Top Northern Territory Historical Tours

One of the Northern Territory's key attractions is its isolation, but an increasing number of visitors means that the Territory's most popular attractions are becoming very busy. Cruise the Adelaide River without bumping into lots of other groups on this early-morning tour, with the chance to swim in picturesque—and croc-free—locales and meet a crocodile without a horde of onlookers spoiling the experience.

See Darwin’s highlights on a handy half-day tour by bus. Learn about Darwin’s World War II history at the Defence of Darwin Experience, with admission to this military heritage site included. Explore the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, and stop by the 1934 Qantas Hangar and Darwin Aviation Museum, among other sites on this comprehensive introduction to Darwin. Includes handy hotel transfers; caravan parks cost extra.

Short on time? Marvel over the star attractions of Australia’s Red Centre on a half-day tour from Ayers Rock. Witness the dazzling sunrise over sacred Uluru from the Talinguru Nyakunytjaku viewing platform and learn about the rock’s spiritual importance to the Anangu indigenous people. Then, embark on a guided hike through the red desert of the Walpa Gorge and get up close to the magnificent domed rocks of Kata Tjuta (The Olgas).

Experience the sunrise over Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) on an early morning tour that helps you beat the heat and the crowds. Before dawn, travel into UNESCO-listed Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and admire the colors of the sunrise over one of the most iconic natural landmarks in Australia's Red Centre. Enjoy an outback picnic breakfast followed by a walking tour of stunning Walpa Gorge. This small-group tour promises a more personalized experience.

Explore the World War II sites of Darwin on this city sightseeing and cruise tour. Visit the Darwin war memorial and East Point Military Precinct, and explore Darwin Military Museum to chart the city’s wartime experience. Midway through, enjoy a small-boat cruise around Darwin Harbour, passing the modern naval base and the remnants and wreck sites of Japan’s devastating February 1942 air raids. Hotel pickup, entrance fees, and live onboard commentary included.

Discover the Wild Heart of Kakadu! What makes this tour unique? Discover the highlights of Kakadu in 2 unforgettable days! Cruise Corroboree Billabong, explore Ubirr’s ancient rock art, swim in Maguk and Gunlom Falls, and enjoy exclusive access to Ikoymarrwa. Stay overnight at Mardugal Billabong in a powered safari tent and experience the Top End’s wildlife, culture, and breathtaking landscapes with expert guides. Highlights: • Corroboree Billabong wildlife cruise • Kakadu National Park exploration • Picnic lunch at East Alligator River • Cahill’s Crossing • Ubirr ancient Aboriginal rock art and Dreamtime stories • 360° views over Nardab floodplains and Arnhem Land • Overnight stay at Mardugal Billabong safari camp • Swim at Maguk (Barramundi Gorge) • Gunlom Falls infinity pools (*seasonal) • Ikoymarrwa (Moline Rockhole)

Delve into the rich tapestry of Arnhem Land's Aboriginal culture with immersive activities at Dalabon Aboriginal Cultural Experiences near Katherine. Under the guidance of knowledgeable locals, learn the traditional art of didgeridoo playing, listen to captivating Dreamtime stories, and create a mini Aboriginal painting to take home as a cherished souvenir. Engage with the land and its heritage as you swim in the crystal-clear pools of Edith Falls and explore the serene Southern Rockhole in Nitmiluk National Park. This journey is a unique opportunity to connect deeply with Indigenous culture and gain insights from an award-winning guide, Manuel Pamkal.

Ensure you get the best sunset vista by heading out onto the water on this cruise across Darwin Harbour. Aboard a large, ocean-going catamaran with plenty of deck space, sit under the sails or in the air-conditioned salon and toast the setting sun with a glass of sparkling wine before enjoying a tapas/barbecue dinner while soaking up the views—if you wish, you can bring your own drinks and keep them chilled in the on board coolers.

Explore Kakadu National Park and learn about Australia’s Aboriginal heritage on a full-day tour from Darwin. You'll see the highlights of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed park, including ancient rock art of Ubirr Rock and views from the Nadab lookout. Then take a Guluyambi cultural cruise along the East Alligator River, traveling with an indigenous guide who stops along the way to show you the dramatic landscapes of Arnhem Land. Note: March and April visit the Burrungkuy and Nourlangie Rock galleries and ride the Billabong cruise.

Skip the hassle of planning logistics and experience Uluru with a small group, led by a local guide. Walk to Mutitjulu Waterhole, follow the Mala Walk, and visit ancient rock art sites while learning the powerful stories and traditions of the Anangu people. End the day at the Talinguru Nyakunytjaku viewing area, and enjoy an uninterrupted sunset over Uluru with a glass of sparkling wine.

Experience the Top End on a 4-day 4WD adventure that combines iconic highlights with a more comfortable, relaxed style of travel. Cruise through wildlife-rich wetlands on Corroboree Billabong and journey into the dramatic sandstone landscapes of Katherine Gorge, while discovering ancient Aboriginal rock art at Ubirr. Swim in pristine natural pools at Maguk, Edith Falls and Litchfield’s waterfalls, all without the need for strenuous hiking. Travel in a small group with an expert guide who brings the region’s landscapes and culture to life. Each night, unwind in comfortable powered camps with twin-share beds, offering a more enjoyable alternative to basic camping. With all key experiences included and a carefully balanced pace, this journey delivers a deeper and more accessible way to explore Kakadu, Katherine and Litchfield.

