TERRITORIANS are a resilient lot. Within 24 hours of Cyclone Marcus sweeping across northern Australia, the majority of Darwin's tourism operators were back in business.
NT Department of Tourism acting chief executive Michael Tennant said there has been no lasting disruption to the tourism industry in the Top End.
"While cyclones are a natural phenomenon of the tropics, they are not a regular occurrence in Darwin," he said. "The message is that Darwin is very much open for business."
Mr Tennant said while a number of felled trees remained across the Top End they did not distract from what the Territory offers.
Now is classified as off-peak, with great value-for-money hotels, airline and tour deals.
Here are Tourism NT's suggestions for great experiences in the coming weeks:
- Darwin's vivid sunsets deliver dramatic nightly showstoppers and provide the perfect backdrop for some of the city's most famous outdoor eateries.
- The swell of wet-season waterfalls, like the ever-popular Florence and Wangi Falls, make for epic Instagram-worthy images in Litchfield National Park, a 90-minute drive from Darwin's CBD. And best of all, the roads are fully-sealed.
- A scenic flight through Kakadu National Park is one of the absolute best ways to fully appreciate this ancient and rugged landscape as water buffalo and brumbies roam, spear trees reach their full height, billabongs swell and fill, and waterfalls like Jim Jim and Twin Falls flow in full glory.
- Southern Rockhole in Nitmiluk National Park is one of the few places where you can swim in Nitmiluk during the Top End green season - and what a waterhole it is! The walk is more hike than stroll as you clamber over the rocky escarpment, so BYO good walking shoes and a sense of adventure.
- And if you're an angler you should think about coming next summer when you can stay, play and fish the Territory's "build up" and run-off. The fishing is spectacular from January to mid-March and the Million Dollar Fish competition (October to February) provides a million extra incentives for anglers to visit during the summer season.
Details: www.northernterritory.com