8 Aboriginal Cultural Tours In The NT

The Northern Territory is the place to delve deeper into Indigenous Australia with an impressive number of Aboriginal tours available.

With so many options available, we know it can be hard to choose one of the many Northern Territory Aboriginal cultural tours. Which is why we’ve pulled together our top picks of the best cultural experiences to further your understanding of Australia’s first peoples.

Saltwater Cultural Tours Darwin

You don’t have to head into the wilds of the Northern Territory to experience a great Aboriginal cultural tour, with Larrakia descendent and guide Trent Lee catering to Darwin -based visitors.

Whether you want to try the art of lighting a fire the traditional way, learn how to play the didgeridoo or simply sit back and enjoy storytelling, Saltwater Cultural Tours Darwin has you covered with its ‘3-Hour Tour’.

If you’re not short on time, the company also runs a one-day ‘Out on Country’ tour that introduces tourists to the local language and cultural artefacts.

Why we love it: Being based in Darwin, the 3-Hour Tour is a super simple option for travellers on a quick city break.

Saltwater Cultural Tours Darwin — Try your hand at lighting a fire the traditional way. (image: Tourism NT)

Top Didj Cultural Experience

Hear what it’s like growing up in ‘the bush’ and learn the art of rarrk painting (cross-hatch) during the twice-daily Top Didj Cultural Experience , in Katherine (May to October).

You’ll spend around 2.5 hours with Top End Aboriginal artist Manuel Pamkal, who, along with the painting, will also teach holidaymakers how to throw a spear and light a fire with only two sticks. Afterwards, it’s worth having a look through the art gallery to pick up a souvenir or two.

Why we love it: The tours are suitable for children as young as three, so you can start their Indigenous Australia education early. How cool is that?

Manuel Pamkal, Top Didj Cultural Experience, Northern Territory — Let Manuel Pamkal, teach you how to paint in a traditional Indigenous style. (Image: Tourism NT/Shaana McNaught)

Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Experience & Tours

Promising more than your typical Aboriginal tour, Karrke offers an in-depth experience that focuses on bush tucker and bush medicine.

The one-hour Aboriginal Cultural Tour from Watarrka National Park (February to October) will educate visitors on the traditions of the Luritja and Pertame (Southern Aranda) people, particularly when it comes to seasonal food such as edible tree and grass seeds.

Why we love it: There are two reasons – it’s based out of the majestic Watarrka National Park, and you will learn all about the witchetty grub, and may even get to taste one.

Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Experience & Tours, Northern Territory — Immerse yourself in a truly authentic Aboriginal cultural experience with Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Experience & Tours. (Image: Tourism NT/Archie Sartracom)

SEIT Outback Australia

For an Uluru experience like no other, join SEIT Outback Australia for tours from the sprawling Ayers Rock Resort .

The tours educate visitors on the history of the ‘big red rock’, the fight for land rights around it, Creation stories and rock art – and that’s just the Uluru excursions. The SEIT Patji – A True Aboriginal Experience tour is a seven-hour cultural tour open to anyone aged five and above.

Why we love it: It will open your eyes to what the region was like before Uluru became one of Australia’s most iconic landmarks.

SEIT Outback Australia, Northern Territory — Open your eyes to what the region was like before Uluru became one of Australia’s most iconic landmarks. (Image: Tourism NT/Archie Sartracom)

Maruku Arts

Located at Uluru, Maruku Arts is owned and operated by Anangu, with some 900 Aboriginal artists from more than 20 remote communities in the Central and Western Deserts represented in the not-for-profit collective.

The centre runs tours and workshops, and you can take part in a 90-minute dot painting experience under the tutelage of a local artist, and try your hand at panu (woodcarving).

There is also the opportunity to walk with an artist to Mutitjulu Waterhole, at the base of Uluru, and hear about the connection between art and the land, before taking part in a painting session.

Why we love it: One, you’ll be taught some of the local language, and two, it’s great value for tourists, with adult tickets costing only $72. Did we mention there are interpreters, too?

Maruku Arts, Uluru — Discover an art form with traditions and practices stretching back multiple millennia. (Image: Tourism NT/Archie Sartracom)

Pudakul Aboriginal Cultural Tours

This Aboriginal-owned-and-operated family business, based on the Adelaide River Flood Plains on Limilngan-Wulna Land, offers a number of cultural tours , including a Kakadu Rock Art day tour taking in the famed Noulangie Rock Art.

