All in one massive region of Australia you can experience stunning beaches, thick untamed bushland, an unforgiving red centre of a desert, and all with less than one quarter of a million people inhabiting this land. The Northern Territory (NT) has the smallest population density of all Australia, and is a destination for the modern adventurer. It’s humbling to enjoy the isolation offered by such a massive uninhabited region.
The NT At a Glance
The NT is home to the hottest capital city in Australia, an unforgiving desert, and some of Australia’s least-explored pockets of land.
Population
The NT is home to just under a quarter of a million people, with 150,000 of these living in the territory’s capital Darwin. With the massive land taken up by the NT, this makes this the least densely populated part of Australia with only 0.16 people per square kilometre. This makes it as sparsely populated as Greenland, which also case 0.2 people per square kilometre.
Main Regions
The following are some of the more popular regions of the Northern Territory, and for what the area is most commonly known.
Darwin
The smallest of all capital cities, Darwin is literally a hotspot in Australia with the highest temperature of all the capitals. As a result the city is also close to the natural wonder that the NT can provide. The city also has a high population of Indigenous Australians, making Darwin rich in traditional Australian culture. Being the capital of the last frontier also gives the city a humble small-town feel.
Arnhem Land
One of Australia’s last true wilderness areas, Arnhem Land is filled with incredible scenery and opportunities for the outdoor adventurer. A must-go destination for lovers of both fishing and four wheel driving through difficult terrain, this is a great opportunity to see some of the least-touched lands in Australia.
Katherine
This rugged patch of Australian wilderness is where the desert comes to meet the tropics. The Katherine area is filled with waterways including hot springs and gorgeous waterfalls. The region also includes some of Australia’s more unique rock formations.
Barkly Tablelands
This patch of grassland is home to the north end cattle ranches; a sprawling grassland ideal with cattle stations that are the same size as some European countries. Massive multi-carriage trucks known as road trains cart the stock across the country for consumption or export.
Alice Springs
The area that surrounds Alice Springs is home to some of the most unforgiving desert, along with the natural wonder that is the red centre of Australia. The crown jewel of the area is Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock; a massive sandstone rock in the middle of Australia. It is amazing to see at any time of year.
Climate
The weather forecast for the NT is almost always the same; hot. The only difference in the seasons is whether it is going to be hot and wet or hot and dry. The southern part of the territory enjoys the Australian desert climate, with some parts of the NT not experiencing rain for the whole year. The northern part of the state experiences a tropical monsoon climate, with a definite wet season between November and April.
Lifestyle
The NT is not as diverse as some other states, and the sparse population means that large distances between communities creates a very remote lifestyle for the residents. The traditional Indigenous Australians are also a strong cultural driver in the region.
Sports
Just like many parts of Australia, the NT enjoys many sporting pastimes across the communities, although there are not many teams from the NT participating at the national level. The people of the NT enjoy Australian Rules Football, Rugby League, Netball, Hockey, and Tennis; quite often played in the dustiness of a regional town.
Cuisine
The food of the NT is inspired by a combination of the many waterways throughout the region and the frontier survival. Barramundi and mudcrabs are both a popular seafood choice, along with crocodile meat that is available as a more cost-efficient choice. There is also Kakadu plum jam, which is a conserve known throughout Australia often served on damper, a frontier soda bread often baked over a campfire. With the Indigenous population of the NT, there are also opportunities to try the more traditional fare made famous by these original inhabitants.
Beverages
Paul’s Own Iced Coffee is a popular dairy beverage that originally started in the NT but is now a brand that has spread across Australia. There is also almost always a special entry in the annals of Australian food production history with NT Draught’s ‘Darwin Stubby’ a bottle of beer that held 2.25 litres in a single vessel. The Darwin Stubby is no longer manufactured, however it is cemented in Australian food folklore. Ironically, a Darwin Stubby would be a risk of getting too warm to enjoy if consumed in the unforgiving heat of Darwin.
Cost of Living
Purchasing power in Darwin is stronger than Sydney. The average wage in Darwin is almost on-par with the nation’s largest city, but property prices are much more competitive in Darwin; costing almost half as much as Sydney. Other metrics for cost of living differ slightly. For example; transportation is more affordable in Darwin while eating at a restaurant is more affordable in Sydney.
Main Places of Interest
The state is home to many natural and cultural wonders. The NT is a popular tourism destination on account of its natural wonder and under-developed landscapes.
Kakadu National Park
The wildlife, the waterfalls, and the endless rugged terrain all add up to make the natural wonder offered by this unique piece of the top end of Australia a must-see destination. This part of the NT is filled with adventures for the more thrill-seeking traveller. Kakadu serves as a shuddering reminder of the isolation of Australia’s initial discovery.
