The territories of Australia, from a direct constitutional perspective, are still subjected to the actual Commonwealth government. The power to legislate in these territories would need to come from the actual Australian Parliament.

Although most of these territories are being administered by the supposed Commonwealth government, the major three can administer it themselves. The three would be the Australian Capital Territory, the Norfolk Island and the Northern Territory.

The Australian Parliament 

For the administration of the Australian Parliament on Australia’s self-governing territories, it actually retains the whole legislative power and can even override the laws being made by these territorial institutions. Thus, this is only done on very rare occasions.

The Australian Capital Territory and Northern Territory are both treated as actual states. This is being upheld by the Australian intergovernmental parties. Hence, the actual distribution of these supposed powers between these territories and the Commonwealth is more different from the distribution amongst the states and the Commonwealth. As for the Northern Territory, it is the Commonwealth who retains the supposed power so as to administer the uranium mining and the Aboriginal lands directly. These are powers it does not assume out of respect to Australia’s states.

Northern Territory

The Northern Territory is considered as Australia’s federal territory. It occupies more the mainland continent’s central area, including the actual central-northern regions. It is respectfully bordered by Western Australia, South Australia, Queensland. For its northern portion, it is bordered by the actual Arafura Sea, Gulf of the Carpentaria and the supposed Timor Sea.

The Northern Territory also ranks the 3rd amongst the largest federal divisions of Australia. This is since its overall area covers about 1,349,129 sq km. It has a population of about 215,000; making it the least populated division in Australia.

Its History 

Northern Territories history would date back to about 40,000 yrs ago. This is when the Indigenous Australians were securely settled in the region. These indigenous people used to trade with the Makassan traders for trepang. This was done, as stated, during the 18th century onwards. It is also stated that there is a possibility that it was also done even prior to that; more or less about 300 years earlier. This would be the time when the coast of the Northern Territory was initially seen during the 17th century by the Europeans.

Thus, it would be the British who initially attempted to settle with Northern Territory’s coastal regions during the 19th century. It was just that the attempt only became successful in 1869; during the establishment of an actual settlement at the renowned Port Darwin. At present, the economy of the Northern Territory is solely based on direct tourism. The most visited locations there would be the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park located in Central Australia, the Kakadu national Park located at the Top End; and of course the mining areas in the Northern Territory.

The capital of the Northern Territory would be Darwin. If you will compare it with the other states in Australia, you will find that it’s actual population would not be concentrated on the coastal regions. Thus, it is more concentrated along the so-called Stuart Highway. Other major settlements would be Alice Springs, Katherine, Tennant Creed; and the Nhulunbuy located in the north east area of the territory. In fact the residents of the Northern territory are known as the “Territorians”.

The Northern Territory's Economy 

The economy of the Northern Territory is more focused on its mining industry. In fact, it would even account to about $2.5 billion; making it the gross state product and actually giving employment to more than 4,600 people.

The mining industry is more concentrated on their petroleum, energy and minerals that produce energy. Thus, their economy is mostly comprised of industries that are primary extractive in nature; plus a significant percentage for tourism.

The chief mining operations in Australia would be the Manganese at Groote Eylandt, the Bauxite at Gove Peninsula and Uranium Ranger. The supposed mines would be the iron ore at Frances Creek and the Manganese at Bootu Creek.

Among other areas in Australia, the Northern Territories would be considered the most sparsely populated. Even so, it has a systematic network of direct sealed roads that would connect Alice Springs and Darwin; the area of its central population with the neighboring states; and other centers like the Kakadu, Litchfield National Park and the Ayers Rock or Uluru. A few of these sealed roads would consist of single-lane bitumen. Most of the unsealed or dirt roads are used to connect to the more remote settlements.

Roads and Other Infrastructures 

Thus, there was a newly built gauge railway that would connect Adelaide through Alice Springs only with Darwin. This actually replaced the narrow gauge railway; which was started earlier but the connection was never finished.

