Aboriginal art is significant to everyday Aboriginal life. The creation stories, traditional laws and customs have been passed down through paintings and inscriptions for tens of thousands of years. Aboriginal people use 'songlines' to pass down creation stories, laws and trading routes through generations. The distinct art styles of each region reflect the traditional life, creation stories and surrounding environments.

In the heart of Central Australia, between the East and West MacDonnell Ranges, sits Australia's most famous outback town. Alice owes its existence to a cross-section of plucky pioneers and today, travellers can ponder various historic milestones at a number of key heritage sites in and around the town. Just 150 years ago, explorer John McDouall Stuart forged a path through the heart of the continent and the Overland Telegraph Line followed a few years later, connecting Australia to the outside world and putting Alice Springs on the map. The Alice Springs Telegraph Station was the original site of the town and some of its old buildings have been restored and are open for exploration today.

Darwin is the tropical capital city of Australia's Northern Territory. It has a relaxed outdoor lifestyle and enjoys warm weather all year round. Perched on a peninsula with sea on three sides, Darwin is an excellent base to explore the natural attractions of World Heritage listed Kakadu National Park, Litchfield and Nitmiluk National Parks, the Tiwi Islands and Arnhem Land. Evan Papadopoulos Being Greek in Darwin is like being Italian in New York City, it’s totally natural. Find out what Evan loves about this tropical capital city and what he can’t find anywhere else.

Covering more than 292,000 hectares, Nitmiluk National Park is located north-east of Katherine. Nitmiluk is home to the spectacular Katherine Gorge, a series of 13 sandstone gorges carved over a billion years by the Katherine River. The impressive gorge walls and white sandy beaches can be explored on foot, by canoe or on a cruise and are stunning from the air on a scenic helicopter flight. It is a haven for nature lovers, with its rugged landscapes, dramatic waterfalls and lush gorges providing an abundance of flora and fauna.

The East and West MacDonnell Ranges stretch out for hundreds of kilometres on both sides of Alice Springs. The traditional owners of the Alice Springs area, the Arrernte people, believe giant caterpillars called the Yeperenye became the Ranges - they entered this world through one of the dramatic gaps in the escarpments of the area. Chris Day - Ranger West MacDonnell Ranges and Larapinta Trail

Kakadu National Park is Australia's largest, covering more than 19,000 square kilometres. Kakadu is World Heritage listed for both its natural and cultural values one of only a few sites in the world with a dual listing. There are hundreds of different languages, customs and laws, each woven together to tell a story that is more than 50,000 years old. Sharing and learning about indigenous art and culture is central to the World Heritage listed Kakadu National Park and Arnhem Land experience.

The 'outback' may be hard to define, but you'll know it when you see it. The outback is mythical Australia - red dust, empty tracks, unique wildlife, tall tales and big characters. It's not just about lifeless desert. The Simpson Desert stretches south from Alice towards the South Australian border and the Tanami Track goes for over 1000km to the north-west and into Western Australia. Hidden in all that remoteness are some of nature's most fascinating treasures. Spend some time exploring this extraordinary landscape and you'll see why the desert is anything but barren.

The Katherine region attracts adventure seekers year round with its abundant waterways, gorges and rugged outback country. Travellers can tackle the Katherine Gorge in a canoe, trek along the 58-kilometre Jatbula Trail, fish for barramundi or traverse the many four-wheel drive tracks. Its most well-known watercourse is the Katherine River, which flows through the famous Katherine Gorge. The Gorge, 30 kilometres from the town of Katherine, within the Nitmiluk National Park, is actually 13 separate gorges connected over a stretch of 12 kilometres by rapids and rocky terrain.

The canyon’s 300 metre high sandstone walls are breathtaking, and the surrounding area is home to diverse flora and fauna. Travellers can hike to the 6 kilometre canyon rim, follow a walking trail through the scenic desert surrounds, or stroll along the boulder-strewn valley floor. The shady Kings Creek walk ambles 1 kilometre along the valley floor to a lookout point. The Giles Track, an enjoyable 22 kilometre walk between Kings Canyon and Kathleen Springs, takes travellers through spectacular scenery.

The Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is located 440 kilometres south-west of Alice Springs near the town of Yulara, and encompasses both Uluru / Ayers Rock and the great rock domes of Kata Tjuta / The Olgas. This ancient landform dates back 500 million years. Travellers visiting the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park can also browse through the informative and award-winning Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre.