WARM welcomes and laidback living is at the heart of the Northern Territory. But don't be fooled; there is a lot of great things to do in this amazing part of your Australian backyard.

Fish for silver barramundi

Try helifishing for the ultimate barramundi adventure or join one of the many tours from Darwin that go into Arnhem Land where the fishing is some of the world's best.

Meet local artists and watch them work

Meet Aboriginal artists and watch them create their magnificent artwork. Visit the galleries on the Tiwi Islands north of Darwin or sit with the Maruku artists near Uluru, or join in the art festivals like the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, Walking with Spirits at Beswick near Katherine or Desert Mob in Alice Springs.

Cruise Nitmiluk at dawn

Wake early and cruise peacefully up Katherine Gorge as dawn breaks. Drift past Aboriginal rock art with the changing colours of the dawn light, mist rising from the water and wildlife stirring on the bank.

See ancient rock art in Kakadu National Park

Kakadu's rock art is world class and one of the reasons for its dual World Heritage status. Visit Kakadu's rock art galleries at Ubirr, Nourlangie and Nanguluwur and see their fascinating record of life over thousands of years.

Watch the changing colours of Uluru at sunset

Catch an Uluru sunset from one of the viewing areas or join a gourmet dinner, watch it from atop camel or on the back of a Harley Davidson motorcycle, or you can even do a sunset skydive.

Walk Kata Tjuta domes

Take a walk to experience Kata Tjuta's 36 steep domes which are only a 20-minute drive from Uluru. Choose from three walking trails.

Explore the West Macs

Swim in the Glen Helen Gorge, Ellery Creek Big Hole, Ormiston Gorge or Redbank Gorge waterholes. Explore the desert country and its escarpments where the walls glow bright red at noon.

Enjoy the Mindil Beach Markets

On Thursdays and Sundays during the May to October the Darwin markets have food stalls that serve dishes from every corner of the earth. Eat on the beach as the sun sinks into the ocean right in front of your eyes.

Swim at Litchfield National Park

Just over an hour away from Darwin experience the double cascades of Wangi and Florence waterfalls that drop into sublime natural swimming holes, or soak in the tiered rock pools at Buley Rockhole.

Catch Karlu Karlu sunset

Plan a sunset stop at Karlu Karlu (the Devils Marbles), an hour south of Tennant Creek. The hundreds of granite boulders scattered around a shallow valley turn a fiery red as the sun sets-an unforgettable sight.

For more details on these activities and other Northern Territory travel ideas, go to w: northernterritory.com.