The Top End has two distinct seasons, the wet and the dry. The dry season, from May to September, is the best time to go, because all the areas in the national parks are accessible and the weather is hot and sunny, with warm, dry nights.
October to December is known as the ‘build up’ and is the most humid time of year, which can be very uncomfortable and many people choose to avoid visiting at this time of year.
January to April is the wet season. This time of year is extremely beautiful, but, because of the monsoon rains, many areas are inaccessible. However, some very special areas are and, for people returning to Australia who have a sense of adventure, this would provide a wonderful experience of wild Australia.
Festivals and Events
May: Gold Rush Festival, Pine Creek
Set in the former centre of the gold-mining industry, the Gold Rush Festival includes the Northern Territory Gold Panning Championships and the annual Didgeridoo Festival.
June: Canoe Marathon, Katherine
This day-long event traces a 47km route along the rapids of the beautiful Katherine Gorge.
June/July: International Skydiving and Parachuting Championships, Batchelor
Hundreds of sky-sports competitors from across the world colour the skies near Darwin.
August: Bushman’s Carnival and Rodeo/Never Never Festival, Mataranka
This celebration of bush life includes competitions in the horseback cattle-herding skills of cutting and campdraft, rodeo, gymkhana, and a Polocrosse match, rounding it all out with live entertainment, and a chance to experience the famous Bushman’s Breakfast.
The carnival runs alongside the Never Never Festival, which features storytelling and poetry among other exhibitions of the arts, and includes cricket and bowls tournaments for the sport-minded.
Around the first weekend in August: Garma Festival
One of Australia’s most impressive indigenous festivals, celebrating the culture of the aboriginal people of north east Arnhem Land.