It has unique physical features and diverse landscapes, including vast deserts, rugged mountain ranges, and stunning rock formations. The territory straddles both tropical and desert climates, with topography shifting dramatically as you traverse the region.

The wetlands of Katherine and Kakadu show a totally different geography including the grand Katherine Gorge through which the Katherine River flows amongst high canyons with beautiful colourful walls. Lastly, massive areas of lush tropical rainforest make the Northern Territory seem like the most diverse landscape in the world.

Much of the Territory is relatively flat, but has some disconnected ranges, including the sandstone plateau of western Arnhem Land. Long mountain ranges are more a feature of Central Australia, these include the MacDonnell Ranges, the Petermann Ranges, and Harts Range.

The coastline is flat with low headlands and is mostly fringed with mangrove swamps. There are many offshore islands, of which Melville and Bathurst islands and Groote Eylandt (“Big Island”) are the largest.