Enjoy a small-group tour of majestic Kata Tjuta, one of Australia’s most famous natural wonders. Travel from Ayers Rock Resort in an air-conditioned tour vehicle to Walpa Gorge, part of the Kata Tjuta site within UNESCO-listed Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Learn the natural history and cultural significance of this sacred site and walk through the gorge for an amazing perspective of this key landmark.

Explore the ancient history and modern vibrancy of Darwin on a half-day sightseeing tour. Travel by coach and listen as your local guide shares commentary about the tropical city’s natural and cultural attractions. Delve into Aboriginal art at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, and stroll past fragrant orchid blooms at the Botanic Gardens.

Feel the adrenaline rush of flying over the iconic Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge and experience its sheer beauty from above. This is an amazing perspective shift if you've seen the gorge on the water by boat. Taking off from the Nitmiluk Gorge helipad you will fly past the Nitmiluk Visitors Information Centre and camp grounds before entering the mouth of the mighty Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge. Once over the Gorge we will take you on a birds eye experience over Jedda’s Rock, Butterfly Gorge and Lily Pond before turning homeward above the third Gorge.

Immerse yourself into the history of Mparntwe (pronounced m’barn-twa), the Arrernte name of Alice Springs. Learn how it came to be the central hub of the Australian outback by visiting the historical sites that played a big part in the evolution of a town originally called Stuart and its progression to what Alice Springs is today.

The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) provides medical services by plane to Australia’s most remote outback areas. With this ticket, visit the RFDS tourist facility in Darwin to learn more about the work of the RFDS team and hear heroic rescue stories, as well as discover stories about the World War II Bombing of Darwin. Enjoy interactive exhibits including a VR presentation and explore inside an RFDS aircraft.

Your journey begins with a convenient hotel pick-up before we head into the breathtaking landscapes of Kata Tjuta in Uluru–Kata Tjuta National Park. With our expert guide, you’ll uncover the area’s remarkable geology, cultural significance, and ancient history as we approach the striking 36 domes—known as “many heads” in the Pitjantjatjara language—formed over hundreds of millions of years. We then set off on the 5.4 km Valley of the Winds walk, following creek beds and winding through the heart of these towering formations. It’s a truly immersive way to experience the beauty and spirit of this ancient land. After the walk, relax with canapés and Australian wines while taking in a magnificent outback sunset, before returning to your hotel approximately one hour after sunset.

Join us for a half day tour of the art centers and galleries in Mparntwe Alice Springs. If you’ve been thinking about buying Aboriginal art but don’t know where to start, let our guide help to reassure you and educate you about the art centers, history of Aboriginal art, and its relationship to country and culture. Alice Springs has the most art galleries per capita of anywhere in Australia, so where better to explore the Aboriginal art scene? Our town is vibrant with art, and we are passionate about opening up access to some of the off the beaten track art centers that visitors to the Red Centre might otherwise miss – benefiting both art centers and travelers. We will start our tour with a coffee and a briefing about Aboriginal art and culture We work closely with art centers, ensuring our visits take place at appropriate times. Art Tours of Australia and our tour guides never take a commission on art sales.

Arnhem Land is a vast wilderness area rich in Aboriginal culture—it’s home to the traditional land-owners, the Yolngu, and requires a permit to visit. There's no better way to explore the area than with someone indigenous, and that's exactly what this tour provides. Follow your guide to explore the thousands-of-years-old rock art on Injalak Hill and gain insight into the fascinating legends of the Aboriginals.

Get an insider’s perspective on the history and culture of Darwin on this walking tour with a local guide. Hear the background stories to the buildings and monuments that you’d miss if you just walked past them alone. There are many opportunities to stop and take pictures of the must-see sights as well as the more peaceful, hidden corners of central Darwin.

Learn about Darwin’s history during World War II, including its bombing, from a local guide with personal connections. Your guide shares family stories from the bombing and takes you to various locations tied to the war, including the Darwin Aviation Museum, which houses aircrafts from multiple wars. Uncover the fascinating history of Darwin in a unique way, with personal attention and flexibility.

Visit the original Royal Flying Doctor Service Alice Springs working base that commenced in 1939. Have a look at the wide variety of historic radios including a Traeger Pedal Radio and learn what it was like to communicate before telephones were invented. There is a large display of historic medical equipment that would have been used on the RFDS flights of the past. See the evolution of aeroplanes used by RFDS with a range of model aeroplanes to take you through each decade. Relive the true experience of a patient and see what its like to fly with RFDS Pilot with our RFDS virtual reality Walk through the museum and meet Alf Traeger and Nurse Kathy through interactive technology. Learn about the history and the activities of the RFDS’s pilots, engineers, doctors and nurses, and the experiences of the patients that are cared for each day.

Discover the wonder of Kakadu National Park on this immersive day tour from Darwin. Travel along scenic routes through lush wetlands and vibrant ecosystems, crossing the historic Adelaide River, Mary River, and South Alligator River, with a breakfast snack and engaging stories from your guide about Indigenous culture and the region’s history. Once in Kakadu, Visit Ubirr to explore ancient Aboriginal rock art galleries depicting Dreamtime legends, some dating back thousands of years, savour lunch beside Cahills Crossing, famous for saltwater crocodiles basking on the banks and join the Guluyambi Cultural Cruise on the East Alligator River with local Indigenous guides, sharing traditional stories and spotting wildlife amid stunning scenery. Afterward, stop at Marrawudi Gallery in Jabiru to see contemporary Indigenous art. Finally,. After a full day of adventure, culture, and natural beauty, you’ll return to Darwin around 7 pm.