10 things the Northern Territory does better than the rest of Australia
"I'm not saying other places are false, but things are just a bit more real up here. People speak a bit clearer... people accept what is and don't whinge too much about what isn't."
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I, a metropolitan Sydneysider, recently fell Akubra over heels for the Northern Territory.
But it wasn't just waterholes and sunsets that won me over. It was the attitude of the people and the character of the place.
This all in mind, here's my full list of 10 things I reckon the NT does better than the rest of Australia.
1. Humour
Going to the NT, in terms of humour, is a bit like going back in time 20 years. And though some Sydneysiders might find it cringe, for me, expletive laden mugs and silly singlets will never not be funny.
2. Keeping things real
As Rob Woods, owner of Ethical Adventures, told me during my tour of Litchfield National Park, the weather in the NT means there's no time for any bullshit.
"I'm not saying other places are false," Rob told me, "but things are just a bit more real up here."
"People speak a bit clearer... people accept what is and don't whinge too much about what isn't."
"Part of that is an acknowledgement that the conditions of life up here means that you don't kid yourself so much thinking that you are in control of everything. You get a bit more laid back in terms of deadlines because shit happens and if you're worried about shit happening you're going to give yourself an early grave."
"I think we do reality better than other places."
3. The waterholes
New South Wales may have some great Top End waterhole lookalikes, but nothing compares to the real thing. From the Upper Cascades (which I visited as part of an excellent Ethical Adventures trip) to Tjaynera (Sandy Creek) Falls, which I visited as part of a Darwin Distilling Co. heli-foraging tour, each Litchfield swimming spot just got better and better.
4. Cafes with character
While Sydney and Melbourne are all slick marble counters and single origin beans, I found the NT's cafes to have way more character. Especially the Mad Snake Cafe which was stacked full of vintage tables, board games, VHS tapes, star wars cut outs and a video game machine.
5. Sunset
I thought my hotel waiter had me on when he told me people clap for the sunset in Darwin. But they actually do. And it seems to spur the colours on...
6. The lack of rules
Did you know NT locals don't need a parks pass to visit a national park (only visitors do)? And you don't need a boat license to drive a tinny?
7. Speed limits
I've never seen a 130 kilometres per hour speed limit before. So that was a new one.
8. Winter
While Sydneysiders shiver through winter, up in the NT it's the dry season, making it the perfect time to visit.
9. Ingenuity
While foraging for lilies at Finniss River Lodge to make a gin flavoured with NT botanicals, I was surprised to be told the engine of our airboat was ripped straight out of a Holden Commodore.
10. Laksa
I had the most finger-licking Laksa of my life at the Parap Village Markets, which are a Saturday morning ritual in Darwin with a dizzying array of sizzling street food, baked goods, fruit, veg and coffee. After lining up at a stall called Mary's, I discovered why many call it the best Laksa joint in town (a mean feat considering the Asian influence in Darwin means the city is home to some of the best Laksa restaurants in Australia).
The writer was a guest of Tourism NT
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Originally published as 10 things the Northern Territory does better than the rest of Australia
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