Hostels in Northern Territory

Northern Territory, Australia, is a federal territory in the north of Australia. The territory borders the states of Western Australia in the west, Queensland in the east, and South Australia in the south. The Northern Territory is where adventurers and nature lovers go to experience the "real Australian outback."

The territory is home to hundreds of native flora and fauna, including freshwater and salt-water crocodiles. There are fifty-two national parks and nature reserves, and you'll also find here the ionic Uluru (commonly known as "Ayers Rock"). There are still loads of small indigenous communities and national heritage sites in Northern Territory, which makes this one of the best places to learn about the Aboriginal culture and traditions.

The territory’s capital is Darwin -- and most people will visit Darwin if visiting the Northern Territory, as it is the largest city in the territory. It has plenty of facilities, shopping centres, government buildings, an airport, hospital, and all the other major facilities. The northern part of the territory experiences only two seasons -- the wet, hot, and humid season (December to February) and the hot and very dry season (June to August). The best time to visit the area is in the dry season, as this is the most comfortable time to visit and explore the national parks and nearby attractions. The centre of the Northern Territory is red desert, and it can get extremely hot, so make sure you pack plenty of water when out during the day. During the night, especially in winter, the desert can get very cold, so it's also important to pack some warm clothes.

Northern Territory has some great hiking trails, wildlife spotting, and camping opportunities in the many national parks. Kakadu National Park is a World Heritage Site, full of aboriginal culture, nature and gorges, and rainforest. Other popular and beautiful national parks include Gregory National Park, the second-largest national park in the territory, with ranges, gorges, woodlands, and plenty of wildlife. Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park (also known as Ayers Rock and The Olgas). And Watarrka National Park, which is home to Kings Canyon, offers some of the best and challenging hiking opportunities.

There are a few different accommodation options throughout the Northern Territory, and Darwin and the touristic towns have the biggest range of accommodation. In these places, accommodation options include hotels, resorts, campsites, Northern Territory, Australia hostels (or backpackers) and motels. In the more rural or less touristic areas of Northern Territory, motels and roadhouses are usually the only options. Northern Territory, Australia hostels are a great place to stay to meet other travelers. Hostel staff are generally very helpful, and willing to provide useful information about local tours and transport.

Handwritten by local expert for Northern Territory hostels Kelly Sheldrick