Kakadu is the ultimate Outback experience

Australia's Northern Territory is a lodestone for nature lovers, offering incredible wildlife-watching experiences in the Unesco World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park. An adventure holiday exploring the unique ecosystems of this area is the ultimate Outback experience.

The 20,000 square kilometre park features some of Australia's most unique scenery with waterfalls tumbling from the red cliffs of the Arnhem Land escarpment and tranquil wetlands teeming with animal and birdlife.

Kakadu is where Australia's dry Outback gives way to the tropics and a huge variety of birdlife can be found in the wetland, grassland and woodland habitats.

Birdwatchers can plan itineraries that will allow them to get close to birds of prey and other rare species including sea eagles, pelicans, egrets, herons, ducks and spoonbills.

It's not just about birds, however; other wildlife includes kangaroos, possums, wallabies, dingoes, snakes and bats. Frill-necked and monitor lizards (goannas) are also common.

Both the freshwater and the mighty saltwater crocodile patrol the waterways, with the latter growing up to six metres in length.

Take camping tours or a 4x4 Australian adventure safari holiday and get off the tourist track.

Explore the 40,000 years of indigenous cultural heritage in the park, including the Aboriginal rock art at sites such as Ubirr, Nourlangie and Nanguluwur.

Kakadu is managed jointly by its traditional Aboriginal owners and the Australian director of national parks.

The Northern Territory displays its importance as an Australian cultural holiday destination at the Barunga Festival in the remote town of Katherine every year in June.

This is one of Australia's longest-running indigenous community festivals where visitors can learn about aboriginal sport, traditional dance, bush tucker and spear throwing.

Nearby to Katherine is the spectacular Nitmiluk National Park where you can hire a canoe and paddle through 12 kilometres of 23 million-year-old gorges, with walls often higher than 70 metres.

There are daily flights to Darwin from a number of Australian cities as well as Singapore, including a service from Jetstar. Kakadu is an easy three hour drive on the Arnhem highway, around 250 kilometres east of Darwin.

The peak visitor time for the Northern Territory is during the dry season, from May to September. The tropical summer from October to April brings uncomfortably hot and humid conditions but also spectacular lightning shows and lush growth.

For more information on planning your Australian holiday to the Northern Territory see www.australiasoutback.com.