This 1186km trail cuts through the red heart of the Northern Territory, uncovering plenty 
of little surprises along the way.

Katherine is the perfect starting point for this trip, whip out your walking boots or hop on a cruise to have a look around the gorges. Check out the Katherine Museum to get your fill on the history of the town whose roots trace back to an outpost on the Australian Overland Telegraph Line. Mosey around the art galleries and take in a bit of the local Aboriginal art, as well as artefacts from the Kimberleys, Arnhem Land and Central Australia.

South, down to Mataranka, pop on the bathers and take a dip in the thermal springs to rest your weary bones. This area of hill country has 13 gorges, which can be explored on foot, by canoe, boat or helicopter. The five-day 58km Jatbula Trail is worth the trek, past waterfalls and through monsoon rainforest to end at Edith Falls.

Sit down for a couple of pints at Daly Waters Pub and treat yourself to old- fashioned Aussie tucker. There’s six beers on tap, so you’ll enjoy a good break from the Outback heat while you have a chat to one of the locals. The walls are covered with pretty interesting memorabilia, too.

The next stop is Tennant Creek, the fifth largest town in the Northern Territory. Tennant Creek and the cattle industry go together like fish and chips. Part of the Barkly region, the area surrounding this town is dotted with premier cattle stations. Check out the Battery Hill Mining Centre, take a tour of the Telegraph Station and head to the Bill Allen Lookout for some prime views.  

Devils Marbles or Karlu Karlu is the perfect stopover on the way to Alice Springs. Marvel at the intense colours at dusk as the sun sets the boulders ablaze. A basic camping area without power or water is situated at the southern end of the reserve. Bookings are not required but make sure you
bring cash along to pay the $3.30 overnight camping fee (per adult).

Only 12km down the road you’ll come across the tiny town of Wycliffe Well which has declared itself the UFO capital of Australia, but you can make up your own mind about that. Read the Visitors’ Book to learn about the ‘encounters’ with flying saucers, and take a photo with the alien models.

Finish up in Alice Springs, check out Uluru, Watarrka National Park and a few other destinations. The Alice is a place of extremes, surrounded by a desert, yet home to a remarkable number of gorges and crystal-clear waterholes.