Uluru
Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock, is one of the most iconic Australian tourist destinations. The natural structure itself seems to change colours throughout the day. Sunset at Uluru is a bucket list item for many domestic and international travellers. In one of the least developed parts of the world, the near-complete lack of light pollution also makes this region great for stargazing at night.
Crocosaurus Cove
Located in the middle of Darwin, Crocosaurus Cove has the largest collection of Australian reptiles in the world. This is a great place to learn more about the infamous Australian saltwater crocodile, or even come face to face with one in their main tourist attraction “The Cage of Death”.
Barkly Homestead
Situated in the middle of one of the most deserted places in habitable earth, Barkly Homestead is the only service stop within hundreds of kilometres in any direction. Set up to provide for travellers in both the cattle and the mining industries, this midway point is an interesting place to visit in the middle of nowhere.
Main Industries
With the population mainly centralised in Darwin and lack of general development, the main industries in the NT mainly focus on resources and work with regional community support.
Agriculture and Fisheries
With the NT being a significant resource for both land animals and fish, it is no shock that one of the major industries is around livestock. The territory’s economy especially for the inland relies on the breeding and sale of cattle stock, while the coastal areas provide barramundi, crabs, and saltwater crocodiles for meat to be sold domestically and internationally.
Mining and Manufacturing
The NT has been able to benefit from Australia’s resource boom of the last few decades. The region gives access to many mineral resources, petroleum, liquified natural gas, as well as exploration work for other resources.
Tourism
With many natural wonders of the frontier that is the NT, tourism is a significant part of the state’s economy, as well as the hospitality that is associated with visiting. Both Darwin and Alice Springs especially are home to some significant businesses to encourage tourism.
Government and Community Services
Darwin is a major point of government infrastructure when it comes to defending Australia’s national interest, which makes Darwin home to Australian defensive bases. Along with this government infrastructure, there is also a significant need for community assistance in the NT, especially for some Indigenous communities in the region.
Education
Darwin is home to many schools that offer incredible education. It is identified as a city with one of the healthiest student:teacher ratios, and also gives the unique experience in diversity when it comes to education with Indigenous Australians. The Charles Darwin University is ranked first in Australia for graduating salary and second for graduate employment; from a tertiary education point of view the NT has an excellent opportunity.
Fun Facts about the Northern Territory
- The Northern Territory was listed in National Geographic’s top 20 best places in the world to go in 2014.
- Alice Springs is the town that is closest to every beach in Australia. That said, the closest beach to Alice Springs is 1500km away.
- Uluru stands 348 metres high, but the bulk of the rock is thought to be underground stretching down as far as 2.5km.
- Once per year there are camel races held in Alice Springs. Part of the feature is that camels are incredibly unpredictable, so it is more entertaining mayhem than race.
- Home to the world’s only land regatta; The Henry-on-Todd Land Regatta is held once per year, featuring makeshift boats on dry land.
Top Five Reasons to Live in the Northern Territory
- Natural, warm, and beautiful. With some of the hottest weather in Australia, the tropical climate will mean never needing to worry about winter.
- Indigenous Culture. If you wish to have an authentic Australian experience with the traditional landholders, the NT offers the best opportunity.
- Darwin is in the wild. Of all the capital cities, Darwin is the closest to literally living in the rainforest, with wild animals on the city roads.
- Education. Class sizes are usually smaller, the educational experience more diverse, and Darwin attracts more scholarships.
- Work Darwin is regularly named as one of the easiest places in Australia to gain employment.
Closing Thoughts
Australia was discovered by people over the years who left home with a sense of adventure and a desire to venture into the unknown. The NT epitomises this feeling in the modern day. This area of Australia is known as the last frontier, and comes with unlimited potential for the future. For the current day, it continues to be a destination ideal for those looking to enjoy the natural beauty of a region largely untouched by civilisation. You can get lost in the NT, and you might just find yourself.
Visa options for the Northern Territory
For skilled migration purposes, the entire Northern Territory – including Darwin – is classified as “regional”. This means you can settle anywhere in the NT on one of the regional visa subclasses, without restriction. You can find general information on Australian skilled visas here.
The NT also has a DAMA (Designated Area Migration Agreement) that covers the entire territory. This opens a pathway to a work visa for prospective migrants in occupations that do not otherwise appear on the national skills lists – for example truck drivers or tour guides. You can find more information on the DAMA in our blog article.
What can the visa pathway look like?
There are different ways to make the dream of living and working in Australia a reality. The key is choosing the strategy that brings you closest to your goal – in other words, the visa option that offers the best prospects in your individual situation. Each visa subclass has its own requirements and is linked to specific rights and conditions. The best approach will always depend on your personal circumstances.
That is why it is important to approach your Australian visa pathway in a structured way and clarify the key requirements in advance, in order to avoid problems during the application process. Visapath Australia is happy to help you map out your roadmap to an Australian work visa. We advise you on the different options and support you step by step along the way.
