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The best of the Top End and Gulf
Words Julija Zivanovic Pics Supplied
To celebrate the release of our all-new Top End and Gulf Atlas & Guide, here’s a sneak peek of some highlights found in this incredibly diverse and picturesque tropical region.
Near Rainbow Cliff (Baṉambarrŋa)
The Top End and Gulf of Australia is a tropical oasis known for its impressive natural beauty. The countless picture-perfect waterholes, gorges and wildlife make this part of our country very popular with travellers, particularly Aussies wanting to escape the southern winter.
With so much to cover, we think these highlights should be on every visitor’s itinerary when heading to this famous region. Iconic destinations such as Kakadu National Park, the Tiwi Islands and Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge are just some of the places you can expect to see when visiting.
This region of Australia is bursting with must-see destinations and unique experiences, so much so that we decided to publish a brand-new product that delves into everything a traveller needs to know when heading to this beautiful part of our country.
The Hema Maps 1st Edition Top End and Gulf Atlas & Guide was created to be the perfect companion for travellers and in particular those doing four-wheel drive touring. Authored by travel writer and photographer Chris Whitelaw, we cover everything you need to know, including the physical landscape, rich cultural and national history, planning and preparation and in-depth coverage of the following regions: Darwin, Kakadu National Park, Arnhem Land, Katherine Daly, Barkly and the Gulf Savannah.
We want to share an edited snippet with you today, so you can have a peek at some of the breathtaking highlights of this region, and hey, you might even decide to visit for your next holiday!
Aboriginal rock art
Namarndjolg is an important Dreamtime spirit (Credit: Chris Whitelaw)
The ancient Aboriginal rock art in Kakadu and Arnhem Land depict the Dreaming legends of the oldest living culture in the world. The sites found in Kakadu, Katherine and other regions of the Top End tell stories associated with our Aboriginal Traditional Owners and the important figures within them.
The rock art found at Ubirr and Burrungkuy (Nourlangie Rock) are possibly the most famous, including clear petroglyphs of Namarrgon, The Lightning Man. These artworks date back thousands of years so it’s quite extraordinary experiencing it for yourself.
Gorgeous gorges
Kayaking in the famous Katherine Gorge (Credit: Josh Hanger)
You can’t travel all the way to the Top End without visiting some out-of-this-world picturesque gorges. There are countless watering holes and gorges in the Top End and Gulf where you can take a refreshing dip surrounded by breathtaking scenery. The secluded Jarrangbarnmi (Koolpin Gorge) in Kakadu — only accessible by 4WD vehicle — is just one of the perfect spots from which you can enjoy the beautiful view while soaking in super-clean water. You may never want to leave.
We recommend taking a cruise in the awe-inspiring Nitmiluk Gorge (pictured above) and be amazed at the geological marvel of the Nitmiluk National Park.
Thundering Kakadu waterfalls
Jim Jim Falls gorge (Credit: Adobe Stock)
World Heritage site Kakadu National Park — arguably one of Australia’s most popular and visited national parks — is absolutely massive. For perspective, it covers more than a third of Tasmania’s landmass. The remote beauty of Kakadu, including unique flora and fauna and outback landscapes, is abundant, and it’s not easy to name just a few ‘highlights’ of this famous park. However, if we had to name one, the thundering spectacle of Jim Jim Falls has to be it.
Jim Jim Falls and the many other waterfalls of Kakadu are so epic that they’re best seen from the air. The vantage point you get from the ground is stunning, but these stars of nature are so grand that the human eye can’t grasp them in their entirety from that angle. A scenic flight certainly isn’t cheap but the unique experience of seeing this region from above is something money can’t buy.
We recommend visiting this bucket list destination during the wet season (November to April) so you can see the waterfalls in their full glory.
World War II history
The aftermath of a Japanese bombing raid in Darwin, 1942 (Credit: Library & Archives NT)
The Top End, in particular the Darwin region, played a key role in Australia’s involvement with World War II.
In the late 1930s Darwin became one of Australia’s fastest-growing towns as hundreds of workers arrived to construct new defence facilities. As the war worsened and fear of the Japanese grew, an Australian invasion was becoming more and more likely.
Darwin occupied a strategic position as a northern defensive stronghold, a base for Allied warships and a staging point for counter-offensive operations to the north.
The strategic threat posed by Darwin was not lost on the Japanese, and on the morning of 19 February 1942, 200 enemy aircraft bombed Darwin Harbour and the RAAF base at Larrakeyah. The attacks didn’t stop there, and up until November 1943, Darwin Harbour and nearby ports were bombed 64 times, killing hundreds of people and sinking dozens of ships.
During 1943–44, Allied successes pushed the Japanese front northward, which slowed the war activities in the Top End until they abruptly ended in August 1945.
There are reminders of the war all through the Top End region, including remnants of aircraft used in the war which are accessible to the public.
Want to read more?
If you enjoyed our little sneak peek into some of the many highlights of the stunning Top End and Gulf of Australia, look out for our 1st Edition Top End and Gulf Atlas & Guide ($59.95). It will be available for purchase from the Hema Maps website from November 2024 and at leading retail stores.
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1 comment
Looks Awesome!