Frequently Asked Questions

Tourism Top End – Darwin City
6 Bennett Street, Darwin NT 0800
Phone: 8980 6000 or 1300 138 886
Post: GPO Box 4392 Darwin, NT 0801
Email: info@tourismtopend.com.au
Web: www.tourismtopend.com.au or www.backpackthent.com.au

Tourism Top End – Darwin Airport
1 Fenton Court, near the baggage carousel
Phone: 8927 7071
Post: GPO Box 4392 Darwin, NT 0801
Email: airport@tourismtopend.com.au
Web: www.tourismtopend.com.au or www.backpackthent.com.au

Large areas of the outback are without mobile (cell) phone coverage, but all significant population centres throughout the Northern Territory are served by a mobile network.

Prior to departure, visitors from North America should check with their phone provider to make sure their cell phone will operate in Australia.

If visiting Australia for an extended period a convenient and cost effective option is to purchase a prepaid handset once you arrive. These may be bought for as little as $50 from Australia Post and various phone shops and computing outlets. Recharging options are available from number of retail outlets. If travelling in remote areas you may consider hiring a satellite phone. Some car and campervan hire companies specialising in four wheel drive vehicles also rent out satellite phones.

The Public Transport Division provides a safe and convenient public bus transport service for locals as well as travellers to the Top End.

The network of services operate between three main interchanges located in Darwin City, Casuarina and Palmerston. A bus timetable can be collected from the Tourism Top End - Darwin Visitor Information Centre at 6 Bennett Street Darwin City, or click here to download the latest bus route information and times.

Darwin Airport
Henry Wrigley Drive Marrara NT, 0812

McDonalds Darwin CBD
Darwin Central Building 21 Knuckey Street, Darwin City, NT 0800

McDonalds Stuart Park
Stuart Highway, Stuart Park, NT 0820

McDonalds Ludmilla
Cnr Bagot Rd & Fitzer Dr, Darwin, NT, 0820

McDonalds Palmerston
Cnr University Dr & Cambridge St, 1 Cambridge St, Palmetston, NT, 0830

McDonalds Katherine
13 First St, Katherine, NT, 0850

For more WiFi Hotspots click here.

Even in the midst of the Northern Territory's wide open spaces, travellers can still get access to the Internet, it is increasingly widespread, even in the outback.

The major centres of Darwin and Alice Springs have many internet cafes with competitive rates. Travellers can also get online in Katherine, Tennant Creek and Nhulunbuy.

Many hotels, motels and backpacker lodges have Internet access with special deals for guests and local roadhouses and airports increasingly offer internet kiosks.

The Northern Territory is home to two World Heritage-listed national parks - Kakadu and Uluru-Kata Tjuta - along with over 50 other national parks, nature reserves, conservation areas and marine parks. These parks offer plenty of experiences for travellers: bushwalking, swimming under waterfalls, Aboriginal cultural tours and camping under the stars.

Following is some essential information on the Northern Territory's national parks:

• Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and Kakadu National Park requires a permit to access, which is provided at Visitor Information Centres. The cost of an adult is $25 per park.
• Camp in designated camp sites and remember to take all rubbish with you when you leave.
• Pets are not permitted in any national park in the Northern Territory
• Some parks in the northern part of the Territory, such as Kakadu, are home to saltwater crocodiles. Obey the 'no swimming' warnings.
• Take care with fire, light fires only in fireplaces provided. Take a gas barbecue in case there is a total fire ban.
• Avoid using soaps and detergent in or near waterways
• All cultural items and wildlife are protected. Don't feed native animals.

More information on parks, road conditions, camping fees, pets in parks and details on things to know before you go:

Kakadu National Park - Parks Australia
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park - Parks Australia
Northern Territory Parks & Reserves - Northern Territory Parks & Wildlife

The Top End Holiday Guide
This free comprehensive guide covers:

Darwin
The Tiwi Islands
Kakadu National Park
Litchfield National Park
Arnhem Land
The Douglas & Daly River Region
The Katherine Region

It also provides visitors with details of accommodation (including caravan and camping parks) attractions, tours and charters, fishing charters, vehicle rental etc.

To view this publication online, click here.

For a copy to be mailed  please email us at info@backpackthent.com.au.

