Discover two UNESCO World Heritage-listed national parks, ancient rock art, eco-retreats, and diverse Aboriginal cultures. Embrace unforgettable experiences that leave a light footprint while supporting economic and cultural sustainability.
Here are 10 must-do sustainable tourism experiences in the Northern Territory for 2025:
SEA DARWIN – SEA TIWI ‘TURTLE TRACKS’ TOUR
Darwin
A pristine beach, nesting turtles, and spectacular sunsets – ‘Turtle Tracks’ by Sea Darwin-Sea Tiwi offers an unforgettable encounter with nature on the remote Njulbitjlk (Bare Sand Island), an easy ferry ride from Darwin. Guided by marine experts and aligned to the lunar cycle, travellers witness turtles’ nesting rituals up close, all while ensuring their habitat remains untouched. ‘Turtle Tracks’ is a sunset odyssey for those with an adventurous spirit who want to witness the magic of turtle hatchlings, in their world and on their terms. Plus, every ticket supports the Aus Turtle Research Project!
SEIT OUTBACK AUSTRALIA TOURS
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
Experience the heart of the Red Centre with SEIT Outback Australia Tours, where small-group adventures blend culture, history, and nature with a commitment to sustainability. Guided by the values of Spirit, Emotion, Intellect, and Task, SEIT partners with the TreadRight Foundation to champion sustainable tourism. Don’t miss the award-winning ‘SEIT Patji’ tour – a transformative seven-hour journey into the sacred Patji homelands of Uluru’s Traditional Owners. In collaboration with Uluru Family Tours, this exclusive experience offers rich insights from Aṉangu guides, hands-on bush food activities, and breathtaking views of Uluru and Kata Tjuta from a private sand dune.
BAMURRU PLAINS
Kakadu National Park
Escape to Bamurru Plains, a luxury safari lodge set on 300 square kilometres of untouched wilderness near Kakadu National Park. Nestled within the iconic floodplains of the Top End, often dubbed Australia’s answer to Africa’s Okavango Delta, this unique retreat offers unparalleled access to wetlands teeming with wildlife, from estuarine crocodiles to more than 230 bird species. Stay in one of 12 eco-luxe bungalows, including the new Jabiru Retreat, each designed with sustainable materials, raised to protect the land, and featuring floor-to-ceiling mesh walls for natural cooling. Guests can enjoy guided safaris through diverse landscapes, savour locally sourced food and wine, learn from Aboriginal cultural guides, and support conservation efforts through Bamurru’s partnership with the Australian Wildlife Conservancy.
ANGKERLE ATWATYE (STANDLEY CHASM)
Alice Springs (Mparntwe) and surrounds
Angkerle Atwatye (Standley Chasm), a breathtaking natural wonder in the West MacDonnell Ranges near Alice Springs Mparntwe), is proudly owned by one of Australia’s first registered Aboriginal businesses. This must-see destination blends cultural immersion with environmental stewardship, offering self-guided and guided tours to explore its rich Arrernte heritage, including bush medicine, local flora and fauna, and traditional dot painting workshops led by Arrernte elders. Visitors can enjoy the café, gift shop, and campground, perfect for Larapinta Trail adventurers. Committed to sustainability, the team implements a five-year Environmental Management Plan with traditional land care practices like controlled burning and flora rejuvenation to preserve the sacred site for future generations.
WALK DARWIN
Darwin
Discover Darwin like never before with Walk Darwin, a family-run tour company redefining sustainable travel and authentic connections in Australia’s Top End. Since 2014, Nerida and John Hart have led small-group walking tours (maximum 10 guests) that dive deep into Darwin’s rich history, vibrant street art, and breathtaking natural beauty – all while leaving a minimal environmental footprint. From exploring the lush George Brown Botanic Gardens to uncovering WWII tales and learning about the sustainable practices of the Larrakia people, Walk Darwin crafts every tour with meticulous research, captivating storytelling, and eco-conscious adventure.
