea lions.

I have read with pleasure the descriptions of two exceptional trips available from Sea kayak Adventures. Kayaking (second only to river rafting) is the ideal way to share an adventure with a child or bond with your whole family without effort. One–on-one kayak time cannot be beat for making small talk easy and laughing seems to come naturally.

Our family has shared Baja moments and I can say firsthand it is an awesome part of the world not yet altered by electronic support systems and man’s commercial imprint. The water clear and cool is framed by rugged rocky terrain making for dramatic photos even if your child is making a funny face. The sea life is abundant and will cause daily squeals but our favorite activity enjoying the night sky with star blankets so thick no words can describe the beauty and the sound of whales breathing just off shore.

With my opinion out of the way I am sharing the trip descriptions provided to us by Sea Kayak Adventures. Beginning in January and concluding mid March they are conducting a 5-day whale watching trip from Puerto Lopez Mateos, Baja California which provides parents with a means to share an exciting whale watching experience with their children as young as eight.

The actual location on the planet is Sea Kayak Adventures’ Isla Santo Domingo base camp located right in the heart of the largest gray whale calving area.  However, this family adventure offers much more than simply seeing whales.  On Sea Kayak Adventures’ five-day whale watching base camp excursion in Baja California’s Magdalena Bay, adults and children can often actually touch one of the 20,000 gray whales that calve in the waters each winter.

“It’s the moment of a lifetime,” says SKA president Terry Prichard, “and whale sightings are guaranteed.”  Each day motorized skiffs take participants out to the deeper waters of Boca de Soledad, where ‘friendlies’ swim up to the boat.  In our exclusive safari-style beach camp in the heart of gray whale activity, as whales breach and spy-hop just offshore, guests can explore whalebone-littered beaches and look for herons, egrets, dolphins, and spouting grays.  That hollow sound after nightfall?  It’s whales breathing!  Guides versed in whale natural history lead fun activities for kids, point out wildlife, and prepare all meals.  Whales enjoy full protection of the Mexican federal government and one must be with a licensed guide to go whale watching here which means no crowds and responsible people in the area.

Cost: $895 for adults and 10% off for children age 8 through 17; and includes first and last nights’ accommodation in Loreto. Airfare is not included. Alaska/Horizon Air provides the best fares directly from Los Angeles (LAX) to Loreto (LTO) in southern Baja California, Mexico. Departures begin in January and run through March from Loreto, Mexico.  Dates include arrival and departure days, with three-days at the base camp.

Here’s the spring break deal. Book a spring break 2010 adventure by August 1, 2009 and one child goes free! In March & April 2010 Sea Kayak Adventures is offering a selection of  6 and 8-day (includes air travel days) sea kayaking trips for families with kids ages 11 and  older. This awesome water adventure is ideally suited for families with teens. The trip’s starting and ending point is Loreto and parents have the chance to paddle a sea kayak and bond with a teenager (hopefully your own) as endangered blue whales - more than four times as long as your kayak - plumb the depths for tasty crustaceans in Baja’s Sea of Cortez.  Participants paddle six miles per day ( 3 to 4 hours) looking for the world’s largest animals and explore desert islands in Mexico’s newest national marine park – Loreto Bay National Marine Park. 

Along the way you’ll also spot dolphins and sea lions, snorkel with angelfish in 72-degree water, and search for rare blue-footed boobies.  Spend nights camping on white sand beaches in sheltered coves and dining on Dutch oven brownies under starry skies framed by volcanic rock cliffs.

No previous kayaking or camping experience is necessary.  Stable two-person kayaks, paddling gear and instruction, snorkeling gear, meals and all camping supplies (including sleeping bags) are provided.  Our naturalist guides are enthusiastic experts at activities helping families have fun together!

Price starts at $995 US per adult (and 10% off for teens) including two nights’ lodging in Loreto and three to five nights’ camping.  Airfare is not included.  Alaska/Horizon Airlines offer direct service into Loreto (LTO) from Los Angeles (LAX).

Make it happen. Sea Kayak Adventures toll-free 1-800-616-1943 or www.seakayakadventures.com 

It is located on a hill facing the Pacific Ocean between Los Angeles and San
Francisco near San Simeon in California. This palatial estate is a Historical
Monument that is open for public tours. It is a place which you must have seen
only in the movies but is open for the public now. Adorned with rich European
architectural style, Hearst Castle houses priceless art, antiques and a entire
ceiling that was shipped from Egypt. This 90,080-foot ornate estate is one of
the most popular tourist attractions of California.

