Territory Seasons: Winter and Summer

Which is your favourite - winter or summer in the Territory? Do you enjoy hiking in the cooler weather  in Central Australia's stunning MacDonnell Ranges? Or would you rather head north to Darwin, where the breezes of the Dry dance across the harbour under a clear sky? The Top End also offers Kakadu National Park and Litchfield National Park as places to swim and camp, displaying a tropical landscape in stark contrast to Central Australia.  

An influx of grey nomads occurs each winter tourist season. These people travel long distances through the outback and make the CBD of Alice Springs in the Red Centre busier. Their presence injects revenue into the local economy.  The desert roads reflect the increase of people as they leave Central Australia and head north towards the Top End. 

Boardwalk in Kakadu National Park during the Dry

Summer means other adventures. Darwin is hit by the Wet. The rivers into Kakadu National Park swell, and sheets of rain sweep across the landscape. The rain hits suddenly and usually only lasts a short amount of time, although it is frequent. Cyclone season bears down upon the Top End. This tropical northern coastline sees the contrast of the Wet season and the Dry season; there is no temperate spring or autumn. 

In Central Australia, in summer, the heat is fierce. There are sights to see around town. Historical buildings such as the old jail offer indoor activities. There is a museum devoted to the Royal Flying Doctor Service, and the Pioneer Women's Museum. On the outskirts of town, the Observatory displays the countless stars of the outback sky. Waterholes such as Ormiston Gorge and Glen Helen provide popular respite for those baking in the high temperature. In the evening, just before sunset, you can breathe in the pulse of the desert and know it, too, is alive.

Seasons change across the Territory throughout the year. Both winter and summer showcase the beauty and terror of living in Australia's centre and north. People have different opinions on what their favourite season is. Why not enjoy both?