In today’s Discover Destination guide, we’re taking a road trip across the Northern Territory of Australia, from crocodile close-encounters and aboriginal rock art to a wonder of the world that’s been drawing people to it for more than 30,000-years.

The Top End, as it’s known, is ancient, vast, deeply spiritual, and unlike anywhere else on Earth. This is a journey into its heart to discover one of the wildest and most

fascinating places in the country.

Highlights include:

• Exploring Arnhem Land, a 200,000 acre wilderness home to the largest collection of Aboriginal rock art on Earth..
• Sitting by the campfire with Peter ‘Fingers’ Taylor of Finnis River Lodge hearing stories of wildlife close-calls and the greatest animal rescue story you will ever hear (spoiler: it involves giving CPR to a possum).
• Seeing Uluru for the first time: more than 1,000ft tall, and nearly six miles around, this giant stark red sandstone monolith is one of the great wonders of the natural world, and infused throughout with aboriginal history stretching back to the Dreamtime.
• Walking in Kata Tjuta, Uluru’s less-visited but equally sacred neighbour - 36 ancient domes of rock, and a Valley of the Winds hike that might just be one of the most beautiful in Australia.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

We designed this itinerary with a company called Down Under Endeavors, who specialize in authentic Australian adventures: wide open spaces, real wilderness, and the kind of local characters you'll be telling stories about for years.

Armchair Explorer listeners get $500 off any trip. Head to downunderendeavors.com/armchair and use the code ARMCHAIR at checkout.

You can literally book this exact trip - with these exact guides - or design something entirely your own. You can book from anywhere in the world, and even if you're just dreaming right now, the website is worth a visit, and the dream is half the fun.

GOT 30 SECONDS?

If this episode made you want to book a flight to Australia, do us a favour and send it to just one person who you think might need an escape too. It helps us continue to build this community of travelers who want to protect the outdoors, learn from different cultures, and celebrate the pure joy of exploring this beautiful planet. We think that’s a message that’s worth sharing. If you do too, please leave a review or pass it on.

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CREDITS

Armchair Explorer is produced by Armchair Productions, find out other shows at armchair-productions.com. Aaron Millar writes and presents the show. Charles Tyrie does the audio editing and sound design. Theme music by the artist Sweet Chap.

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Today host Aaron Millar is sharing a bucket list bit of madness — literal adventure insanity he got up to about 15 years ago in the Scottish Highlands. It's called the Glen Nevis River Race, and it involves hurling yourself down two miles of white-water rapids with nothing but a novelty inflatable for company.

Picture part extreme white-water adventure, part Monty Python's Navy — competitors arrive bearing giant inflatable swans, killer whales, dinosaurs and, for one unfortunate soon-to-be husband, a blow-up doll. It's one of those rare, acutely British moments when only the preposterousness of your situation matches the bravado required to see it through. And Aaron has never, ever laughed so hard in his life.

Highlights include:

• Hearing what it feels like to stand on the edge of a thundering 40ft waterfall, inflatable lilo in hand, with a crowd screaming at you to jump.
• Discovering what it feels like to be swept into a churning cauldron of white-water with nothing but an inflatable air mattress to keep you afloat.
• Finding out about the world's most wonderfully ridiculous outdoor adventures — including World Bog Snorkelling, Gloucestershire Cheese Rolling, and the Frozen Dead Guy Days festival.

FIND OUT MORE

The Glen Nevis River Race is an annual summer event held in Glen Nevis, Scotland, raising money for the Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team. It's free to enter but contestants must raise a minimum of £100 in sponsorship. It's run by No Fuss Events: find out more at nofussevents.co.uk

Other adventures mentioned in this episode:

• World Bog Snorkelling Championships: held each summer near Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales: green-events.co.uk
• Cooper's Hill Cheese Rolling: annual chaos every last Monday of May in Gloucestershire: cheese-rolling.co.uk
• Frozen Dead Guy Days: Estes Park, Colorado. Yes, it's real. Yes, you should go. VisitEstesPark.com

SHARE THIS EPISODE

If this story made you laugh — and it will — do Aaron a favour and send it to just one person who needs a little madness in their life right now. Hit the share button in your podcast app, it takes about ten seconds, or leave a review. We’re trying to reach 1,000 new listeners this series, and every single share genuinely moves the needle.

FOLLOW US:

Instagram: @armchairexplorerpodcast

Facebook: @armchairexplorerpodcast

CONNECT WITH US:

If you enjoy the show, please subscribe on whatever podcast player you're reading this on right now. Go on, do it! It helps us grow the show, and continue to bring this content to you.

Armchair Explorer is written and presented by Aaron Millar. Audio editing and sound design by Charles Tyrie. Theme music by Sweet Chap. Produced by Armchair Productions.

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.

Voyascape Podcast Network

Check out the Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast