Top End Archives - Planet Whitley

The Cage of Death at Crocosaurus Cove in Darwin, Northern Territory.

Cage of Death in Darwin: face to face with a saltwater crocodile

At Crocosaurus Cove in Darwin, thrill-seekers are lowered into a Perspex tube for an unnerving encounter with some of the largest saltwater crocodiles on earth. Meeting Chopper the crocodile Chopper’s dental hygiene is, frankly, disgraceful. But it would take a brave dentist to suggest an…

Australia, Darwin, Northern Territory, Top End, wildlife

Kangaroo rock at Nourlangie in Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory.

Kakadu rock art and the Aboriginal stories of the Top End

The ancient galleries of Kakadu National Park reveal tens of thousands of years of Aboriginal culture, belief and storytelling layered into stone. The lightning man and Aboriginal mythology There are more lightning strikes here than anywhere else on the planet, and the being responsible for…

art, Australia, Indigenous, Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory, Top End

The ruins at Victoria Settlement at Port Essington, Northern Territory.

The Victoria Settlement: Australia’s lost city in the Top End

The haunting ruins of Port Essington reveal the story of Britain’s failed northern colony, abandoned after just 11 years of hardship. Remote location of the Victoria Settlement The ruins line up as if designed to please the eye. Built out of chunky stone with tall…

Australia, Northern Territory, Top End

The view from Ubirr in Australia's Northern Territory.

9 great things to climb in Australia instead of Uluru

When the ban on climbing Uluru finally came into force in October 2019, visitors had no choice but to discover it's best to walk round the Northern Territory's great monolith anyway. But for those who have an unquenchable urge to climb things in Australia, the…

Adelaide, Brisbane, climbing, Gold Coast, Grampians, Kakadu National Park, mountains, New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Sydney, Tasmania, Top End, Uluru, Victoria, Western Australia

Florence Falls in the Northern Territory's Litchfield National Park.

Florence Falls guide: Swimming safety, walks, tours & location

Florence Falls is one of the most popular attractions in Litchfield National Park, located just over an hour’s drive from Darwin in Australia's Northern Territory. Known for its twin cascades plunging into a natural swimming hole, the falls are an ideal stop for visitors looking…

Australia, national parks, Northern Territory, Top End, waterfalls

Jumping crocodile on the Adelaide River in Australia's Northern Territory.

Six reasons to add Darwin to your Australian holiday

Crocodiles, cyclone simulators and sunset markets are all part of the magic mix in the Northern Territory’s capital, Darwin. It’s Australia’s best tropical city Whisper it quietly, but the cities in tropical Queensland are a little underwhelming. Darwin, however, has bags of personality. This is…

Australia, Darwin, Northern Territory, Top End

Australia’s capital cities – ranked

Australia’s state and territory capitals all have something to offer. You can visit any of them and have a perfectly enjoyable time. But if you’re on holiday and have to pick just one or two, then some discernment is advisable. Luckily, I’m here to put…

Adelaide, Australia, Brisbane, Canberra, Darwin, Hobart, Melbourne, New South Wales, Northern Territory, Perth, Queensland, South Australia, Sydney, Tasmania, Top End, Victoria, Western Australia

A saltwater crocodile, as spotted on the Daintree River near Cairns, Queensland.

How worried should I be about crocodiles in Australia?

Short answer If you’re close to a crocodile in Australia, you should be very worried indeed. If you act sensibly within crocodile territory, there’s no need to fret. A saltwater crocodile, as spotted on the Daintree River near Cairns, Queensland. Photo by David Whitley. Long…

Australia, crocodiles, Northern Territory, Queensland, Top End, Western Australia, wildlife