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   Wonders of Northern Australia

Northern Australia includes the territories and states of Queensland and the Northern Territory, and that part of Western Australia north of the latitude 26 degree south. It would seem that half the continent of Australia is included in this, although northern Australia contains about one-fifth the people and only one city has over a million people and that is Brisbane; which is the capital of the state of Queensland. Evidently it has something to do with the law and government. It does include the natural resources of both areas, Queensland; getting coal from the Great Dividing Range and gas and iron ore from the Pilbara area of western Australia (WA). The territory also contains many important tourist attractions; the Great Barrier Reef, the Kakadu National Park and Uluru (Ayers Rock). Most of the land is impoverished so the kangaroo goes to the grasslands to graze, as the poor fodder is too difficult for the roo to digest. Fresh and saltwater crocodiles thrive in the large rivers of NA, such as the Fitzroy, Daly, Mitchell, Ord, Gilbert, East and South Alligator. Species of python live here also. More south, where the waters cannot assist the crocs a variety of unique lizards live.

The capital city of the NA territory is Darwin, situated by the Timor Sea and containing the largest number of people at a little of 120,000. The smallest of the capital cities in Australia, it is the most northerly and hence is the center for that area. It has grown from a small settlement and port into the most contemporary and multinational city in the land. Since it is the closest city to Asia, it has become an important port to East Timor and Indonesia; with the Stuart Highway going from there to the area of south Australia. Built on a bluff over the harbor, the suburbs spread out around.

The Larrakia people were the first people in the area, until the HMS Beagle arrived in the harbor in 1839, to survey the continent. The captain, Wickham, decided to name it in honor of a shipmate and well known scientist named Darwin. It has had to rebuild twice, due to a Japanese air attack during the war and in 1974 due to Cyclone Tracy; helping it to become one of the most up-to-date cities in Australia.
The northern coast was visited by the Dutch in the 1600s, mapping the area for Europe. The first person to see the harbor was Lt. John Stokes on the Beagle. The Australian Overland Telegraph line was digging holes to place their poles in the 1870s when gold was uncovered. The inhabitants grew to over 300 by 1875, but during that year the SS Gothenburg sailed from the city on its way to Adelaide and was sunk due to a storm. Many people from Darwin were onboard and it took some time before the town could get back to normalcy.

Because of the sporadic weather and bad soil all attempts to get anything to grow in the territory has failed. Only in the wet tropical area, does bananas and sugar cane grow, with sheep herds and beef cattle existing on the big properties. Aborigines herd the cattle and the animals are killed at an old age making the meat poor quality. However, the poor land quality did not affect the abundance of minerals located there. Iron, uranium and aluminum ores are great and the biggest deposits of these is here. The iron ore was instrumental in helping the Japanese rebuild after the was and Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea have benefited from this abundance. The government tried growing in the 1950s and 60s, but the bugs made it too difficult and soon tourism was rising.

Spend some fantastic time at the Litchfield or Kakadu National Parks. At Kakadu, you can climb to the tops of the rocks for a marvelous sight of the Nardab floodplain or Maguk and the Barramundi Gorge to swim in the plunge pools. The view from the top of Gunlom Falls is worth the effort, as is the cooling waters beneath Edith Falls. Enjoy the camping experiences that can accompany most tours and eat like a lion after the day's exciting trials. Paddle a canoe to the Katherine Gorge and then hit the Katherine Hot springs in the Nitmiluk National Park. Your day will fly by while you are thrilled with all the majestic views and wild critters that greet you everywhere.

In Mataranka, the hot springs are surrounded by a gorgeous tropical forest. In Tennant Creek you can stay at the Juno Horse Farm and then enjoy the supposedly sacred site of the Devil's Marbles; rocks sitting atop a bigger one and you wonder how it is done, so naturally. You can stop at the Barrow Creek Pub for a cold one and visit the old Telegraph Station learning what it was like in the old days of communication. Ti Tree will afford you an opportunity to purchase authentic pieces of art by the Aborigines, and then cross the Tropic of Capricorn on your way to Alice Springs. Or you may chose to visit the James and Waterhouses Ranges with the Hugh and Finke rivers flowing on to the Kings Canyon. There are so many areas to explore that you won't have time to do it all. The North and South Walls, Lost City, the Amphitheater, and the Garden of Eden. In the area you can see the Uluru, another ancient formation.