The tour starts with a ‘Welcome to Country’ at Pudakul, includes a stop at Cahills Crossing to see the resident saltwater crocodiles (keep your distance), and ends with a healthy lunch before returning to Darwin.

Why we love it: There is also a two-hour Aboriginal Tour that’s a great introduction to local customs, and damper is served before the tour kicks off, so don’t be late.

Pudakul Aboriginal Cultural Tours, Northern Territory — Start your tour with a welcome to country. (Image: Tourism NT/Nick Pincott)

Kakadu Cultural Tours

Owned and managed by traditional owners, Kakadu Cultural Tours showcases the best Aboriginal experiences in the national park.

We love the Guluyambi Cultural Cruise (May to November) along the beautiful East Alligator River. Passengers learn about ancient mythology, the flora and fauna (no doubt the local crocs), and bush survival skills over one hour and 45 minutes.

Why we love it: There is also the Arnhemlander Cultural & Heritage 4WD Tour, which takes tourists into northern Kakadu and remote Arnhem Land.

Kakadu Cultural Tours, Northern Territory — Discover history and learnings from Indigenous culture, written in the Australian landscape. (Image: Tourism NT/James Fisher)

Ayal Aboriginal Tours

Join the half-day Kakadu Historical Buffalo Camp and Wildlife Tour to escape the crowds and see a different side of Kakadu National Park. Go off the beaten track on a walk around Gabarlgu Billabong and the South Alligator mangrove forest as you learn about wildlife, bush foods and the cultural connection to the land.

Ayal Aboriginal Tours also runs half-day private charter (4WD or 2WD bus) wetlands, rock art and wildlife tours. Check in with the company for up-to-date departures.

Why we love it: The history of buffalo hunting isn’t something you hear a lot of when visiting the park, and that’s why we rate the camp tour.

Ayal Aboriginal Tours, Northern Territory — Escape the crowds and see a different side of Kakadu National Park. (Image: Tourism NT)

Don’t forget to read our guide to choosing the right Aboriginal tour.

Summer transforms the Northern Territory into a lush paradise of colour and life, as a visit during the ‘low-season’ reveals secrets the locals willingly share.

Waterlilies bloom, floodplains are alive with birdlife, waterfalls are gushing, and everywhere the green is dazzling. Summer in the Top End and the Red Centre is a kaleidoscope of unexpected wonders that delight and surprise visitors. Of course, the locals know only too well that the Northern Territory low season is often the best time to see and experience this amazing part of Australia.

Here are some of the reasons why savvy travellers – avoiding the crowds – are discovering a new dimension to the Territory. Remember that you’ll need a Parks Pass to visit national parks.

1. Take a dip in the Florence Falls waterhole

Wander through savanna woodland and monsoon forest to discover the perfect place to cool off – the waterhole at the base of spectacular Florence Falls in the magnificent Litchfield National Park , just 90 minutes’ drive from Darwin. The falls flow year-round but are most spectacular during the summer. Camping is available nearby but bookings are essential and must be made online before you visit.

Surrounded by lush forest, a woman cools off in Florence Falls, just one of many incredible things to do in the Northern Territory. — Cool off beneath the cascading waters of Florence Falls. (Image: Joshua Griffin)

2. Wind down at Buley Rock Hole

Another popular local swimming spot in Litchfield National Park is Buley Rock Hole , open year-round. This is a great place to wind down after exploring everything the park has to offer, including towering termite mounds. Wade through the rock pools, soak up the scenic bush or just lie back and relax as the cool water rolls over you.

Buley Rockhole, Litchfield National Park — Let the cool water wash over you. (Image: Tourism Australia)

3. Tour the Tiwi Islands

The Tiwi Islands , a scenic 80km flight from Darwin across the narrow Clarence and Dundas Straits, reveal a different side to the Territory, with their own distinctive culture. Take a day tour with Tiwi by Design to visit Bathurst Island and learn about creation stories, the Mission days, World War II history and the islanders’ obsession with AFL!

Take a ‘behind-the-scenes’ tour of Tiwi Design’s screen-printing workshop and pick up a great souvenir in the form of art. Choose from contemporary or traditional Tiwi designs and a wide range of work including carvings, paintings, pottery, printmaking, bark paintings and tunga (bark baskets).