The Northern Territory is actually one amongst the remaining few places worldwide that has no actual speed restrictions for their public roads. As of Jan 1, 2007; the default speed limit would be 110km/h. Thus, this would be for roads outside of the territory’s urban areas. A speed of 130km/h is permitted on major highways like the Stuart Highway.

Around June last year, roadside deaths have reached to about 28.6%. The road toll also increased to about 35.7%. They should really try to reconsider these speed limits. They should try to revise it and see if doing so will lessen the rate of road deaths and the road toll as well.

Hence, the Darwin Airport is stated as the international and domestic airport of the Northern Territory. There are also a few smaller airports scattered all throughout the Northern Territory. It is being served by a bit smaller airlines; which includes the Tennant Creek Airport and the Alice Springs Airport.
There are a number of tourist attractions in the Northern Territory. This is especially in their Katherine region; which situated in-between the so-called top end is and the famous Red Center. These areas offer an amazing wealth of activities and natural attractions.

Katherine 

Katherine would, in fact, represent the beautiful crossroads of the amazing outback. It is ideally positioned in-between 3 regions of superb beauty and actual environmental significance. It is the superb base for the exploration of the actual Gulf Region, Kimberley and the Kakadu.

Katherine would cover an approximate area of about 408,500 sq km. This would even include the famous Daly River, the north eastern side of Kakadu and the southern portion of Dunmarra. This is long with the Keep River National Park, the eastern portion of Borroloola and the famous Gulf Region.   

The Katherine area enjoys wet and dry seasons; similar to of the regions of Northern Australia. If you will visit this area, you will experience an array of beautiful outback activities. This would range from station homestays, fishing on the wide and deep rivers, the aboriginal craft and art, and guided or unguided bush walking.

The attractions and activities in Katherine would be:

•    Katherine School of the Air

This facility is located at Giles Street, Katherine NT 0850. It is closed on public holidays.

•    Katherine Museum

This gacility is located at Giles Street, Katherine NT 0850. It is open M-F, closed on Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and Good Friday.

•    Springvale  Homestead

This facility is located on the banks of Katherine River, 8km from Katherine. The entrance is free. The Historic Springvale Homestead Website: http://www.springvalehomestead.org.au

•    Elsey  Homestead Replica

This facility is located at Mataranca Homestead Tourist Resort. The entrance is free.

•    Elsey National Park

This facility is situated south of Mataranka Township and along the Stuart Highway. Its camping grounds are said to be available within the park grounds. No pets and generators allowed in this property.

•    Cutta Cutta Caves

This facility is about 27 kilometers south of Katherine; tours available every year

•    Litchfield National Park

No pets are allowed in this facility.  

•    Manyalluk

This facility is situated 50kim south of Katherine.

•    Kakadu National Park

This facility is a cultural landscape.

•    Mataranka Thermal Pool

This facility is located in Mataranka Homestead; about 100km south of Katherine.

•    Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) National Park

This facility is located 29 kilometers from Katherine.

•    "CHARLIE" The buffalo

This facility is located at Adelaide River Pub.

•    Jurassic Cycad Gardens

This facility is open daily from 9am up to 6pm.

There are a lot of other tourist attractions throughout the Northern Territories. With regards to the prices of land there; it is still fairly reasonable compared to the other states of Australia. It is just that infrastructures there are not really comparable to the major states. A lot of renovation and construction are to be made on their roads.

Moving to the Northern Territory 

If you are planning to look for land on this area in Australia, you can check first for the rental yield it can offer. As mentioned, most of employment sector would work on the Northern Territories mining industry. If you are looking for a more outback set-up for your home, this is a good and somewhat remote place you can consider.

It is best to find a good realtor and discuss with him the specific information you need. Going there to have a look at the area is also a good idea. You can also ask other people, especially a local in the area. Doing so will help clarify your thoughts.

The last thing you should take into consideration would be the regulation and laws that they have. You need to check this and have it clarified for you. It may be a bit different from the mainland Australian regions because it is regarded still as a federal division of Australia.