This stunning park, covering almost 12,500 square miles (32,375 sq km) was added to the world's list of World Heritage areas in 1984 and is regarded as one of the natural marvels of Australia. The land itself is believed to be more than two billion years old, and is a jigsaw of wetlands, gorges, waterfalls, floodplains, rainforest pockets and escarpments. It offers the visitor a breathtaking variety of superb landscapes teeming with wildlife, and features some of Australia's most magnificent examples of Aboriginal rock art. About 5,000 Aboriginal sites have been identified in the park area. The park can be visited on a day-trip from Darwin and contains more than 1,600 species of plants and 500 different kinds of birds and animals.

Kakadu

(08) 8938 1120 (Bowali Visitor Centre)

Formerly known as Ayres Rock, Uluru rises from the surrounding plains, protected within the Uluru - Kata Tjuta National Park, and belongs to the Anangu Aboriginal people for whom it holds a special spiritual significance. In an isolated spot 280 miles (450km) from Alice Springs, the power of the rock draws hundreds of visitors taken on tours by Aboriginal guides who explain the monolith's importance in Aboriginal culture. A visit to this monolithic rock, the world's greatest, is an awesome experience. It is composed of a type of sandstone that has been exposed through folding, faulting, the erosion of rock and infill. At the base are caves, inlets and overhangs formed by chemical degradation and erosion. Some opt for the 1,142ft (348m) climb to the top, which takes about 45 minutes and is not for the faint-hearted; however it should be noted that for spiritual reasons the Anangu people request that visitors not climb the rock. Visitors should try to view Uluru at different times of the day - part of the magic of the rock is its constant colour changes in different lights, particularly at sunrise and sunset. Visitors can take a camel tour of the outback at Uluru, or enjoy an unforgettable flight in a light aircraft or helicopter for a bird's eye view of the monolith. About 19 miles (30km) from Uluru is another fascinating geological formation on the desert landscape. Known as Kata Tjuta (formerly known as the Olgas), these comprise 36 domes of red-brown earth, the tallest of which, Mount Olga, is 656ft (200m) taller than Uluru. There is a range of accommodation at Uluru, from luxury resorts to campsites. There is also an Aboriginal cultural centre and an arts and craft centre, along with restaurants, swimming pools, galleries, supermarket, medical centre and post office.

Ayers Rock, Uluru

(0)8 8956 1128

uluru.info@environment.gov.au

www.environment.gov.au/parks/uluru

Housing over three decades of research on Australian crocodiles and a comprehensive crocodile museum, the Crocodylus Park and Zoo is designed to educate people about this lesser known predator. At this, the largest attraction in Darwin, visitors can learn about these reptiles as well as view a collection of other animals such as big cats, monkeys, birds, snakes and turtles, to name a few. Regular daily tours, including crocodile feeding, will leave visitors captivated and enthralled by these prehistoric-like creatures.

815 McMillans Road, Knuckey Lagoon

(08) 8922 4500

services@wmi.com.au

www.crocodyluspark.com

Aquascene is where hundreds of fish, such as milkfish, bream, catfish and many other species come to shore at high tide to be fed by hand in a skirmish of fins and tails. The ritual began in the late 1950s when local residents would throw scraps of food to a few mullet. Before too long, hundreds of fish were turning up at high tide every day to be fed. This popular attraction gives visitors an introduction to the marine life living off the Darwin coast.

28 Doctors Gully Road

+61889817837

aquascene@bigpond.com

www.aquascene.com.au

Operated by the Darwin Film Society and completely independent, the Deckchair Cinema is unique in more than one way. Screening films that would otherwise be unavailable to local audiences, the Deckchair Cinema is set outdoors on the edge of Darwin Harbour and is the perfect location for a sunset picnic followed by a movie. Te cinema runs seven nights a week during the dry season (April to November) and screens a range of movies from family friendlies to foreign films. With 250 deckchairs and about 100 straight-backed seats, the cloudless skies above the Deckchair Cinema and harbour lights make a breathtaking backdrop for the screen.

Jervois Road, off Kitchener Drive, Darwin Waterfront

(08) 8981 0700

info@deckchaircinema.com

www.deckchaircinema.com

The Royal Flying Doctor Service Visitor Centre at Alice Springs started out in the 1970s and has since gone on to become one of Central Australia's most popular tourist attractions. Winning a Brolga Award for Tourism Excellence in 2005, the television series based on the RDFS has made this centre an absolute must see. On average, 80,000 people visit the centre each year, visiting the museum where they can browse through old medical equipment and an original Traeger Pedal Radio.

8-10 Stuart Terrace

(08) 8952 1129

reservations@flyingdoctor.net

www.flyingdoctor.org.au

Ernabella Arts Inc. is Australia's oldest Indigenous art centre and has been in operation since 1948. Aboriginal men and women can come here to develop and showcase their artworks in order to promote and sustain cultural heritage. These people speak Yankunytjatjara, Pitjantjatjara and Ngaanyatjara from the Western Desert language groups of central Australia. Used by approximately 70 people of all ages, the centre displays Aboriginal art, contemporary art, craft, ceramics and paintings.

About 440km southwest of Alice Springs

+61889562954

ernabellaarts@bigpond.com

www.ernabellaarts.com.au

Located in Todd Mall next to the John Flynn Memorial Church, this impressive and historical Adelaide House was opened as a hospital-hostel in 1926. Sister Jean Findlayson was the brainchild behind the centre, setting it up so that patients did not have to travel to Oodnadatta by wagon. Adelaide House was the only medical centre in Central Australia until the opening of the hospital in 1939 and, during its peak, catered for a population of 950 people. In 1983 it was restored as a museum of local history and a radio room at the back of the house is where the first test radio transmission was received from Hermannsburg by Maurie Fuss in November, 1926, when Flynn and Traeger were experimenting with radio for the Flying Doctor Service. On display are journals, maps, publications and The museum has some fine displays including the story of the Australian Inland Mission, early journals, maps and a vast collection of historic photographs.

Todd Mall, Alice Springs

+61889521856

Surely, the most iconic image of Australia is the blood-red dust of its sere and sparse Outback - and what better way to experience it than from a hot air balloon, in the dawn hours, with the sky full of a million colours? Alice Springs' Outback Ballooning company has been offering this once-in-a-lifetime experience to eager visitors since 1986, and has built a solid reputation for itself as a high-quality, and dependable tour operator (with an impeccable safety record). You'll be accompanied on your hot air balloon ride - which also includes refreshments and a light breakfast - by an informative guide, to ensure you get the full effect of the unique landscape spread out beneath you. Visitors of all ages, sizes, shapes and fitness levels are welcome, and are all bound to leave with a memory they'll cherish for the rest of their lives. Don't forget to pack your camera.

35 Kennett Court, Alice Springs

(08) 8952 8723

sales@outbackballooning.com.au (Contact for reservations and pricing information)

outbackballooning.com.au