{"id":217116,"date":"2020-10-15T20:36:39","date_gmt":"2020-10-15T09:36:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.australiantraveller.com\/?p=217116"},"modified":"2023-02-17T11:42:17","modified_gmt":"2023-02-17T00:42:17","slug":"the-10-wildlife-experiences-your-kids-will-love-in-the-northern-territory","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.australiantraveller.com\/nt\/the-10-wildlife-experiences-your-kids-will-love-in-the-northern-territory\/","title":{"rendered":"The 10 wildlife experiences your kids will love in the Northern Territory"},"content":{"rendered":"
Get face-to-face with a crocodile, thorny devil or orphaned kangaroo on an Aussie safari, says Jennifer Ennion<\/em>.<\/h5>\n

You don\u2019t have to make the long journey to the African continent to give the family an outstanding safari-style holiday. The Northern Territory<\/a> has a huge range of animal encounters, many of which are bucket-list experiences. Here are our favourites:<\/p>\n

\"Experience

Experience the equine outback life at Katherine Outback Show. (Image: Tourism NT\/Shaana McNaught)<\/p><\/div>\n

Top End Family Wildlife Experiences<\/h2>\n

Turtles with Sea Darwin<\/h3>\n

One of the best parts about northern Australia is having the opportunity to watch turtles, and Sea Darwin<\/a> runs a fabulous Turtle Tracks tour for ocean lovers. Head over to Njulbitjlk (also known as Bare Sand Island), west of Darwin<\/a>, in time for sunrise or sunset, when you can watch flatback and olive ridley turtles return to shore to nest.<\/p>\n

\"Sea

Sea Darwin runs a fabulous Turtle Tracks tour for ocean lovers. (Image: Sea Darwin)<\/p><\/div>\n

Witnessing turtles lay eggs is always a special wildlife experience and no doubt you\u2019ll feel privileged to be there. The tour includes a fast boat ride to and from the island (ex- Stokes Hill Wharf in Darwin), as well as guides, dinner and drinks. The experience is timed with the lunar cycle and tides so be flexible and pack some cards to pass the time while you wait for the turtles to make an appearance.<\/p>\n

\"Baby

Witness this special wildlife experience. (Image: Sea Darwin)<\/p><\/div>\n

Crocs (of course) at Crocosaurus Cove<\/h3>\n

Feeding animals isn\u2019t for everyone, but Crocosaurus Cove<\/a> ups the ante with the \u201cwow\u201d factor and is therefore hugely popular. Easy to get to in Darwin, Crocosaurus is famous for its Cage of Death, a croc \u201cdive\u201d where the participant snorkels in a Perspex tank for a face-to-face encounter with a five-metre saltie.<\/p>\n

\"Cage

Crocosaurus is famous for its Cage of Death..<\/p><\/div>\n

If that\u2019s not for you, there\u2019s also the Big Croc Feed VIP Experience, during which you feed a croc as part of a 1.5-hour guided tour. Crocosaurus Cove is just one of numerous family-friendly activities in the Top End<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Hold a baby croc at Crocosaurus Cove.<\/p><\/div>\n

All creatures great and small at Territory Wildlife Park<\/h3>\n

To experience a gamut of Aussie creatures, call into Territory Wildlife Park, in lovely Berry Springs, 45 minutes\u2019 drive south of Darwin. This place has it all: carpet pythons, blue-winged kookaburras, bandicoots, wallaroos, curlews, bats, echidnas and emus. If you love birds of prey, sign up for the On the Glove<\/a> experience where intimate groups of five all get the option to hold one. There is also the \u201cpelican brekky\u201d where you can feed them fish, as well as the Secret Creatures Nocturnal House for reptiles, mammals and birds. The park makes a great stop for animal-loving families on a caravanning trip through the NT<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Whipray-encounters\"

Whipray encounters at the Territory Wildlife Park. (Image: Tourism NT\/Shaana McNaught)<\/p><\/div>\n

Bag a barra with Wildman Fishing Tours<\/h3>\n

The Mary River wetlands are thriving with fish, so you\u2019ll keep keen anglers in the family happy if you book a charter with Wildman Fishing Tours. Try your luck snagging a prized barramundi, or reel in a salmon, mackeral or snapper on a private or shared charter.<\/p>\n

\"Wildman

Book a charter with Wildman Fishing Tours.<\/p><\/div>\n

Along with Mary River, the company can also take you to Shady Camp, Finniss River and Dundee on single or multi-day tours. Before you go fishing in the NT, check out our guide to bagging a big one.<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Wildman-fishing-above\"

Exploring the Mary River wetlands with Wildman Fishing Tours.<\/p><\/div>\n

Birds and Buffalos (and, of course, crocs) with Yellow Water Cruises<\/h3>\n

A highlight of any trip to Kakadu<\/a> National Park is a tour with Yellow Water Cruises<\/a> along Yellow Water Billabong and South Alligator River. The major selling point is seeing crocs in the wild, but what you’ll love about this trip is the plethora of other Top End animals you come across: majestic storks with blue necks, darters with their impressive black wings, golden tree snakes and water buffalo.<\/p>\n

\"Yellow

Tour with Yellow Water Cruises along Yellow Water Billabong and South Alligator River. (Image: Tourism NT\/Matt Cherubino)<\/p><\/div>\n

