Top 8 Wildlife Encounters You Can Only Have In The Northern Territory
If you seek different, this is the holiday for you.
Every Aussie is familiar with the amazing natural wonders that exist in the Northern Territory. There’s sacred Uluru and the striking wetlands of Kakadu, not to mention the gorgeous tropical islands around Darwin and Arnhem Land. But what about the wildlife that calls that diverse landscape home?
There are way more animals to discover in the Top End than you may think, and many that can only be found within its beautiful borders.
Ready to get wild? Here are eight wildlife encounters only possible in the NT.
#1 Fresh And Saltwater Crocodiles
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The NT’s most famous residents, fresh and saltwater crocodiles are part of its DNA. There are numerous places to view these prehistoric icons, from Adelaide River near Litchfield to Nitmiluk Gorge just outside Katherine and even Crocosaurus Cove in the Darwin CBD where you can swim with saltwater crocs.
Or stay overnight at Matt Wright’s Top End Safari Camp to spot crocs in the wild from helicopter and airboat rides. You’ll even get to meet some of Matt’s massive rescue crocs at feeding time.
#2 Magpie Geese
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Magpie Geese are not regular magpies. There’s no need to don a crash hat with googly eyes when you see these birds coming, but you will want to grab a camera. Found in wetlands and floodplains, these huge waterbirds can grow up to around 90cm in length and are recognisable for their black and white feathers, along with their distinctive honk (trust us, you’ll know it when you hear it).
Yellow Water in Kakadu National Park is one of the best places to view them in the wild, along with a bevy of other bird species.
#3 Water Buffalo
You don’t have to visit South East Asia to see water buffalo munching away on a mouthful of delicious, fresh grass. They’re right here in the NT, particularly around Arnhem Land and the Mary River floodplain on the edge of Kakadu.
Originally imported in the 19th century as working animals, they survived and thrived in the local conditions.
#4 Dingoes
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They’re one of the most infamous animals in the outback, but the truth is dingoes are actually pretty fascinating. Recognisable for their sandy-ginger fur, they may look like regular dogs but are actually descendants of the Plains Wolf from India. They don’t bark, they howl.
According to the history books they were introduced by sea traders around 4000 years ago. Today you can see them in many areas of the NT, but Alice Springs Desert Park is a good place to start.
#5 Sea Turtles
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Seeing wild turtles nest or hatch and scurry down to the sea under a full moon is one of those rare “pinch me” experiences. Bare Sand Island, around 60km south-west of Darwin, is an important nesting site for turtles and just so happens to be accessible on day tours.
Nesting season lasts from May to October, with June to July usually the peak time to see giant turtles come ashore to nest.
#6 Thorny Devils
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There are a lot of lizards in the NT, including over 100 species of skink. While you might know the likes of goannas and frilled-neck lizards, there’s another resident that deserves your attention: the thorny devil.
Despite its name, it’s rather cute… if you can spot one. Growing to just 21cm in length, these little beauties are the stealth masters of the reptile world, camouflaging into their desert surrounds thanks to their brown and tan colouring. If you want a guaranteed sighting, Alice Springs Reptile Centre has you covered.
#7 Cuddle a baby roo
There are lots of wild kangaroos in the NT, but you can get up close and personal with joeys at the Kangaroo Sanctuary just outside Alice Springs.
The sanctuary rescues orphan joeys and cares for them until they’re ready to be released back into the wild. Because kangaroos sleep during the day, the best way to meet these cute and cuddly baby roos is by joining a guided sunset tour.
#8 Camels
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Wild camels may not immediately come to mind when you think of the NT, but there are actually over a million of them roaming around the outback. First introduced from the Canary Islands in 1840, they took quite a liking to the local conditions and thrived.
One of the best ways to get up close with these ships of the desert is a camel ride at Uluru.
If the NT has been on your wish list for a while, there’s no time like the present. The beauty, the wonder, and the wildlife adventures within are truly like nowhere else in Australia.
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: @jp_ontheroad courtesy of Tourism Northern Territory)