WORLD EXPEDITIONS – AUSTRALIAN WALKING HOLIDAYS
Territory-wide
A recent winner in the Best of Ecotourism category at the 2024 Brolga Northern Territory Tourism Awards, Australian Walking Holidays brings more than 30 years of expertise in crafting unforgettable multi-day hiking and adventure tours across the Northern Territory. Their tours combine breathtaking destinations – like the Larapinta Trail, Uluru, Kakadu, Kings Canyon, and Litchfield National Park – with a steadfast commitment to sustainability. Travellers can expect low-impact journeys that protect the environment, enrich local communities, and celebrate authentic cultural experiences. With exclusive eco-comfort camps and options ranging from four-day walks to epic two-week hikes, these tours offer a chance to immerse yourself in the Territory’s natural and cultural beauty while respecting and preserving its beauty for future generations.
BULLO RIVER STATION
Bullo River
Experience the ultimate escape at Bullo River Station, where adventure meets luxury in the heart of the Northern Territory’s awe-inspiring outback. Spanning 400,000 acres of rugged gorges, tranquil waterholes, and sweeping savannahs, this working cattle station offers a unique blend of high-end comfort and eco-conscious living. In partnership with the Australian Wildlife Conservancy, Bullo champions conservation while showcasing how pastoralism and sustainability go hand in hand. Dive into the experience with Aboriginal rock art tours, hands-on station activities, and the innovative ‘Keeping the Lights On’ tour, highlighting solar power, rainwater harvesting, and regenerative land management. Indulge in paddock-to-plate dining and enjoy eco-friendly touches like composting, recycling, and minimal plastic use.
100% FINKE RIVER CULTURE & ADVENTURE
Alice Springs (Mparntwe) and surrounds
Uncover the soul of the Red Centre with 100% Finke River Culture & Adventure, an Aboriginal-owned tour company led by Western Arrernte Traditional Owner Benji Kenny and his partner, Amy Heatrick. Their five-day walking tours along the iconic Larapinta Trail blend cultural immersion with eco-conscious adventure. Enjoy solar-powered off-grid camps, breathtaking desert landscapes, and rich Aboriginal storytelling, food, and traditions. As the region’s largest trainer and employer of Aboriginal guides, they ensure ancient knowledge is passed on and the land is preserved. “Sustainability is about securing the future of our Country and our people,” says Benji. Discover a journey that respects the land, uplifts its people, and connects you to its beating heart.
ETHICAL ADVENTURES
Darwin, Katherine, Litchfield & Kakadu
Thirty-five years ago, high schooler Rob Woods asked a simple yet life-changing question: “What happens when we run out of natural resources?” Today, that question fuels Ethical Adventures, a premium small-group tour company he runs in the stunning Top End. Offering unforgettable tours across Kakadu, Litchfield, Darwin, and Katherine, Ethical Adventures goes beyond sightseeing – it’s about doing good. Guided by sustainability pillars – environmental, cultural, socio-economic and political – they support wildlife initiatives and champion eco-friendly practices like ditching single-use plastics and tackling invasive weeds. Expect breathtaking views, authentic connections, and thought-provoking chats about biodiversity, responsible tourism, and creating a better future.
YIBEKKA KAKADU TOURS
Kakadu National Park
At just 24, Bininj man James Morgan launched Yibekka Kakadu Tours to share Kakadu’s 65,000-year-old cultural heritage and create jobs for his community. His private two-hour tours of Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) preserve cultural heritage and showcase Kakadu’s rich traditions, from rock art tens of thousands of years old to more recent works from the 1960s. Passionate about preserving culture and amplifying Indigenous voices in tourism, James works exclusively on Country connected to his family, ensuring authenticity. Through his Bininj Mungguy Aboriginal Corporation, he empowers locals with jobs in conservation and tourism, building a sustainable future while celebrating Kakadu’s rich traditions.
For more information relating to sustainable travel in the Northern Territory, visit: northernterritory.com/plan/sustainable-travel.