The most popular times to join the year-round tours are sunrise and sunset when avid photographers can capture the billabong awash in pinks and tangerines (bookings recommended). On top of all this, the company is Indigenous-owned and focused on positive Indigenous outcomes, which makes it a popular tour with ethical travellers.<\/p>\n

\"Yellow-Water-Cruises\"

Close encounters of the croc kind on a Yellow Water Cruise. (Image: Tourism NT\/Shaana McNaught)<\/p><\/div>\n

Horsing around outback style at Katherine Outback Experience<\/h3>\n

Instead of looking at animals from a Jeep, try your hand at being an Aussie cowgirl or cowboy at Katherine Outback Experience<\/a>. Sign up for a private or group horse-riding lesson that suits your ability \u2013\u00a0whether you\u2019re a complete novice or advanced rider.<\/p>\n

\"Katherine

The Outback Show at the Katherine Outback Experience. (Image: Tourism NT)<\/p><\/div>\n

While you\u2019re there, catch the Outback Show, featuring horse-starting and working dog demonstrations. Read up on our safety tips<\/a> before you head into the NT\u2019s more remote areas, such as Katherine and surrounds.<\/p>\n

\"Katherine-Outback-Experience-1\"

Puppy cuddling at the Katherine Outback Experience. (Image: Tourism NT)<\/p><\/div>\n

Red Centre Family Wildlife Experiences<\/h2>\n

Birds of prey at Alice Springs Desert Park<\/h3>\n

In the heart of Australia, you will find one of the country\u2019s most impressive wildlife centres \u2013 Alice Springs Desert Park. This place rates highly because of its free-flying bird show, where visitors sit in an outdoor amphitheatre as expert handlers entice eagles, kites and other species to the \u201cstage\u201d.<\/p>\n

\"Woman

Holding a barn owl at Alice Springs Desert Park. (Image: Tourism NT\/Jess Caldwell & Luke Riddle)<\/p><\/div>\n

The show is about the birds\u2019 natural behaviours and both children and adults will be enthralled. Alice Springs is usually the first destination on a Red Centre holiday, with plenty more to see for families<\/a> if you have a spare week or two.<\/p>\n

\"Ranger

Ranger holding a wedge-tailed eagle during a demonstration at the Alice Springs Desert Park. (Image: Tourism NT\/Yuri Kardashyan)<\/p><\/div>\n

The silent but deadly critters of Alice Springs Reptile Centre<\/h3>\n

Continue your Aussie animal-themed holiday by checking out some of the nation’s favourite and most feared slippery, spikey critters at Alice Springs Reptile Centre<\/a>. Get up close to snakes and a saltwater croc, as well as beautiful outback lizards such as thorny devils, goannas, bearded dragons, and frillneck lizards. Try and catch the daily reptile shows, which include the chance to handle some of the animals.<\/p>\n

\"Reptile

A slippery encounter at the Alice Spring Reptile Centre. (Image: Tourism NT\/Shaana McNaught)<\/p><\/div>\n

The lovable joeys at the Kangaroo Sanctuary<\/h3>\n

Alice has it all, with a visit to The Kangaroo Sanctuary<\/a> rounding out a trio of wildlife encounters. The sanctuary is for rescued and orphaned kangaroos and joeys, and is aimed at educating visitors about one of Australia’s favourite marsupials and encouraging them to care for injured wildlife. Call in for a guided sunset tour, and tick off some home-schooling for the kids while you\u2019re at it.<\/p>\n

\"Kangaroo

Two roos being fed at The Kangaroo Sanctuary.<\/p><\/div>\n

Board the bumpy desert barges with Uluru Camel Tours<\/h3>\n

It really doesn\u2019t get more \u201csafari\u201d in Australia than by joining a caravan of camels traipsing through the desert, so if you\u2019re really craving an iconic experience, head out with Uluru Camel Tours<\/a>. There are sunrise, sunset and express rides during which you not only learn about camels but also the landscape and outback flora and fauna. You may also get to try some freshly baked beer bread damper (adults only, of course).<\/p>\n

\"Uluru

Uluru Camel Tours offer a camel experience that can’t be beaten anywhere in Australia.<\/p><\/div>\n

Round out your NT safari with other great activities such as hiking in Kakadu, market-hopping in Darwin and road-tripping through the Red Centre. Click here<\/a> for more NT inspiration.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Get face-to-face with a crocodile, thorny devil or orphaned kangaroo on an Aussie safari, says Jennifer Ennion. You don\u2019t have to make the long journey to the African continent to give the family an outstanding safari-style holiday. The Northern Territory has a huge range of animal encounters, many of which are bucket-list experiences. Here are […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":99,"featured_media":217163,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"article-deals.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_expiration-date-status":"","_expiration-date":0,"_expiration-date-type":"","_expiration-date-categories":[],"_expiration-date-options":[]},"categories":[818],"tags":[5805,1402,5713,6394,5807,4628,4539],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nThe 10 wildlife experiences your kids will love in the Northern Territory<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Get face-to-face with a crocodile, thorny devil or orphaned kangaroo on an Aussie safari, says Jennifer Ennion.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.australiantraveller.com\/nt\/the-10-wildlife-experiences-your-kids-will-love-in-the-northern-territory\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta 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