Northern Territory

The Northern Territory offers some of Australia's most iconic and culturally significant walking: the red centre's ancient ranges and monoliths, and the tropical Top End's waterfalls, gorges and escarpments. It's a land shaped by tens of thousands of years of Aboriginal culture, and many walks pass sacred sites and rock art.

In the Red Centre, the Larapinta Trail (about 223 km) follows the West MacDonnell Ranges (Tjoritja) from Alice Springs to Mount Sonder. It's widely regarded as one of the world's great desert walks. Its 12 sections let you sample it over a day or two, or walk the full trail over two to three weeks. The sunrise walk up Mount Sonder (Rwetyepme) and the Ormiston Pound loop are favourites.

At Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park, the Uluru Base Walk (about 10 km) circles the rock past waterholes, caves and rock art. At Kata Tjuṯa, the Valley of the Winds walk winds between the domes. Climbing Uluṟu has been permanently closed since 2019 out of respect for the Aṉangu Traditional Owners. Kings Canyon Rim Walk in Watarrka National Park climbs onto a sandstone plateau with sheer canyon walls.

In the Top End, Kakadu National Park offers short rock-art walks at Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) and Ubirr (the Barrk Sandstone Walk is currently closed at the Traditional Owners' request). Nitmiluk National Park is home to the Jatbula Trail (62 km), which follows a Jawoyn songline from Katherine Gorge to Leliyn (Edith Falls). In Litchfield National Park, Florence Falls and the multi-day Tabletop Track (seasonal, check status) are popular.

Season is everything. In the Red Centre, walk from April to September; summer heat is extreme and some walks close on hot days. In the Top End, walk in the dry season (roughly May to September). The wet season brings flooding, closures and intense heat. Crocodiles are present in Top End waterways, so swim only where signage says it's safe.

Interstate visitors need an NT Parks Pass for Territory parks. Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa and Kakadu need their own Parks Australia passes.

How to use this page. Each the Territory listing below shows the official track grade (AWTGS), distance, typical walking time, elevation gain, access and parking notes, fees or permits, the best season, whether dogs are allowed, and the facilities at the trailhead. Use the filters to narrow by region, time available or difficulty. You can also add walks to your favourites or compare up to three side by side. Every fact links back to the managing park agency, so you can check current conditions. If you know a well-loved the Territory walk we've missed, or spot an out-of-date detail, tell us through the Contact page and we'll check it against the official source before updating. New to hiking? Start with our beginner, what-to-pack and safety guides before heading out.

Before you go: check NT Parks and Parks Australia alerts, the BOM forecast and fire danger rating. Inclusion here doesn't mean a track is currently open or safe.

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Start with the time you have, then consider terrain, fitness, experience and access needs. Compare official track grades alongside the walk’s distance and published conditions. A short walk can still be technically demanding.

Explore walks across all eight Australian states and territories. Free basic inclusion is available to eligible trails, operators and hiking groups.