The top five must see-and-do events in the NT in 2017

FROM high octane to chilled out, there is something to suit everybody happening in the Northern Territory this year.  

Here are our hot five reasons to holiday in the Northern Territory in 2017 for a well-rounded experience of top end hospitality and action.

Just outside Alice Springs, the MacDonnell Ranges will be the backdrop for this world-class festival of light. Lights will be projected onto a two and a half kilometre stretch of this 300-million-year-old canvas using the latest in lighting technologies.

The display celebrates and showcases the oldest continuous culture on earth in one of the most magnificent cultural events to ever occur in Australia. Combining the most magical of our Australian landscapes it celebrates the history of our Indigenous forefathers making it a not to be missed event.

Register your intention of attending Parrtjima here

When it gets cold down south it’s time to escape north to the territory. Get your crew together for the biggest party in the sun the Northern Territory has to offer. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the CrownBet Darwin Triple Crown Supercars and it is set to be spectacular.

This is an exciting event for true-blue racing enthusiasts looking for some Supercar action as well as for those new to supercars. The Darwin Supercars is a safe, fun and family friendly event with some spectacular racing too.

There will be an abundance of entertainment on and off the track.

Start your Darwin Supercar action in the city centre with the massive Supercar Transporters parade as they roll into town. See Supercar drivers up close and take a selfie with your favourite.

It’s all about the action, the entertainment, the concerts and of course the party.

With the acts for 2017 still to be announced, you can be sure it will be on par with last year’s entertainers, popular rockers The Living End, who fired up centre stage on Saturday night.

A visit to the Northern Territory would not be complete without a visit to arguably some of the most beautiful National parks and naturally occurring ranges, gorges and waterholes in the world.

Only one and half hours from Darwin, you can make Litchfield National Park your base-camp to all the must do waterfalls for swimming, military history, indigenous culture, fine camping, wildlife parks, fishing lodges and other adventure attractions.

The park is home to several stunning waterfalls, crystal clear swimming waterholes as well as iconic termite mounds and the weathered sandstone pillars at the Lost City. With many beautiful walks to choose from there are also plenty of shady monsoon forest in ancient gorges to shelter in and enjoy the plentiful bird life.

Kakadu is a must do so put it on your bucket list. With waterfalls, escarpments, aboriginal rock-art, crocodiles and exotic bird life, and only 2.5 hours from Darwin, Kakadu is bound to change how you see the world.

Make Father’s Day 2017 one to remember for Dad with the ultimate weekend away at Australia’s ultimate must do automotive festival. Rev heads of Australia unite.

Start it with a road trip of your own and continue to celebrate all things wheels with three days of automotive competition, action and entertainment at different venues across Alice Springs.

Be part of Australia’s biggest street parade and get up close to the street machines, elite show cars, hobby vehicles, hot rods, classics and supercars and take the opportunity to drive your car on the open road.

The program features precision grass driving, street cruising, show and shine competition, drag racing and official Burnout Masters Qualifier.

On Friday night enjoy one of Australia’s legendary rock acts at the Rock ‘N’ Rumble concert.

Only have limited time in the top end? If you’re keeping it close to Alice then a visit to West MacDonnell Ranges and Kings Canyon is a must do.

Home to famous waterholes, the Ochre Pits, Gosse Bluff, Hermannsburg, and Finke River, the West MacDonnell National Park offers a once in a lifetime experience.

With a sealed road and plenty of facilities on arrival, the West MacDonnell Ranges are the easiest way to get a taste of what the NT has to offer outside the towns.

Further afield, but still within easy distance of Alice Springs, is the spectacular Kings Canyon.  

In Watarrka National Park, Kings Canyon is a highlight for visitors to Central Australia and offers hikes to the canyon rim, walks through scenic desert surrounds and strolls along boulder strewn valleys beneath imposing sandstone walls. 

Ancient red canyon walls soar 100m above Kings Creek to a plateau of rocky domes while the sheltered creek environments below protect an abundance of flora.

This article was sponsored by Tourism NT