Backpacking

Step into the Ultimate Northern Territory Backpacking Adventure

Backpacking the Northern Territory is all about iconic places without the crowds. Add rich Indigenous culture, incredible wildlife and great value and you've got a trip that feels bigger, wider and way more rewarding.

Explore routes

Earn as you explore

Budget-friendly stays

Events and nightlife

Travel tips

Things to know before you go

NT adventure deals

Top backpacking routes

The best way to explore the Northern Territory is to pick a base and build your adventure from there, leaving plenty of space for spontaneous detours and unexpected highlights along the way.

Whether you are flying, driving or road tripping the whole way, these routes let you travel the NT your way, at your own pace.

Tjoritja / West MacDonnell Ranges

Start mapping your NT adventure

Backpack the Top End <span>Darwin - Litchfield - Kakadu - Katherine </span>

Backpack the Outback <span>Alice Springs - Kings Canyon - Uluru </span>

A_bartender_making_a_drink_and_smiling_with_his_colleague_behind_a_bar_1.jpg

Earn as you explore

Adventure starts with a pay cheque in the Northern Territory. A working holiday here lets you earn as you explore, turning your days off into waterfall swims, epic road trips and unforgettable moments

Trader Bar, Darwin City

Discover jobs

Budget friendly stays

Here to work, travel, or mix a bit of both? The Northern Territory makes it easy to find budget places to stay and call home while you explore.

Litchfield Safari Camp, Litchfield National Park

Hostels in the NT

$26 – $200

$40 – $150

$40 – $109

$37 – $565

$149 – $300

$60 – $270

$38 – $260

$179 – $490

$39 – $350

$62 – $310

Caravan and camping ground in the NT

$37 – $565

$20 – $89

$5 – $395

$41 – $345

$48 – $195

$3 – $15

$5 – $18

$25 – $40

$20 – $58

$160 – $175

Standley Chasm – Angkerle Atwayte Camping

$25 – $65

$20 – $25

$60 – $270

$22 – $189

$18 – $150

$140 – $160

$35 – $175

$55 – $210

$250 – $450

$160 – $220

$90 – $180

$45 – $240

$50 – $500

$28 – $211

$18 – $169

$15 – $155

$45 – $900

$50 – $180

$150 – $350

$42 – $320

$265 – $375

Tobermorey Station Roadhouse and Caravan Park

$30 – $250

$42 – $495

$22 – $700

$110 – $215

$35 – $120

$35 – $180

Aurora Kakadu Lodge Camping and Caravan Park

$20 – $458

$39 – $365

The Ngurrungurrudjba (Yellow Water) Campground & Caravan Park

$29 – $129

$129 – $1,699

$30 – $40

$180 – $200

$50 – $450

$25 – $220

$30 – $250

$39 – $350

$40 – $195

$25 – $170

$45 – $416

$18 – $260

$40 – $150

$25 – $300

$85 – $140

$25 – $37

$7 – $15

$15 – $269

$26 – $920

$66

$24

$35 – $200

$30 – $195

$300 – $490

$35 – $250

$200 – $300

$36

$30

$38

$24

$55

$36

$30 – $36

$46

$34

$48 – $124

$35 – $195

$54

$36

$30 – $60

$83

$14 – $28

$17

$48

$25 – $37

$30 – $187

$58

$42

$18 – $24

$54

$30

$150 – $2,000

$40

$13

$36

$36 – $72

$24

$24 – $36

$25 – $240

$48 – $72

$36

$65 – $300

$66

$24

$30 – $42

$9 – $11

$30 – $50

$48

$42

$60

$46

$48

$18 – $24

$25 – $35

$38 – $145

$30

$34 – $67

$19

$26 – $46

$39 – $350

$18 – $210

$72

$30 – $43

$33

$22

$30 – $48

$36

$48

$54

$42

$44 – $66

$30

$22

$18

$42

$43 – $58

$43

$62 – $310

$40 – $200

Cultural experiences

Step into the world’s oldest living cultures in the Northern Territory, with experiences led by story, art, walking on Country and learning from local communities. There are many ways to learn and connect with the diverse Aboriginal cultures found throughout the Top End and Red Centre.

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park

Discover Aboriginal cultural itineraries

Top End: Aboriginal culture itinerary

Discover extraordinary Aboriginal cultural experiences in the Top End, including Darwin, Kakadu and Katherine. All are within reach on a 7-day road trip starting from Darwin and the Stuart Highway.

Read article See all

Red Centre: Aboriginal culture itinerary

Take a road trip through the Red Centre to discover Aboriginal cultural experiences you won’t find anywhere else.

Read article See all

Events and nightlife

The Northern Territory knows how to keep things lively from day to night. From outdoor festivals and live music to sunset sessions and late night eats, the NT serves up a social scene that is relaxed, welcoming and full of character. With a year-round calendar of gigs, markets, food events and sporting moments, there is always something worth stepping out for.

BASSINTHEGRASS

Upcoming events

BASSINTHEGRASS

Darwin Region

Saturday 16 May 2026

BASSINTHEGRASS is the Territory's biggest and longest-running tropical music festival!