Hearst Castle was initially a extravagant home of newspaper magnate William
Randolph Hearst which was later donated to the State of California in 1957.
It is a magnificent estate of 56 bedrooms, 61 bathrooms, 19 sitting rooms and
127 acres of gardens, terraces, tennis court, indoor and outdoor pools, a
movie theater and a zoo with exotic animals. Since Hearst Castle sits on a hill
1,600 feet above see level facing the Pacific Ocean, it commands of mesmerizing
views of the Ocean and the hills and valleys of the Santa Lucias.
 

Hearst
Castle Tours:

Hearst castle offers five different guided tours to its guests, including
daytime and evening tours. Day tours last for 1 hour and 45 minutes whereas
evening tours are for 2 hours and 10 minutes. It is recommended to get the
reservations done in advance. The Experience Tour is recommended for first-time
visitors. All tours include the Neptune Pool, a Greco-Roman outdoor pool, and
the Roman Pool, an indoor pool lined with Venetian glass and gold.

Hearst Castle Visitor Center:
The Hearst Castle Visitor Center is located at the foot of the hill, right off
Highway 1 and has sufficient parking space. It has a Gift Shop, Museum Gift Shop
and a National Geographic Hearst Castle Theater along with food services. Also
tours to the Hearst Castle depart from the visitor center. 

Location
/ Driving Directions:
Hearst Castle is located approximately halfway between Los Angeles and San
Francisco and the driving time from either city is four to six hours, depending
on the traffic.

Hours of Operation:
Its open daily except on Thanksgiving, December 25th and January 1st.  

San Francisco is a popular international tourist destination, renowned all over
the world for its modern architecture, steep hills, beautiful beaches, Victorian
houses, and artistic culture. It is the fourth largest city of California and
one of the most densely populated cities of America. Because of its Coastal
Location, it is cool and windy almost all year long. Being home to the popular
Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz, San Francisco has endless attractions and
activity options ranging from sightseeing, water sports, theaters, hiking,
authentic restaurants to extravagant Nightlife.

Top tourist attractions / Popular places to see in San
Francisco are:

San Francisco Nightlife:
The Vibrating and glamorous nightlife of San Francisco has a wide variety of
entertainment options to offer to its visitors. San Francisco has some of the
most extravagant nightlife with plenty of entertainment ranging from Theaters,
Shows, sexy lounges, vibrant nightclubs to exotic wine bars. Some of the best
places for enjoying the San Francisco Nightlife are 1015 Folsom, Mangarine
Lounge, Beach Blanket Babylon, Bottom of the hill, Bimbo’s 365 Club, Hotel Biron
Wine Bar & Art Gallery.

Golden
Gate Bridge:
It is the most popular and prominent structure of San Francisco. Almost every
tourist who comes to California’s San Francisco Bay Area visits this deep orange
colored magnificent suspension bridge completed in 1937. It was the longest
suspension bridge span in the world at that time and connects San Francisco to
the Marin County.

Alcatraz Island:
Alcatraz is one of the most popular tourist attractions of San Francisco,
offering a close view of the former federal prison, oldest operating lighthouse
on the west coast of America along with gardens, tide pools, bird colonies, and
breathtaking views of the coastline.

Cable Cars:
The Cable Cars of San Francisco were designated as historic landmarks by the
National Park Service in 1964. They are one of the best ways of exploring the
city since they pass through many well known sights - Fisherman’s Wharf,
Ghirardelli Square, Chinatown, North Beach, Union Square.

Lombard Street:
The Lombard Street in San Francisco is the most crooked street of America and is
a popular tourist attraction due to its location and unusual sharp curves. Paved
with bricks, it is a steep, hilly street with Victorian mansions on either side.
Millions of tourists come here every year to see this popular street, built with
eight switchbacks on a 40 degree slope.

Golden Gate Park:
It is one of California’s most beautiful urban parks and is 3 miles long by 1/2
mile wide, it is larger than New York’s Central Park. Once covered with sand
dunes, the Golden Gate Park consists of millions of trees today. The Park is
composed of hundreds of attractions including Gardens, Lakes and Museums that
are linked by wooded paths. It also has several fly casting pools and a lily
pond within its borders. Being home to art, culture, scientific exhibits and
lots of recreation, the Golden Gate Park is the third most visited park in
America with over 13 million Visitors each year.

