The Northern Territory (NT) is a huge and dynamic region that’s full of contrasts and many adventures. Now there’s a book that can help on a journey to this amazing part of Australia.
Discovering Natural Northern Territory (Parks |Reserves |Outback |Wetlands), by landscape photographer and author Louise Denton is an essential guide to the many natural treasures of the Northern Territory.
The Size Of The NT
The NT is certainly not a small part of Australia. As Louise mentions: ‘Encompassing a huge geographical area (around 1.4 million km2) the NT has distinct eco-regions: from arid, desert country in the south, heading north through open savanna to world-heritage wetlands and ‘stone country’ before the coastline meets the Arafura Sea’.
The gifted photographer captures the soul of the Northern Territory in the stunning book. The photos offer a fascinating look into natural environments: from scorching colours of a dry season to lush tropical colours.
What’s Covered?
The book has chapters that include Darwin and Around, Kakadu and Arnhem Land, Katherine and Mid North NT and The Red Centre.
The section on Ecology (geology, flora, birds, mammals and reptiles) is a great addition. Ever heard of a Double-barred Finch, an Intermediate Egret or a Green turtle or a Perentie?
Louise has also developed a highly convenient and user-friendly ‘Parks At A Glance’ resource, which succinctly outlines the facilities available at the National Parks. This includes information on visitor centres, wheelchair accessibility, picnic areas, BBQ facilities, cafes, camping and caravan sites, accommodations, walking trails, swimming spots, mountain biking trails, fishing areas, boat ramps, 4WD touring routes, cultural and art sites, as well as guidelines regarding pets on leads.
Inspiration, Life in the NT, Gallery On The Waterfront, Challenges, What’s Next?
What inspires Louise about the Northern Territory?
Everything about the environment and natural places! The NT has no shortage of unique landscapes including world class wetlands, ancient escarpment country, pristine waterfalls and remote gorges. The climate of the Top End is a huge inspiration to me, the wet season creates a special atmosphere with it’s electrical storms, monstrous clouds and dramatic light. The resilience of the landscape to go through yearly flooding and a long drought in the dry season, yet still thrive.
The southern NT around Central Australia is the same, an ancient, rugged landscape that is so alive even with so little rainfall. The NT environment fascinates me – I recently completed a conservation course at Charles Darwin University to learn more about the local flora and fauna. I strive to capture the essence of the NT landscape and believe growing my knowledge on the local ecology helps me to be able to identify those things that make the NT what it is.
Louise is originally from Stourbridge in the U.K. I asked her how she adapted to the NT life?
Settling in to the NT was very easy for me! For a start I hate the cold, so Darwin is a great place to be! The lifestyle is laid back and outdoorsy, with an endless amount of nature to explore, without the crowds. I love camping and hiking, and Darwin is the perfect base for that. I’ve always found Darwin a very welcoming place with friendly people, and we have no traffic!
The Louise Denton Photography Gallery is on the Darwin Waterfront. Where do people come from to look and buy?
All over the country! We offer free delivery Australia-wide and am proud to know that my photographic artwork is hanging all around Australia! We also get a lot of visitors, both local and interstate who just share the love of the NT outback and enjoy exploring the landscape through my images.
What are some of the challenges of photography in the NT?
One of my main challenges is exploring and photographing the NT in the wet season. I do a lot of multi-day, off track hiking where I can’t protect myself or my camera gear from the elements. When it rains in the Top End, it really rains! The humidity is 100% and the heat can be pretty extreme. I’ve been lucky enough to photograph Uluru in the rain and its waterfalls, but I did push my camera to the limits of how wet it could be and had to sit out an afternoon of shooting due to soaking my camera. Luckily it dried out! I’ve learnt over time how to protect my gear and use a lot of dry bags… which I am now confident in floating my gear across creeks when I’m hiking out in Kakadu or Litchfield in the middle of the wet. The wet season also restricts travel on some roads in the Territory, which means I need to get a bit creative with either hiking in or capturing the landscapes from helicopter!
Does Louise have a favourite part of the NT?
I can’t pick a favourite part, as it’s all so different. I do love both Kakadu and Nitmiluk National Parks, and visit both several times a year. I love Kakadu for its massive diversity, in the landscape, habitats and species found within. The park is huge and has so much to offer, every time I go it’s a different experience. I love Nitmiluk for the gorge but also how accessible it is. Nitmiluk has a great network of marked trails and other opportunities unique to the park such as the kayaking facilities and the Jatbula Trail.
What’s next for Louise Denton?
I’m currently in the process of trying to decide what my next book will be! I have a few ideas for my next coffee table book based around the NT environment. It usually takes between a year or two to gather the images. I’m also learning to fly a drone at the moment, so I hope to be able to add a lot more aerial imagery to my collection this year!
Whatever the project I’m sure it will be another outstanding blend of her artistry and important information about the NT.
You can find out more about Louise Denton Photography here
Waterfront Gallery: If you’re in Darwin, why not visit Louise’s Gallery on the Waterfront at 19 Kitchener Drive, Darwin City, NT, 0800.
Discovering Natural Northern Territory (Parks |Reserves |Outback |Wetlands) is published by Woodslane
The book is available online from Woodslane and all good bookshops
Jill Weeks is the author of 21 Ways To Retire and co-author of Where To
Retire In Australia and Retire Bizzi. Information Provider For Great Retirement Lifestyles.
She is a regular contributor to radio.