Kakadu > About NT > Key Facts > Geography
Rock Formations
The world’s most famous rock, Uluru/Ayers Rock, is an inselberg and the largest single piece of exposed rock on the planet. Nearby, Kata Tjuta is a group of 36 rock domes that date back about 500 million years. Complete the 9.4km base walk around Uluru then take the Valley of the Winds Walk at Kata Tjuta.
Mountain ranges
Central Australia features the MacDonnell Ranges, Petermann Range and the Harts Range. The Northern Territory’s highest peak, Mount Zeal, 1531m, is part of the West MacDonnell Range, which features a series of dramatic highlights and can be accessed on the Red Centre Way.
Escarpments
The sandstone escarpments and plateaus of Arnhem Land and Kakadu National Park form some of the NT’s most incredible scenery. The escarpments are punctuated by waterfalls and line the floodplains. Kakadu and Arnhem Land are renowned for both their natural and cultural features and provide many opportunities to discover the landscape and the indigenous lifestyle.
Islands
The coastline of the Top End includes three of Australia’s largest islands, Groote Island, Bathurst Island and Melville Island. Together, Bathurst and Melville Islands make up the the Tiwi Islands and offer unique indigenous cultural experiences.
Everyday Tiwi
Rich in Aboriginal culture, the people remain connected to their traditional lifestyle.
MoreRivers
The Northern Territory is home to the world’s oldest river system, the Finke River, and Kakadu National Park encompasses almost the entire catchment of a major monsoonal river system. The Northern Territory’s extensive river systems include the Alligator River, Adelaide River, Daly River, Finke River, McArthur River, Roper River, Todd River and Victoria River.
Katherine Gorge
Join Ranger Greg Peckham on a journey through one of the most majestic landscape.
MoreDeserts
Alice Springs is surrounded by a red sand sea the size of Europe. The Simpson Desert stretches south from Alice towards the South Australian border and the Tanami Track goes more than 1000km to the north-west and into Western Australia. The desert is imprinted with spiritual significance for the local Aboriginal people, who see Dreamtime stories give meaning to its striking landforms.
