The Northern Territory boasts beautiful scenery, from red desert land to World Heritage-listed national parks. Even with restrictions, there is still so much to see and do in the Northern Territory during COVID-19.
The Northern Territory is on most people’s bucket lists, and if it’s not, you’ll be adding it after reading this article. Waterfalls, crocodiles, swimming holes, wildlife and the world’s oldest living culture are just a few of the reasons why the Northern Territory has such a great reputation for its natural beauty. Continue reading to find out more on what you can do in the Northern Territory during COVID-19.
Photo by Melanie Dretvic on Unsplash
Northern Territory National Parks to Visit During COVID-19
Uluru.
Uluru is the most famous natural landmark in Australia, with great cultural history. You can immerse yourself in the history at the Uluru Cultural Centre and learn about the past by walking or biking around and exploring Uluru and stopping at all of the information points. This large plateau is nearly 350 metres in height and 9.5km in circumference.
Uluru was declared a national park in 1950 and in 1985, the Anagu people were finally recognised as the traditional owners of the park (Uluru and Kata Tjuta) and now lease the land to the Australian Government. It can be estimated that Aboriginal people have lived in Central Australia for more than thirty-thousand years through archaeological evidence.
Moreover, Uluru and Kata Tjuta are spiritual landmarks to the original land owners and visiting these national parks offers a unique opportunity to see them and learn about the Aboriginal people’s ancestry and continued culture. If you’re staying in Alice Springs, head over to the sunset viewing point for an unbelievable view of Uluru as the sun goes down.
Field of Light.
The Field of Light is an installation created by Bruce Munro, using more than fifty-thousand solar-powered lights that look beautiful against the setting sun. It’s hard to describe just how immaculate this experience is; imagine the length of seven football fields covered in thousands of illuminated bulbs.
It feels unreal to see the sun set on Uluru as the lights come to life, which is why A Night at Field of Light is recommended, where you can enjoy canapés and a selection of drinks. For those looking for a more thrilling experience, you can achieve this by skydiving, riding on the back of a Harley or jump on a helicopter to admire Uluru from new angles.
The Olgas (Kata Tjuta).
Enjoying the beautiful scenery while hiking through the Valley of the Winds at the Olgas is another activity you can do in the Northern Territory during COVID-19. Kata Tjuta (meaning ‘many heads’) is another sacred landmark to the Aboriginal people.
For more than 22,000 years, the local Aboriginal Anagu people have inhabited the area and now welcome visitors to join a cultural tour and learn about their unique history. When you finally spot the Olgas while driving, their appearance will shock you. It looks almost unworldly, as if they belong on a different planet.
The large cluster of uneven rocks is astounding and there are multiple hikes available to admire their beauty. Valley of the Winds is the most popular hike, where you can feel the wind blow past you when standing in the alley-way of the rocks. If you decide to go during summer, it’s recommended to go early in the morning when temperatures are cooler and the wildlife is out.
Litchfield National Park.
Litchfield National Park is one of Australia’s famous national parks, home to multiple waterfalls and waterholes. This is a top destination for people looking for something to do in the Northern Territory during COVID-19. With waterfalls and waterholes you can swim in, the park also has various hiking trails immersed with wildlife and other sites like magnetic termite mounds.
The Tabletop Track is rated as the most difficult hike, which is 39km in total. Moreover, if you want a different kind of challenge, there are multiple difficult four-wheel drive tracks. There is great variety at this park, from luscious waterfalls to ancient gorges; this is a park worth visiting.
Things to Do in Darwin During COVID-19.
As the capital of the Northern Territory, there is plenty to do in Darwin. With beautiful nature sights from lagoons to rainforests, there is a lot to enjoy. Such as:
- Art centres, museums and galleries which boast beautiful Aboriginal art.
- Sunset cruises around Darwin harbour.
- The Open-air Deckchair Cinema.
- Amazing restaurants and bars.
More from Chloe 
