A man and a woman cheersing in Babylon Bar in Darwin

4 Incredible Food Experiences You Can Only Have In The Northern Territory

Brought to you by Tourism Northern Territory

If you seek different, this is the holiday for you.

Forget Sydney and Melbourne — some of Australia’s most unique food experiences actually happen up in the Northern Territory.

The Top End has a lot going for it in the dining department. For one, Darwin’s seaside location makes it a great place to eat fresh seafood. And the capital’s proximity to Asia has helped it become one of the most multicultural areas in Australia. The city is home to a smorgasbord of South-East Asian delights – head to the markets on any given weekend and you can start your day with a bowl of breakfast laksa, a crusty banh mi, or a plate of Cambodian pancakes (or, hell, try to fit in all three. No judgement here).

But it’s not just the quality of the meals that makes the Territory so strong in the kitchen. From the laneways of Darwin down to the open expanses of the Red Centre, the NT is also home to eating experiences that you can’t find anywhere else in the world – we’re talking dinners fit for your bucket list.

Wondering where to start? From tables that offer awe-inspiring views to bush tucker trips out in the desert, here are four uniquely NT food experiences.

#1 A meal with a view of Uluru

There’s al fresco dining and then there’s dinner with a view of Uluru.

Nothing else will compare after you enjoy a meal under the stars in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, where you’ll get to look out over Australia’s most incredible natural wonder while you eat. But it won’t only be Uluru bringing the ambiance — the absence of artificial light means your meal will be lit only by the stars above (and a few well-placed candles).

There are a few different options for pulling up a seat under the desert sky. For some serious fine dining you could opt for the remote Dune Top tables at Longitude 131°, the luxury wilderness camp where Prince William and Kate stayed in 2014. There’s also Tali Wiru, which hosts intimate dinners for a maximum of 20 people each evening.

Or you could book a spot at Sounds of Silence, where you’ll be fed a bush tucker-inspired meal and hear a yidaki performance. After dinner, an astronomer will guide you through the constellations visible in the night sky, before you get cosy around the campfire with tea, coffee, and port. Love that for you.

#2 A night out with native botanicals

For a G&T with a difference, head to Charlie’s of Darwin. The NT’s first gin distillery infuses its booze with locally-sourced botanicals like Kakadu plum, lemon myrtle, and river mint — a very fun way to sample some uniquely Territorian ingredients.

You could stick to drinks at the distillery but to really make a night of it, book a spot at the venue’s restaurant, which uses native ingredients to plate up dishes like pepperberry kangaroo tataki. And to bring home a souvenir you’ll actually want around the house, pick up a bottle of Charlie’s Signature Darwin Gin before you go. It’s made using Kakadu plum, water lilies, and native lemongrass, all sustainably harvested within a three-hour drive of the distillery. Beats a fridge magnet.

#3 A bush tucker excursion

On a trip to the beautiful West MacDonnell Ranges with Mbantu Starlight and Bush Dinner Tours, you’ll get to learn about Indigenous bush tucker.

First you’ll be shown traditional bush foods and get to sample ingredients like kangaroo, emu, wattle seed, and quandong for yourself. Then, you’ll be cooked a three-course meal featuring some of the bush food flavours. But it’s not just the grub that makes this special — dinner is served under the Milky Way and soundtracked by the sounds of the desert. Once you’re done eating, host Bob will escort you on a bit of after-dark wildlife spotting. It’s a true only-in-the-NT dinner.

#4 A dinner cruise through Nitmiluk Gorge

One of the Territory’s most stunning spots is Nitmiluk National Park, which boasts sandstone cliffs, crystal clear waterways, and a labyrinth of 13 breathtaking gorges. No trip to the Top End is complete without seeing it.

But to level up your nature experience, why not explore Nitmiluk’s waterways with a glass of champagne in hand? You can do just that by setting sail on the Nabilil Dreaming Sunset Cruise, which weaves through the gorge as the sky begins to change colour.

You’ll learn about the culture of the Jawoyn people as wait staff bring you a three-course candlelit dinner made with fresh, local produce. All you have to do is sit back, eat up, and discreetly loosen your belt before dessert arrives.

This article originally appeared on Junkee.

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Discover more of the Northern Territory and how you can experience a holiday that’s different in every sense.

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(Lead image courtesy of Tourism Northern Territory)