These towns have officially been ranked the best in the NT. And they leave a mark on all who visit.

The Northern Territory is a truly special place. Home to some of the country’s most culturally sacred sites, it boasts otherworldly geology, impossibly blue gorges and rock art offering a glimpse into the Dreamtime. And it’s the state’s communities that give it these rich and unique layers. Ranked among Australian Traveller’s 100 best Aussie towns to visit by our expert industry panel, the top towns to visit in the Northern Territory are your passport into this region’s vibrant spirit.

1. Yulara

Overall rank: 15/100 

Anangu Country 

Formed in the late 1970s as a base for visitors to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Yulara is home to our most famous ancient monolith that rises 348 metres out of the Central Australian Desert. This landscape is one of intense beauty and sacred importance; for the Aṉangu people, Uluru is entwined in traditional Tjukurpa law. For the rest of us, it is a place that has the power to be transformative. Panellist Brett Godfrey says, “This is truly Australia’s spiritual heart… Every Australian needs to visit at least once. You leave ‘different’." 

Don’t miss:  At least one of the immersive light and sound shows: Bruce Munro’s Field of Light, which celebrates 10 years in 2026; Wintjiri Wiru, a drone show that tells an ancient Creation story; or Sunrise Journeys, a laser and light experience co-created by three Aṉangu female artists. 

2. Katherine

Overall rank: 37/100

Jawoyn, Dagoman & Wardaman Country

Known for its intersection of Aboriginal cultures and pastoral history, this Top End town delivers a double drawcard of muscle-soothing hot springs and the breathtaking Nitmiluk Gorge right on its doorstep, as highlighted by panellist Paul Ah Chee. But Katherine is also emerging as a hotspot for coffee snobs.

A growing collection of cafes – such as Finch Cafe, Maidens Lane and The Black Russian Caravan Bar – is punching well above its weight in the flat white stakes.

Don’t miss: Many Aussies will drive hundreds of kilometres for a decent coffee, but the reason you’re really here is Nitmiluk Gorge. For this alone, panellist Adrian Williams rates Katherine 11/10.

3. Hermannsburg 

Overall rank: 54/100 

Western Arrarnta Country 

Lying in the remote, red-dirt folds of the outback west of Alice Springs/Mparntwe, Hermannsburg is a tiny but vibrant settlement whose artistic legacy has long helped put it on the map. Established as a Lutheran mission in the 1880s, the town carries a layered history of hardship and resilience, and is famously the birthplace of iconic Arrernte painter Albert Namatjira, whose luminous landscapes reshaped how Australia saw its interior. Panellist Paul Ah Chee describes it as “a wonderful precinct where the heritage of the Lutheran theology and the Arrernte culture are reflected in the township."  

Don’t miss: A visit to (or tour of) the Hermannsburg Potters art centre, where Western Arrarnta artists shape ceramics that speak to stories of Country, cultural values and lived histories. 

4. Nhulunbuy

Overall rank: 58/100 

Yolŋu Country 

Where the road eases its grip on the bitumen, East Arnhem begins – all salt-edged and rich in story. The coastal town of Nhulunbuy is the front door to the Garma Festival each August, drawing Indigenous leaders, policymakers and artists to a four-day program of song, ceremony and debate. It’s also an introduction to Yolngu culture, with nearby Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Centre in Yirrkala offering authoritative art: bark, print and film grounded in Yolŋu law.  

Don’t miss: This slow-paced spot delivers nature in spades: world-class fishing, deserted beaches, striking red cliffs and show-off sunsets. “I spent the better part of a month in Nhulunbuy while filming for Back Roads, and spent hours walking there every day," says panellist Rae Johnston. “It’s probably the most relaxed I’ve ever felt."

5. Alice Springs

Overall rank: 77/100

Arrernte Country

Alice Springs/Mparntwe draws on its desert setting as the backdrop for its distinctive festival calendar. Culture is lived and shared here, from the glow of Parrtjima – A Festival in Light to the offbeat charm of the Alice Springs Beanie Festival, which is in its final year in current format. Events such as DesFest and Desert Mob round out a program celebrating creativity and Aboriginal art. “Alice Springs is the gateway to the outback, a perfect base to explore beyond," says panellist Sally Cope.

Don’t miss: The “incredible [surrounding] landscapes including the MacDonnell Ranges," says panellist and Parrtjima cultural advisor Paul Ah Chee.

6. Batchelor

Overall rank: 91/100

Kungarakan & Warrai Country

While first established in the early 20th century, the town of Batchelor grew slowly until the 1950s when uranium was found at nearby Rum Jungle. Today, the small outback town of around 500 is best known as the gateway to Litchfield National Park – home to waterfalls, rock pools, a sandstone ‘lost city’ and more. In the characterful town, you’ll find Litchfield Outback Resort, a local museum, tavern and an eccentric butterfly farm complete with farm animals and a restaurant.

Don’t miss: The reason you come to Batchelor is for Litchfield National Park, particularly the “swimming at Florence and Wangi Falls," says Ben Hall.

7. Wurrumiyanga

Overall rank: 96/100 

Tiwi Country 

Art, craft and culture flourishes in Wurrumiyanga on Bathurst Island, the largest Tiwi Islands community. You’ll find it in lacquered bowls, carved masks and printed fabrics, as well as the laughter spilling from community life where AFL reigns supreme. Panellist Ben Hall describes a visit as a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit a modern-day Aboriginal community." Beyond the village, the sea and sky stage exhibitions of their own: mangroves frame the tide, beaches double as Mother Nature’s art and electric sunsets demand applause. 

Don’t miss: The unique Ngaruwanajirri Art Centre. Known as the Keeping Place, or the Tiwi Sistine Chapel for its remarkable ceiling panels, this unique art centre provides a daily workspace for a small group of artists. Keen to explore more? Read our full Tiwi Islands guide.

This article is part of Australian Traveller’s 100 best Aussie towns to visit, as chosen by a panel of industry experts, well-known Aussies and travel insiders. See our full list of 100 best Aussie towns here and visit the special 100 best Aussie towns hub here.