Destination Darwin & The Top End
Destination Darwin and the Top End is produced twice-annually with editions covering the Dry Season (May to October) and the Wet Season (November to April).

This handy pocket-size guide provides extensive information on:

Accommodation options (from 5 Star to Backpacker)
Tours and charters
What to see
Where to eat
Public transport
Vehicle hire etc.
City and suburb maps
Self-guided walking trails

Collect your copy from

Darwin International Airport
The Tourism Top End Visitor Information Centre in the City
And at many of the accommodation houses and attractions in the Top End Region

Copies of the current edition may also be obtained by emailing info@backpackthent.com.au.

Getting around the Northern Territory is as easy as booking a flight, getting a rail pass, hopping on a bus or fuelling up your car. Read on to find out how.

• By Air - Flying around the Northern Territory has never been easier. There are regularly scheduled flights between the tourism centres of Darwin, Alice Springs, Nhulunbuy, Groote Eylandt and Yulara, the location of Uluru/Ayers Rock. Charter flights can also be organised to more remote destinations like the Cobourg Peninsula, Tiwi Islands and Borroloola.
• By Rail - For a fantastic journey and an overnight stay – hop on The Ghan and travel between Alice Springs and Darwin. You can even stop off in Katherine for a few hours or a few days to visit Katherine Gorge (Nitmiluk) and the surrounding attractions before continuing on to your destination.
• Public Transport - Darwin and Alice Springs both have scheduled bus services that connect the cities with outer areas. Taxis and private hire cars, coaches and limousines can also be booked here.
• Coaches - A number of coach lines operate scheduled services from Alice Springs and Darwin to other destinations. Coach touring is often a cost-effective way to get around the Territory and it allows travellers to experience this destination's renowned changing scenery.
• Self-drive Touring - A driving holiday in the Northern Territory gives travellers the freedom and flexibility to explore some of the world’s most magnificent scenery at their own pace. Campervans are also very popular and there are options for tag-along tours.

If opting to drive, 96% of the major attractions are accessible by sealed roads and the others are accessible via four-wheel drive tracks or charter flights.

There are five major tourist drives:

1. The Nature's Way winds through World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park and Katherine.
2. The Explorer's Way follows the footsteps of explorer John McDouall Stuart from Alice Springs to Darwin.
3. The Red Centre Way carves an intrepid journey through Central Australia from Alice Springs to Uluru/Ayers Rock.
4. The Savannah Way is an epic journey across the Top End, with both four-wheel drive tracks or sealed highway options.
5. The Binns Track is the NT's newest 4WD track from Mount Dare on the South Australian border to Timber Creek near Kununurra.

The Top End, which includes Darwin, Katherine, Kakadu and Arnhem Land, has a tropical climate. Darwin has an average temperature of 32 degrees celsius all year, with varying humidity. The tropical summer, from December to March, is considered by many to be the region's most beautiful time of year.

The summer rains bring the natural landscape to life and deliver the picturesque storms and sunsets the Northern Territory is renowned for.

The Dry season, from May to October, has warm, sunny days and cool nights. At the end of the year, the build up, or pre-monsoon season, begins and humidity levels start their rise.

The following chart outlines Darwin's monthly climate averages as an indicator for the whole northern region.

Jan - Feb
Min average temperature - 24C (75F) Max average temperature - 31C (88F)

Mar - Apr
Min average temperature - 24C (75F) Max average temperature - 32C (90F)

May - Sept
Min average temperature - 21C (69F) Max average temperature - 31C (88F)

Oct - Dec
Min average temperature - 25C (77F) Max average temperature - 32C (91F)

For today’s weather in Darwin click here

Water
In the Northern Territory's climate, it is important to consume adequate amounts of water to prevent dehydration. People should drink at least two litres of water each day.

Clothing
In tropical areas such as the Top End, the weather is always warm, so lightweight summer clothing like shorts, t-shirts and sandals are worn year-round. Sturdy shoes and long-sleeved shirts and trousers should be packed for time in the sun or in the bush.

It can be cold during winter and at night-time in the Central Australian regions of Alice Springs, Tennant Creek and Uluru, so warmer clothing like jumpers and long pants is required. Travelling in the bush is more comfortable in jeans or similar practical clothing and strong shoes.

