Combined, the two of us have been to over 30 countries - from Thailand to Germany to the United States to Turkey to Japan to Fiji to Canada.
But top of our bucket list for years has been Australia's Red Centre.
Earlier this year, as guests of Tourism NT, we travelled around Central Australia with our mum. We flew to Alice Springs and explored iconic places like Simpsons Gap, Glen Helen Gorge and Kings Canyon, and... holy crap. We have never, ever seen anything like it.
Along the way we were welcomed by people whose local knowledge enriched every experience - from learning about Indigenous foods to being welcomed to the land to being shown a night sky where you can quite literally see the Milky Way.
The Northern Territory is the ultimate road trip destination, as you make your way through deep red roads, blue sky as far as the eye can see, massive canyons and stunning swimming spots.
When you come back, keen to yell about it to anyone who will listen, you realise pretty quickly that words don't do it justice. Not even close. So here are 31 photos that prove why the Northern Territory needs to be your next holiday destination.
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
The Field of Light (pictured above) is an art installation of over 50,000 globes that illuminates the desert as the sun goes down. The silhouette of Uluru sits in the distance.
Below is Butterfly Gorge, located between Darwin and Katherine, full of rock pools which are perfect for a refreshing swim.
Butterfly Gorge
Alice Springs
In Alice Springs, known as the Capital Of The Outback, you can explore the red plains from above by floating in a hot-air balloon with Outback Ballooning. A lot of the wildlife you come across is unique to the region and you can learn all about the flora and fauna at the Alice Springs Desert Park.
Walpa Gorge
Simpsons Gap
At dawn or dusk, you may spot black-footed rock wallabies along the Simpsons Gap walking track or down near the waterhole.
Kakadu National Park
Standley Chasm
Karlu Karlu / Devils Marbles Conservation Reserve
Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge
Nitmiluk National Park includes 13 gorges and covers the area around the Katherine River. You can walk, canoe, bike ride, swim and fish in some parts of the gorge.
Glen Helen Gorge
East Arnhem Land
In the far reaches of the NT, East Arnhem Land is a tropical paradise with remote and rugged coastlines. Visitors can fly into Nhulunbuy from Darwin or drive the Central Arnhem Road with a permit from the Northern Land Council.
Ellery Creek Big Hole
Kings Canyon in Watarrka National Park
Kings Canyon is at the heart of Australia's Red Centre. The rugged peaks of Kings Canyon make it an incredible hiking destination.
Florence Falls in Litchfield National Park
After a day of hiking or exploring the sites of Litchfield National Park, there is no better fielding than going for a dip in Florence Falls. It is one of the best swimming spots in the NT, hidden in the middle of a rainforest.
Elsey National Park
West MacDonnell National Park / Tjoritja
Rainbow Valley Conservation Reserve / Wurre
We had high expectations for the Northern Territory, but our road trip exceeded all of them.
Despite all our travelling, the NT was unlike anywhere we've ever been with awe-inspiring scenery we cannot believe is sitting in our own backyard.
Make the Red Centre of Australia your next holiday. You won't regret it.
All roads lead to the Northern Territory – a place to reconnect while exploring Australia's natural wonders. Start planning your Northern Territory road trip by downloading the NT Drive Guide.
Feature Image: Supplied/Instagram @ntaustralia
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