NT Trip Advice

Never been to any of those places but my advice is........ have fun.

The advice from others to "don't waste your time going there" or " I wouldn't stay there" are things that made someone elses holiday. That is, discover the area for yourself and figure out for yourself which parts of the NT you like.

We have been to NT 3 times and loved every minute & kilometre, each place has
its own charm and character. Enjoy and travel safe.

Hi

We went to Alice for a week last year and thouroughly enjoyed it.

Use Google Earth to look at Ayres Rock (Uluru) to get an idea of the size of the rock before you go if possible. I found it awesome and unforgettable even though I did not climb it - through choice.

The telegraph stations through which all the messages including casualties in the First War got to reach us here in Australia.

Personally I found a day at the Desert Garden in Alice and a day out at Hermansberg mission should not be missed.

Enjoy

If you haven't been before, Uluru (Ayers Rock) and The Olgas are work a look.

Kings Canyon is one of the better tourist places to go to, the walk around the rim is excellent.

West McDonnell Ranges, where all the gorges and chasms are, needs time to explore fully.

Chambers Pillar, I can't vouch for. It was "shut" when we were up that way.
(Actually the track in was closed due to inclement weather)

The Wildlife Reserve at the Alice is also worthy of a days visit.

Google it!!!

Site Link

Great place to visit (the whole of NT of course)
We were there in Sept/Oct last year and found the whole of NT a fantastic experience.
Kings Station near Kings Canyon was a good place to stay and great fun as they have stuff like camel rides and quad bike rides etc.
Kings Canyon was nothing short of spectacular and made even more so by the storm that dumped on us in full sunlight and sent run-off over the edge of the cliffs.
We found Standley Chasm a bit of a "tourist trap" and not really worth the $7 per person entry. Walk in .... OK .... walk out. (It's privately owned and tending commercial)
If you are travelling by 4X4 and are heading up towards Darwin I would recommend entering Litchfield by the southern 4X4 entry as there are some great swimming holes and very deep rock pools on the way. The Nat Park camping areas are quite good.
The lost city in Litchfield is an eerie place and worth the drive in (IMHO)
Also (if are heading up towards Darwin) the rocks and cave paintings at Ubir at the north-eastern corner of Kakadu is an amazing place at sunset.(Well worth the experience as the sun set over the wetlands and then drops below the horizon - quite moving actually) The Nat. Park camping ground is very good there.
If you can't get up to the northern areas this time make sure you get there at some stage.

Have fun

Agree with what's already been said. Give yourself enough time at King's Canyon to do the rim walk!
I also strongly recommend doing Cambers Pillar & Rainbow Valley - see the trek notes for Cahmbers Pillar. Did it as a day trip from Alice myself.
Palm Valley also interesting but maybe not worthwhile if you're heading up the highway to Mataranka - plenty more palms & water there.
Have a good trip.

Temps were quite good (I think) certainly not too hot.
It should be really nice out in the centre this year because of the good rains this year.
Last October we headed back to Bris via Mt Dare and across the Simpson which we found very different to our last trip across in 2004. Last time (2004) the desert was all wildflowers etc because of good rains earlier on in the year, but it was very windy, hot and dry in 2006.
Take as much time as you can to soak up the incredible environment out there.

Hi Crackoflunch
A mate and I spent a couple of weeks in Centre September last year, not enough time, enjoyed it so much I am taking my wife back again this September / October and plan to spend at least two weeks around Alice Springs and working out from there for one or two overnighter's, Rainbow Valley, Chambers Pillar, Finke River Gorge, Palm Valley, the list goes on and on mate.
Remember to have a look around Coober Pedy.
Look at the ExploreOz treks link and see the Northern Territory treks. ExplorOz is a great place to start.
Google is great, I bought some maps from ExplorOz on the the areas I was interested in and studied them and found places of interest that I searched Google about, amazing the amount of info thats out there if you go a hunting.
Might see you on the road.
Have a safe and fantastic trip
Cheers
TasG

Steve,
We did this trip last Aug/Sept (not Chambers Pillars), have some research etc (itinery out of Adelaide) which I am happy to forward to you.

Send me your email address and will fill a few gaps on my notes and send them on to you.

Regards