Top End Gin Festival

Darwin Region

Saturday 30 May 2026

The Northern Territory is in for a treat as the Top End Gin Festival returns to the iconic Darwin Ski Club, bringing a juniper-infused jungle of flavour, music and Territory sunsets to Bundilla Beach.

Darwin Lions Beer Can Regatta

Darwin Region

Sunday 28 June 2026

The Darwin Lions Beer Can Regatta is an annual event not to be missed!

Territory Day

Darwin Region

Wednesday 1 July 2026

On 1 July each year, Territorians get to officially celebrate everything they love about the place they call home and the people who make the Territory so unique and special.

Nightcliff Seabreeze Festival

Darwin Region

8 – 10 May 2026

Nightcliff Seabreeze Festival is an annual community festival held along a two kilometre stretch of Nightcliff Foreshore in Darwin, welcoming in the Top End dry season.

Barunga Festival

Katherine Region

5 – 8 June 2026

Barunga Festival is a must for anyone seeking an authentic Aboriginal cultural experience.

Darwin Festival

Darwin Region

5 – 23 August 2026

Darwin Festival is Australia's hottest winter arts festival, set in the heart of the Northern Territory on Larrakia land.

Darwin Street Art Festival

Darwin Region

Darwin Street Art Festival is based in the tropical city of Darwin, on Larrakia land in the North of Australia.

Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair

Darwin Region

6 – 9 August 2026

Experience the rich diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, design and culture at the 20th Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair!

Darwin Fringe Festival

Darwin Region

17 – 26 July 2026

The biggest platform for emerging, independent and experimental artists in the Northern Territory, Darwin Fringe is your community arts festival with bite.

MXGP of Australia

Darwin Region

18 – 20 September 2026

Darwin will roar into life as MXGP rips it up Down Under with excitement sky high after huge crowds descended on the brand-new track.

Nitro Up North

Darwin Region

14 – 15 August 2026

Darwin, get ready for Nitro Up North to light up Hidden Valley Dragstrip!

Red CentreNATS

Alice Springs Region

3 – 6 September 2026

The 12th annual Red CentreNATS, presented by LMCT+, bringing thousands together in Alice Springs for four days of cars, bikes and culture.

Tatts Finke Desert Race

Alice Springs Region

5 – 8 June 2026

The iconic Finke Desert Race is an off-road, multi terrain two day race for bikes, cars and buggies through desert country from Alice Springs to the small Aputula (Finke) community.

Alice Springs Beanie Festival

Alice Springs Region

19 – 22 June 2026

The Alice Springs Beanie Festival, one of Australia's unique Festivals, will be held in the Red Centre in June.

Noonamah Tavern Rodeo

Darwin Region

23 May – 22 August 2026

Join in the fun and excitement of the Noonamah Tavern Rodeo with an action-packed night of Barrel Racing, Bull Riding, Saddle Bronc riding, Freestyle Moto X, and more!

Dolphins vs Penrith Panthers

Darwin Region

Friday 17 April 2026

Get ready, rugby league fans - the Dolphins are charging north and ready to put on a show.

Parrtjima

Alice Springs Region

10 – 19 April 2026

Parrtjima is the meeting place where old meets new.

Explore all events

Travel tips for backpackers

Ready to plan your backpacking trip to Australia and put the Northern Territory on your map?

Bitter Springs, Elsey National Park

Things to know before you go

Weather & seasons

Learn more

Park passes & permits

Explore getting here & around

Frequently asked questions

Top End

May to October is the most popular time to visit, with dry weather, warm days, cooler nights, and easy access to national parks, hikes, and campgrounds.

From November to April, the tropical summer transforms the landscape with flowing waterfalls, dramatic storms, lush scenery, fewer crowds, and great travel deals, perfect for budget travellers who don't mind the warm tropical weather.

Red Centre

April to October is ideal, offering cooler days and crisp nights for hiking, road trips, and exploring Uluru, Kata Tjuta, Kings Canyon and beyond.

Summer brings warm days, quieter landscapes, fewer visitors, and great value, with early mornings and sunset experiences offering the best conditions to explore.
Hiring a car or camper gives you the freedom to chase waterfalls, camp under the stars, and reach remote national parks at your own pace.

Long-distance buses connect Darwin, Katherine, Alice Springs, and Uluru, making it easy to move between major hubs. Guided tours are another great option if you want to cover the highlights without driving, while domestic flights help you travel quickly between Darwin and Alice Springs when time is tight.
Want to keep your adventures rolling? Learn more about a working Holiday in the Northern Territory and how to obtain a working holiday visa in Australia.
Explore current work opportunities on Territory WorkerConnect and Workforce Australia.

Connect with recruitment agencies, visit businesses in person, check hostel noticeboards, join local Facebook job groups, and speak to other travellers already in the region.

All postcodes in the NT count toward completing your 88 days of specified work, making it a popular choice for visa extensions. And yes, that comes with endless waterfalls, camping spots, and hiking trails to enjoy along the way.

Backpacking in Australia's Northern Territory

Step into the Ultimate Northern Territory Backpacking Adventure

Top backpacking routes

Start mapping your NT adventure

Earn as you explore

Working holiday in the NT

Budget friendly stays

Hostels in the NT

Your search returned no results. Please try again.

Caravan and camping ground in the NT