Chinatown:
The popularity of Chinatown mainly lies in its inexpensive and unique
merchandise and food that is not found any place else. It consists of Chinese
temples, art, culture, shopping areas, events and much more. It gives the
feeling of being in one of the markets of Hong Kong. Chinatown is said to be
drawing more tourists than the Golden Gate Bridge making it a must see
attraction of San Francisco.

Fisherman’s Wharf:
Fisherman’s Wharf of San Francisco is one of the most popular tourist
destinations in the world, well known for its historic waterfront, delicious
seafood and beautiful bay views. Watching the California Sea Lions, Shopping,
world class dining, a long coastal row of seafood restaurants, street vendors,
talented street performers and beautiful bay views are some of the things that
have made Fisherman’s Wharf a top attraction of San Francisco.

San Francisco
Zoo:
The San Francisco Zoo is Northern California’s largest zoological park and
conservation center. It houses more than 250 different species of wildlife from
all over the globe including endangered species such as Grizzly bear, Snow
Leopard and Sumatran tiger. San Francisco Zoo is a well organized zoo where
animals with same geographic areas are put together in such a manner that it
does not look like cages.

Other San Francisco Attractions:
The Embarcadero Waterfront Area, Coit Tower, 49-Mile Drive, The Marina District,
Nob-Hill & Russian Hill, The Presidio, Twin Peaks, Union Square and Yerba Buena
Gardens. 

Voted as one of the most unique and memorable rail experiences in the world,
Napa Valley Wine train provides a three hour relaxing journey through the scenic
Napa Valley, past vineyards and wineries while guests enjoy their Wine and
gourmet lunch or dinner. Napa Valley Wine Train is one of the most magnificent
trains of the world that is ideal for celebrating any occasion, Birthday,
Anniversaries, Weddings, Holidays or any other special occasion. It is a
distinguished service that will take you back to an era of elegant rail travel.
It is a 36 mile round trip journey from Napa to St. Helena with options of
Brunch, Lunch and Dinner, all of which include gourmet dishes and some of the
best wines in California along with panoramic views of Napa Valley Vineyards.

The Napa Valley Wine Train has nine historic cars that have been elegantly
decorated with brass fixtures, flowers, white linen and glass ceilings to
accommodate splendid dining areas that offer mesmerizing views of about 26 of
Napa Valley Wineries.

Guests can freely move around in the train since it is all
open, you can also watch the talented chefs preparing the food since the kitchen
has glass walls. Since this Wine Train offers breathtaking views, relaxed
atmosphere, elegant surrounding along with food and wine, it is one of the best
ways to explore the Napa Valley which is one of the top wine producing areas in
the world. Guests also get a chance to shop and taste wine prior to boarding in
the McKinstry Street Station. The Wine Emporium features over 180 kinds of wine
and gifts, Baubles & Beads offer elegant jewelry, and Unique Gift Express offers
fine gifts.

Wine Train Options:
Gourmet Express which is a 1915 dining and lounge car in which a 3 - course meal
is served that is freshly prepared on board. The two cars seat 130 people at a
time with a choice of two seatings during the trip.

Silverado Car operates April to October and offers a open air seating
arrangement. The area is decorated with pictures of “Hollywood Western Movie
Stars,” that were donated to Wine Train owner Vincent DeDomenico by Robert
Redford.

Vista Dome is a 1950 elevated dining car with breathtaking views of the
vineyards. A 3-course meal is served with a glass of Napa Valley’s premier
sparkling wines.
 

Napa Valley Wine Train operating hours:
For Lunch excursions the train departs at 11:30 am and returns at 2:30 pm. For
Dinner excursions the train departs at 6:30 pm and returns at 9:30 pm. Napa
Valley Wine Train operates daily all year round, it is suggested to get your
reservations done in advance and a 24 hour cancellation notice is required.

Wine Train Tour Price:
The prices start at $50 per person for a train trip alone. There is an
additional charge for meals and drinks. Ranging from $70 to $150 you will be
able to enjoy outstanding appetizers along with Champaign in the lounge car
before you enter the dining car for a fabulous 3-course meal.

Best time to go and Pictures:
Any time is a good time but summers is preferred since it is the harvesting
season of grapes and offers better views of the vineyards. Also, Lunch Excursion
is preferred over Dinner since it is difficult to see the vineyards in the late
hours of evenings.

Getting to the Train:
Napa Valley Wine Train
1275 McKinstry Street
Napa, CA
707-253-2111, 800-427-4124