Northern Territory Library - State Library

Parliament House - State Square
Phone: 1800 019 155
Monday to Friday 10am-5pm
Saturday & Sunday 1pm-5pm
Closed Public Holidays
Bus routes 4,8,10,14B

Darwin City Library
Civic Centre, Harry Chan Avenue
Phone: 8930 0230 
Monday-Friday: 9.00am-5.30pm
Saturday: 9.00am-12 midday
Bus routes 4,8,10,14B

Casuarina Library
17 Bradshaw Terrace, Casuarina
Phone: 8930 0200 
Monday to Friday: 9.00am-5.45pm
Except Wednesday: 9.00am-7.30pm
Saturday: 9.00am-12 midday
Sunday: 1.00pm-4.00pm
Bus routes 2,3,4,9,10,12

Karama Library
Karama Shopping Centre, Karama
Phone: 8927 2505 
Monday-Thursday: 10.00am-5.30pm
Friday: 1.00pm-5.30pm
Saturday: 9.00am-12 midday
Bus route 12

Nightcliff Library
10-12 Pavonia Place, Nightcliff
Phone: 8985 1461 
Monday-Thursday: 10.00am-5.30pm
Friday: 1.00pm-5.30pm
Saturday: 9.00am-12 midday
Bus route 4

Katherine Library
First Floor - Randazzo Centre, Katherine Terrace (opposite Oasis Shopping Centre)
Phone: 8971 1854
Tuesday: 8.30am to 5pm
Wednesday - Friday: 10am to 5pm
Saturday: 10am to 1pm
Sunday & Monday: Closed

Jabiru Library
11 Tasman Crescent, Jabiru
Phone: 8979 9459
Tuesday: 10.30am to 5.30pm
Wednesday to Friday: 8.30am to 4.30pm
Saturday 10.30am to 1.30pm
Sunday & Monday: Closed

Within certain areas of the Northern Territory, there are restrictions on the transportation and consumption of alcohol in public places. For more information on these restrictions, please click the following links:

Restrictions on drinking in public

List of restricted areas

Alcohol bans and penalties

Aboriginal Land

Public Holidays - Click here

School Holidays - Click here

Banking and Credit Cards

Banking facilities are most prolific in the main centres of the Northern Territory. Australia's largest banks including ANZ, Commonwealth Bank, Bendigo Bank, National Australia Bank and Westpac all have branches here. Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) operate 24 hours a day and are found throughout the Territory.

All major international credit cards are accepted throughout the Territory, but note that not all businesses accept all cards and some may charge transaction fees. Credit cards are usually essential for bookings, like tours and car hire. Many smaller operators and establishments may not accept certain credit cards.

Some remote regions have limited banking facilities. Many remote businesses don't have Eftpos and travellers should carry some cash with them.

Foreign Exchange
Outlets are available at Darwin International Airport, Smith Street Mall and Mitchell Street in Darwin City and most banks and major hotels. Check with your bank prior to departure as it is likely that they subscribe to the Cirrus Network meaning that the standard bank debit card now works in some 135 countries and almost one million ATMs worldwide.

Travellers Cheques
Travellers Cheques are being bypassed by more digital solutions such as Thomas Cook travellers Cheque debit card that can be purchased in your country of origin and used in ATMs throughout the world.

International Money
Are you planning to carry funds in or out of Australia? By law, you must now:

1. If asked by a Customs or police officer, report travellers cheques, cheques, money orders or any other bearer negotiable instruments of any amount.

2. Always report AUD$10,000 cash or more (or foreign currency equivalent) using a form available from Customs.

Please note there is no limit to the funds you can carry in or out of Australia. Visit the AUSTRAC website for more information.

Rest Areas

Rest areas are a formal area adjacent to the road enabling light vehicle motorists to take fatigue breaks. They are situated along the Stuart Highway, Victoria Highway and Barkly Highway ranging in facilities such as barbeques, toilets, water, showers, picnic tables and more.

Please note that some rest areas do allow 24 hour camping for travellers, it is best to view the facilities available at each location by clicking here.

Camping Spots

Camping spots are located across the Top End and overnight prices vary according to the standard of facilities available.

For information on fees and charges in National Parks in the NT click here.

For a list of commercial caravan parks in the Top End click here.

There are free camp sites are available in Kakadu National Park with limited facilities. For a list of sites click here.