Explore the unique, sustainable tourism offerings in the Northern Territory’s Top End, from turtle nesting to cultural tours, writes Neil Porten The Northern Territory’s Top End steams in the wet season and bakes during the Dry. This March was the second wettest on record, so even in early May evaporating waterways are green-tinged, as viewed on the flight into Darwin. Brown rivers, white floodplains, red and pink sandstone escarpments, neat patchworks of market gardens and lush orchards catch the eye.
But it is the fires, countless square miles of scorched black savanna and pluming smoke hundreds of metres high, that define the landscape. Rain and fire, the sustaining twin elements of the Top End. In the few days I’m here — watching flatback turtles nesting at sunset, waterhole hopping in Litchfield National Park, exploring Kakadu — it’s clear that themes of resilience, diversity and local hospitality are key to a sustainable visitor experience.
Turtles by the sea On a fast boat called Olive Ridley, named for Australia’s smallest marine turtle, Njulbitjlk (Bare Sand Island) is 90 minutes southwest of Darwin. Excitement is high for the 20 passengers on board for this first sunset tour of the turtle nesting season. Tour operator Sea Darwin – Sea Tiwi is owned by a corporation of Tiwi Islands clans and works with traditional owners the Larrakia to access this remote and beautiful dot in the Timor Sea.
Our guides, marine science PhD candidates Natalie and Julia, .