Tour the Cobourg Peninsula, the Arnhem, and the rest of the top end, spotting crocs, dingoes, goannas, wild boar, banteng and water buffalo. All through this area you will see birds of a variety making it a haven for bird watchers. Talk a walkabout in the Gurig Ganuk Barlu National and Marine Park, and visit the ruins of Victoria. Watch the aborigines spear sea turtles, dugong and crocodiles like they have done for thousands of years. Thrill to some of the most unbelievable fishing in the world. Take more photos than you have already in your life in this one territory.

In Darwin, you will be able to enjoy a sunset cruise around the harbor and actually view some of the sights that were filmed the movie Australia. There are various landmarks here that reflect the turbulent times of the second World War. For a more romantic mode of travel try the Ghan train as it travels through the outback. Here in the top end, you can canoe your way through fantastic lands or try cattle mustering in Bullo River Station. There is no end to the top end of Australia, only time speeds away before you know it and have to leave this majestic land.

In the Alice Springs area, you can visit Wertemwarre where for over 40,000 years Aborigines have come together to trade their experiences, art, culture, knowledge and artifacts. You can purchase a variety of hand crafted items, supplying investors and museums all over the world, even learn how to play the didgeridoo. Here you will find beautiful water colors, paintings, carvings and other items of interest that will make you the envy of your neighborhood.

If you are a golfer, then the Alice Springs golf course is going to blow your mind and give you one of your most exciting games ever. This desert course will give you more than any golf course you have been to in the entire world and the memories from it will stay with you for your entire life. Another incredible sight is the Uluru or Ayers Rock, which happens to be the largest monolith in the world. Made of arkosic sandstone, it is believed to be the top of a mountain that is buried beneath the sand and as the sun moves across the sky its colors change and give you a fantastic sight. This unique rock is located in the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. When you really need to relax and enjoy a few quiet moments, then you should visit the Berry Springs Nature Park for some relaxing and soothing swimming, with auspicious views and a marvelous place to have that special barbeque.
For the animal enthusiast, Crocodylus Park is the place to visit, with huge crocs, water birds, ostriches, sea turtles, iguanas, monkeys and cassowaries. Learn and watch as these researchers and scientists gather information studying these awesome critters.

Perhaps the best known areas of northern Australia should be mentioned, although not everyone is able or interested enough to spend much time there. The Coral Sea and the Great Barrier Reef are very beautiful and breathtaking domains that will enchant you and thrill you with fantastic sights that only can appear here. Believed to be the biggest live configuration created by living organisms, almost 3000 reefs loom in a chain, able to be seen from space. The reef is a diver's dream come true, with a world of natural delights set in crystal clear water, with the terrain of an underworld kingdom. Schools of multicolored fish, creatures and organisms thrive in a surreal setting habitated by the known and unknown. You can spend as little or as much time as you want in this almost magical realm. Mountains of coral climb to the surface, home to whaler and reef sharks, mantas, hammerheads, mackerel and barracudas. Colors so brilliant that they can only be viewed under the water. Activity beyond your imagination floats, swims, zooms by you, as if you do not exist or just another part of the incredible scenery that lays beneath the surface of the Great Barrier Reef.
In the Coral Sea, you will be startled by the brilliant colors of purples, reds, oranges, yellows, blues and greens, that you will believe that you are somehow drifted into another dimension. Almost unable to move, the colors and movement will demand your attention everywhere. Fish of every size, color, ferocity will move so calmly, that you will imagine yourself in a dream. But, you are swimming in the vastness of the greatest underwater experience of your life.

Another area that deserves mentioning is the rainforest. Here is another exquisite example of thoughtful creation. Visit Kuranda, a village set in the rainforest with awesome beauty; or take the Kuranda Scenic Railway to really enjoy the sights and sounds of this enchanted forest, with smells all its own. See Daintree or go hot air ballooning over the Atherton Tableslands at Mareeba. Try helping the Mappoons rescue turtles and get to know some of the indigenous people that thrive here in the fantastic land down under at the top end.