A creative moment shared inside Tiwi Design’s screen-printing space. — Take a peek inside Tiwi Design’s screen-printing studio. (Image: Tourism NT)

4. Dine in Darwin

Foodies are spoilt for choice in multi-cultural Darwin. Try Sri Lankan flavours at Ella by Minoli, where Masterchef contestant Minoli De Silva creates delectable dishes, or head to Charlie’s of Darwin for gin-tasting, cocktails and more. Bowls of fragrant laksa, excellent coffee, fresh vegetables and authentic crafts are all part of a weekend visit to Darwin’s Parap Markets , Rapid Creek Markets and the Nightcliff Markets .

Prefer to catch your own dinner? Book a Top End fishing charter to bag a barramundi – and from October register for the annual Million Dollar Fish competition. Hooking one of the tagged barra released each year in waterways across the Territory could win you up to $1 million.

A bowl of Laksa. — Eat your way through multicultural Darwin. (Image: Tourism NT)

5. Up close with Uluṟu

The magnificent monolith Uluṟu is even more magical when the summer rains fall. When it rains on The Rock, the locals come out to watch – consider yourself lucky if that happens when you visit. Waterfalls cascading off the sides of Uluṟu is a sight that relatively few tourists see.

There’s so much to do at Uluṟu, from guided walks to learn the stories of the Aṉangu people and the ancient landscape they live in to scenic flights for a bird’s-eye view or a leisurely walk around the base of Uluṟu. Book ahead to spend the evening wandering through the Field of Light installation by Bruce Munro.

A closer look at Uluru and uncover its ancient stories, sacred sites, and striking natural beauty – one of the most iconic things to do in the Northern Territory. — Discover the details that make Uluṟu truly sacred. (Image: Tourism NT)

6. Drive the Red Centre Way

From Alice Springs, take an epic road trip along the Red Centre Way, taking in Uluru and Watarrka National Park, home to the magnificent Kings Canyon. Allow at least a week to drive through the red heart of Australia by 4WD, a little longer on the sealed road by 2WD vehicle, travelling through ochre deserts, palm-lined valleys and dramatic gorges. Stop off at waterholes for a refreshing dip along the way.

Kings Canyon offers hiking options for all levels of fitness, from the three-hour Rim Walk atop soaring sandstone walls to the gentler Kings Creek Walk. Either way, you’ll have breathtaking views.

SEIT Outback Australia is a small group touring specialist offering exciting, adventurous, exclusive and specialised iconic, pioneering and cultural touring in the Red Centre of Australia, giving you the time to learn, absorb and relax in the heart of Australia.<br /><br />This innovative tour company focuses on providing clients with the ultimate interpretive touring experiences with a range of products and customised touring itineraries for small groups and bespoke private charters.<br /><br />The company bases its philosophies from the key words of Spirit, Emotion, Intellect and Task (SEIT). — Drive through Australia’s heart. (Image: Outback Australia Tours)

7. Take a walk at Kata Tjuṯa

Head out early to tackle the Valley of the Winds Walk at Kata Tjuṯa . This natural wonder, also known as The Olgas, is a labyrinth of soaring ochre domes that glow golden at sunrise and sunset (the walk may be closed during the middle of the day as temperatures rise).

Walking trails range from easy to longer, more difficult tracks. At the Kata Tjuṯa dune viewing area, take in the panoramic view of the domes. The longest of the trails is the Valley of the Winds Walk, a 7.4km circuit that winds between the domes and through creek beds. It’s moderately difficult and steep in places, but offers stunning views – and occasional encounters with kangaroos.

The Valley of the Winds Walk at Kata Tjuta is one of the most awe-inspiring things to do in the Northern Territory, especially at sunrise when the domes glow golden. — Step into the golden light of Kata Tjuṯa. (Image: Tourism NT)

8. Explore Tjoritja/West MacDonnell Ranges

Tjoritja/West MacDonnell National Park lies 135km west of Alice Springs, with many fascinating natural features to beguile visitors. The ‘West Macs’ formations include chasms, gorges and waterholes – take your swimsuit for a dip at Ormiston Gorge waterhole, open year-round. The Ormiston Pound Walk is a three to four-hour circuit that leaves from the visitor centre and loops back along the gorge via the main waterhole. Other places of interest in the park include Simpsons Gap , Standley Chasm , Ellery Creek Big Hole and Glen Helen .

Soaking in the serenity of Ormiston Gorge, these two travellers enjoy one of the most scenic things to do in the Northern Territory. — Take the plunge at Ormiston Gorge waterhole. (Image: Joshua Griffin Litchfield)

Start planning the NT road trip of a lifetime at northernterritory.com

8 Aboriginal cultural tours you will love in the NT