It’s a timeless land, where towering termite mounds rise above tall speargrass, giant goannas patrol the savannah and toothy saltwater crocs prowl the waterways. Vast wetlands teem with extraordinary birds that seem more closely related to dinosaurs than the skittish creatures that flit about suburban backyards.

Most Top End tours start in tropical Darwin. Perched on the northern edge of the continent and washed by waters of the Timor Sea, the NT’s lively capital blends frontier charm with 21^st century modernity.

The city is closer to Indonesia than it is to any major Australian centre, which is reflected in the diverse and delicious range of cuisines on offer. In the evening, head down to Mindil Sunset Markets for a selection of tasty Asian treats, while checking out the quirky arts and crafts stalls.

Wilderness beckons

Beyond Darwin, travellers are drawn to the ancient landscapes, rich cultural heritage and wildlife bonanza of Kakadu National Park. The 20,000sqkm reserve holds a dual UNESCO World Heritage listing, for both natural and cultural significance.

For a front-row seat to Kakadu’s nature show, take a cruise on Yellow Water Billabong. In this watery world, dainty jacana birds skip across oversized lily pads, lanky brolgas dance their showy jig and black-necked storks strut about in the shallows.

Meanwhile, white bellied sea eagles survey the scene from the treetops while flocks of magpie geese swoop in to land among colourful lilies. Completing the scene, ever-watchful crocodiles sunbake on the shore or sashay effortlessly across the ponds.

For breathtaking views of the seemingly endless floodplains, stroll to the top of Ubirr – a bold sandstone bluff in the heart of Kakadu.

Ubirr is the site of traditional rock art galleries that reveal an age-old connection with country, stretching back thousands of years. Here, history and daily life are recorded on rock faces in a rich palette of ochre colours.

See paintings of wallabies, turtles, fish and a range of other animals, many painted in the region’s unique x-ray style. There’s even an image of a Tasmanian tiger – a species that disappeared from the mainland millennia ago.

A work of art

East of Kakadu lies the vast expanse of Arnhem Land, an area of pristine wilderness, wild rivers and some of the most remarkable rock art in the country. Among the escarpments and caves at Mount Borradaile are countless paintings, telling stories from a distant past and depicting early encounters with European arrivals.

This cultural treasure trove is a highlight of a trip to this remote region, and can be experienced on an organised tour.

The Arnhem Land town of Maningrida sits at the mouth of the Liverpool River, where it meets the turquoise waters of the Arafura Sea. Maningrida is well-known for its thriving arts community, with local artworks sought by collectors around the world.

Established in the 1970s, Djómi Museum hosts an impressive display of artefacts, bark paintings and photographs dating back generations.

Arnhem Land is also famous for its barramundi-rich waterways, attracting fisherfolk from around the country, and beyond. A boat tour of the Liverpool and Tomlinson Rivers takes travellers deep into the wilderness, where the barra are biting and the scenery is straight from a David Attenborough documentary.

A trip to the NT’s Top End is like a journey into the land that time forgot. And at the end of every day, a dazzling splash of fiery colour heralds yet another stunning sunset.